Learning to do your own car maintenance certainly can save you money. However, if you do not know what you are doing, or if you do not take the proper steps, it can actually cost you more in the long run. Each car is different so the steps and the procedures are unique to your specific make and model of automobile.

With the economic concerns and financial difficulties facing families today, it makes sense to try and find any way that you can cut unnecessary expenses where you can and save money doing certain things for yourself. Car maintenance can be one area that can seem to be a way to save money by doing some of the more routine procedures and scheduled maintenance yourself. More and more people are becoming their own auto mechanic when it comes to their automobile’s service. Unless you are trained or have experience with automotive repairs and maintenance, this could spell trouble for you in the future and result in an increased risk of an problem or breakdown.

While it does save money in the short term, doing routine maintenance yourself and missing important steps, using the wrong part, performing the steps in the wrong order or not following the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines can lead to expensive repairs in the future. A car that is in need of repair that can make it to the shop on its own power costs less than half of the repair cost, on average, of that of a car that has to be towed to the repair shop.

Now this is not to frighten anyone away from opening the hood of their car or taking out an air pressure gauge and doing basic, simple upkeep and routine checks on the condition of their car. Since the average years of car ownership is now approaching double digits, it is critical that routine maintenance and key service intervals such as tire rotations, proper tire inflation, oil changes, tune-ups fluid level checks and top-offs, etc. are followed. More involved maintenance such as transmission and cooling system flushing and refill, timing chains, seals, belts and hose replacements are just as important and should be a top priority to ensure safe and reliable operation.

Drivers who do their own work need to make sure that they are honest with themselves and are completely confident in their ability to perform the task at hand. This applies to not only the skills to perform the work but also in having the proper tools in which to perform each service. If there is doubt or a question in your mind, leave it to the professionals. You will find it much better to pay an expert to maintain the vehicle for you than to pay the same person to fix a problem caused by a mistake or oversight.

The following tips work with every vehicle. They are not so much applicable to the fixing of a particular problem as they are applicable to just working on your car. That being said, they can make an absolutely huge difference between a successful repair and time spent throwing things and creating new cuss words!

Map It

Repair guides are full of tons of helpful information. The one thing they will rarely tell you is that you need to map the parts. Lay out a rag near where you are working. As you take things off the car, place them in a particular order across the rag. I go left to right and top to bottom like reading a book. The particularly mapping technique doesn’t really matter so long as you have some order. By doing this, you’ll know what order the parts go back on when you starting putting things back together. This sounds like a simple thing, but trust me when I say it will save you endless headaches.

Break Time!

If you start getting tired when doing a car repair, it is time for a break. Tired, cranky DIY mechanics nearly always make mistakes. Back away from the vehicle if you are getting tired or frustrated. Go grab an adult beverage and a bite to eat in the kitchen. Clear your mind and then come back and finish the job. This simple act will cut out about 90 percent of the “frustration” errors people commonly make.

Neutral!

Place the car in neutral when working on it. Use the parking break and a tire barrier to keep the car from moving. Why neutral? A couple of reasons. First, some engine components will only unlock when the car is in neutral. Second, you won’t start the car after a long repair while it is in gear! The longer the repair, the more likely you are to flip the starter and have the car jump forward. It is just the way things work!

After years of working on cars, these are three bits of wisdom I can impart to you. Follow them and even the toughest DIY auto repair can be done with a minimum of fuss.

Source

Things to try

1. Four cylinder engines always have the #1 cylinder closest to the front of the engine (only one bank).
2. V-6 or V-8 look for the plug that is closest to the front of the engine, if the cylinder heads are even an alternate way of determining #1 will be required.
3. Don’t overlook the obvious, check on the spark plug wire itself for cylinder numbers.
4. Also check the ignition coil for numbers.
5. If you have a scan tool, try disconnecting an oxygen sensor temporarily to determine which is B1 or B2. Usually a pending code or hard code will set rather quickly. Also look at the data screen of the scan tool, the voltage should in most cases default to .5V.
6. If all else fails read the service manual. Many on-line sources provide easy access to firing order and much more at DIY pricing.

Source

The cooling system is a fairly simple mechanism. The entire goal of the system is to gather and dispense heat. It does this by running through key areas of the engine where the coolant sucks the heat in away from the moving parts of the engine. The coolant is then pumped to the radiator where the coolant is spread out across a field of metal that is exposed to the onrushing air. The heat in the coolant is dispensed into the air and the coolant starts its return to the engine.

