Get Your Hands Dirty: An Introduction to DIY Car Maintenance

Another hidden joy of doing my own car maintenance over the years was that it allowed me to spend time with my two kids, who, like all kids, were naturally curious about how a car works.

There’s a lot to love about DIY car maintenance.

Maintenance, as my father would say (also a mechanic), is about finding problems before they find you. Our cars are in a constant state of wear, and that wear needs to be monitored. Good DIY maintenance requires a ton of observations. Usually, it’s more about checking stuff than actually doing stuff, if you know what I mean.

But maintenance is a serious business; regular maintenance will help you avoid costly repairs and ensure your vehicle runs smoothly and efficiently.

Okay, let’s look at what basic car maintenance might look like. Before we do, let’s first look at what tools we might need and what DIY maintenance mistakes we should avoid.

Tools You’ll Need

The job at hand will obviously dictate the tools we need, but here’s a list of tools every semi-pro maintenance guy or gal will need in their toolbox. While you don’t need all of these tools on day one, collecting them as you progress makes maintenance chores easier and more enjoyable.

You might find the following links helpful:

• Mechanics tools, and their uses
• Recommended tools page

Consumables that no mechanic will be without include:

• Duct tape
• WD40
• Brake cleaner
• Silicone spray
• Copper grease
• Anti squeal
• Anti-seize
• Insulating tape
• Zip ties
• Disposable gloves

DIY Car Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

The number one mistake we want to avoid is injuring ourselves or somebody else. The second mistake we want to avoid is damaging our car.

Before we begin any chore, it’s best to assess our ability to complete it safely. As Clint Eastwood might say, we should know our limitations: be they physical, hand skills, available tools, our working environment, our knowledge, the complexity of the chore, or the risk (asking what’s at risk if this goes wrong).

You could say car maintenance chores loosely fit into one of two buckets – Hard or Easy.

The hard bucket contains chores such as a timing chain or timing belt replacement, a water pump replacement, and a brake fluid flush. These types of chores are for the seasoned DIYer, as they require hand skills, knowledge, and usually some special tools.

Importantly, though, the cost of getting these types of chores wrong is expensive; that’s not to say you couldn’t do it successfully; I wouldn’t advise a chore from the hard bucket right out of the gate.

While some DIYers might not find these maintenance chores difficult, beginners without the right equipment and know-how will.

The easy bucket contains chores like oil changes, filter changes, wiper replacement, etc. This type of maintenance is considered beginner-level chores, which we covered in this car maintenance introduction.

If you are a seasoned DIYer, you’ll find in-depth maintenance and repair coverage in the repair guides section here.

Typical Basic Car Maintenance Chores

The chores covered on the maintenance page are all easily undertaken by the beginner DIY repair guy or gal, which I’ve briefly outlined below.

Air filter replacement – The air filter, located under the hood inside the air filter housing, filters and cleans the incoming air the engine uses.

Bulbs – Bulbs don’t require maintenance; we replace them when they blow. I want to say replacing car bulbs is a simple job, and it is once you gain access to the light bulb fitting.

Battery maintenance & replacement – Batteries don’t require much maintenance, as long as you use your vehicle regularly. Battery terminals do need cleaning from time to time. The battery is, as you know, charged by the engine’s alternator when the engine is running.

Brake fluid check – Brake fluid doesn’t require much maintenance; we check the level and replace it every 3 years per our manufacturer’s specs.

Brake pad check – When we check brakes, we generally check all the components; we typically check brake fluid, the front and rear brake pads, or the shoe linings for wear.

I’ve covered the topic of brake maintenance thoroughly, and you’ll find illustrated step-by-step guides for all the common brake checks and repairs on this page.

Belts – Engines use belts to drive auxiliary components such as alternators (charge battery), A/C pump (cools and dries cabin air), Water pump (circulates coolant through the coolant system), and Power steering pump (provides power steering).

Modern cars with serpentine belts don’t require adjustment and so need little in the way of maintenance.

Coolant level – The coolant system is, as you know, critical for engine health. Any problem in the cooling department quickly becomes apparent in both winter and summer. Typical coolant system maintenance includes a visual check of the coolant level and its strength.

Locks and latches lubrication – Lubricating locks and latches helps prevent them from sticking and ensures they operate smoothly. We apply a small amount of white grease spray or graphite powder to the keyhole and latch mechanism, then work the key and latch a few times to distribute the lubricant evenly. We avoid using oil-based lubricants as they can attract dirt and grime.

Oil check – Oil lubricates the moving parts of your engine and keeps them from grinding against each other.

Oil change – Regular oil changes help to lubricate and protect your car’s engine, reduce wear and tear, and improve fuel efficiency.

Transmission oil check – Checking your transmission oil is important for maintaining your car’s transmission system.

Transmission oil change – Transmission oil changes are crucial for maintaining your car’s transmission system. Over time, oil can break down and become contaminated, leading to poor shifting, overheating, and even transmission failure.

Spark plug replacement – Crucial for keeping your car’s engine running smoothly. Worn or damaged plugs can lead to poor fuel efficiency, misfires, and even engine damage.

Scratch removal – Scratch removal process involves cleaning the affected area, sanding the scratch, applying rubbing compound, and polishing. For deeper scratches, touch-up paint may be necessary. It’s best to seek professional help for significant damage.

Tire rotation – Rotating tires, we don’t actually rotate the tires. We rotate the wheels. Meaning we move the front wheel to the back and vice versa.

Wash – This might not seem like an important maintenance chore, but just washing and cleaning your car’s exterior will make it look good and help prevent rust and corrosion. Wash your car using a car-specific shampoo, and then dry it with a microfiber cloth. Be sure to clean your car’s windows and mirrors regularly to ensure clear visibility while driving.

Wiper replacement – Wiper blade replacement is important for maintaining good visibility while driving.

Wiper washer fluid top-up – Topping up your wiper washer fluid is important for maintaining good visibility while driving. Running out of fluid can lead to streaks, smearing, and reduced effectiveness, making it difficult to see the road. Topping it up regularly can improve safety and prevent accidents.

You get the idea: these are all tasks that beginners can easily undertake and will save you money. You’ll find the complete list of beginner DIY maintenance chores here.

About the Author

John Cunningham is a Red Seal Qualified automotive technician with over twenty-five years of experience in the field. When he’s not writing about car repair, you’ll find him in his happy place – restoring classic cars

You may find the following links helpful:

• Beginner car maintenance page
• Car repair and troubleshooting index
• OBD fault code list
• Tools and parts page