Car Maintenance: DIY Versus Professionals

When does it make sense to do your own repair work on your vehicle and when should you take it to the professionals at a dealership or service garage? It's true you can save money on some repairs by doing it yourself, but there is more to consider than just the cost of the parts. Although I'm an above-average repair person, I ask myself this series of questions before I start any auto repair. The questions should help you decide which repairs you can do and which repairs should be left to the professionals.

1. Is making the repair the best use of your time? Balance the cost of a professional's services against the money you could be making or saving doing something else.

2. How hard will it be to do the repair? Repairs that only take patience and following the directions in the user manual are better for do-it-yourself types than those that need experience and trade-school training.

3. Do you have the tools that the maintenance task requires? I can replace a headlight using a screwdriver from my kitchen. Replacing shock absorbers, on the other hand, can only be done if the car is on a vehicle lift and if I have the special replacement wrenches.

4. How much would it cost to buy or rent the tools you need, compared to the cost of the repair? Buying a $10 tire pressure gauge to protect $400 worth of tires is a good investment. Buying a $1.89 funnel to make it easier to add oil between changes is an excellent idea. Buying a $300 set of coolant pressure gauges to save $75 on an air conditioning repair is foolish.

5. If you buy the tools, will you use them often enough to make the investment worthwhile? Those $300 pressure gauges might be cost-effective if you have several cars and live in a hot climate.

6. Do you have the space to store the tools between uses?

7. Do you have a way to safely dispose of any fluids or parts you remove. It's easy for me to change oil, but it's a hassle to store the oil and then take the oil to the hazardous waste collection center. The $5.83 I can save by changing my own oil isn't enough to make up for the lost time, travel, gas, and storage.

8. How expensive will it be to have a professional redo the work if you botch the repair? Are you just risking some time and inexpensive parts? Are you risking making the problem worse, and more expensive to fix?

9. What's the worst that can happen if you botch the repair? Will the engine catch fire? Will the wheels fall off? Or will you just have to slink back to the auto parts store and buy a new headlight because you dropped the first one?

10 - Is the work under warranty? If so, take the vehicle to your dealer so their records are accurate and the warranty is protected.

If the answers indicate that it's not going to be a stupid, expensive mistake, go for it!