When to DIY or When to See a Mechanic

When you have problems with your car, it’s important to know what’s wrong with it to make sure it’s safe to drive. You also have to keep the car in good shape by servicing it. It can be hard to know when you should take your car to a mechanic or do it yourself.  First and foremost, if you don’t know what you are doing, don’t attempt to try it, you could cause serious damage to your car. Enlist a loved one who knows how to work on cars or go to a mechanic.

Here’s a guide when you are thinking about if you should go to a mechanic-

Oil changes- You can definitely do your own oil change if you know how or you can go to an oil change place to get it done.

Changing a tire- You can change your own tire however make sure you have the correct size to fit your car. Having a jack would make it easier. If you take it to a mechanic, they will also rotate your tires for you.  Stay away from retreaded tires.

Replacing Brakes is something best left to someone who really knows what they are doing.  Problems with your brakes can be very dangerous so make sure you don’t put it off.

Electrical Problems are usually detected by a special computer, so you should pay your mechanic a visit, just to be sure you know what is really going on.

Check engine lights can be either something serious or something needs reset. A car part store should be able to tell you what the problem is.

Changing Windshield Wipers is really easy. You can definitely do this yourself. Just follow the directions on the package. It’s a good idea to replace them when you are having trouble seeing while it’s raining.

Engine troubles are definitely for someone who really knows what they are doing.  Not just someone who thinks they know what to do. The engine is the heart of your car.

Transmission problems again call your mechanic.

Headlights burnt out, you can replace these fairly easily yourself.

Replacing fluids are an easy to do, just make sure you know what goes where.  Don’t forget to top off your wiper fluid too. It’s the most forgotten fluid after all.

Here’s a few more tips:

When you are taking your car in to be serviced or fixed make sure you have a reputable shop working on your vehicle.  Check out online reviews, talk to friends, and be an informed consumer.

If you are working on your own car, order your car parts from a company with a good reputation. You don’t want the wrong parts or used ones.  

Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion or a third one. You need to be sure the right problem is diagnosed.

Ask for an invoice and price of what it will cost upfront.

If you are in an accident, take your car in to be examined and make sure there’s no damage under the hood.

Know your car’s actual value, don’t waste time paying more than your car is worth in repairs. If your insurance is covering the repairs, they will cap you at what the car is worth.  When that happens it’s time to get a new car.

Tips to Help you Succeed at Your New Years Resolutions

I am not very good at making New Year’s resolutions because I don’t know what life will bring. I try to make goals throughout the year instead. I make small goals that I know I can achieve. I don’t want to set myself up for failure. Many of my friends make New Year’s resolutions. Many want to lose weight, some want to save more and others are just work related goals. With a goal of losing weight or working out more, people will start out really strong. They will eat right and go to the gym. Then the excitement starts to dwindle down. They stop going to the gym less. They are eating more junk again. It can become a vicious cycle. You also have those who make unrealistic resolutions and want to do it fast. With everything it takes time. Making small changes is a great way to go. Maybe cutting out dessert after dinner 3 times a week to start. It’s not a huge change but you aren’t shocked in to it. You will make better choices about what kinds of desserts you will eat.

 If you are trying to save money, try to bring your lunch to work. Go out maybe once a week. You will enjoy the meal even more because it’s a special treat. I know when I am trying to save I cut out extra things like meals out. Growing up we had fast food or went out to eat once a week. I always looked forward to it. I still am in that habit. The only time I go out to eat more than once a week, is when I am on vacation or I have company. Some weeks I opt to not do it. I know it’s not much but if you are paying $20 a meal out every night its $100. I have friends that don’t cook and always go out to eat. I personally couldn’t eat like that. I would get so bored so fast.

Another popular resolution is to buy a new car.  Many people notice problems with their car when the weather is bad and they have to keep repairing it.Why not start  the new year with a new car?

Checking Tire Pressure in a Dress

I am not the most mechanical person in the world. I am a whiz at electronics and computers, but I must have not received my Grandpa’s mechanical skills. I think that is partially because he passed away before he could teach me. One of the things I do know is understanding how to check tire pressure and fill tires. I never know exactly how long you have at the air pump at the gas station. They should really have a timer on it. I am sure watching me put air in the tires is truly comical. I always wonder if someone is filming it. One time my mom, Noah and I were going out to dinner at a nice restaurant. My mom and I were both wearing nice dresses and we had to stop and get air. It was so funny because we were racing around the car. We temporarily lost a couple of the air covers. We couldn’t park as close as we wanted to so we had the cord stretched out. We probably looked like two chickens with our heads cut off. We were right next to a busy intersection so I don’t think people could really stop and watch us. It was so much fun though. Noah was also pretending to be the pit crew captain yelling out orders out the window. He was in charge of looking at the sensor and letting us know when it hit the right number. I kept an eye on it secretly, just in case. He did a great job though! He felt like he was part of the action, he really wanted to do it all by himself.  After watching Cars and Cars 2 more times than I can count he deems himself a real expert.