Performing a checkup on your coolant system is one of the easier things you’ll do. A word of warning. Only do the checkup when the system is cool. A hot system is under pressure and you really do not want to end up in the hospital due to coolant burns. Hot bad. Cold good. Enough said.

Assuming your car is cool, pop the cap on the radiator. Now take a look at the coolant. It should be a uniform color and there should be no “chunks” or debris flowing around in the coolant. If you see any of these things, your system needs to be flushed and you need new coolant. You can do it yourself, but taking it to a station or oil lube shop is much easier since they can deal with the old coolant.

What if your coolant level is low? Well, fill it up! Okay, hold on. Many car owners make a mistake when doing this. How so? They use water. Water is problematic because many cars now use aluminum components in the engine. Water, aluminum and heat are not good together. The coolant you buy for cars is designed to deal with the corrosion water can cause in the engine. Follow the directions on the brand, but most call for a 50/50 mix with water.

Any coolant system is only as strong as its weakest point. In most car cooling systems, the weakest point can be found in the rubber hoses that run from the engine to the radiator and back again. This means you should check yours. They are easy to find since they run off the top and bottom of the radiator. Give them a squeeze to make sure they are still firm. Make sure to look for wear in the form of heat expansion. You can identify this by looking at the clamps on each end of the hoses. If the hose has blown up around the clamp, the hose needs to go. Hoses are cheap and easy to replace, so error on the side of caution when evaluating them.

That’s it. Assuming there is nothing wrong with your system, a simple 10 minute checkup can have you set for spring and summer. If you live in a particularly hot area, you should look in your manual to see if any particular care steps need to be taken or speak with a dealer. Cars in places like Las Vegas and Phoenix often require particular coolant mixtures.

Source

Of course, the world of tools doesn’t have to be incredibly intimidating. A little bit of common sense and good comparison shopping and you can build a pretty nice collection of dependable tools for years to come without completely breaking the bank. Mind you, I didn’t say it would be done cheaply. You never want to cheap out on your tools, or you will be buying them all over again as they break and fall apart. So that having been said, here are some of my suggestions.

#1 – Shop for tools in the major automotive parts stores, but avoid the house brands. Only look at the larger brand name tools when shopping in these places. Sometimes you can find some real gems.

#2 – Watch the newspaper for advertisements. Father’s Day sales, etc are all goldmines.

#3 – Buy each kind of tool in sets of different sizes instead of buying them in randomly different sizes individually.

#4 – Examine the tools for quality. Check the edges for roughness or smoothness. You are looking for high grade steel with no rough edges.

#5 – This may save you more than all the other tips combined. When in the stores hunt out friendly looking associates. These are the guys you need to make friends with. They know where the specials are, whets being closed out, whets on sale, etc. Many of them are car guys and will know what a quality tool is and what isn’t. Befriend them, learn their name – it may save you thousands.

Sean has written a variety of great reviews. Check out his latest review and finds on Clearance Soccer Cleats and Soccer Cleats On Sale

Being one of the most expensive repairs on your vehicle, you must do your due diligence when searching for an honest and experienced transmission repair center.

Here are a few steps to take to save on transmission repair costs.

1. Some repair centers do not do work on transmissions or they do not do the work on the premises. Instead, they will tow the car to a local transmission repair shop and charge you an additional fee on top of what they will be charged in order to make a profit. So, try to deal directly with the transmission center to avoid paying any markups.

2. Shop around to find transmission repair centers that have competitive pricing. Find out if they match or will beat competitor prices.

3. Give them the following information they will need

a. Is your transmission standard or automatic?

b. Is your vehicle front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, or 4 wheel drive?

4. DO NOT ALLOW any transmission center to charge you an inspection, road test, or tear down fee before they quote you a price for the repair. In order to accurately determine what the problem may be, the transmission specialist may have to take apart the transmission.

5. Take or have your car towed to the transmission center only if there is no fee for the intial inspection, road test and tear down.

6. When getting a price quote, make sure to get it in writing and make sure it includes a warranty. Watch for any hidden costs.

These are just a few of the steps needed in order to avoid paying any unnecessary costs for transmission work.

I have been in the auto repair industry for over two decades with a specialty in transmission repair. I am the proud owner/operator of the #1 auto repair shop in Santa Clarita, CA, A to Z Transmission and Automotive as reported by the Daily News and Valley Living Magazine. For more information about my auto repair facility, please visit: Santa Clarita Auto Repair

So, here are the 10 tips for car battery reconditioning and maintenance:

1) Make maintenance a routine. To maintain the battery’s state of charge, you need to charge and recharge the battery often.

