A FEW SIMPLE DIY MAINTENANCE TASKS

November 11, 2023

A few simple DIYMaintenance Tasks

Vehicle owners may be tempted to forego maintenance because they think it’s expensive and not necessary.However, regular maintenance is necessary because it can help prevent more expensive repairs and breakdowns in the future.Not changing the oil regularly can lead to premature engine wear and failure or cause your car to run poorly.

On occasion we have a customer who wants to do some of their car maintenance themselves.There is no reason a skilled and enthused person shouldn’t give some service items on their vehicle a try.Performing some of the basic service items can save money if done correctly of course.

Safety first, only physically fit individuals should attempt any maintenance item that requires them to bend over the engine compartment, squat by the wheel for more than a minute or two or climb under the vehicle.And always, always use jack stands properly if raising the car up with a service jack.Never use an old jack.Place the jack stands in the proper locations under the body and park the vehicle on level pavement. Important for personal safety is protective gear like safety goggles, ear protection and rubber gloves are all essential when working on an automobile, so don’t forget to use them.

Below is a list of several maintenance jobs skilled DIYers may be able to handle on their own:

1.Replace wiper blades

When wiper blades are worn they can greatly reduce visibility when it’s raining or snowing and even on cold mornings when the windshield is covered with dew.

Choose a quality wiper blade as they are made with high quality rubber, clean better and usually last longer.Follow the instructions that come with the blades.It’s easier to fit a complete blade replacement as opposed to an insert.Inserts, which are just the rubber piece are tricky to fit and must be matched to the type of blade. Whereas different brand blades can be used without problem.

2.Replace air filter

An engine air filter should be checked annually and if your car is driven the national average of 12,000 miles a year it will need to be replaced at that time.If you drive off road or in sandy areas the filter should be checked every 5,000 miles.

3.Check spare tire

A spare tire should be in good working condition since it’s mainly used in an emergency after an unanticipated tire blow out.It’s usually an out of sight, out of mind situation.Access to the spare tire should be something you familiarize yourself with before you need to use it.Typically they are located in the trunk under the carpeted floor panel, on the outside of the tailgate or can be located under the rear of the vehicle.Look around and see where it is located.Once you’ve gained access to the tire, look at the sidewall surface for cracking or flaking rubber which is a sign of dry rot and the tire must then be replaced.Also check the tire pressure in the tire, over a period of years it may have gone flat.

4.Replace headlamp bulbs

Some headlamp bulbs are easy to replace.Make sure to buy the correct bulb beforehand.Access the headlamp bulb holder from the engine compartment; remove the electrical connector from the back of the headlamp.On occasion they can be difficult to remove.Use a rag or towel when gripping the bulb, twist to free it from the holder.Remember when installing the new bulb, to not make direct contact with your fingers as the oils in our skin may shorten the life of the new bulb.

Warning: Some vehicles will require the battery be removed to gain access to the headlamp.On these models we don’t recommend DIYers attempt to replace them as there is a risk of damaging electronic parts if the battery is not removed and reinstalled properly.The same goes for HID (high intensity discharge) headlight bulbs.We advise a professional replace them, as these systems run on high voltage electricity and impose a risk of electrocution if not handled correctly.

5.Replace engine oil and filter

Not as easy a DIY service as the other items listed but for a savvy, physically fit person it’s doable.Laying on the ground one must be able to exert some force to get the oil filter and the drain plug loose.Some special tools are needed; a jack, jack stands, oil filter wrench, drain pan and standard wrench the size of the drain plug.All supplies should be bought in advance.Use quality oil the weight recommended by the manufacturer, a genuine or better oil filter and don’t forget the drain plug gasket if applicable because they are not reusable.Be extra vigilant when tightening both drain plug and oil filter, leaks can lead to dangerously low engine oil level and result in engine damage.Care also must be taken when adding the oil, not to over or under fill the engine.

Note: One significant difference of doing your own oil change or having a reputable shop do an oil maintenance service is a professional technician can spot concerns with the vehicle that a DIY would find hard to interpret or see when working on the ground.Concerns like a small coolant leak, a broken brake part or a worn suspension component, the latter having to be measured and tested because wear is not always visible, could negatively impact the car if not noticed and corrected.

