Our Top Four DIY Auto Repair Projects for Spring

After spending a long winter indoors, you are no doubt searching for an outdoor project to kick off the spring season. Housework and yard work are always at the top of everyone’s list, but did you know your motor vehicle might actually be in need of serious attention this time of year? Winter weather is especially difficult on vehicles. Heating up your vehicle, as well as driving in severe road conditions like ice, snow, and slush, can all strain your car and cause problems down the line if left untreated. At U-Pull-&-Pay, we are dedicated to do-it-yourself projects and initiatives, so today, we are sharing our top four DIY auto repair projects perfect for taking advantage of this beautiful spring weather.

Our expert staff will help you find the perfect parts for your project and make sure that you leave feeling completely confident in your ability to tackle that project.

1. Change Your Oil

Kick off your DIY auto repair with this game-changing project even a beginner can learn: an oil change! Oil is one of the most important fluids in your engine. Engine oil actively lubricates the moving parts in your engine, preventing rubbing, excess heat, and explosions under serious stress. Delaying an oil change can lead to costly problems. If left unchanged, engine oil may begin to curdle and turn into a dense sludge that can damage your vehicle, costing you precious time, money, and your valuable transportation.

Tips!

• Consult your vehicle’s owner manual to learn which oil your vehicle requires for optimal performance.
• On average, most vehicles recommend changing your oil every 5,000 to 10,000 miles.

2. Check Your Battery

Cold weather, driving in snow and ice, and days of sitting idle after a snowstorm all strain your vehicle’s internal systems, especially your battery. Cold can even reduce your battery’s capability of holding a charge by up to 50%, and many batteries will continue to lose their overall capacity to hold a charge over the years of usage. But do not worry! Checking your battery is a great beginner DIY auto project. All you need is an inexpensive voltmeter or a more comprehensive multimeter. Following your voltmeter’s safety instructions, simply connect the wires to the appropriate terminal for a reading of your car battery’s capacity. If your battery reads under 12 volts, you should consider replacing your battery before you end up stranded on the side of the road.

Tips!

• Most experts recommend checking your battery twice a year.

3. Change Your Windshield Wipers

After a long winter of sweeping away snow, ice, and partially thawed windshields, your windshield wiper blades are certainly in need of some attention. This DIY auto repair project is perfect for beginners, can be a low-cost task, and provides immediate, noticeable results. While each vehicle is a little different depending on how the wiper blades are hooked, replacing these blades is as simple as lifting the wiper arms, unhooking the old blades, and positioning the new blades.

Tips!

• Most experts recommend inspecting your windshield wiper blades twice a year—summer and winter.
• Squeaking, vibrating, and steaking are all signs your windshield wiper blades are at the end of their lifespan.

4. Check Your Fluids

This DIY auto repair project is so simple that it is often overlooked. Your vehicle depends on several fluids to run efficiently, and forgetting to check these levels may result in the need for costly repairs. Besides checking your oil, you should also check your coolant levels, wiper fluid levels, transmission fluid, and brake fluid. Checking these fluids is as simple as opening up the hood of your car and looking for the reservoir in the engine bay. If necessary, you will find a dipstick to inspect fluids.

Tips!

• Consult your vehicle’s manual to ensure you are refilling your fluids to the proper level. Overfilling may cause damage.

Let Us Help

After performing these DIY auto repair projects, you may find yourself in need of replacement parts. Save time and money by checking out our inventory to find the right replacement part for your vehicle. Stop by U-Pull-&-Pay and let our expert staff help you find the perfect parts for your DIY project, and make sure that you leave with the knowledge and confidence to get it done.