Having your car maintained regularly requires a good dose of rigor, organization and, above all, some financial effort. While the majority of us turn to an automotive professional to maintain our vehicle, others get their hands dirty when they have the skills. How far can you maintain your car yourself, and how to do it? What are the benefits and risks involved? Lighting.
Maintenance, a guarantee of longevity
Your car’s spare parts are put under severe strain when you use it every day. From oils to filters to braking elements, each mechanical part has a lifespan, which can vary depending on its quality and the use you make of your vehicle. To be sure to drive safely and to give you every chance of reselling your car at the best price, regular maintenance is recommended. To optimize the longevity of your vehicle, it is important to scrupulously respect the recommendations listed in your maintenance booklet, provided by the manufacturer at the time of purchase. When you call on an automotive professional, they will carry out appropriate maintenance based on the technical data of the vehicle, its mileage,
Do it yourself, yes but under certain conditions
First of all, you should know that maintaining your car yourself cannot be improvised. At a time when tutorials on the web are flourishing and encouraging people to get started, it is important to still have some mechanical knowledge in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Whatever happens, certain operations are sometimes beyond the reach of a non-professional person, because they require electronic equipment. Maintaining your car yourself allows you to make significant savings but therefore requires the use of specific tools, which it is important to have before getting started. On modern cars, on-board electronics often make access to mechanics more difficult, hence the growth of approved automobile centers in recent years.
What about the guarantee?
Before opening your hood, it is important to know the warranty regulations. If you have purchased your new car from a dealership, the “manufacturer” warranty generally covers any breakdowns for a period of two years if they are not linked to a lack of maintenance and except “consumables” (tires, brakes, shock absorbers, etc.). Moreover, find out when you should change your brake discs and pads and how to detect worn shock absorbers .
Please note that the days when the manufacturer’s warranty became void when maintenance was not carried out in the network of the brand concerned are well and truly over. At present, if the maintenance recommendations are scrupulously respected and the parts used are “manufacturer’s origin” or of equivalent quality, you can have peace of mind. However, if you wish to do this yourself while your car is still under warranty, you will lose all its benefits for one good reason: in the event of a technical problem, you will not have a maintenance invoice in your pocket. possession to be provided.
Come on, let’s get started!
Some operations are easier than others when you start your own mechanical work. The basis of regular maintenance inevitably involves changing the oil, which consists of renewing the oil intended to lubricate the vehicle’s engine. Carrying out the oil change yourself requires following several fairly simple steps, as long as you can raise your vehicle. The choice of oil must be made carefully, otherwise there will be serious consequences for your engine. So take the time, equip yourself with the few necessary tools and you will save a few hours of labor that you would have billed for a professional.
Changing the different filters in your vehicle is not a complicated task in itself. The most tedious part remains accessing them, which, depending on your model, can extend the duration of the work. One of the most accessible is most often the cabin filter, which is recommended to be changed approximately every 15,000 kilometers. When purchasing the part, take care to note the reference on your current filter in order to make the right choice when purchasing.
Changing your car battery is an operation that you can easily do yourself. However, on recent vehicles, especially if they are loaded with electronics, you must be particularly vigilant! If you do not opt for a system that continues to supply your car with electricity during the change, you risk causing certain basic functions to malfunction, such as your car radio or even your electric windows. For the rest, respect the polarities and connect the positive terminal first.
One of the parts where the electronics have not yet done their work remains the braking system, except for the wear sensor. With a few suitable tools, it is entirely possible to change your brake pads yourself, for example, the discs being immediately more tedious. Be careful with this type of work, you are affecting safety on board your vehicle… Rigor is essential!
Other work is entirely possible, such as changing the spark plugs, renewing your coolant and for the most knowledgeable, changing an alternator or even changing a timing belt, which is often spill a lot of ink. Don’t hesitate to get started but be careful not to skip the st
