It’s easy to look at the inside of a car and get overwhelmed. They’re very complex machines, and not everyone has the knowledge to diagnose issues or perform certain maintenance on them. However, you should still know how to do a few basic things that will help your car last longer. Here are a few easy car maintenance tasks you can do yourself without help from a professional.
Changing Your Oil
We’ve all gone a little too long without an oil change every now and then. Given what an easy car maintenance task it is, you shouldn’t run into this issue too often. Every car needs new oil at different intervals, but changing it yourself is rather easy. Find your oil intake, drain the old oil into a container, and fill up the tank again with new oil. Make sure you take the old oil to a collection center for safe disposal.
Replacing Your Air Filter
Your air filter plays an important role in getting the engine’s air-to-fuel ratio correct, allowing your engine to run smoothly. Over time, that filter collects a lot of dust, debris, and other contaminants. You can buy new filters for cheap at plenty of stores. You also have the option to clean your current filter. Doing so can save you money, but it does require a little more time and effort as you wait for it to dry and reapply the oil it needs.
Rotating Your Tires
If you want to stay safe out on the road, you need reliable tires that can actually keep you grounded. Because tires wear unevenly, you’ll need to rotate them regularly to make sure they don’t wear down so unevenly that it affects your ability to control your car. This can take a bit of time if you’re doing it alone, but it can prevent you from paying a mechanic to do this rather simple job.
Replacing Spark Plugs
Spark plugs in most cars last quite a long time. Vehicles with higher mileage, however, may need new spark plugs to keep the ignition sharp and running at its best. Spark plugs are very cheap to buy at any auto parts store, and replacing them isn’t very difficult. The old ones will pop right out, and you can slot the new ones in without too much of a hassle.
Swapping Out Worn Belts
Belts are a normal sight in practically every car engine. Like spark plugs, they can last a long time—upwards of 50,000 miles or so. However, a blown belt can be a serious problem while driving, so it doesn’t hurt to take a look at them every so often. If you see any small cracks or other signs of wear and tear, you can slot on a new belt to put your mind at ease.