10 Essential Auto Mechanic Skills Every Car Owner Must Know

Everybody needs to be self-sufficient on this planet. You simply need to learn how to be self-sufficient concerning what you can do. Some talented or skilled mechanics use advanced software technology to diagnose problems like a tracker can locate cell phone lost anywhere.

Knowing the basics of auto-mechanics is rewarding if you have your own car. It provides you with lots of benefits such as you can save money and get rid of the bad situation when your car suddenly breaks down. I’d need to state that all these basic skills are blessings for those who deal with automobiles.

Basic Auto Mechanic Skills That are Handy in Car-Repair

The followings are the best basic auto mechanic skills that help you save money, time and yourself from the bad situation caused by auto-breakdown.

1. Cleaning a car battery

I would like to suggest you step-by-step instructions on how to clean an engine.

  • Clean products.
  • First, remove the battery cables.
  • Cleaning extends your battery life.
  • Wash your battery-trays.
  • Clean the corrosion with a wire brush.
  • Coat with rust-resistant enamel.
  • Wet the cable ends.
  • Squeaky cleaning needed.
  • Use dialectical grease.
  • Clean terminal from oxidation.
  • Install new posts and spacers.
  • Engine-prepping.
  • Need to remove loose dirt.
  • Use brake-cleaner.
  • Oil-leaks checking.
  • Spot the dye.

Finally, make sure your engine is free from the collected wastewater.

2. Knowing how to jumpstart a car battery

Ending up with a dead battery en route is a common scenario while driving a vehicle. I’m certain you won’t have any desire to be left stranded.

A jumpstart is a kind of boost that helps to start a vehicle through a discharged or dead battery. If your battery is quite dead, you as a skilled mechanic can rely on your self-sufficiency by learning how to use jumper-cables and jumpstart your car in a difficult situation.

What you need to jumpstart a car:

  • Jumper-cables
  • The dead-car
  • A fit-car

3. Repairing a rear-window defroster

With a cheap repair-kit, a skilled auto-mechanic can easily repair rear auto window-defroster quickly. It needs no special skills required. Sometimes, your car is covered with snow completely; it requires a couple of minutes to wipe out the snow.

But as far as rear-window defroster is concerned, it can wipe out only a narrow strip nearing the top and bottom of the window. Rear- window defroster problem is easily solvable. Moreover, not only can you repair it yourself but can also save money. You can be safe and sound this winter on top of that.

4. Learn to change the oil

With a little automotive knowledge, an active car owner can easily change the oil in his car and, as a result, he can save his money as well as time.

One of the essential skills that a car owner would like to know is how to change oil skillfully. If you know nothing, it means you are going to pay the professionals hundreds of dollars. So your self-sufficiency demands you to save money by knowing how to change the oil on your own.

Tools needed to change oil:

  • Wrench
  • Oil-filter wrench
  • Oil-drain pan
  • Funnel Latex gloves
  • Jack and jack stands

Equipment:

  • Oil
  • Oil-Filter
  • Replacement drain Plug-Wash

5. Learn to Lubricate Hinges, Pedals, and Locks

No driver would like to tolerate noisy car-doors. You need to learn how to effectively clean and lubricate the hinges of car doors, pedals, and locks. The stiffness of accelerator cables needs to be oiled as well.

Avoid applying greasy lubricants on Keyholes. Furthermore, dust and fluff resulted from such lubricants can slow down the movement of the tumblers.

6. Spark plugs replacement

Learn to know how electricity properly runs in your car. You have to know as well about the proper working of your spark-plugs. Spark-plugs are normally available at cheap rates and these are highly recommended to replace them after every 20,000 km at regular intervals.

7. Knowing how to change your tires

You shouldn’t depend on anyone else if your car ever gets a flat tire. If you intend to learn some basic auto mechanic skills, know how to change a deflated tire. If you are not skilled enough to change a flat tire, you will have to call roadside assistance service. In this regard, it will cost you hundreds of dollars.

An economical person relying on his self-reliance would like to know how to do it on his own.

Your car should be fully equipped with these kinds of essentials that are urgently needed for whenever your car gets punctured.

  • Spare-Tire
  • Car-Jack
  • Lug-Wrench
  • 12 x 12″ piece of 3/4″ plywood
  • Reflective Warning Signal

Optional:

  • Gloves
  • Raincoat
  • Paper-towel
  • Flashlight

8. Replacing your engine air filter

Every driver and mechanic would like to enjoy maximum gas mileage. They strictly want to minimize emission by replacing air-filters after every 6 months or 15,000 miles.

What you need:

  • A flat-head screwdriver
  • And a new air-filter

9. Basic suspension repairs

It happens when you are doing a rough driving that causes wearing out your shocks or struts. Because of having a bad suspension, you feel every bump en route. Bumping causes your car to bounce that means your car’s vehicle suspension needs repairing.

This is one of the bases of essential skills to do the bounce-test. Simply press down on the vehicle front-side with putting all your weight and keep bouncing for a couple of minutes, then stop doing it. Your rough driving can damage even the fastest car in the world.

Repeat it on the rear of the vehicle. If your car keeps on rocking or bouncing more than two or three times after you stop pressing it down, it means your suspension is down.

10. How to check your tire pressure

Checking your tire pressure is one of the basic auto mechanic skills that can save both gas and money.

One of the most ignored routine vehicle upkeep tasks is to examine tire pressures and inflate them indispensably. In this regard, the latest models of cars are fully equipped with a tire pressure warning lights system that informs you about the under- or over-inflated tires.

Reason to check your tire pressure:

  • Life-long tires
  • Improved handling and control
  • Lowered risk of accidents and blowouts
  • Improved fuel consumption
  • Decreased carbon marks

In conclusion

Self-sufficient car owners with the help of essentials auto-mechanic skills can save themselves from the sticky conditions of the roadside.