Thursday, October 13, 2016

6 Car Repairs You Should Never Do Alone


While the idea of maintaining your own vehicle sounds as interesting as it is money-saving, every car owner should keep in mind that there are certain problems that can be handled only by professionals. If you like to get a little dirty on the weekends, you can deal with simple fixes like replacing the air filter or installing new wiper blades. However, try not to attempt any of these serious repairs that could cost your life.

Timing Belt Replacement

The timing belt should be replaced every 60,000 miles on average and this project is not a DIY kind. Replacing this component requires you to disassemble the engine down to smallest parts and rebuild with precision. Forgetting a timing belt replacement, or much worse, doing it the wrong way can cause serious engine damage. It can also increase your vehicle's chances of giving up on you during your darkest hour. Avoid life-threatening timing belt breaks at highway speeds and have it replaced on time by professionals.

Replacement of Suspension Parts

It may seem as easy as replacing a couple of bushings or shock absorbers, but there's more to it than meets the eye. Working with struts, arms and other suspension components can turn your weekend auto maintenance routine into quite a disaster. An amateurish stint with suspension springs can lead to serious injuries and engine damage. An incomplete or poorly done suspension job can greatly affect the stopping and turning abilities of your vehicle. So better leave it to the experts.

Fixing an Overheated Engine

There are many reasons for an overheated engine, such as a defective thermostat and dangerously low coolant levels. However, knowing these reasons or even tracing down one particular fault could not make us any better to handle the fix ourselves. Call for professional help when you find your vehicle engine heated beyond normal levels. When an engine overheats, the entire system will be under tremendous pressure and a DIY-fix is a definite no go.

Dealing with a Check Engine Light

A flashing check engine light is something that most drivers come across. It is a way of warning the driver of potential faults in the vehicle's ignition, fuel injection, emission control or other such components. A skilled technician, who is trained and certified in OBDII diagnosis and repair, will use a diagnostic scan tool to find out the faulty component that was causing the lights to stay on, flash or flash intermittently. Such repairs that demand in-depth analysis should not be handled by non-professionals to ensure safety.

Transmission Maintenance

A car's transmission system is made up of thousands of parts in a very complex design. So, if you're planning to fix repairs or carry out transmission maintenance in your own garage, it's not a great move. As soon as you hear strange noises coming out of your car, detect a burning smell or suspect other transmission faults, have your vehicle inspected by a professional. If handled by unskilled personnel, such issues can turn out to be expensive and dangerous.

Fixing Misaligned Wheels

Sudden stops, hasty driving as well as regular wear can cause wheels to misalign. Re-aligning wheels to proper position requires a caster, camber, toe and thrust angle correction to ensure that your vehicle stays straight while driving. Temporary or improper fixes can wreak havoc on tires and can be dangerous as well. Problems with brakes also demand professional attention as they are one of the most crucial components of an automobile.

Schedule regular maintenance for your car at a reliable repair shop and make sure you fix problems when they arise. And remember to stay away from dangerous repair jobs as it's better to be safe than sorry!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Gary_Ward/2206373

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9249679

No comments:

Post a Comment