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What if you don’t change your cabin filter?

December 6, 2023

1. What is a cabin filter? The cabin filter is a different filter than the engine air filter. Both have similar construction but do very different things. While cabin filters vary depending on car manufacturer most have either a cardboard or plastic form that holds an accordion of folded paper impregnated with fiber or charcoal. 2. How does it work? The cabin filter filters the air coming from outside the vehicle into the passenger compartment. When air passes into the cabin filter, it’s pleats trap debris and contaminants like dust and pollen and prevent it from entering into the vehicle via air ducts and vents. 3. What type of debris does the cabin filter stop? A clean cabin filter will prevent dust, dirt, smoke, smog, pollen, mold spores and exhaust gases from entering the cabin through the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. It also stops rodent droppings, bugs and leaves from entering the cabin. 4. What can happen if your cabin filter is dirty? The debris that the cabin filter traps eventually builds up to a point where it is no longer working efficiently and can prevent air flow into the cabin. 5. Are there risks if you don’t replace a dirty cabin filter? Yes. The most common risk is allergens entering the cabin, raising allergy and breathing concerns amongst passengers. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems will work harder trying to push air through a clogged cabin filter and ultimately can cause blower fan motor to overheat and fail. In winter months the windows won’t defog or defog slowly because of the reduced air flow coming through the vents. A musty smell coming from the air vents especially when the defrost or air conditioning is on. The smell can also indicate mold is present, which occurs when moisture due to normal temperature changes builds up inside the air vents and ducting because the air flow has been reduced or blocked by a dirty cabin filter. 6. How often should it be replaced? When it’s dirty obviously, but most car manufacturers suggest every 15,000 miles. If you commute or drive in a busy, air polluted metropolitan area your cabin filter will need replacement every 8,000 to 10,000 miles. And if you travel on dusty or dirt roads the cabin filter will need replacement even more often. 7. Is it hard to replace? Yes, it can be on some vehicles. Most of the time you will find the cabin filter is located under the vehicle dash or behind the glove box on the passenger side making it hard to access. No special tools are needed but part of the under dash needs to be removed to gain access to the filter. Once the filter is in sight it can be awkward to remove, sometimes they are stuck in place, this is where patience and knowledge are handy. Be careful not to break clips or body panels when doing it yourself.

Engine Air Filter

November 8, 2023

1. What is an engine air filter? The engine air filter is a rectangular or square shaped rubber, plastic or cardboard frame that contains a pleated paper accordion. The paper has fiber or cloth filaments to help prevent contaminants from penetrating it's surface. The contaminants are dust, dirt, road debris, insects and other air borne material from entering the engine’s combustion chamber and intake manifold. 2. How does it work? It works by filtering the air going into the engine intake manifold. The paper accordion traps contaminants from entering the engine. These contaminants are dust, dirt, pollen, bugs, leaves, other foliage and debris that floats in our surface air. 3. What happens if I drive with a dirty or clogged filter? It has been suggested it may negatively affect the cars gas mileage. Recent tests have disproved this theory as modern fuel controls adapt well. What does happen is the engine performance is reduced. When the intake manifold received less air due to a dirty engine air filter the fuel system computer cuts back on the amount of fuel sent to the manifold. This reduction varies amongst different car manufacturers and models. But overall the power (acceleration) could be reduced by almost 15% in some models. 4. How often should the air filter be replaced? Annually we suggest the engine air filter be checked and replaced if dirty. If the car is not driven the national average of 12,000 miles a year, the filter may be OK. If the car is driven in areas with a lot of dust, pollen, smoke or other air born debris the filter will likely get dirtier quicker and have to be change more frequently. But regardless of the miles driven the engine air filter should be examined annually. 5. Is it hard to replace an air filter? Generally speaking, no, the air filter is usually on top of the engine and access is relatively easy. It does not require special tools but the air filter housing is usually sealed with rubber gaskets and held together with screws or plastic clips. The clips can be brittle due to heat transfer from the engine and can break easily.

A FEW SIMPLE DIY MAINTENANCE TASKS