Are you confident enough in your automotive knowledge to take on DIY car care? Lots of drivers do it, whether they're trying to save money or just like the sense of accomplishment that goes along with caring for your own vehicle and keeping it up and running. However, before you try to tackle auto care DIY style you should check out this list - here are some of the most common DIY car care mistakes our Charlotte auto service experts see on a routine basis.
6 DIY car care mistakes we commonly see
1. Overestimating OR underestimating abilities.
You should never overestimate or get too confident when it comes to car care. It can end up doing irreparable or expensive damage to your vehicle, so start small. If you're not experienced in auto service, you should start out with the basics, like oil changes, tire inflation and inspections, etc. Once you're more comfortable you can move onto bigger projects. Similarly, don't underestimate what you can do! If you want to try DIY car care, you can always ask our Charlotte car maintenance techs any questions you may have.
2. Not having the right tools.
You shouldn't attempt to complete car care without the right tools - again, you can do damage to the vehicle that can cost you big bucks. Before you start a project, find out which tools are necessary to complete it. If you don't have them, decide if it's financially smart to invest in them or if you should just bring your car to Toyota of N Charlotte for the service it needs.
3. Postponing routine car care.
Even if you're DIY-ing your car maintenance, you should never postpone routine auto service or ignore warning lights. Similarly, don't hope that odd sounds or smells will just go away. This can cost you big time and do a lot of damage to your vehicle, so get on an auto maintenance schedule and stick to it.
4. Jacking your car up in the wrong spot.
When you jack your car up to work under it or change a tire, make sure you're doing it in the right spot. You can find this information in your owner's manual. If you jack up a car in the wrong spot, you're not only putting yourself in extreme danger but also running the risk of doing major structural damage to your car's frame.
5. Not using the right fluids for your car.
Before you start DIY car care, find out which fluids your car requires. It likely requires a certain type of motor oil and may require specific coolants, transmission fluids, brake fluids, etc. Check your owner's manual or ask one of our Charlotte auto service techs what your car needs before you pop the hood and get to work.
6. Not labeling parts when you remove them.
If you're new to the DIY car care game, you may want to label your parts when you remove them from the car. They might make sense to you when they're in place, but can look totally different when they're sitting on the driveway. Save yourself the confusion and stress and label them quickly as you take them out so you know what's what when it's time to put them back in.
Call Toyota of N Charlotte with questions or for advice!
Have questions or need advice when it comes to car care? Talk to the experts at Toyota of N Charlotte today. You can call us at (704) 659-2025 OR stop by and see us at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23.
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