Some people enjoy getting their hands dirty and greasy fixing their cars themselves. Nevertheless, is it a good idea to work on your car yourself?
MODERN CARS ARE ADVANCED
Cars contain advanced technology these days, and one wrong move can be a costly mistake. Today’s cars are not like cars that were simply designed in the ’70s and ’80s. The current cars of today are more like laptops on wheels, which are not so easy to work on. One could argue that our mindsets need to change in how we approach modern car repairs.
For example: Mr Smith wants to clean his car’s engine bay before looking for a problem with his car’s engine. He then proceeds to spray the engine with water from a hose pipe. The engine’s coils are then accidentally damaged by the water, which is a costly mistake as the coils will all need to be replaced.
What can we learn from this? One should always check with the car’s service manual and manufacturer (car dealership) regarding what can and can’t be done by yourself in your car.
CAN YOU DO SOME DIY REPAIRS YOURSELF?
Changing a lightbulb, tyre, a cap, or a fuse could be advisable if your car’s manual and manufacturer advise that you can do it yourself. Remember to always follow the exact instructions laid out by your car’s manufacturer. Otherwise, you could damage your car further. For example: plastic car parts can be brittle, and you could break something simply by removing it if you don’t have the correct tools and technique to remove it as the manufacturer intended.
Carmakers usually have strict rules when it comes to car owners working on their own cars and in doing so, you could void your vehicle’s warranty. Owning a car that’s now lost its manufacturer’s warranty is an unnecessary risk. You could be stuck with a massive bill if something major were to then break on your car, which the carmaker may otherwise have fixed or replaced for you free of charge had you not worked on the car yourself.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
Perhaps car owners should focus on preventative measures instead of fixing items themselves. Major car trouble could be avoided if the issue is diagnosed in time. Checking minor items, like your car’s tyres, engine oil, coolant/anti-freeze levels as well as oil leaks between service intervals might be advisable.
Also, always be observant when you drive your car. If you hear a “funny” noise don’t ignore it. That noise could be a sign of a serious problem. It is also a good idea to inspect the outside of your car, from top to bottom before you drive it.
DON’T LET JUST ANYBODY REPAIR YOUR CAR
Perhaps you don’t like fixing cars yourself. Then it is recommended to only get your car repaired by an approved mechanic. Once again, if you don’t do this, you could cause yourself headaches in the future by running the risk of receiving poor workmanship and even voiding your warranty if the carmaker isn’t aware of this repair. The safest bet is to take your car to the dealership and get it repaired by manufacturer-approved mechanics and panel beaters.
DON’T DELAY REPAIRING YOUR CAR
Don’t take chances – If you avoid repairing your car you could endanger your life and your passengers’ lives in the process.
It may be a good idea to get car insurance that covers you for repairs, and to be as covered as possible when it comes to vehicle warranties and motor plans.
WHAT NEXT?
Whatever you decide, please seek qualified financial advice and carefully stick to your car’s manual as well as the manufacturer’s requirements. Take care of your car as best as you can, which may save you in the long-term. Getting car insurance may also be seen as part of taking care of your car.
Disclaimer:
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views and opinions of Prime Meridian Direct (Pty) Ltd, FSP41040.The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
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