6 Essential Car Maintenance Skills You Should Master

If you own a car and are like most people, you trust a mechanic for repair work when it’s needed. However, there are many small auto maintenance tasks that you can tackle yourself. Learning to take care of these items can save you time and money, let alone give you the self-esteem that comes with doing a job well done.

What kind of car maintenance can the average owner tackle? There’s nothing particularly difficult on this list, and you won’t need many special tools to complete each task. Just start with the easiest jobs first so you can see for yourself just how easy it is to be your own car’s mechanic.

Check your tire pressure
According to DMV.Org, underinflated tires can lead to loss of control or even a blowout. They also reduce your gas mileage by .2% for every 1 PSI (pound per square inch) your tire pressure drops below the recommended level. Overinflated tires have less surface in contact with the road, reducing traction and the handling of your car. They also wear out sooner.

The hardest part about checking your tire PSI might be remembering to pick up a tire gauge at the local mega-mart. Once you have a tire gauge in hand, the job is very easy and shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes every month. It’s time well spent as properly inflated tires improve safety, fuel economy, and overall longevity.

Check the tire pressure again before leaving on a trip or whenever the temperature changes. The tire experts at Goodyear explain that “…air pressure in a tire typically goes down 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change.” You’ll also want to test your tires’ pressure when the weather warms up and the tire pressure increases because of the temperature change.

While you’re still learning to use the tire pressure gauge, you might want to take more than one reading per tire. Learning to use it can be a little tricky, and multiple readings will give you an average that should be reasonably accurate. Don’t worry, you’ll be a pro in no time! 

Changing a flat tire
Waiting for someone else to come and change a flat tire can ruin your day. A little time and effort in learning how to change your own tire can save a lot of frustration later! Most of the things you’ll need for changing a flat tire  should already be in your trunk: 

Spare tire
Jack
Lug wrench
Wheel wedges
Gloves
Reflective triangles or safety flares
Flashlight
The most important thing to keep in mind when changing a tire is to stay safe! Only use the car jack under the chassis, never put your hands or body under the car’s body, and always loosen and tighten the lug nuts when the car is on the ground.

Change a fuse
This is another simple task that shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. If your radio suddenly stops playing or an interior light doesn’t come on, it might be caused by a blown fuse.

Music that refuses to play because of a blown fuse is annoying. Windshield wipers that quit during heavy rain, headlights that go out, or doors that don’t lock are more than just annoying. Learn to replace a blown fuse (and keep a few essential spares on hand) to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

A fuse that keeps blowing is trying to tell you something. Get your car into a trusted mechanic before you end up with a bigger problem! Your owner’s manual can help you find the fuse box and identify the correct replacement fuse. 

Replace windshield wiper blades
Often the place where you buy replacement windshield wipers will put them on for you. However, this simple car maintenance task is easy to do at home—and it’s more affordable!

Learn to replace them yourself and there’ll be no waiting and a smaller dent made in your wallet. Make sure you’re getting genuine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) wipers. Cheap wiper blades are just that — cheap! Cheaply made blades won’t do as good a job or last as long as OEM parts. Having wiper blades that are made to fit perfectly  ensures the best possible visibility even in the worst kinds of weather.

Check your oil
Your car’s engine needs oil to reduce friction and keep everything running smoothly. You can help by checking the oil every other fill-up or at least once a month. 

You’re checking to make sure there’s enough oil. If there isn’t, you’ll need to add enough to bring it within the marks on the dipstick. (Note: Do not try to add oil through the dipstick hole! That’s just for checking the oil level; there’s a much bigger hole to pour oil into. It’ll have a large screw-off cap and will usually be prominently placed on top of the engine. It might even say ‘oil’ on the cap. If in doubt, check your owner’s manual!)

If the oil looks, smells, or feels dirty, it probably needs to be changed (see below).

Change your oil
If you’re in any doubt about whether regular oil changes are necessary, read about this poor neglected car! Don’t let your car end up in an automobile graveyard because of neglect. A small investment in tools and supplies, plus a few minutes of your time can prevent that. Your owner’s manual is the best source for how often to change the oil in your particular car, as well as the type of oil to use.

To perform an oil change at home, you’ll need:

An oil catch pan
A ratchet to remove the oil plug
An oil filter wrench
A new oil filter
The right amount and type of oil
A funnel
Paper towels or old rags
Gloves (optional)
Skip the oil-change lanes and service bays by doing your own maintenance.

About Northside Ford Service Center
Located at 12300 San Pedro Ave in San Antonio, TX, our Ford service center offers everything you need to get your car up and running. We will order and install OEM Ford parts and accessories, perform regular Ford maintenance and car repairs, change tires, and much more. Schedule your next San Antonio service appointment online or contact us at (210) 525-9800 to speak with one of our auto repair technicians.