Car maintenance tasks you can do yourself
汽车维修平均每年花费1118美元,但有些可以在家里完成.
所以,为什么不节省一些钱,帮助保持你的汽车转售或以旧换新的价值呢? Regular engine maintenance 和 tire pressure adjustments can help keep fuel costs down. And while most auto repairs should be left to the experts, 在这里's a list that are usually do-it-yourself.
Replace windshield wipers
每6到12个月是最理想的,这取决于它们的使用频率. 如果他们留下条纹,发出噪音或硬和裂纹,可能是时候安装一个新的. 看看 WikiHow to learn how,并查阅您的汽车用户手册,了解更多有关购买哪种类型雨刷的信息.
Car paint chip repair
If they aren't too big, a touch-up paint kit might be a good option. Be sure to follow the instructions to get the best results. Popular Mechanics has detailed instructions on how to fix a car paint scratch.
Tire inspection
轮胎是车辆与地面接触的地方,必须如此 maintained in good condition 适当的充气,使您的车辆安全、经济地运行. 这里有一些简单的检查可以帮助你避免轮胎让你失望.
- 至少每月检查一次轮胎是个好主意. 该检查应注意胎面深度(在大多数州,小于胎面深度的2/32是非法的), 如果轮胎磨损不均匀(表明潜在的悬架对准问题)或如果轮胎破裂, damaged or otherwise deteriorated. 如果发现这些情况,你应该咨询当地的轮胎专业人士.
- 要了解正确的膨胀规格,请参考膨胀标语牌. 它通常位于车辆的驾驶员门框区域,或者可以在车主手册中找到.
- 现在您已经知道了车辆轮胎的正确充气规格,现在是时候 check the inflation pressure. 如果可能的话,应该在早上开车前检查充气情况. Tire pressure can change due to many factors, one of which is a change in the ambient air temperature. For every 10 degrees in ambient air temperature change, 轮胎压力可以增加(如果温度上升)或减少(如果温度下降)1 psi.
Windshield chip repair
一些 windshield repairs are covered by insurance. 如果你的挡风玻璃有一个小芯片,几乎没有裂缝,你想自己修理它, a repair kit may be an option. 它们通常会提供你需要的所有材料,大约需要一个小时才能完成. While it's not possible to fix all chips, 你也许可以在将来阻止它变大或变色. Popular Mechanics discusses the types of damage these kits are recommended for.
Wash 和 wax your car
保养汽车外表的最好方法之一就是清除污垢和残余物,以免损坏表面. 它还提供了一个近距离观察刮痕,芯片和你可能不会注意到的叮叮声.
- 用专为汽车表面设计的清洗液清洗汽车. Work from the top down 和 use a microfiber washing mitt. 用另一桶肥皂和水清洗轮胎,这样就不会把油脂和污垢弄到车的其他部位.
- 检查油漆是否有任何粘稠物,如鸟粪、树液或花粉. 如果这些污染物在表面以上,为汽车护理设计的粘土条可以帮助去除它们.
- Dry thoroughly with fresh towels. 柔软、吸水的华夫织超细纤维干毛巾是不错的选择. Apply car wax. T在这里 are several varieties, 但每三个月使用一次液体或膏状蜡可以帮助保护和维护汽车的外观.
Clean your headlights
保持前灯清洁可以改善你的汽车外观,让你在路上更安全. 就像刷牙一样,一把小牙刷和手肘油会让事情变得更亮. To clean your headlights:
- Tape off the areas around the headlights to protect your paint.
- 在潮湿的清洁布上涂一点牙膏,把牙膏牢牢地擦到前照灯上. 根据需要添加更多的牙膏和水,每个前灯约5分钟.
- Rinse with water to remove any toothpaste.
- 让大灯干燥后,在大灯上涂上汽车蜡.
Replace non-headlight bulbs
车内和后备箱的灯泡通常很容易更换. To replace them, 您需要将螺丝刀插入模具上的槽中,然后轻轻将盖子移开. 盖子取下后,您可以安全地取出并更换旧灯泡. Don't forget to place the cover back on.
Ready to tackle more? You can save more money by tackling bigger tasks yourself. Your first step is to make a car maintenance schedule. Once you've made a schedule, 你可以投入到更大的维修中,比如更换汽车的机油和机油滤清器或 replacing the car battery before you get str和ed 和 have to jump start your car. 看看 more car maintenance tips to help save you money 和 keep you safe.