4 Car Repairs That Don't Require a Mechanic

Posted by Tool Pan on 7/22/2014 to

We can admit it - there is a fair number of us who are not mechanically inclined when it comes to our cars. Oh sure, there are a few of us who tinker with our vehicles - change the oil, rotate some tires - and there are some who do a lot of detailing, painting and upgrade work. But actual repairs? There are some repairs that even the best home tinkerers would not do, perhaps because of the danger (being under the car, for example) or the time investment or no access to the right tools. Or maybe there is an entirely different excuse.

But you know what? There actually are a handful of car repairs that even a "weekend warrior" tinkerer can do for a lot less money than sending the car to a mechanic. We have listed four of them here that could literally save you $100 or more each in repair costs - but you may have to invest in some time and patience.

Please note that some of these can be found in your car's owner's manual, so always refer to it to get the specific steps for your car. If something is not in your owner's manual, then get advice from a mechanic friend or from a local auto-parts shop.

Fuel filter. This can cost you up to $30 if done at home, and does not require more than basic tools. Just remember to release the fuel line pressure before you take the old filter off - especially important with most cars being fuel-injected now.
Spark plugs. This does not require much effort because most spark plugs are easy to access and only require a socket. The cost to replace all plugs can be as little as $15, but you don't have to do anything different; just stick to the same plugs you're replacing - "specialty" plugs are not really worth the extra money.
Windshield. If you catch a chip or crack that is smaller than a dollar bill, you can buy a home windshield-repair kit for $5 from an auto-parts store. Star-shaped chips are the best candidates. Just don't do the work in the hot sun, as the adhesive will not do well if it dries too quickly.
Power steering. This will take some time, but the cost savings is huge. If you have a turkey baster, you can flush your power steering fluid. Use the baster to siphon out the fluid from the fill canister. When that canister is empty, pour in new fluid, turn on the engine and move the steering wheel a few times. Turn off the engine, let it cool and do the same steps again. It might take three or four times to do the job, but you do it until the fluid looks clear. This can cost as little as $5 but requires a fair level of patience.