Basic Car Maintenance to Learn

If you hate going to the mechanic, then you’re most likely hoping to get a rundown of the maintenance basics that you need to keep your car in shape. Well, look no further we gathered the basic maintenance procedures for you to do at home.

1. Air Filter. Air Filter needs to be changed annually or if you want to be on the numbers, it should be around 12,000 miles. Air filter replacement can be done by the mechanic but you may have to surrender your car to Mike the Mechanic for a day or so. However, you could have that or you could also do it yourself;

• Find the filter of your car under the hood. Look for a rectangular, black box that has metal clips attached to the sides. If you can’t find it check your vehicle’s manual.
• Open the case and inspect how the filter is looking. Take note of how the filter is placed if it’s looking either left or right.
• Take out the old, worn out the filter and add in the new one exactly as how the old one was placed.
• Put it back the way you found and you’re all done.

2. Windshield Wipers. This part generally needs to be changed after around 6 months of use but since we’re Filipinos, we like to keep them a little longer until we can barely see the road with every wipe. Different wiper blades may have different installation requirements but we’ll share with you the standard procedure.

• Lift the blades and remove it carefully.
• Notice how it was connected to the metal arms that were holding it.
• Most models would have a tab right under the wiper. Push this to successfully remove the old blade.
• Put in the new blades but be very careful so you won’t damage the windshield or bend the wiper arms. Line the new windshield wiper with the arms and attach it the way you removed the old ones but in reverse.

3. Fuel Filter. Fuel filters do a good job of protecting your engine from suffering damages that will cost you a substantial amount of money in the future. The rule of thumb when it comes to fuel filters is to have it replaced every year to keep your engine at its best. If you don’t want to be bothered going to the mechanic, no worries, we got your back with these DIY fuel filter replacement instructions.

• To avoid unwanted explosions of any sort, relieve the system’s fuel pressure first. Look for the fuel pump located on the fuse box. If that’s not applicable to your car, find the relay that operates it instead. Start the engine, pull the fuse or at least what you suspect to be the fuse and if the engine dies you have definitely hit the spot.
• Disconnect all fuel lines from its respective fuel filter. Get two open-ended wrenches that correctly fit your car’s fuel fittings.
• Place the wrenches and cover the fitting with a rag just in case there’s still pressure left in the lines.
• Take hold of your wrench that perfectly fits the actual filter and turns the other wrench in a counter-clockwise direction until the bolt comes out.
• Slide off the fuel line from the bolt and keep it. Then do the same for the other fuel filter.
• Remove the old fuel filter that’s held by a clamp. You can use screwdrivers or whatever you find befitting.
• Change the fuel washers carefully.
• Remember the process you did and do it in reverse to install the new fuel filters. Also put the fuel pump fuse back before starting the car.