| You don’t have to
be a gearhead to work on your car. Sure, you probably don’t have
a spare cherry picker sitting around to hoist out the engine block and
replace your blown head gasket, but it is entirely possible to maintain
your ride without knowing diddly about automotive mechanics. All you
need is a few tools and a lot of patience.
Gearing Up
Specific tools may be required for specific tasks, but here’s the
basics for performing simple repairs on your car.
- Your Owner’s Manual provides basic schematics.
- Chilton’s
Guides offer detailed instructions on repairing and replacing
auto parts specific to the make and model of your car.
- A jack was probably provided with your car and is likely stored
in the trunk with the spare tire.
- A lug wrench, also known as a tire iron, is used for loosening
and tightening the lug nuts on your wheels. This is also
probably stored
in the trunk. You car may have a locking lug to prevent theft.
A special attachment is needed to unlock this. You will most
likely find this
attachment in the glove box.
- A flat-head screwdriver
- A Philips screwdriver, or as my mom calls it, “a criss-cross,” because
the head is a beveled “X.”
- A ratchet wrench set of both metric and American sized
attachments.
A wheel ramp for access to the underbelly of the car,
especially helpful for draining fluids.
- A drain pan for collecting drained fluids.
- Space -- in most cities and suburbs, it is illegal to
work on your car in the street, for a variety of
safety, and
environmental reasons.
You will need adequate room in your garage or driveway.
- Replacement parts are probably available
at any auto parts store, but you may need to order certain
items from a dealership.
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