DIY Car Maintenance Tips Every Driver Should Know

Car maintenance plays an important role in smooth and safe running and it also helps in enhancing the lifespan of the vehicle. Although regular professional servicing is essential, plenty of simple maintenance can be performed by the driver, which will save you money in the long run and considerably reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns. Being able to perform DIY car maintenance can help you maintain great control over the health of your vehicle, whether you’re a new or seasoned driver.

This guide discusses some of the simple yet important car maintenance every driver should know.

1. Inspect and Modify Your Oil For The Engine

Oil is the lifeblood of your engine, making it supple and preventing unnecessary wear. Keeping an eye on the oil, changing it often, and providing other necessary factors can help the car work at an optimum level.

How to Check Your Oil:

• Park the vehicle on a flat surface and shut off the engine.
• Under the hood, you will find the dipstick (generally marked in yellow or orange).
• Remove it, clean it, reinsert it till the end
• Take it off again and see if the oil level is right. They need to fall between the lowest and highest scores.
• If the oil is low, add the proper type of oil according to your vehicle.

How to Change Your Oil:

• To prevent contamination of the new oil with any old oil, the old oil has to be drained by removing the drain plug under the car.
• Change the oil filter as needed.
• Replace with new oil as per the specifications given by the manufacturer.
• Take the old oil to a recycling center for proper disposal.

Tip: Have your oil changed every 3000–5000 miles, or check your manual for recommendations.

2. Look For Air Filters And Change Them

The engine air filter prevents contaminants from entering your engine, and the cabin air filter makes sure the inside air of the car is clean. A blocked filter can decrease the vehicle's fuel economy and degrade air quality.

How to Replace an Air Filter:

This is commonly going to be a black plastic box under the hood where the air filter resides.

• Open it and extract the old filter.
• Make a new one in the same direction as the previous filter.
• Close the box securely.

🛠️ Hint: Engine air filter– 12,000–15,000 miles Cabin filter– once a year

3. Inspect Tire Pressure and Tread Depth

Maintaining your tires will improve safety, fuel efficiency, and handling.

How to Check Tire Pressure:

• Measure the PSI (pounds per square inch) with a tire pressure gauge.
• Check this against what is recommended in your car's owner's manual or on the panel inside the driver's door.
• Put air on the tires, or take air out on the tires.

How to Check Tread Depth:

• Utilize a penny test: Stick a penny in the tread groove upside down with Lincoln’s head pointing down.
• When looking at the top of his head, time for new tires.

Tip: Monitor your tire pressure at least once per month, and watch your tread depth for irregular wear as well.

4. Replace Windshield Wipers

Visibility can be impaired in the rain and snow if the wipers have become worn out.

How to Replace Wiper Blades:

• Remove the Wiper Arms from the Window.
• Simply press the top release tab and slide the old blade from the holder.
• Attach the new blade until you hear it click.
• Position the wipers back on the glass.

Tip: Change the wipers at least once every 6–12 months to have clear vision.

5. Check and Top Up Coolant Levels

The coolant level should be topped up if it is below the minimum mark.

It is a liquid known as coolant (antifreeze) that keeps the engine temperature stable and prevents it from overheating.

How to Check Coolant:

• Pop the hood to find the coolant reservoir (one of those see-through plastic tanks).
• The coolant level must be in between the MIN and MAX marks.
• If it is low, when the engine is cool, top up with the recommended type of coolant.

Tip: Do not open the radiator cap with hot engine, it may result in severe burns ☣️

6. Test and Replace Car Battery

A dead battery will leave you in the lurch. Regular checkups can keep your engine from failing without any warning.

How to Check Your Battery:

• Check for corrosion on the terminals (white or green powder).
• Use a multimeter to test the voltage; if it reads 12.6V or more, the battery is fully charged.
• Replace the battery if it is weak to avoid it from failing.

How to Replace a Car Battery:

Stop the engine, and put on gloves.

• Remove the negative (-) cable first, followed by the positive (+) cable.
• Take out the battery that doesn't work and stick in a new one.
• First connect the positive terminal and then the negative terminal.
• To keep things in working order, replace your battery every 3–5 years 🔧

7. Inspect Brake Pads

They will wear down over time, which can reduce your stopping power and compromise safety.

When To Replace Brake Pads:

• Brakes making squeaking or grinding noises.
• Braking vibration or brake but not responding slowly
• Brake pads are thin (less than ¼ inch thick).

Follow the Tip;: Get your breaks checked after 6 months or when the pads wear down.

8. Detail Your Vehicle Inside and Out

Not only does that car look excellent, but it also aids in preventing rust and wear too.

Exterior Cleaning Tips:

• The easiest way to protect them is to simply wash your car regularly, especially during the months when salt is in use.
• Use wax once every couple of months to preserve the paint.

Interior Cleaning Tips:

• Vacuum all of your seats and carpets to get rid of any dust and dirt.
• Apply dashboard protectant to reduce fading.

Tip: A clean car protects the resale value and prevents more serious damages.

9. Check and Replace Spark Plugs

Because spark plugs are responsible for igniting the fuel in your engine. Old, spent plugs will drop fuel economy and performance.

How to Replace Spark Plugs:

• Find where the spark plugs are beneath the engine cover.
• Unscrew the old ones with a spark plug socket tool.
• Take out fresh spark plugs and plug them in tightly

Note: Replace spark plugs every 30,000–50,000 miles, or as suggested in your car manual.

10. Maintain Your Car’s Lights

• Good lighting is essential for both safety and visibility.
• The right way to Inspect and Modify Bulbs:
• Switch on headlights, brake lights and indicators to make sure they are functional.
• If a bulb, is burnt out, unscrew the sunshine cover, substitute the previous bulb, and set up.

Tip: Switch to LED bulbs for a longer lifespan

Final Thoughts

Saving money, improving car safety and increasing the lifespan of your vehicle are just a few advantages of learning how to do car maintenance yourself. With these few simple tips that will take only a few minutes, you can keep your automobile in good condition and keep it from breaking down on a very dangerous road.

You don’t need to overthink about the car regular maintenance — a bit effort will keep your auto service in working order! 🚗💨