How to Service Your Own Car: Car Inspectors Guide

Getting a car serviced is one of the best examples of upkeep that you can find. It’s always a smart thing to do in your vehicle’s maintenance calendar, but actually doing it however may not be viable for you at the moment, for a multitude of reasons. If you can’t get it done professionally, that doesn’t mean you’re stuck though. There are a few things that you can do to essentially self service your own car from your own home, but it’s not quite as easy as it may sound. With guidance, however, it can still be done. That’s where we come in.

Can I Service My Own Car?

The Short Answer

Technically, no.

A service means you get a stamp in your service book and is done by the professionals. Can you give your car a thorough check-up, spot potential problems and keep your car in great shape? Absolutely. Just don’t expect professional standards or think it’s a substitution.

The Long Answer

A car service is a thoroughly comprehensive experience that your car simply doesn’t get anywhere else. It’s a perfect way to tune up your vehicle and keep everything in the best condition that it can be. That has a huge list of benefits if you get it done as often as you need to. All in all, it’s a great thing to do.

On top of all that, cars are getting more and more complicated too. That’s all the more reason why we exist, to help spot whatever the services miss even on cars you don’t own. Cars have more going on inside them now than ever before. With a series of highly advanced electronic systems proving especially advanced, things are easier are for diagnostics and practically impossible to do at home. There’s just nothing that comes close.

With all of that in mind, though, there are still several elements that go into a car service that you can do yourself at home. Some may seem more advanced than others, but all of them are easily possible non the less.

Car Self Service Checklist

·       Oil Change

Replace your motor oil by removing the sump plug under your vehicle and moving the filter to drain it. Once empty (leave it for a while), replace everything and refill with the correct type of motor oil for your vehicle (read your handbook/manual to find that)

·       Air Filter Change

In your bonnet, your air filter is located in a box near your engine. Designed to remove impurities from the air being pulled into your engine for combustion, this gets dirty. Annually you should buy and fit a replacement by simply removing the old one and swapping it out before reattaching the box.

·       Tyre Tread

To ensure that your tyres are legal, you need to have at the very least 4mm of tread. That’s the very least, so make sure you’re getting close to it. If that’s not the case or you’re dangerously close to it, look into getting yourself some new or even part worn tyres to keep you safe.

·       Tyre Pressures

Tyres go flat over time almost always, so getting them topped up is just a good thing to do at any time. This is paramount if you’re doing a lot of driving as well as it also helps your fuel economy.

·       Windscreen Fluid

Windscreen fluid is one that shouldn’t take a service to figure out. You can buy this from just about any supermarket or petrol station even premixed for you to pour straight in. Just look for the right place to pour and you’re set.

·       Brake Fluid

Brake fluid shouldn’t really need touching in your self-service, but if it is low, you may need to check your brake pad health too. Listen for the signs, but there should be a translucent tank near your engine that you can see.

·       Steering Fluid

If you have power steering, just like checking your oil, unscrew the cap and take a look at the measurements on the dipstick included in it.

·       Wiper Blades

Your wiper blades are another part of your vehicle that needs to be replaced throughout the life of your vehicle. Their constant movement and friction on a perishable material mean they may well become ineffective or inefficient. Buy new wiper blades and simply slide out and slide in. It’s reasonably easy.

·       Check your bulbs

Just like in testing any vehicle, even when figuring out how to self service your own car at home, you need to check your blubs as well. This usually mainly involves just turning on your hazard lights and all other lighting and walking around your vehicle to check all bulbs are performing correctly and safely. Replace any that you need to, especially if it is a headlight.

·       (Bonus) Deep Cleanonnet

Conclusion

All in all, researching how you can service your car by yourself isn’t going to be entirely rewarding. Unless you’re a professional mechanic, inspector or other vehicle specialities, it’s just not an easy thing to do. You need skills, experience and tools that all come together to truly make your vehicle safer and in its optimum condition.

If you’re not sure about vehicle health, vehicle inspections are never a bad thing to look into as well. These spot issues that anybody could easily miss and really check on the intricacies without the costs that come with other types of vehicle maintenance.

Get in touch with us for more information.

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