Usually, when you have your oil changed, the mechanics will let you know about the various parts of your car that need replacement or attention. They may suggest new engine air filters, brake pads, and other small parts you might not have known about. Although it’s easy to say yes to these, mechanics charge a labor fee on top of the cost of the parts themselves. Their time, after all, is worth something, and they should be paid!
But, if you have the time and want to save some money, there are several easy DIY maintenance tasks that you don’t need a mechanic or an auto body shop to do. In this blog post, we’ll outline how you can save money with easy at-home car maintenance tips. We’ll outline how difficult these tasks are and if you need special tools to do them.
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For all of these tips, and any vehicle maintenance, make sure your car is turned off before performing maintenance! We also recommend doing maintenance in a garage or other clean environment where you’re not likely to lose any parts. Also, keep the garage open to allow fresh air to circulate.
We cover tire maintenance here: 5-point tire maintenance schedule
The cabin air filter is a rectangular frame with a soft fabric in the middle that filters out dust and other grime from the outside as your car’s air conditioner blows in air. Most cabin air filters last around 15,000 miles and should be replaced about once per year. Cabin air filters are usually fairly cheap, around $20 to $30 but make sure that you’re getting the correct filter for your car.
The cabin air filter is easily replaced, usually without the need for tools. You can find it by emptying your glove compartment and locating the inner knobs or screws latching the “bucket” of your glove compartment in place. This will be slightly different depending on your vehicle, so consult your car manual to see how to replace the cabin air filter.
Behind the glove compartment, you’ll find a slot where your old air filter can be slid out. You may have to remove a lid to access the air filter. Your new air filter will have small print on the side letting you know which way to face the filter in your car in the direction of the airflow. From there, replace the lid on your new air filter and put your glove box back into place. You’ve saved around $20 in labor costs!
Similar to the cabin air filter, the engine air filter is a frame with fabric that filters outside dust and debris that may build up in your vehicle’s engine. An engine air filter will usually last around 12,000 miles and should be replaced every year. An engine air filter is around $20, but you can buy a washable, reusable engine air filter for around $50.
You may need a Philips screwdriver to replace your engine air filter. You’ll need to open the hood of your car to access the engine air filter. The air filter will be located near the engine itself and typically be surrounded by a plastic box with a plastic hose attached. There are plastic clips around the box and a screw that clamps the hose that you loosen. You may need to slide the plastic hose out of the box.
Lift the cover to the air filter, and you’ll immediately see the engine air filter. Take note of how your old engine air filter is oriented so you know how to put your new air filter in. Then, put the lid back on over the new air filter and insert the plastic hose back in the air filter box. Screw the hose clamp back in and clamp all the plastic clips to finish the job. You’ve just saved around $25!
Your wipers can spray a bit of fluid when you want to clean off your windshield. This fluid isn’t water — it’s a special washer fluid that can be found at auto supply stores and in the automotive sections of department stores. It’s cheap, around $5 per gallon, and may need to be refilled every couple of months, depending on how much you use it. It’s easy to top off if you know how!
You don’t need special tools to refill your wiper fluid — just the fluid itself. Open the hood of your car and look for the knob with an icon that looks like a windshield being sprayed. It may have a different, bright color. It’ll usually be near the side under the hood. Check the fluid level by looking at the side reservoir, where there should be a “full” or marking.
From there, it’s as easy as unscrewing the cap and pouring wiper fluid in until you’re at the “full” mark. Replace the cap by screwing it back on or popping it into place, and you’ve saved a little labor cost!
Consult your owner’s manual to find out the right kind of wiper blades for your vehicle. You can also check the manufacturer’s website or simply Google, “wipe blades for [year] [make] [model],” as in “wiper blades for 2017 honda crv.”
Consider whether you’ll need traditional rubber wipers, beam blades (which are good for snow and ice) or hybrid.
This 90-second video from Cars.com illustrates how to remove and replace wiper blades.
Your car has several lights: headlights, brake lights, running lights, and other lights that will likely burn out. The brake light is fairly easy to replace and usually lasts around 1,000 to 2,000 hours, so how often you replace them will depend on how often you drive. A brake light bulb, for example, is only around $10 and often sold in sets of two. This is because if one of your brake lights goes out, the other is probably going to die around the same time.
For this, you’ll need a screwdriver, preferably one that’s electric for some extra torque. Consult your vehicle’s manual on exactly how to replace the bulb, but we’ll give you an idea of the general process. Open the trunk of your car and look around the sides of the trunk’s rim. There should be a small hole with a screw that secures the part that houses your car’s brake lights. Once you loosen this screw, the housing won’t immediately fall out — you need to gently pull it out of the vehicle, usually outward.
The shell will still be connected to your vehicle via wires. Plastic clips connect the outer shell of your brake light cover to the inner part. Undo these clips, and the back will separate from the front. Keep track of which light burnt out, as there will be several lights in your brake light housing! Slide the old, burnt-out bulb out, and then put the new bulb in. Reattach the outer shell of your brake light to the inner part and then slide the housing back, making sure that it snaps into place. You’ve just saved yourself around $30!
Your car’s battery lasts a long time, typically around 6 to 8 years, depending on where you live, how you use your vehicle, and how often you use your vehicle. If you notice your lights are dimmer than normal or the inside dashboard lights of your car are flickering, it may be time to replace your battery. Most auto body shops will test your car battery for free. You don’t have to have the battery replaced there, though. The car battery alone can be up to $200, not counting the labor costs.
For this, you’re going to need work gloves, safety goggles, and a socket wrench. Also, be sure that your car has been turned off for a while, as the battery can be hot.
This is the most complicated of the DIY vehicle maintenance tasks that we’ve listed because of the safety risk of battery acid. You need to avoid spilling the battery or damaging the outside of the battery casing during replacement. There’s also more cleaning and tools required for this. If you don’t feel comfortable under the hood of the car, we don’t recommend replacing your own car battery.
We also recommend searching for videos or documentation on how to replace the battery on your specific car model. This will give you more details about the replacement process and where the clamps are located for the battery. You will save money in labor costs if you replace your battery yourself, but it’s safer to leave this one to the professionals.