What car maintenance can I do myself?
There are some basic routine maintenance checks you may be able to do on your car.
These could save you money and lower your risk of a car breakdown, according to the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ).
These basic maintenance checks include:
- Checking oil and water levels, particularly in your radiator. Knowing how to dispose of old oil is also important.
- Checking tyre pressure, condition, tread wear and depth.
- Checking all exterior lights are working, replacing any blown light globes.
- Looking for oil or coolant leak spots underneath your car.
- Checking windscreen wipers and washers are working correctly and refilling windscreen washer fluid.
- Safely testing the handbrake to ensure it ‘holds’ the car correctly on steep hills.
- Fitting a new air cleaner element (also known as an air filter) if one is required.
- Inspecting seatbelts for visible wear and ensuring they lock in place when pulled.
- Checking whether any dashboard warning lights stay on or blink while your engine is running. If so, avoid driving the car, investigate the cause and seek assistance from a mechanic. Your car’s manual may explain what the blinking light means.
If you’re still intimidated by the process, you could ask a more experienced friend or family member to assist you.
But if you’re seasoned at servicing your own car, other service tasks can include:
- Changing and rotating tyres
- Changing your oil and oil filter
- Replacing spark plugs.
Investing in a service manual can also be important if you intend to service your own car.
RACQ’s Principal Technical Researcher, Andrew Kirk, says more complex maintenance is often best left to a licensed mechanic. Mr Kirk also warns against relying on AI to help fix or maintain your car, with a recent RACQ survey showing that 14.2% of motorists sought answers from AI to diagnose their vehicle’s issues.
AI, unlike a trained mechanic, cannot physically inspect or observe if a repair has been done correctly, says Mr Kirk.
If you aren’t sure about anything at all relating to your car’s safety or maintenance, please seek professional advice from a licensed car mechanic.
Pros of servicing your own car
Cost
According to Airtasker, the average cost of a logbook service in Australia is $345, so maintaining your car yourself can be cheaper than booking it into a mechanic.
This average cost can also vary based on your car’s make and model, the mechanic, the type of service and your location.
Keep in mind: the type of maintenance your car needs may vary. You'll need to think about whether you have the time and abilities necessary to perform it, as well as whether you can do it safely.
Mr Kirk says that basic routine checks are a great way to save money, but consider seeking professional help from a mechanic for more complex services and repairs.
Alternatively, some car manufacturers offer capped price servicing, meaning the cost of servicing at an approved mechanic is fixed for a specified period of time.
This can reduce bill shock, helping you budget ahead (provided there are no serious issues with your car). In this case, you may prefer servicing your car through a mechanic.
Flexibility
Doing it yourself allows you the flexibility to service your car when it suits you. This might be convenient, particularly with cars being essential for many of our daily activities, whether we’re driving to work or taking children to school.
Better understanding of your car
Servicing your own car teaches you new skills and helps you grow familiar with the vehicle's ins and outs. Over time, you’ll know exactly what a car that’s running optimally sounds and feels like.
With enough basic service checks, you may be able to diagnose simpler issues with your car when they arise.
For car enthusiasts, car maintenance can be an interesting and fulfilling hobby, especially if you have a passion for collecting and restoring vintage and classic cars.
Cons of servicing your own car
Risk of causing more damage
While servicing your own car may save you money, Mr Kirk says the downside could be disastrous financially if your DIY maintenance goes wrong. There is a risk you could end up with a much larger bill than you would’ve had if you had taken your car to a mechanic and sought professional advice.
According to Mr Kirk, modern cars are complex and require considerable specialist knowledge to work on. The right tools and equipment are needed to diagnose problems correctly, as misdiagnosis could result in expensive parts being ill-fitted or damaged.
Attempting to repair brakes or tampering with a car’s steering, suspension or safety systems should be off limits for DIYers, according to Mr Kirk. Meddling with the core mechanics of the car could result in you seriously injuring yourself or others.
Fitting brake pads backwards or draining gearbox oil instead of engine oil are some examples of mistakes that can be made, says Mr Kirk.
Insurance and warranty issues
If you have a car warranty, this might be voided if you decide to do repairs yourself, rather than getting your car serviced by a licensed mechanic using quality parts and according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
You usually have the freedom to choose who services your car under your warranty (i.e. a dealership or an independent mechanic), but it’s important to carefully read the terms and conditions to see what’s allowed.
Authorised service centres and licensed mechanics often have access to testing equipment and specialist tools that can help them complete car repairs to the standards required.
Doing basic car servicing yourself may not have an impact on your car insurance, unless it’s deemed to create issues that make your car unroadworthy or cause an accident.
It’s a good idea to call your insurance provider before you start work to be sure what’s permitted under your policy and also read the terms and conditions in your PDS.
If you make repairs to your car that are inappropriate or even use non-genuine parts, it could lower the resale value of your car. DIY modifications to your car, such as adjustments to the exhaust system, bodywork, or wheels, may also invalidate your car insurance. Car modifications can also impact the overall cost of your insurance premiums, as well as your car’s resale value.
