**Full Disclosure: This is a sponsored post which also contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I get a teeny-tiny percentage at no cost to you. All opinions are my own.
Regular car maintenance is important to keep your car in good running condition. While I much prefer having the dealership do it for me, it’s important to know how to do car maintenance on your own. You don’t have to spend a ton of money at a dealership or auto body repair shop. There are some simple maintenance fixes that you can do yourself.
Changing the oil– Oil changes take about 30-45 minutes to do and costs about $20. You only need a few basic tools including a ratchet, oil pan, oil filter wrench and a funnel. It is recommended that you change your car’s engine oil every 3,000 miles.
Checking the tire pressure– Tire pressure should be checked at least once a month. Driving your car with the incorrect tire pressure can causes problems like poor inability to break correctly, less gas mileage and flat tires. All you need is a tire gauge and 10 minutes of your time each month.
Replacing the windshield wipers– Windshield wipers take about 15 minutes to complete and no tools are needed. Windshield wipers should be replaced every 6-12 months, or when you notice they are leaving streaks on your windshield. The cost for replacing windshield wipers is around $10 to $20.
Changing the spark plugs– Spark plugs usually need to be replaced every 30,000 miles. While changing spark plugs may seem like a big job, it really isn’t. All you need is 25-30 minutes of your time and tools like a socket wrench, socket extension and spark plug socket. Spark plugs cost about $10 to $15 to replace.
Replacing the air filter– Air filters are easy to replace since you don’t need any tools and it takes about 10 minutes to do. Air filters should be changed every 12 months or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. The cost for a new air filter is around $10.
Flushing the radiator– A radiator flush is done to ensure it stays working efficiently and effectively. This should be done every 1-2 years, depending on what your car’s owner’s manual states. Flushing the radiator takes about 30 minutes to do and costs roughly $25. You will need some tools handy including a wrench, radiator flush solution, funnel, coolant and old rags.
But if you are like me and would rather take your vehicle in, visit Lustine Dodge Jeep for your maintenance needs!
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