Can You DIY These 10 Most Common Vehicle Repairs?

Can You DIY These 10 Most Common Vehicle Repairs?

Owning your own car is a great privilege. The ability to drive anywhere and everywhere is something that should never be taken for granted. This is especially true since, inevitably, you will someday find yourself needing a vehicle repair. It’s just a fact of car ownership! But don’t let a little breakdown get you down! With a quick fix, you’ll be back on the road in no time.

Here’s a quick rundown of seven common vehicle repairs. You will learn whether you need to go to a vehicle repair shop and have it fixed for you, or if you can make a quick stop to the auto supply store and fix it yourself.   

1- Oxygen Sensor

The oxygen sensor (O2 sensor) is a little device that is mounted in your car’s exhaust pipe for monitoring the oxygen content in the gases that exit the engine.

A sensor may need to be repaired if it is contaminated with oil, coolant, or silicone. A faulty sensor is one of the most common reasons for the “Check Engine” light to turn on. It will also cause your vehicle to have decreased engine performance and fail an emissions test.

Vehicle Repair Shop or Fix It Yourself?

This is an intermediate-level DIY repair and you’ll need the right tools and experience. For most people, visit a vehicle repair shop.

2- Spark Plugs

When you turn the ignition key, spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine cylinders. Spark plugs eventually wear out, so if you don’t have your spark plugs inspected regularly and preemptively changed, your engine will misfire or run poorly. If you continue to drive your vehicle without repairing it, you can also cause damage to the catalytic converter.

Vehicle Repair Shop or Fix It Yourself?

If you drive a V-6 model, visit a vehicle repair shop. If your engine has easy access to the rear bank, fix it yourself.

3- Thermostat

The thermostat is part of your car’s cooling system and regulates the flow of coolant to the engine. If the thermostat fails to properly open or close, the car will either overheat or fail to reach the optimal temperature (about 220°F).  

Vehicle Repair Shop or Fix It Yourself?

You can easily fix this by replacing the thermostat yourself.

4- Tire-Pressure Monitoring System

For safety, efficiency, and comfort, your car tires need to remain filled to the proper tire pressure. Many cars now include an automatic tire-pressure monitoring system, which is good. However, the system often fails due to a faulty sensor. Rather than learning to ignore the false warning, it’s best to replace the TPMS sensor.

Vehicle Repair Shop or Fix It Yourself?

This is a vehicle repair for a professional, but if you want to save a lot of money, you can try and purchase the correct sensors online and take them to a tire shop for installation.

5- Exhaust Manifold Gasket

This component keeps toxic exhaust fumes from escaping your car’s engine, reduces engine noise, improves fuel efficiency, and impacts the power your engine develops. When the gasket has been “pushed out” or “torched,” it needs to be replaced.

Vehicle Repair Shop or Fix It Yourself?

On older vehicles, this is a DIY job. On newer cars, advanced sensors and extra emissions devices (along with difficult access) makes this a professional job.

6- Ignition Coil

The ignition coil, when sparked, ignites the fuel and air mixture in the engine which starts the car and allows it to run smoothly. The most common symptom of a faulty ignition coil is when the car’s engine suddenly dies, then corrects itself after the engine module cools down. Another symptom is a vehicle that jerks and stops erratically.

Vehicle Repair Shop or Fix It Yourself?

Fix this quick and easy repair yourself.

7- Mass Air Flow Sensor

A mass airflow sensor (MAF) is an electronic device found on fuel-injected engines between your vehicle’s airbox and its intake manifold. The air intake temperature data it reads helps to determine the proper amount of fuel necessary for an optimal combustion. If your MAF sensor is failing, your vehicle will idle roughly.

Vehicle Repair Shop or Fix It Yourself?

Replacing your MAF sensor yourself only requires a couple of tools and a few minutes. Definitely DIY this vehicle repair.


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