When you live in a rural area, it can be cumbersome and time-consuming to get to the repair shop for car maintenance. These DIY maintenance tips should help.
If you have to tell everyone you know that you live thirty minutes or more from everything, you live in a rural area. There are benefits to this, but also struggles. You’ve got to spend a lot more time going to the grocery store, bank, or dry cleaner than most people. It also takes longer to get to the mechanic for regular maintenance. If you handle these issues, you’ll visit the shop less often.
Check and change your fluids
Your car uses several fluids to operate correctly. The engine oil is the most common fluid that must be changed at certain mileage intervals, but there are other fluids that should be checked and changed regularly as well. If you know how to perform these maintenance tasks, you’ll save yourself the hassle of going to the mechanic when the mileage intervals occur. This can be a serious time-saver and allows you to know more about your vehicle.
Check your wheels and tires
One of the most important DIY maintenance tips we can offer is to check your tires regularly. Tires need to be properly inflated to work right on your vehicle. You can fix a flat tire with a tire patch kit, can rotate your tires with the right jack and stands, and should easily be capable of maintaining proper tire inflation. You’ll probably need to go to the mechanic to have your tires replaced when its time, but that isn’t for 40,000 to 60,000 miles.
Add trailer wiring
If you live in a rural area and want to add a trailer hitch to your vehicle, you can easily run the wiring and replace the wiring harness. There are many ready-made trailer wiring harnesses available for different vehicles, making it pretty easy. Some installations are easier than others, and you’ll want to check out all the steps before you tackle this upgrade, but if you can do it yourself, you’ll save a trip and some money instead of going to the mechanic.
Testing and replacing your battery
Batteries eventually die and won’t work any longer. It’s important to know how to replace a dead battery, and thankfully, it’s pretty easy. This is one of the easiest DIY maintenance tips offered, and it only takes a few tools to get the job done. Don’t touch both wires or terminals at the same time, and you’ll easily be able to replace the battery and get going again. You might not have a spare battery on hand, but thankfully, many stores will deliver them right to your doorstep.
Wiper blade replacement
You should replace your windshield wiper blades every six months, and it’s something you can handle on your own. When your blades begin to streak, they need to be replaced. Purchase a new set and follow the installation instructions on the package. Double-check to ensure you have the right size blade for both sides of your windshield. Most vehicles don’t have blades of the exact same size on either side of the vehicle. This is another item that can easily be shipped to your house and takes very few tools to get the job done.
Replace air filters
Most modern vehicles have two air filters, one for the engine and one for the cabin. Replacing these is usually extremely easy and doesn’t always require tools. This is something you can and should handle on your own. Once you know how to change these filters, you’ll realize that paying the mechanic to do it is wasting money. If you handle any of these DIY maintenance tips, this is the one you should take on and complete every time it’s required.
What tools should you keep on hand?
As a rural driver, you might be further from help than most other drivers. This means you might need to try to fix issues when on the road. This means keeping some tools in your vehicle to ensure you can handle some of the challenges you might face. Here are some of the tools to keep on hand:
- Duct tape
- Set of wrenches
- Set of screwdrivers
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight
- WD-40
- Pliers
- Jack and jack stands (Usually included in the vehicle)
- Funnel
- Tire repair kit
- Compact air compressor
You should also have a large jack and stands at home for those times when you perform maintenance on your vehicle in the driveway. Use some of these DIY maintenance tips to avoid some trips to the mechanic.
This article might include affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links, without any additional cost to you. We have thoroughly researched and tested all products featured to provide a trustworthy review.
Ava Rodriguez