Vehicle maintenance jobs you can do yourself

There are 22 replies in this Thread which has previously been viewed 1,715 times. The latest Post (November 29, 2024 at 10:23 AM) was by Rice.

    We have a Honda Fit (Jazz) 2007 with 149,000 kms on the clock and although it's showing its age, it still runs very well. I try to do as much maintenance that I can to save money, but oil and oil filter changing we have done at the local YPF together with their usual checks.

    There is an engine sputtering, misfire issue issue which is likely due to the on-plug coils, so I'll be changing those and the plugs because I have no idea when or if they have ever been changed.

    This can be a very expensive job and I've seen DIY videos with people in the US saying they were quoted $850 for the labour cost alone, so imagine what it would cost here. I'll be removing a plug and coil and taking a photo to make sure I get the right parts.

    I recently changed the failed rear door struts which was an easy job and not too expensive and I also need to change the windscreen wipers.

    Changing the battery, which usually only lasts about two years, is also very easy.

    There is another fault where the remote locks the doors but they won't unlock correctly. I've looked into this but can't find a solution so I will probably have to have it looked at.

    Which jobs do you do on your car?

    I am pretty useless with cars. Aside from checking the oil level, I can't do much. I wouldn't be able to change a flat tire. Luckily, I am a woman and I suppose a man would stop and help me. With or without any money involved!

    On the topic of cars, my SIL asserts that having an emergency tire inflater is a must as - she said - it allows you to run away in case you run a flat in a bad area, or if someone puts nails on purpose to come to your "rescue" and bring you to the nearest car shop.

    My husband and I are both pretty helpless with cars. My brother is amazing: if he can’t intuitively figure out what to do, he looks at YouTube videos and has the confidence to plunge in.

    Quote from serafina

    I am pretty useless with cars. Aside from checking the oil level, I can't do much. I wouldn't be able to change a flat tire. Luckily, I am a woman and I suppose a man would stop and help me. With or without any money involved!

    On the topic of cars, my SIL asserts that having an emergency tire inflater is a must as - she said - it allows you to run away in case you run a flat in a bad area, or if someone puts nails on purpose to come to your "rescue" and bring you to the nearest car shop.

    The tool kit supplied with most cars is basic at the least and the tyre iron/spanner thing for releasing the nuts is worse than useless. I keep a much larger 'spider' in the car but even that won't release the nuts which are usually extremely tight following a visit to a tyre repair shop.

    So I also keep a three foot metal pipe which fits over another tool to get more leverage and it works. Also, a thick block of wood is also useful to support the jack if you find yourself on soft ground.

    Splinter , on the account of nuts: the new car we bought last year came with "antirobo" nuts. We have a special attachment to add to the spider to be able to unlock the bolts!

    I have seen my husband change tires, even under pouring rain, and I am still in an awe.

    I would have needde several YouTube video to get the gist of it.

    Quote from serafina

    Splinter , on the account of nuts: the new car we bought last year came with "antirobo" nuts. We have a special attachment to add to the spider to be able to unlock the bolts!

    I have seen my husband change tires, even under pouring rain, and I am still in an awe.

    I would have needde several YouTube video to get the gist of it.

    We used to have those special nuts but we lost the master nut and had to have all the wheels forced :facepalm:

    My first car was a 1957 Chevrolet with a 283V8 engine, barely made it home. Pulled that engine and tranny, rebuilt both and drove that car another six years. Those were the

    good old days.

    Quote from daniel

    My first car was a 1957 Chevrolet with a 283V8 engine, barely made it home. Pulled that engine and tranny, rebuilt both and drove that car another six years. Those were the

    good old days.

    Wow! I can’t even imagine having the skills to do that!

    I'm pretty useless with cars. Can change a battery, top up the water and aircon reservoirs and that's about it. I wouldn't know which oil to buy so leave that alone. The Gomera gets a good tip for checking the tyre pressure. Our car is in the now getting a back door fitted and painted after the missus hit a truck. Then it's off to Renault for its last free service. They'll need to fix the back brake light so it can pass its MOT.

    Quote from UK Man

    I'm pretty useless with cars. Can change a battery, top up the water and aircon reservoirs and that's about it. I wouldn't know which oil to buy so leave that alone. The Gomera gets a good tip for checking the tyre pressure. Our car is in the now getting a back door fitted and painted after the missus hit a truck. Then it's off to Renault for its last free service. They'll need to fix the back brake light so it can pass its MOT.

    Now I get why the missus is so well known in Chilvicoy! ^^

    Our Renault Oroch mentioned above is finally back to looking new again after the wife's ''incident'' with the lorry.

    Now she wants to trade it in for a new one. The Renault chap whom she knows has given her a good trade in offer. He advised her better to do it now as new cars are about to shoot up in price.

    Yes, what’s with THAT? Even in the EEUU, we just bought a new car and dealership gave no cash discount, but a $1500.00 discount if financed through Ford, @ 0% interest.

    Quote from Rice

    Yes, what’s with THAT? Even in the EEUU, we just bought a new car and dealership gave no cash discount, but a $1500.00 discount if financed through Ford, @ 0% interest.

    Yes but the Argie plan was designed by Lucifer himself.

    You put a deposit down and pay monthly instalments based on the value of the car on that day and since inflation and devaluation drive the plan, your monthly payments increase every single month until; you can no longer afford them.

    It's not a finance plan at all and it's mind bogglingly full of mines.