When to Repair Your Car Yourself and When Not To 19.12.2022: One of the most important skills you can have as a car owner is knowing when to repair your car yourself and when not to. This can save you a lot of time, money, and hassle in the long run. But how do you know when it's better to DIY or call in a professi

One of the most important skills you can have as a car owner is knowing when to repair your car yourself and when not to. This can save you a lot of time, money, and hassle in the long run. But how do you know when it's better to DIY or call in a professional?


Read on for some guidelines.



If you have an extended warranty on a certain vehicle part, then don’t try to repair it yourself because the dealership may do it for free


If the worst does happen to your vehicle and you need to repair or replace one of its parts, then consider whether or not it is under an extended car warranty. An extended warranty far surpasses the original manufacturer's guarantee, which can be invaluable if something goes wrong.
 


Before taking any action yourself, make sure to check with the dealership first as they may well be able to do the repairs for free under the extended warranty agreement; this will enable you to diagnose potential problems before they become more serious and prevent having to spend large sums of money unnecessarily.
 


Be sure that if you have an extended warranty in place on a certain vehicle part, it's probably best left for the dealership to handle in order to guarantee high standards of workmanship and ensure your vehicle is functioning correctly.

If your check engine light is on, don't try to fix it yourself - take it to a professional



When a car owner notices the check engine light coming on, it can be tempting to attempt to fix or diagnose the problem by themselves. While this may seem like an economical solution at first, it is usually not recommended.
 


Attempting to resolve a potentially complex issue without the proper tools and expertise can end up costing more time and money in the long run. Taking your car to an experienced professional ensures that whatever issue may be present gets handled efficiently and correctly.
 


Additionally, having your vehicle serviced regularly at a professional shop helps to prevent any potential issues from arising in the future - saving you considerable amounts of stress and money down the road.

If you're having trouble with your brakes, this is a repair you should definitely leave to the experts


When it comes to your brakes, don't take any chances: it's best to have a professional take a look. Braking is something you don't want to get wrong - after all, the safety of you and your passengers is at stake.
 

Trying to fix your brakes yourself could save money in the short-term, but if something isn't quite right, you'll be compromising your own safety. A mechanic will be able to inspect and diagnose what needs fixing or replacing quickly, accurately and safely.
 

And since brakes are crucial components of your car, anything less than perfect could lead to disastrous results. So play it safe: leave brake repairs up to the experts.




Changing your own oil is a simple repair that anyone can do


When it comes to car maintenance and repair, changing your own oil is an easy place for those unfamiliar with auto work to start. It's affordable, doesn't require any fancy tools, and can be done in under an hour.
 

Plus, when you do it yourself regularly, you can get a much better sense of the condition of your vehicle and what repairs need to be made in the future before they become bigger issues. Changing your own oil isn't just empowering – it's a great way to ensure that your car is always safe and ready for the road!





Replacing your own tires is another repair that's easy to do and can save you money



Replacing your own tires can be an economical, rewarding process if done correctly. It allows you to choose the exact tire that suits your needs and fits within your budget.
 


The process itself may vary depending on which vehicle you have, but there are plenty of online tutorials and videos that can teach you how to do it yourself.
 


Compared to hiring a professional, replacing your tires saves you time as well as money — as long as it's done properly, you're sure to be on the road in no time.





If you're not comfortable working on your car, or don't have the right tools, it's best to leave repairs to the professionals.


Many of us have an innate fascination with our cars and love to work on them, though some of us don't know where to begin. Car repairs may seem intimidating, but the reality is that most of them are straightforward and easy to do.
 


However if you're not confident working on your car, or don't have all the necessary tools, it's best to leave it to a professional mechanic. They will be able to repair your car quickly and safely without any hassle for you – as well as give you advice on how best to maintain it in the future.
 


If you're not comfortable working on your car, or don't have the right tools, it's best to leave repairs to the professionals. With so many things that can go wrong, it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to car repair. Do you have any tips for easily identifying when a car needs to be taken in for maintenance? Share them with us in the comments!




photo Minerva Studio/iStock/Thinkstock