Unless you’re a mechanic related to one, or an old-fashioned dad, you’re probably not an expert on cars and their problems. That’s ok, that’s why mechanics exist.
At the very least though, you should know which troubles you can manage yourself and which you should have a mechanic handle. This will save you lots of money, headaches, and you might even be able to hardball with a mechanic a little bit once you’ve learned a thing or two.
Most work of a car is simply maintaining it. If you keep your car in pristine (or just decent) condition, you can avoid seeing a mechanic for the majority of the life of your car.
The most obvious thing you can do yourself is an oil change and tune up. This needs to be done every 3,000 miles. All an oil change entails is draining the existing oil in your car and replacing it. It’s really that simple. Also check all the other fluids of your car: radiator fluid, anti-freeze, window washer fluid, brake fluid and power steering fluid. Be sure to check the oil filter, belt, air filter, brakes, tires, battery and clutch (if necessary). If any of these need replacing they should be fairly simple except the tires, brakes and clutch.
There will eventually come a time when you need to replace your tires, brakes and clutch (if you have a clutch). Tires last 25,000-50,000 miles, depending on driving conditions. These are quite simple to change if you have the right tools (car jack and tire iron). Slightly more complicated to replace are the brakes, break pads, and clutch. These processes are a little more detailed, but nonetheless, simple enough to do yourself, also given that you have the proper tools. Just keep in mind that the average lifetime for a set of brakes is anywhere from 20,000-40,000 miles, depending on your driving style and the driving conditions. A clutch can last on average 90,000 miles, but this also depends on the way you drive (how much you use the clutch) and the driving conditions (city or highway). Mostly, all work that can be considered routine maintenance, you can probably take care on your own. Having these done for you by a mechanic will cost significantly more, and, chances are that you will only have to do these 1-3 during your ownership of the car.
Most work that is not routine and that cannot be done with basic tools that any guy owns, should be handled by a mechanic. This entails all body work (exterior), any holes, leaks and cracks in the engine, lines, wires and God only knows what components are involved (which could be caused by a number of things). These complications are definitely safer to be diagnosed and repaired by a mechanic.
If you happen to ride your car a little too hard, have an accident, or want an upgrade to your car, then you need to see your mechanic. Otherwise, it is best to try figure out the problem on your own.
Comments
morris melte
March 10th, 2010 - 3:44:46 PM
shift forks are eating up 1@2 on a m50 trans.syn. look good.
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shaun
March 18th, 2010 - 9:06:40 PM
93 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive full size blazer every gear is drive put it in park,neutral,and reverse and it wants to drive. So every gear is forward basicly linkage seemed fine put new filter in that didn't. Help can anyone help me thanks.
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kenny
March 21st, 2010 - 8:46:45 AM
my 88 ford ranger brakes are acting up when you go to stop they are very hard to push them down
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kenny
March 21st, 2010 - 8:48:42 AM
can someone help me please!!!!!
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YANEW
March 21st, 2010 - 9:39:18 AM
i replaced the trany in my 94 jeep, worked for a few miles,then quitfor all gears and blew the pump seal,droped it replaced the seal and tourque converter still no gears.does anyone have an idea for what could be wrong?
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stevo
March 21st, 2010 - 4:37:51 PM
kenny your brake booster is prob bab
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mike
March 21st, 2010 - 6:31:50 PM
i just changed the transmission in a 89 ford bronc and now it will not shift out of 2nd can the netrual safty switch cause this
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mike
March 21st, 2010 - 6:33:07 PM
i just changed the transmission in a 89 ford bronc and now it will not shift out of 2nd can the netrual safty switch cause this.
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stevo
March 21st, 2010 - 6:42:35 PM
mike a neutral switch only keeps it from starting when its not in park or neutral.thats not your prob
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David Digney
March 21st, 2010 - 8:03:29 PM
My 00' Dakota QC has the 4.7 & 45RFE.150k on tranny,always serviced every 25k.Recentlty slips when going up hills or pressure on flat w/moderate acceleration.Shifts funny,other times fairly ok... Ok people..
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Damon
March 22nd, 2010 - 7:56:50 PM
I have a 98 chevy 1500 5.0 with 700r transmission.It will not shift from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th.It started all at once.Fluid is clean and full.What does it need.Thanks if you can help!
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robert v
March 23rd, 2010 - 8:13:33 AM
MY 1996 CHEVROLET BERETTA. AUTO MATIC TRANSMISSION WONT GO REVERSE. HAVE TO SLIDE SELECTOR BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL TIMES TO MAKE IT GO IN DRIVE ONLY. I DNT THINK ITS THE SHIFT CABLE!
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impalasswagon
March 23rd, 2010 - 8:32:37 AM
trnny leak in front,ihad it fixed for $500. she still leaks ,keeping it full ,shes starting to slip .IS
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impalasswagon
March 23rd, 2010 - 8:35:23 AM
trnny leak in front,ihad it fixed for $500. she still leaks ,keeping it full ,shes starting to slip .IS my pump bad ? how much should that cost to solve my problem ? ANDRE.
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Leonye
March 23rd, 2010 - 4:17:01 PM
I just bought a 00 dodge durango a few weeks ago and since Ive bought tires and got a oxygen sensor fixed the transmissin light is on and I got a diagnostic on it and they say it could be the catalytic converter and part of the transmission but they dont know what is exactly wrong with the transmission. Any one know how much this could end up costing me and any advice on how to find a reliable mechanic to repair it?
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sonotom
March 24th, 2010 - 6:40:49 PM
my 98 navigator will not shift after second gear
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Roland Johnson
March 26th, 2010 - 7:48:01 AM
I have 1992 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo I had my transmissions rebuild 5 year ago now my transmissions will run 20 to 30 min. then stop will not mover I cut the jeep off let it set 10 to 15 min. I cut the jeep on it go about block then it stop moving again That what my jeep is doing. what wrong HELP
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joe
April 4th, 2010 - 9:36:38 AM
96 chev s-10. suddenly wouldn't change from first gear.after changing to first it would just rev up
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punkin
April 8th, 2010 - 5:16:46 PM
how do i check the transmission fluid n a 98 honda passport
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CANDI
April 15th, 2010 - 12:47:57 PM
I HAVE A 96 FORD EXPLORER THAT GOES FROM 1ST 2ND THEN 3RD BUT GET UP TO 2500 RPM THEN GOES INTO NUETRAL WHATS WRONG WITH THIS CAR?
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Gary Foster
April 20th, 2010 - 8:01:11 AM
67 GTO 4 speed Linkage was hanging up going into third, linkage seems to be mismatch?now it wont go into 1ST gear, how do I line up the linkage properley
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Grama
April 30th, 2010 - 12:25:12 PM
my 1956 Ford T-Bird slips out of park. Someone said it just needed an adjustment. Do you need a mechanic for this.
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ramos
May 3rd, 2010 - 2:17:33 PM
just put new engine in was working greatand. somthing went down the shifter now it onley changes when you leave it on it will go but after awhile it wont and you turn it off and on again it changes
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