Cars play an integral role in many people’s lives. Maintaining them properly not only saves money, but it also makes them safer on the road.

If you’re a handy DIY-er, there are plenty of simple maintenance tasks you can handle yourself. Doing so will save you money on costly auto repairs and keep your vehicle in top condition for years to come.

Oil Change

Oil is an integral component of keeping your engine running optimally. Not only does it lubricate and protect many of the moving parts within your engine from wear and tear, but also absorbs heat to keep the engine cool.

Additionally, oil changes help prevent rust and corrosion. To keep your engine in top condition, have it changed regularly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Checking your car’s oil level is easy with a dipstick, located under the driver’s side hood. Look for either an orange or red pull-tab on this dipstick.

If you notice your car’s oil level is low, top it off until you can take it to the mechanic. Make sure they change both your oil and filter in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.

Altering your own oil can be a tedious task, but it’s an excellent opportunity to save money and gain more insight into how your vehicle operates. Just make sure you have all of the right tools for the job!

Tire Rotation

Tire rotation is one of the most essential maintenance tasks a driver can do themselves to ensure their vehicle runs optimally. Rotating tires prevents uneven wear, enhances ride quality, and maximizes efficiency by maintaining even tread depth across all four tires.

Uneven wear can cause uneven traction and cause vibrations that affect handling on the road. Additionally, it reduces tire life and increases the risk of blowouts or other catastrophic events.

Front-wheel drive vehicles tend to wear their front tires more quickly than their rear ones, as they transfer the majority of the engine’s power to the wheels at the front. All-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles will also experience uneven wear since they send a portion of the power between each side.

Rotating your tires typically involves moving the front and back tires on an axle to a different side of your vehicle. This may be accomplished by simply crisscrossing them, but it’s not always ideal. If you don’t have time or equipment to do it yourself, consider hiring a local mechanic who can take care of the job for you.

Air Filter Change

The air filter is a critical element of your vehicle’s system, helping prevent dirt from entering the engine and ensuring optimal performance.

Air filters can become dirty over time, so they may need replacing at regular intervals. This depends on your driving habits and environment; generally speaking, air filters should be changed once a year or every 10,000 miles.

Changeing an air filter is one of the simplest DIY car maintenance tasks you can do yourself. It only takes a few minutes, and you’ll save money by not needing to hire a mechanic for this simple task.

Most vehicles feature an air filter inside the air box, which is a rectangular compartment located either on the right or left front of the engine bay. Usually held securely with clips, some models may require you to use a screwdriver for removal.

Battery Replacement

Your car’s battery is an integral component, so if your car’s starting to have issues or you’re seeing a dashboard battery light, it could be time for a replacement.

If you feel confident enough, changing a car battery yourself is both simple and inexpensive. However, it is essential to take certain precautions before working on the battery.

First, park your vehicle on a dry surface and turn the ignition off. Additionally, don protective gloves and goggles for added vision protection.

Next, inspect the battery terminals and clamps to confirm they are free of corrosion. If so, use a terminal-cleaning tool or stiff wire brush to clean them thoroughly.

Next, disconnect both negative (black) cables and then positive (red). Be sure to note their positions when installing your new battery so you can connect them correctly.