Four Car Maintenance Tasks to Leave to the Pro’s

Car owners often spend a good chunk on auto maintenance, including fuel, insurance, repairs, and other necessities. So it’s tempting to try to save some money by performing maintenance yourself. While this is certainly a good option for some of the basic stuff, it’s important to take your car to a pro for these maintenance tasks.

Replacing the Spark Plugs

This might seem like a simple task, but just about anything that involves poking around in or near the engine isn’t a great idea for a novice. You may notice that your engine is slow to start or sputters when you’re driving, and these signs indicate that you could need a new set of spark plugs.

Consult your owner’s manual to see how long they should last. The average copper spark plug will perform well for up to 30,000 miles of driving. Having a professional replace them will help to keep your engine running efficiently and lessen the risk of breaking down.

Repairing the Transmission

Your transmission allows the engine to switch between gears and operate efficiently at different rates of speed. So it’s an important component of your vehicle, to say the least, and if it’s not working properly, you put yourself and those around you at risk. But instead of popping the hood and trying to overhaul the system yourself, you should always take your car to a professional mechanic for any transmission work.

Your transmission could need a rebuilding service, which involves taking it apart and inspecting each part thoroughly. The technician will determine which parts need replacement, swap them out for new ones, and replace the gaskets, seals, clutches, and bands before dropping the hood. This is a complex job, so find a mechanic that you trust to handle a transmission rebuild service.

Fixing the Cooling System

If the air conditioner in your vehicle is pushing out hot air, you may need a cooling system repair. But this task is not easy and requires a lot of different steps . It’s also tough to even access the system, since the hoses, tubing, and other components are probably hidden behind the dashboard. Most automotive cooling systems also contain Freon, an aerosol refrigerant that only professionals should handle.

Anything Near an Airbag

You probably know the risks of accidentally deploying an airbag when you’re working on your car. If you have a problem that involves the dashboard or steering wheel panels, schedule an appointment for service with your auto mechanic. Experienced professionals know how to handle these sensitive areas and can keep the airbags from going off. If this happens to you, you could get seriously injured, especially if you’re close to the deployment zone. This situation will also usually total your car, so it’s not worth the risk.

Finding an auto repair shop that you can trust in your area is an important aspect of vehicle maintenance. Unless you’re a professional mechanic, it’s always best to leave these and other complex vehicle repair tasks to those who know what they’re doing.

Image via Pixabay

Posted in Vehicle Maintenance Tips | Comments Off on Four Car Maintenance Tasks to Leave to the Pro’s