4 Car Repairs You Should be Doing Yourself in Texas

In this economy, we need to save money wherever we can. And car maintenance can eat up a LOT of money. 

Think about DIY car repairs as another way of stretching your wallet. Plenty of money to spend for the big repairs.

We know you might not have the time, even for these repairs, especially #4. But if you find the time, it’s good to know what car repairs you can do yourself. 👍

• How to change your oil
• How to replace your air filter
• How to change your spark plugs
• How to change your brake pads

1. Change Your Oil

We see those fast oil change stations everywhere. Whether they are fast and whether they change your oil properly is a different story. Regardless, changing your oil is one of the most important maintenance tasks.

You should change that oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, depending on the make and model. It used to be 3,000 miles, but synthetic oils have improved performance over conventional. Changing your oil is relatively easy and can save you some money.

To change your oil, grab an oil filter wrench, a drain pan, a funnel, and fresh oil. First, locate the oil filter and drain plug. (lots of YouTube videos out there for this) Place the drain pan underneath the drain plug and remove the plug. Let the oil drain completely, then replace the drain plug and remove the oil filter. Install the new oil filter and pour in the new oil using the funnel.

Potential savings: $35 - $75 every 5k miles

Read: How to buy a car at auction.

2. Replace Your Air Filter

Your car's air filter should be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or more often if you drive in dusty conditions, like out on the ranch.

A dirty air filter can reduce your car's performance and gas mileage.

To replace your air filter, locate the air filter housing and remove the cover. Take out the old filter and put it in the new one. Replace the cover and fasten it securely.

Potential savings: $50 - $100 every 15,000 miles.

3. Change Your Spark Plugs

Spark plugs ignite the fuel in your engine, so when they go bad, your engine won’t start. Replace your spark plugs every 30,000 miles or as recommended by your car's manual.

To change your spark plugs, locate them under the hood of your car. Use a spark plug socket tool to remove the old plugs and replace them. Make sure the new plugs are tightened to the correct torque.

Potential savings: $115 - $200

Not convinced that Public Auto Auctions has good deals? 😀

4. Replace Your Brake Pads

We all use our brakes quite often. At least, I hope you do. Brake pads need to be replaced 30,000 to 70,000 miles, depending on driving habits and conditions.

To replace your brake pads, remove the wheel and locate the brake caliper. Use a C-clamp to compress the caliper piston, then remove the caliper bolts and slide the caliper off. Remove the old brake pads and replace them with new ones. Reinstall the caliper and wheel, and make sure the brake pedal feels firm before driving.

This is the biggest job of the 4 and naturally saves you the most money.

Potential savings: $115 - $300 per axle every 30k miles.

In conclusion, these four car repairs are far easier than many other repairs and can save you money on labor. However, if you're not comfortable, or don’t have the time, don’t try and hope for the best. Safety first. Take your car to a professional mechanic.

Public Auto Auctions is located in Kyle, Texas, near Austin and has a wide selection of used cars. Much of our inventory is donated, and we work with charities and partners like CARS, to bring you great deals on quality vehicles while supporting good causes. 

It’s always a good idea to inspect the car first thoroughly and set a budget.

Hope to see you soon!