Teenagers should be on the path towards adulthood, and learn the essential skills to operate their own motor vehicles. They want responsibility, they want to be somewhere, do things, and should already know how to fix their own problems. Car ownership is no different to any savvy customer, because vehicles well-cared for often retain values, last longer, and become more appealing to the next owner.
Caring for your vehicle is a good life skill to have, because minor repairs and maintenance checks on your vehicle can save you money in the long run. The hardest part is getting started into this brand-new field. However, the no car owner can escape car maintenance costs, and mechanic charges keep increasing at the rate of inflation. As for the following, should doesn’t mean that you must, and I’ve learned a lot of these things over time.
Most of the following topics that I discuss are things I have done on my own, and learned through practice. I do review how much time I have and my need to complete the following jobs. Obviously, your need increases based on how quick you need to get the job done, and what is available. Otherwise, open communication with your mechanic about the following is great to identify the needs both of you have with each other. I personally do not like shady business practices, and most mechanics do not like the idea of working the customer over either. If you know what you want out of the car, they will work easier with you.
I would like to lay out the easier to more labor intense jobs you can do with your vehicle. By all means, this is not a comprehensive list, but it is still a list of jobs with tips that you can do yourself. I have done some jobs that I had the time to handle, but did not want to spend the labor time for a mechanic to complete. Otherwise, I would definitely teach all of these jobs to my sons when they are capable of performing them.
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Life Skill Task: Easy
Changing Headlights
Vehicle headlights are becoming progressively more expensive. It is not too difficult of a job to do, unless your manufacturer put the switches up in your wheel well. If you own one of those foreign cars with a wheel well light…. I am sorry. The challenge with a wheel well light is maneuvering around your tire and a plastic panel before you get to the right spot. Otherwise, if you have a simple layout like mine, some pressure, a twist, and your old light is out!
Keep in mind that light bulbs do not do well with any form of oil. Keep your hands clean and off the bulb when you replace it onto the plug. Pop it back in and you’re ready to go. I live in an area that edges from light pollution to super dark country roads. If you’ve been down enough town and highway roads with a lot of light, it makes it difficult to see well. This is why I have purchased a higher brightness for my lightbulbs. They often bust about once or twice a year, which is why I keep spares in my glove box. This is a good idea to prevent any tickets.
Car Washing and Waxing
Your vehicle should receive a good bath often. Hand-washing your car is usually the best, and most attentive in getting a good clean. You could take your car through self-wash car wash, or take it through an automatic machine. These offers get options for more frequent washing to get the road wear off the vehicle. I have seen an increase of these facilities offering affordable monthly subscriptions. The nice thing about these washes is that many are environmentally friendly and have filters to reuse the water.
As a personal preference, I will only wax my vehicle at home. I do not like the idea of hot wax on my vehicle, because I do not want fine dust particles between my wax and paint layer. I have had times where I’ve had to continue removing dust particles off my car for a better clean before putting on a couple layers of waxing and curing.
Changing Windshield Wipers
I think this is really a simple task anyone must do with their vehicle. As soon as the blades become too firm, fall or, or fails to give a clean wipe across your windshield, I would recommend replace it. Believe it or not, most wipers come with the instructions! Visibility with your vehicle is super important as you keep an eye on the road and other drivers. So, do yourself a favor of safety and replace the wipers as needed.
Changing Fuses
Your fuse box is typically under the hood of your vehicle. This service as a conductor for the different electronics in your vehicle. Chances are, they will go out every now and then, but you will be kicking yourself for not realizing it sooner. Last year, I went on a hiking trip with my family and the radio died when we got back. It took us a while to check the fuses under the hood, then we found a spare one by the passenger door. As soon as we found the culprit fuse, we changed it in just a few seconds, then we had our radio back. When you remove fuses, make sure your car is turned off. You could blow more fuses by pulling them from your vehicle while electricity is flowing through.
Changing Air Filters
Air filters in your vehicle cabin and for your engine are important. First, the engine air filter brings in better quality air to your engine block, allowing for your fuel-air mixture to get the right mixture for firing. When tiny particles are introduced through poor quality air, your engine life reduces based on poor quality air (and oil too, make sure all are changed frequently). Some engines make it really simple and easy for you to flick open a couple containers to get it in. Other brands might make it more difficult for you to accomplish the task. The recommendation is to change it every 3 years or 30,000 miles. Consult your owner’s manual if it tells you any different. To make this task easy, just open up the case and take a look at the color.
Changing Car Battery
Car batteries have a particular shelf life on your vehicle. I have spent cheaply and also mid-road batteries on my vehicles. My only point of contention is that my cheap batteries have lasted me about 12-18 months on average, and it annoys me when they do that. I would rather spend a bit more money and get a much better life on my battery. My daily driving SUV has been under my care for eight years, and it is on its’ third battery. I would still be on my second, if the battery straight from the dealer was a better quality.
A simple socket set, or screwdrivers are enough to remove this part. First, make sure you remove the negative terminal (black) then the positive terminal (red). I do it in that order because the negative doesn’t shock me, and with an incomplete circuit, it makes it easier to remove the cables. After those wires are removed, remove the battery clamp and pull it out. Put the new one in reverse order.
Fluids in your vehicle
Most common fluids in your vehicle are windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, and oil. These containers have a level on the outside or inside that tell you how height of the levels. Fortunately, fluids are rather cheap and good to have on hand. I find that I go through a lot of windshield fluid during the winter to help with defrosting and snow.
