diy car service Page 45

Thinking of a DIY car service? Good on you—just don’t confuse confidence with competence. Start with the basics: warm the engine, drain the oil, swap the filter, and refill with the grade your owner’s manual specifies—usually in litres, not “a splash and a prayer”.

Replace the engine air filter and cabin filter, check brake pad thickness, rotate tyres, and set pressures to the placard—kPa, not guesswork. Top up coolant and brake fluid only with the correct spec, inspect belts and hoses, and test the battery rather than waiting for it to dob you in on a cold morning. If anything leaks, grinds, or requires special tools or torque specs, stop and book a pro; saving a few bucks is lovely until a wheel sails off. Dispose of fluids at a recycling centre and keep receipts—future buyers like evidence almost as much as fresh oil.