Save Money by Doing Your Own Car Repair

I spend a lot of money on car repairs on my 2000 Chevy Impala. When I look at the receipt, I noticed that most of the bill goes to labor (less than half goes to parts) and I started thinking that I could do some of this stuff myself. In full disclosure, I am not a car person. If I get a flat tire on the side of a highway, I will call AAA to come and change the tire rather than do it myself (I pay for AAA for a reason and I can never get the stupid bolts off). However, I have found a few car repairs that are much easier than changing a tire, but a lot of people don't realize the simplicity of the repairs.

Oil Change--Purchase the oil and oil filter from an auto store for about $20. Not only do you know that the oil filter has been replaced with a brand new filter(I figured out one place that didn't), you can also choose a higher grade oil (if you think it's necessary) to put into your car. Total time: 30 minutes--Open the oil reserve (see, I don't even know the technical terms), empty the oil, remove the oil filter, close the oil reserve (it just screws out), put on the new oil filter, and put oil in the car (this last step takes a little bit of time to make sure you put enough oil in). Money saved: $15

Change your air filter--I was quoted $60 by my local dealership to have my air filter changed, so I took it upon myself to figure out how to do it. You can buy a paper filter which you have to change more frequently for under $10. I purchased a K&N air filter which you clean every 50,000 miles, but is more costly. Changing your air filter will increase your fuel economy and increase the engine's life span. Total Time: 10 minutes
Money Saved: $50

Replace windshield wipers--2 decent windshield wiper blades cost about $14, and my dealership was charging about $50 to replace them. Total time: 10 minutes--you just pull off the old blades, and put on the new blades. The instructions come in the wiper blade packet if you've never done it before. Money Saved: $35

Change Battery--When my battery was about to die, I asked my dealership how much it would cost. They said in order for them to look at the problem would cost $100, and then they would bill accordingly. Needless to say, I was not going to give them a blank check to replace my battery. I drove to a chain auto parts store, borrowed a set of tools, and removed my battery. They diagnosed that my battery cells were dead and helped me pick out a new battery ($90). They also handled the disposal of my old battery ($8). Total Time: 60 minutes

Detailing--On a sunny day, a handful of quarters can pay for a complete car wash and interior cleaning at a do-it-yourself car wash. Total Time: 60 minutes
Total cost--$5. Money Saved: $70

Some additional car care information that I have found invaluable: When you're getting gas; check your oil level, tire pressure (a pressure gauge costs about $2), and clean out the garbage from your car. When I have to wait in my car, I have Armor All wipes in the backseat and I clean my dashboard and interior. I also keep plastic grocery bags in the car. I use them for shopping trips (no extra plastic bags entering my apartment) and for tossing extra garbage that manages to accumulate in my car.