Simple at-home mechanic jobs

Stuck with no access to your local mechanics, here are some tips for handling any unexpected car issues

Obviously if something goes wrong with your car, calling up your local mechanics is the ideal option. Yet there are a range of small jobs that most people can perform on their own car that will save you the hassle of getting it to a mechanic, especially if you aren’t in the position of finding one right away.

Changing a battery

A good battery will usually last up to five years if proper care is taken. Yet if the battery is dead or you need to replace, the process is simple enough but it should be done carefully thanks to the corrosive elements involved.

First up you need to ensure that you have replace with the right battery which means checking with an auto parts outlet for the right type and size.

Disconnect both negative cable and positive cable from battery, make sure to detach the negative one first
Remove the battery hold down the lift  old battery out of tray
Clean tray of any built-up rust or dirt
Replace with new battery and reinstall the hold down clamp
Clean cables and posts with a battery brush and wire brush
Reattach cables, the positive first then the negative, then tighten the side terminal batteries
As a safety note, when changing a battery be sure that you are in a safe area away from any naked flames and be wary as battery’s contain sulphuric acid which is highly corrosive. Wearing gloves is advised.

Changing an engine air filter

The engine air filter acts as a filter from all the dirt that accumulates within the engine and is responsible for keeping fuel efficiency high. Basically it separates any additional dirt or grime and stores it away from the mechanism.

The engine air filter will usually be placed between the front grill and the engine and it should be the largest non-metal assembly located in that area, about the size of a breadbox.  Opening the air filter will require the removal of clips or wing nuts to remove the plastic covering. Inside this covering will be the air filter, usually white, bright yellow, orange or red in colour and it will contain paper pages that store the dirt.  If it looks dirty then a replacement will be needed.

An engine air filter should be replaced every 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first) although the owner's manual should have a manufacturer's recommendation.

Repairing dents on plastic bumper covers

The majority of vehicles today have plastic bumpers which have made it far easier when it comes to repairing any dents.  Able to be completed at home, all that is really required is a hair dryer.

• First up just see if you are able to push the dent out with your hand only, if this is not possible then begin to heat the dented area with a hair dryer.  When heating with the hair dryer be sure that you are covering and heating the entire area to make it easier to mould the plastic. Some mechanics recommend pouring water over the bumper BEFORE you start heating as a conductor, if you do make sure that the hair dryer is not anyway near the area.
• Using gloves, reach behind the bumper and pushed against the dented area using a small piece of wood or a mallet and work the plastic back into the original position

Replace windshield wiper blades

One of the easiest jobs you can do at home on your vehicle, replacing wiper blades should occur on a  regular basis with wiper blades tending to be worn out after six to twelve months (depending on weather and use).  Many blades are usually split, cracked, brittle, torn or just worn out, meaning that visibility is not ideal when you need to use them.  If you are unsure whether or not to replace your blades, a simple test is to use the windshield washing system. If the windshield is left with streaks or the blades do not run smoothly then it is time for a replacement.

Replacing the blades are simple, first buy the appropriate ones for your vehicle by measuring the blades length and buying the same length from any auto parts store. There will also be blades made based on car make and model also.

The wiper will have a release mechanism that can be pressed to release the old wipers from the wiper arm with new ones easy to attach.