2) The depth of battery discharge must be reduced to avoid worn out.

3) Do not overcharge battery. It may result in power loss.

4) When your battery reaches at 80% state of charge, you need to recharge it so as to prevent it from sulfation, a process of getting crystals in the metal plates within the battery, thus decreasing power.

5) If possible, its best to use a switch to disconnect it from other car appliances that suck energy, HOWEVER, this may result in resetting the car’s clock and other issues that depend on the battery – consult with a certified technician FIRST.

6) 10.5 V is the limit for allowing it to be discharged. No less than that.

7) Pour water in the battery after charging, not before!
Do not overheat the battery – I can’t stress this enough.

9) While charging place the vent caps on battery to prevent water loss from gassing.

10) And being a friendly guy to the environment, please recycle the lead and plastic or batteries!

Adam is an expert in auto battery reconditioning, as well as in many other projects of Do It Yourself (DIY). Adam has found a profitable new market trend, the ever increasing demand of portable equipment that require batteries and started exploring it creating for him an remarkable opportunity.

Get more information now on this hot topic, by reading a full review of the car battery reconditioning at http://www.squidoo.com/batteryreconditioning

Following a well written guide, just anyone can teach themselves auto battery reconditioning. If you just search the internet, you will discover guides that at around 40-50 dollars can show you how. You download them instantly and if you want you print them for easier reading (I know that I do this!)

People just don’t know, as it is not publicly aware, that the concepts covered are elementary and the equipment needed costs well under $200 if you want to take things to a more professional level, and of course, even less for home use and on one’s own vehicle.

The great thing about the guide, is that a few reconditions (normally a four to five, you CAN take things to a professional level.

By the way, this could be a great opportunity to make some extra money by mending (seemingly) dead batteries. As more equipment becomes portable and vehicles rely more on electricity for power, this becomes a trend that you could easily exploit to your advantage.

To explain a little further, as a battery is used through time and has been recharged again and again, it gradually loses its capacity, which, (this capacity) then needs to be restored. You can take advantage of this little known secret, by using quick testing techniques and fast rejuvenation that are described in the guide.

To tell you the truth, it is very easy to make money by repairing batteries. First of all you get the materials for free – mechanics and garages, friends and other people, instead of dumping them, they GIVE them to you, at no cost. Then you can work from home, and even start an online business at eBay, Amazon or maybe your own site, shipping auto batteries and other batteries nationally and internationally. It can be part time or full time.

As said before, that is easy, and I’ m not not talking hype here – with a recommended guide, an e-book, downloadable from the internet, that explains everything and with support from a recognized author and certified technician.

Adam is an expert in auto battery reconditioning, as well as in many other projects of Do It Yourself (DIY). Adam has found a profitable new market trend, the ever increasing demand of portable equipment that require batteries and started exploring it creating for him an remarkable opportunity.

Get more information now on this hot topic, by reading a full review of the auto battery reconditioning at http://www.squidoo.com/batteryreconditioning and get an edge now!

Coolant for the cooling system in your car comes under many brand names. Notwithstanding this, every product has one of two chemicals in it. The vast majority are comprised of 95 percent ethylene glycol. When you mix these products in a 50/50 mix with water in your car, you are effectively reducing the chance of a freeze or boil over. The ethylene glycol prevents the water from boiling or freezing at any temperature you are likely to run into. If you live in Siberia, however, all bets are off on the freezing problem!

There is one problem with ethylene glycol. It is very toxic. The Environmental Protection Agency has done studies and put out big warnings on the chemical. Why? When ingested, it causes depression, respiratory failure, heart attacks, kidney damage and brain damage. Other than that, it is fine!

Most of us are careful when it comes to using coolant. Anything that color can’t be good for you! Regardless, not a year passes without numerous stories of pets and children that are hospitalized or killed after consuming radiator coolant. If you’ve owned pets and had kids, you know they will sniff, lick, and put just about anything in their mouth regardless of how revolting it is. Coolant fluid is a unique color and seems to attract their attention. This can lead to disaster.

If you work on the car yourself, coolant storage is something you really need to think about carefully. Coolant is cheap and you don’t need it very often. Given this, I often just use what I need and then dispose of it. If you are insistent on storing it, the place you use needs to be somewhere that your pets and kids can’t get to. It may sound alarmist, but you are going to feel pretty stupid and guilt if your kid ends up in the hospital with kidney damage because they got into the coolant you left on the shelf. Again, this happens every year.

