When Should You Repair Your Car On Your Own and When Shouldn’t?

Driving your fancy car around town can seem like a great idea. The smooth turns, the increasing speed, the wind in your hair as you expertly whip past other vehicles is all worth it. However, its all fun and games till this well-oiled machine you own starts malfunctioning. After all, everyone dreads a car that is breaking down.

Well, some of you may be rather talented mechanics, or simply car aficionados, with a penchant for repairs. There are some instances where you can put your skills to use, repair your car on your own, and save yourself a lot of time and money. However, sometimes, things get out of hand, and we need to get our car looked at by a professional.

However, getting your car fixed at a mechanic’s auto shop can be a rather tricky affair and is downright expensive. For situations where your car is damaged, you can always get compensation if you purchase auto insurance. Insurance is a lifesaver, but car insurance repairs demand a close look at the fine print. Different kinds of insurance cover different types of damage. For example, car repair insurance usually covers damage caused by nature, whereas collision insurance covers damage caused by other cars to your own.

Here are some instances you should definitely take your car to a mechanic:

1)When your car is old:

Old cars have several issues. Years of wear and tear, bumpy roads and bad weather usually take a massive toll on your car and reduce its power steering fluid. The engine may have nearly given up, the metal parts may be rusted, and the levers and pulleys and other little mechanical bits may be damaged beyond repair. 

In such a situation, it is probably best to take your car to a mechanic. There may be many things you are unaware of that a mechanic would have experience with. You may take care of one issue while completely missing out on another important issue. 

Old cars, when not maintained, can be quite dangerous and become expensive to fix-up if not taken to the mechanic regularly. Our suggestion? Always take your car to a mechanic if it is several years old.

2)The Issue to fix is rather big:

Minor issues, like oil changes, small paint jobs, or blown gaskets, can easily be fixed with a little bit of guidance. However, sometimes your car’s damage might be too much for you to handle without a mechanic.

When your transmitter is malfunctioning, your engine has given up, or you need a new clutch, it’s probably time to take your car to a mechanic. Maintaining your engine, transmitter and other essential car parts is a rather mammoth task, and repairing it would require nuances and expertise we aren’t privy to. 

Hence, if your problem is big, you aren’t confident about fixing it, and solving this problem is essential for the safe functioning of your car; always take your vehicle to a mechanic.

3) You’re a Complete Novice:

Ideally, you should have some knowledge and prior experience before attempting to fix your car. Being a complete novice can be a hindrance, and you may be unaware of the small nuances and tips and tricks that are needed to fix a car.

A mechanic’s experience and knowledge are worth investing in to ensure your car is fixed properly and is functional to the fullest capacity.

4) Changing your Car’s Air Conditioning:

There are some parts of your car that are complicated and require intrinsic knowledge of the workings and components of it. Air conditioning is one of them.

There may be several different problems that are affecting your air conditioning, and while diagnosing the problem might be easy with some experience, fixing it is a whole different issue. Your car AC has different complicated components, and one requires an in-depth knowledge of pressure and thermodynamics to fix it.

Hence, if your AC malfunctions, always take your car to a mechanic instead of attempting anything on your own.

5) Replacement of Car Parts:

When your car parts need to be replaced, always go to a mechanic. You may not be aware of the exact part needed for the car. An expert mechanic can always provide you with a wide variety of car parts, advise you on what to buy, and then help you replace them as well. 

Thus, it is much easier to fix car parts with the help of a mechanic.

When Can You Repair Car By Yourself?

Simple things like air filters and windscreen wipers can be changed by you. You can even conduct engine oil checks and coolant level checks every month by yourself and change them whenever needed. Flat tyres are quite common, and if you know how to change one, you can always attempt to do it yourself.

Checking your tyre pressure is also something that is important. The car is provided with an instruction manual that tells you what the ideal levels of pressure should be. Thus, you should check your tyre pressure levels every 2 weeks after learning how to do so.

Wheel balance is another important component you can easily check. It ensures that your tyre and axle are on the same level if you turn. If wheel balance is inadequate, turns become rather rough and bumpy and tires can easily get roughed up.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, there are many things one can check and fix in their car. Of course, the concept of car maintenance completely depends on your personal skills, which is why it is difficult to suggest when to take your car to a mechanic. However, there are some objective situations that require the help of a mechanic, rather than you trying to fix it yourself.

Similarly, there are essential car maintenance tips everyone should learn so that they can keep their car properly functional without having to take their car to the mechanic every week. This can save a lot of time and expenses.

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