Many car owners are under the impression that they must take their car to a mechanic for every problem. However, that’s simply not the case! You might be surprised at how you can care for some of these problems independently. Here are some car issues that you can fix in your garage.
Oil Leak
A car oil leak is something that no driver wants to discover. Not only is it a messy problem that you’ll have to clean up immediately to prevent stains, but it can also be a sign of severe damage to your engine. If you think you might have an oil leak, there are a few key indicators to look for.
One telltale sign is finding small puddles of oil under your parked car. Another is noticing that your oil level is dropping faster than usual. You may also see that your engine is running hotter than normal or that smoke emanates from under the hood.
If you suspect your car has an oil leak, don’t worry, as this is a simple issue you can deal with on your own! You’ll just need to purchase the correct oil for your car and have a funnel on hand.
Then, open up the hood and locate the oil dipstick. Using the funnel, pour in the new oil until it reaches the “full” line on the dipstick. Once you’ve done this, simply dispose of the old oil properly. This entire process should only take about 30 minutes.
Dead Battery
If your car doesn’t start, it may be due to a dead battery. Car batteries sometimes die when they are exposed to cold weather for a long time or if they are not used often. Fortunately, this is another easy problem to fix yourself!
Start by popping open the hood and locating the battery. Then, use a wrench to loosen the negative terminal before doing the same with the positive terminal. Next, lift out the old battery and insert the new one before tightening down both terminals again. That’s it—you’ve successfully replaced your dead battery!
Flat Tire
You may be tempted to call a tow truck or wait for roadside assistance if you have a flat tire. However, changing a flat tire is a pretty straightforward process—and one that you can do entirely on your own!
Start by placing your jack under the frame of your car near the flat tire. Then, use your wrench to loosen the lug nuts before removing them and taking off the flat tire. Put on your spare tire before tightening down the lug nuts again. Lower your car back to the ground, and you’re good to go!
Flat Spotted Tire
Anyone who has ever experienced a flat spot on their wheel knows how frustrating it can be. Not only does it make the ride much less smooth, but it can also cause the wheel to shake or vibrate. When left unchecked, a flat spot can even damage the wheel itself.
Fortunately, fixing a flat spot is a relatively easy process and can be done with a wheel balancer. Simply place the wheel on the balancer and spin it until the flat spot disappears. In most cases, this will only take a few minutes and will help to extend the life of your wheel.
Overheating Engine
Signs of an overheating engine include the check engine indicator lighting up, a temperature gauge in the red zone, coolant puddles on the ground near your car, and a foul-smelling odor. If you notice these signs, it’s time to investigate further.
Wondering why your engine is overheating? It could be due to low coolant levels or a faulty thermostat. To check your coolant levels, remove the radiator cap and look inside. If it’s low, add more coolant until it’s full. If that doesn’t work, try replacing the thermostat.
Broken Brake Lights
If your brake lights are out, it’s sometimes because a fuse has blown or a bulb has burned out. To check the fuses, open up your fuse box and look at the diagram to see which fuse controls the brake lights. If that fuse looks burnt out, replace it with a new one with the same amperage rating.
There are plenty of issues that you can easily fix in your garage. From changing your oil to replacing a dead battery, these are all problems that any car owner can easily handle. So next time you have a minor issue with your car, save yourself some time and money by taking care of it yourself!