I have changed the oil in my vehicles for many years. I got to the point where the cost of parts is better for me to buy on my own, and do the change1. Many shops consider oil changes as a loss leader, and typically give you cheaper parts to do the job. I do this job on my own and it will take me about 30 minutes from setup to cleanup. Typically, I wait around 5,000 to 6,000 miles on my vehicle to change the oil. I learned how to do this job because I have saved half the cost of the change per vehicle, and will do it about once or twice a year. Compounding this job over a five-year period for two vehicles have saved me about $300 in labor.
Life Skill Task: Easy Tasks with Labor Required
Removing a Tire
Tires are expensive, and increase in cost the bigger your vehicle. The more mileage and tread you put on them will vary in the wear. However, if you break down in the middle of a highway, save yourself the time on waiting for a tow and save about $1002. Give yourself the chance to limp to the next service station and have a mechanic complete the repair, if necessary.
For the steps: jack up your vehicle under the frame point of your vehicle. Your owner’s manual will show you the points to place the jack, lift your tire, and remove the tire in a star-shaped pattern. I usually start at the top, move to the opposite side, and continue this pattern. Bonus: keep a few threads left of your bolt on the wheel, and remove them by hand. You will have more control over the bolts, and you can place them on a safe spot without losing them to traffic.
To put a new tire on, use these steps in the reverse order. Place your tire on the axle, and screw the bolts on in a star-shaped pattern, moving in the opposite points. To keep better balance on the wheel, make sure the bolts are in, but not pressed down too tightly. Make sure all points are in the tire, and then you put the pressure on each bolt to confirm the tightness. If you went too hard, you will throw off the right pressure to mount the tire correctly onto your vehicle.
Where to Find the Spare Tire
Having a spare tire is a good idea for your vehicle. If you have a car, it will likely be under the carpet of the trunk; SUV’s can have it on the back door or underneath the vehicle; trucks are typically under the truck bed. If you have an older vehicle, it is recommended to check the spare tire and make sure it is in serviceable condition. If it is a full-size tire, make sure you are rotating it with the other others. To remove this piece, your tire set will come with its own socket, typically the same size on your tires. Unscrew the piece, and remove the tire.
Plugging holes
Ever had nails, screws, or any impediments embedded into your tire? Or have you lost air because of that hole? Most auto stores sell tire plug kits, and make it easier to keep the mileage on your car. I have done this job; it literally takes 5 minutes to complete. It didn’t cost me a whole lot of money for the kit either, which is more worth than taking it to someone that wants to sell me new tires.
A word of caution, 1. Mechanics hate plugging holes because it’s a simple job, 2. There is almost no money into plugging holes, 3. Shops do not want to take on too much liability to say the tires are ‘good’, and 4. They’d rather sell you new tires. Buying new tires means that the shop can charge you more for labor, say there are problems with brakes, and will stand to profit more on buying brand new for a 60,000-mile tire.
Changing Brake Pads
Since tires and brake jobs seem to become a bread-and-butter type of job, here are a few things. Changing your brakes is not too difficult of a job. A regular mechanic can do this job relatively quickly, and will make some decent money. Warning, if you are not too confident about this job, make sure you are with someone who knows how to do and assist you. Oftentimes, mechanics could sell you rotors along with brakes, but it is not always necessary to do so. Legally, mechanics must abide with the regulations of rotor thickness for proper brakes3. The principle of pads with mountain bikes is not much different, with a few exceptions to making the change.
I was able to tackle this job on my Toyota 4Runner, and was able to do my rear brakes within 4 hours. I would have been able to complete it in a shorter period if I had my tires rotated. The salty roads of New England do not help either as rust and salt make it feel like you are ripping glue off your axle.
Brake pads go into vehicle calipers, and is not too difficult to install. Some calipers can be removed from your vehicle, making that process a tad bit easier to make that change. Your brakes might not be the exact model as mine, but I was able to remove my calipers, take out the old pads, and install the new pads. When I put my new pads in, I took a C-clamp to my caliper to depress the brake valve. As soon as it was depressed all the way, I could re-install the brakes and tires back onto my vehicle. Bonus: if all four wheels are off the ground, rotate through your tires for even wear.
Conclusion
I wanted to run down the list of jobs that you could learn yourself or teach your teenager on fixes they can do with their vehicle. When they start a job they know, it makes it easier and saves you some money than having to pay a professional do a simple job they can handle. I have learned these tips over time, because I have the time, and I have the ability to do so. However, if for any reason you do not have the ability or time to do these jobs, I would recommend you find someone that can help you. If you go back through the article, I tried listing the simple jobs before getting into more physical tasks. This way, you can work down this path as necessary to do the job yourself.
With all of these different tasks, have you done all of these things? What do you find a challenge with your vehicle that you know you can handle? If you like all of these different tips to work on your vehicle, please share this article, so we can continue to grow. Thehomeeconomy.com dba Ideas for home, is a site about home economics and FCS. We go through simple tips and tricks of home work that are to improve the quality of life and skills to save money at home.
Notes
- The cost of oil changes vary for around $30-$35 on your own to double that for a shop to do it. It is not surprising that shops will charge about $70-$75 for oil and filter changes on synthetic and high-mileage oil. Rich Ceppos, May 8, 2019, “How Much Does an Oil Change Cost?”, Car and Driver, https://www.caranddriver.com/shopping-advice/a27380975/how-much-is-oil-change/.
- Car towing is a good option to have with your insurance or AAA if you have it. It helps to get you out of tight spots when you need it. Dustin Hawley, Mar 08, 2021, “How Much Does it Cost to Tow a Car,” J.D. Power, https://www.jdpower.com/Cars/Shopping-Guides/how-much-does-it-cost-to-tow-a-car.
- Cornell Law has a good article on the Department of Transportation Rotor thickness. Make sure you ask the question on the roto thickness, because any savvy shop will want to replace all rotors. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/393.47