I enjoy working on my car. Being safe when doing so obviously is a smart move, but so is being safe with the toxic products you work with. If you must keep coolant around, store it in a manner that won’t lead to a tragedy.

About the Author:

Dirk Gibson is with DCJAutoParts.com – find aftermarket car parts to make you car purr like a tiger and perform like a puma.

It is very aggravating to make an appointment with a mechanic that requires you to take time off from work only to be told the problem can’t be found. How many auto owners have left their cars with the mechanic all day, who can’t find any problem, only to have the car’s problem reappear after leaving the mechanic’s shop and getting halfway home? It can make you feel as if your car is haunted with poltergeists who believe a car with problems is amusing.

Mr. Car… Please Meet Mr. Mechanic

When you have an intermittent car problem, the last thing you want to do is spend a lot of money on auto diagnostics or repairs that don’t address the real issue. Most people don’t have the time or money to repeatedly take a car to the repair shop. On the other hand, sometimes the mechanic will have to at least try a few repairs based on your description of the problem if the auto has become unsafe. For example, if an engine stalls while in motion, the situation can obviously be quite hazardous.

Before presenting a plan of action for dealing with intermittent car problems, keep in mind you can eliminate the aggravation of frequent trips to the repair shop by using mobile mechanics. A mobile mechanic will come with diagnostic equipment to your car’s location, no matter whether it’s the parking lot at work, your driveway at home or the shoulder on the side of the road. There are many advantages to using a mobile mechanic over a traditional repair shop for identifying and repairing an intermittent auto problem:

* Mechanic is able to check basic car components closer to the time the problem occurs.
* Mechanic can return whenever you call, so you don’t need time off from work or have to leave home.
* Mechanic will document a history of the times your car experiences the intermittent problem to help narrow the possible solutions.

The key to dealing with intermittent car problems is to establish a pattern that the mechanic can use to isolate the problem. Many common auto problems can be fixed with just as common solutions. An experienced mechanic often knows how to fix an intermittent problem based on an accurate description.

For example, when a car engine will turn over but not start, it is usually due to one of a handful of problems.
* Computer or BCM glitches or breakdown
* Bad coil
* Distributor Problems
* Broken ignition module
* Failing fuel pump
* Failing fuel control system
* Starter Motor, Alternator or Battery

If you tell the mechanic the car “won’t start on cold mornings” but leave out the important fact it does “turn over”, he or she is missing critical information. It may not seem important to you, but even small bits of information can assist the mechanic with problem identification.

Establishing Patterns
Following is a plan of action for handling intermittent car problems that will not reoccur when the car is anywhere near a mechanic. First you can, of course, test those components you believe might be causing the problem if you have a basic understanding of auto engines. But if you are uncomfortable with even small auto repairs, then go right to the next step which is documenting patterns.

Randomly occurring auto problems are probably not as random as you think. They are probably happening when a certain set of circumstances exist. You just don’t realize this because of focusing on the car problem. So the best thing to do is create a log that describes these circumstances for the mobile mechanic.

* What you were doing when the problem occurred, i.e. driving, cold start, etc.
* Driving conditions such a heavy traffic start and stops, high speed driving, short trip driving
* Time of day , i.e. early morning after car sits all night or in the afternoon when the temperature is warmest
* Weather such as heavy rains or blazing heat
* Kind of noise the car makes before, during, and after the problem occurs
* Problem description
* What you do to temporarily overcome the car problem

Describing what you do to temporarily overcome the intermittent car problem can often provide important clues. For example, if you jiggle the key in the starter when the car won’t start, and the engine roars to life, then the mechanic knows to check the starter or starter wiring first.

When you are talking to your mobile mechanic about the car problem, you should also make sure you mention any recent prior events or repairs involving your car. For example, did you run out of gas several times in the last month? Was your car recently repaired? If you had used the same Mobile Car Care service for all your repairs and maintenance, the mechanic would already know the answer to this question!

Thoroughness Counts
It is always important to be familiar with the basic components and maintenance of your car. But most intermittent problems require the assistance of a mechanic. Though keeping a log may seem tedious to some people, it is amazing how quickly a pattern may be established as to when the car problem occurs. For example, you may learn the car engine stalls only when it is raining heavily and you are driving over 35 miles an hour on a curve! If so, your mobile mechanic needs to know!

Author : Mobile Car Care is a fully trained Mobile Mechanic and Auto Electrician servicing company. Our Mobile Mechanic Service Units are fully equipped to perform all car repairs, auto electrical repairs, and car, commercial and 4WD service. For more information, visit Mobile Mechanics Melbourne.