How to check your car yourself to save money?

Owning a car is expensive. First, you have to buy one, then pay for insurance, not to mention maintenance and fuel costs. To ensure the engine runs smoothly and the vehicle lasts, regular checks are also necessary, at least once a year. To reduce expenses, why not check and maintain your car yourself? Especially when it comes to simple visual inspections. In this article, discover the necessary tools and steps to follow to maintain your car yourself, without having to spend hundreds of euros at a mechanic’s.

The Tools Needed for DIY Car Maintenance For routine maintenance or a full service, you will need the following tools: a set of wrenches an oil drain pan (which you can substitute for a bucket)an oil filter wrench (three-pronged or chain type)

• an adjustable wrench or torque wrench
• a screwdriver an Allen wrench a car jack
• axle stands (you could use ramps) an air pressure gauge Rags, a funnel, and nitrile gloves are also recommended, although optional. These tools do represent a significant investment. However, once you have them, you can use them indefinitely. Tools for car maintenance
• Other items needed for car maintenance
• When you service your vehicle, you may need to replace
• defective parts
• or fluids to ensure your car runs smoothly. To be sure you buy the right parts, consult your car’s manuals beforehand. These may include:
• oil oil filter spark plugs
• air filter coolant antifreeze

windshield washer fluid

To properly maintain and service your car, you will need to go through several steps. These include:

oil change cleaning or replacing the spark plugs

• changing the air filter
• checking the tire pressure
• inspecting the tire condition
• checking the fluids
• 1- Changing the Oil

Before getting under the car, warm it up slightly. Drive around the block or let the engine run for about 5 minutes. This will allow the oil to circulate more freely, making the oil change easier and faster.

Depending on your car’s ground clearance, you can

• change the oil without lifting it on ramps or axle stands. In any case, raising it higher on a level surface will make the job much easier. Once in position, using the car jack,
• place the oil drain pan under the oil filler cap. Next, remove the oil filler cap located under the hood. Then, remove the oil pan drain plug. Generally, a complete oil change takes about an hour. During this time, using your oil filter wrench, loosen the oil filter. Then, take the new filter. Lightly wet the rubber gasket with fresh oil to ensure a better seal. This will also allow you to properly tighten the filter. Replace the oil pan drain plug and unhook the car from the axle supports. Pour in the new oil little by little while checking the oil level on the dipstick. Be careful not to overfill the engine. Once the oil level is just below the maximum mark, replace the drain plug and run the engine for about 10 minutes. Then, turn off the engine and check the oil level again. Add more oil if you find that the level is too low. It should be noted that used engine oil must be stored in an airtight container. Avoid pouring it down the drain or onto the ground.
• 2- Clean or replace the spark plugs
• As a general rule, manufacturers recommend replacing spark plugs every 50,000 km. Is your car having trouble starting? Does your car vibrate a lot at idle? Is it using less fuel than usual? This may mean that your spark plugs need replacing.
• You can also visually check for rust on the tips or for cracks in the ceramic core. To
• locate the spark plugs, simply follow the spark plug wires. These are usually located on either side of the engine. To remove these wires, pull on the spark plug housing, not the wire itself.

Grasp the spark plug socket and place it in the wire’s groove. Push it onto the spark plug and detach it from its holder. Take a new spark plug. Place it

in the socket

and push it into the gap. Be sure to tighten it by hand at first. Then, use a torque wrench . Reattach the spark plug wire and repeat the process for the other spark plugs.

3- Change the air filterMost cars have an airbox to cover the air filter. Normally, these are held in place only by clips. But some are secured with screws. In this case, you will need a screwdriver. Once the airbox is detached, remove it and expose the air filter

. It will probably be very black due to dirt. Remove the old air filter and replace it with a new, clean, white one. Maintaining your car yourself

4- Inspect the condition of the tires

When checking your car’s tire pressure, it is always best to check that the tires are cold. Attach the pressure gauge to the valve of each tire, record the pressure, and compare it to the reference value. Low pressure requires inflation.

You can do this at home or at a service station. If the pressure is too high, you’ll need to let the air out. Check the pressure again until it’s correct. Don’t forget to check the spare tire. You never know when you might need it.

This involves checking the tread depth.

Make sure it’s free of any defects (bumps, cuts, punctured sidewalls, etc.). 6- Check the fluids

This involves checking the level of: windshield washer fluid antifreeze/water brake fluidpower steering fluid

engine coolant

Generally, you can check the level of each fluid using a flashlight. Lift the caps and look inside the reservoirs. If one of them seems too low, you can (and should) top it up.

As you can see, performing routine checks and maintenance on your vehicle is perfectly feasible, especially when it involves simple visual inspections. The key is to be well-equipped and have the right tools to achieve significant savings.