Easy DIY Car Maintenance Tips

Taking care of your car is not as hard as it seems – it does not take an automotive genius to keep it in tip-top shape. And you do not even have to spend a lot of money to do it. All you need is a little elbow grease and a couple of dollars and you are set! Here are a few car maintenance tricks you can use to keep your car in good, working condition for a long time.

Maintain your wiper blades

The majority of people do not take care of their wiper blades and you should not be one of them. You can extend the life of your wiper blades by cleaning them often; take a paper towel moistened with water and soap and wipe them down. Do this every time you stop for gas and every time you get the car washed. This will keep your wiper blades lasting for quite a while. Should ice develop on your windshield, never use the blades to wipe it off as that can quickly damage the blades and render them useless. A good practice is to replace your blades every six months. Quality windshield wipers can run anywhere between $6 to $20 each but they are worth the price because they will keep your view of the road clear and keep you safe.

Replace the air filter

Easily the most overlooked car care tip, replacing an air filter is very easy and requires no tools to do! It is a good habit to replace your car’s air filter every year or every 12,000 miles, which ever comes first. You can find a decent filter for about $10 but before you buy one make sure it is compatible with your vehicle. However, you do have the option of cleaning out the air filter which will extend its life a bit further. Clean it using a can of compressed air.

Change your oil

While this may sound like a lot of messy work but it really is not! There are a number of pumps specifically designed for oil changes. Most of these devices require no electricity and have a built-in container for the extracted oil so you can properly dispose of them later. Also, do not forget to change the oil filter while you are at it! Part of being a safe driver is keeping your vehicle in good, working condition and much of that work you can do yourself without the need of a mechanic.