What Vehicle Maintenance Can Be Done Yourself and What Should Be Left to the Professionals?
Your car is an expensive investment, and regular maintenance is the best way to minimize the need for costly repairs. Of course, that doesn’t mean that every bit of maintenance needs to be performed by a professional mechanic. Many auto owners do not realize that there is quite a bit of simple vehicle maintenance that can be done yourself. Yet others, who are more adept at car repair, can sometimes run the risk of missing important maintenance by not leaving certain tune-ups to the professionals.
So where is the line between vehicle maintenance that can be done at home and the service that should be performed by a certified mechanic? While that line will shift depending on your automotive repair skills, there are certain types of professional vehicle maintenance that you should never overlook.
Head to the Dealership for These:
Car manufacturers recommend service at various mileage points. For best results, Client recommends that you return to the dealership for these milestone service visits. The mechanics at your dealership are experts when it comes to your specific car make and model. Their inside knowledge will ensure that nothing is overlooked during these important service appointments.
Similarly, recall repairs should always be completed by the dealership. For one thing, the cost is generally covered by the recall. Secondly, the mechanics at your dealership have been given specific information about the repair needed to satisfy the recall and any necessary training to complete it properly.
What Can Be Done at Home:
Quite a bit of your vehicle maintenance can be performed at home on your own time. This includes both regular maintenance and simple car repairs. How much you do at home depends on your automotive repair skills and your personal comfort level.
Some of the regular vehicle maintenance that every driver should perform themselves include simple things, such as changing windshield wipers, checking and regulating your tire pressure, and refilling fluids as necessary. With just a little training, at-home maintenance can be extended to items such as changing the oil, replacing the air filter and fuel filter, air vent cleaning, battery maintenance and replacing a headlight.
In general, regular maintenance and simple repairs are often fine to perform at home, but they should not replace bringing your car to the professionals for diagnostics, more advanced repairs or the recommended maintenance appointments at various mileage points. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Client.