For the amateur handyman who loves learning about cars, hearing the sound of an engine starting to break down can mean a challenge in their immediate future. But to the novice, one wrong clunk can send them into a spiral of anxiety. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do for your car before you have to take it to the mechanic. Understanding a bit about car mechanics can save you money, bail you out of dangerous situations (think car broken down in a desolate area), and give you more leverage when you take your ride to the shop.
The first step with any malfunction is to identify where the system failed. Usually, this means determining if the problem is in the electrical department or the hardware department. Use your car’s repair manual to run a quick diagnostics test.
If you’ve identified the problem, great! If not, head over to your local mechanic to see if they can run a diagnosis for you. Don’t have them repair the car just yet. There are some quick fixes that you can do at home to avoid expensive fees.
Here are some common quick fixes that can be done by ordering parts online and watching YouTube tutorials:
If the repairs are astronomical and you’d rather invest that money into a new car, the option to sell is always on the table. If you’re not sure how to sell a car, have no fear, it’s easier than you think. The main steps go as follows:
If you don’t know how much to sell your car for, check online with a car valuation company. There are plenty of great resources that will rate your car against the market. Or see how much it’s worth to trade-in. Further, dealerships will often give you a sizeable discount on a new vehicle if you’re trading in your old one.
The best advice for car owners is if you’re not confident, don’t try to fix it. If someone’s appendix explodes, you don’t start performing surgery just because it’s going to be cheaper than sending them to a hospital. Neither should you tear apart your car’s engine in order to avoid paying the mechanic’s fee. If your car isn’t running properly and you’re worried that one day you’re going to be stranded on the side of the freeway, it’s time to visit the mechanic.
When your car starts breaking down, it can feel like the ground beneath your feet is crumbling. Strange noises and weird jerks make you wonder which day in the future will be spent on the side of the road with a smoking car. The anticipation of this event can cause anxiety, so try not to procrastinate any longer than you have to. Otherwise, you’ll be cursing at yourself while you wait for a tow truck to pick you up.
