Sometimes to save on money, there are certain issues with your car that you can fix yourself. However, when it comes to main components that keep the car running, you may need some extra help from a qualified technician to ensure your car is still safe to run. Take a look at some of the DIY projects you can take on yourself and what is best left to the professionals.
Car repairs to leave to the professionals
Whilst you may be tempted by fixing issues yourself, there are some that you shouldn’t:
Brakes
As one of the two most important things on your car (besides tyres), brakes should only be replaced by a trained car technician. Technicians have access to specialised equipment and tools, which makes it safe for them to take on the task.
Attempting the brakes yourself can easily lead to a mistake being made - one that could come at a high cost. Inexperience means you could miss something leading to catastrophic failure of the brakes. This will put the driver and other road users (including pedestrians) at risk of an accident. Even if you believe you know what you’re doing, you should always be cautious and take your car down to the garage - braking systems are complex and require thorough examination and repair.
Suspension
Whilst the mechanics of the suspension may look simple enough to fix yourself, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Trying to fix the suspension yourself could lead to very costly repairs if you make a mistake that lead to costly repairs later and in the worst-case scenario, could even lead to an accident. If your suspension needs fixing, take it down to your local garage.
Windscreen
It’s happened to all of us at least once - you’re driving along when you hear a loud sound on the windscreen and when you look up, there’s a chip or crack that’s appeared on the glass. Whilst chips should be dealt with immediately, sometimes a crack may appear before you know it. Always make sure that if you need your windscreen replaced, you get a professional involved. If a stone chipping is small enough, it can get fixed relatively quickly, but a crack will need a replacement windscreen. Trying to replace a windscreen yourself can cause major issues, even if you’ve managed to find the right type of windscreen for your vehicle. It’s always best to get a professional to look it over for you.
Electrics
Your car is full of them! Your car is essentially a computer that drives - and that means there are plenty of things that can go wrong. Even if you’re the IT expert in your household, if something goes wrong with your car it’s better to get it resolved by a professional - it won’t be a simple case of switching it off and back on again! Technicians use specialist diagnostics equipment and tools to ensure that your car’s electronics are in full working order and can find the problem immediately.
Transmission
If you experience issues with the transmission of your vehicle, you’ll definitely need to ensure you ask the professionals to look it over - with manual and automatic transmission to think about, it’s not easy to fix a major issue. If you have any clutch problems, take it to the garage and have a technician take a look. With so many moving parts, it’ll be difficult for someone with inexperience to know where to look or what to look for.
Car repairs you can DIY
Some of the repairs you can do yourself include:
Windscreen wipers blades
Notice that your windscreen wipers aren’t quite clearing the dirt and water off of your windscreen or they’re leaving streaks? You may need to change your windscreen wipers. Wipers that are leaving streaks are likely to fail an MOT, so it’s important that you keep them clean and change them when they need it.
Brake pads
If your brakes are squeaking or the brake pads are worn, it could be a sign that they need replacing - this is something that can be done by yourself. All you need to do is remove the wheel, unbolt the caliper, replace the pads and put it back together. If you’re unsure, you can look online for how to do it.
Engine oil
This is a key component that keeps your engine in full working order by protecting against corrosion, contaminants and wear. This is something that you can easily replace yourself. You should change the oil every 5,000 miles and check the oil every two weeks or before a long journey.
Flat tyres
If you have a flat tyre, you can change this yourself as they can happen at any time. If you need to get home and can’t wait for a rescue service, it can be crucial to know how to change a flat tyre. If you use a spare tyre, you must replace it with a new one.
Tyre pressure
As the tyres get used, they can drop in pressure. Usually your TPMS will tell you when your tyre pressure is low. At this point, you should go to your local petrol station or use a handheld pressure system to inflate your tyres.
Air filter
The air filter prevents dirt and contaminants getting into the engine and causing damage. The air filter collects this debris over time and will need replacing before it gets clogged up.
Coolant
This stops the engine from overheating. It’s important to check the coolant levels at least once a week - but you should only do so when the engine is off and has been cold for a while. If the level is too low, you can replace it.
Book a service or MOT with Swansway
Keeping your car in full working order is paramount for your safety, as well as other road users. If your car experiences failure of one of the main components that keep it running smoothly, you should take it to a technician who has specialised equipment and tools to fix it. Swansway offers a range of servicing, MOT and accident repair services to ensure your car is roadworthy. Take a look at our services today and book with us. If you’re unsure what you're looking for or would like more information about one of the vehicles you see on our website, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our team and we’d be happy to help you.
