AARP Hearing Center
Cars aren’t just transportation these days — they’re a major investment. The average price of a new car in the U.S. was more than $48,000 in September. And while used car prices have started to level off, they’ve still jumped more than 45 percent over the past two years.
So, keeping your car in top condition is both a good way to avoid being forced to dive into the car market and a good way to increase its value if you do decide to trade up.
While a lot of car repairs require professionals, there are still plenty of ways to save money and do it yourself. The first stop for anyone considering a little automotive DIY should be YouTube. There’s no shortage of videos available for just about every imaginable automotive task. A lot of those videos will make it clear whether the repair is something for beginners or advanced garage mechanics.
Here are 10 places on your car where a little DIY time will not only save you money but make your car both better and safer.
1. Revive your owner’s manual
Once a year, pull out that manual and get refreshed answers to every relevant question you can come up with. What service should I be getting? How do I operate the car if my key fob dies? What does that dashboard light mean?
2. Clean your engine
Do this to easily spot the source of any leaks, should they arise. Clean the engine at least a couple of times a year by spraying with a commercial engine degreaser and then rinsing with a garden hose.
3. Buy new wiper blades
Make sure you buy the right length of blade, since the passenger’s and driver’s sides often use blades of different lengths. Typically, no tools are necessary, but watch carefully how the old one pops out. It will make installing the new one easier.
4. “Check Engine” light on? You’ve got this
Get an onboard diagnostics (OBD 2) scanner at an auto parts store (they start around $20). Plug it into the OBD port under the dash, usually on the driver’s side. Look up the displayed code on the internet to learn whether you have a problem that requires a mechanic’s attention — or just a loose gas cap.
5. Save your seats
Small upholstery tears will eventually become big upholstery tears. If the interior is cloth, a needle and thread may do the trick. For leather or vinyl, you’ll need to buy a car-seat patch kit; these run $10 and up.
