Save Thousands: Essential DIY Car Maintenance Tips for the Modern Man
Thanks to technology, modern vehicles are more reliable than ever. Despite this, you still need to perform regular maintenance on your car to keep it running well. Repair shops and dealerships get away with charging a ton of money for relatively simple tasks, like oil changes and tire rotation. To make this more cost-efficient, here are some DIY car maintenance tips for every man to avoid unnecessary expenses.
1. Master the Oil Change
One of the easiest things to learn how to DIY is an oil change, and I wholeheartedly believe it’s something every man should know how to do. Depending on the make and model of your car, the tools necessary may vary. Generally, you’ll need a wreck, oil filter, and drain pan (or a sucker), plus the correct type of oil for your vehicle. Shops cost upwards of $100 for this, where you can do it at home for $40 or less. Just make sure you are changing your oil every 5,000 to 7,000 miles.
2. Rotate and Inspect Your Tires
Your tires are an important part of your vehicle, but they are frequently overlooked. Tire rotation and inspection are easy to carry out at home. Rotate them around the time you’re due for your oil change. This helps prevent uneven wear and can even improve your fuel efficiency. All you’ll need is a jack, jack stands, and a lug wrench.
3. Check and Replace Air Filters
A clean air filter allows your engine to breathe properly and operate efficiently. Clogged filters reduce fuel economy and performance, yet many shops charge $40–$80 to replace one. You can do it yourself in under five minutes with no tools required. Just pop open the airbox, remove the old filter, and slide in a new one—it typically costs less than $20. Most manufacturers recommend replacing it every 15,000 to 30,000 miles.
4. Maintain Proper Tire Pressure
Driving with incorrect tire pressure wears your tires out faster and hurts your gas mileage. Check your pressure monthly using a simple tire gauge—available for under $10—and compare it to the recommendation in your owner’s manual or driver’s door sticker. Many gas stations have air stations, or you can use a portable inflator at home. Properly inflated tires can improve fuel efficiency by up to 3%.
5. Replace Wiper Blades and Top Off Fluids
Worn wiper blades reduce visibility and put your safety at risk during rain or snow. You can easily swap them out in under five minutes, and quality replacements cost around $15–$25. Also, vital fluids like windshield washer fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid should be regularly checked and topped off. Keeping these levels in check helps your car run safely and prevents long-term damage.
6. Change Spark Plugs When Needed
Spark plugs are essential to your engine’s performance, and worn-out plugs can cause misfires, rough idling, and poor fuel economy. Most need replacing every 30,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on the type. With a socket wrench and a little patience, this job can be done at home in about an hour. Replacing them yourself saves you around $100–$200 in labor costs.
Your Garage Is Your Goldmine
Learning some of these DIY car maintenance skills could potentially save you thousands of dollars throughout the lifespan of your car. You don’t have to be a mechanic like me to pull it off. Every modern man should know how to do these six things. They are simple and inexpensive, but they go a long way in helping you avoid bigger problems down the road. So, what are you waiting for? Check out some YouTube vides and get started!
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Drew Blankenship is a former Porsche technician who writes and develops content full-time. He lives in North Carolina, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. While Drew no longer gets his hands dirty modifying Porsches, he still loves motorsport and avidly watches Formula 1.