DIY car repair

The price of vehicles can be disheartening but there's nothing quite as soul-destroying as turning the key in your ignition and nothing happens. Many motorists may feel that maintaining a car is too difficult but here are simple skills you can master in minutes to ensure your wheels continue rolling.

To make things easier, we have graded checks according to a 1-5 scale of difficulty, with 5 being the most difficult.

Checking your oil (skill Level: 1)

Despite the latest technology of modern cars, vehicles still use oil to lubricate engine components and if the oil is low or dirty, it could seriously damage your engine, leaving you stranded along the road. Luckily, checking the oil is easy on most cars with a simple check via the dip stick, though some models have dispensed with it entirely. Make sure you check the oil after the engine has run for at least five minutes and that the vehicle is on a level surface.

Changing oil (skill level: 2)

The key to doing this job - or any car job - is being methodical. Before you begin, make sure that the engine is warm but not hot. Having it idle for a few minutes should do the job. Make sure that the car is parked on a level surface. It also helps to locate the oil filter on the engine prior to removing the sump plug. Jack the car up gently and secure it with a jack stand - preferably on the front wheel opposite the sump plug. Position the oil capture can underneath the sump plug and loosen the plug with the socket wrench. The oil will be warm so best not to linger there too long with your hands. (On large capacity engines, more than 5l of oil could drain so ensure that your oil capture can is a match for the vehicle's oil capacity.) While the oil is draining, loosen the oil filter - it should come off with hand power, but if it's tight, use an old wet rag or an oil filter wrench to get it off. Once the oil has completely drained, pour a small amount of the new oil around the inlet of the new oil filter and gently screw it on to the fitting. Be sure not to use too much force and it should sit firmly with the rubber seal. Replace the sump plug and lower the car from the jack stand. Open the oil plug on the engine top and pour in fresh oil. The amount of oil that drained should be you guideline. Do not start the engine. Once the oil mark is close to the 'Full mark' on the dip stick, stop adding oil and wait a couple of minutes to let the oil settle and check again. Start the engine and let it idle for five minutes. Switch off the car and check the oil again. If it's significantly below the Full mark, add some oil, but do not overfill - it will cause the engine to drag and potentially break engine oil seals.

Changing the battery (skill level: 1)

Make sure the ignition is off before you go anywhere near the battery. Battery terminals are usually covered with a plastic clip. Remove these to gain access to the terminals. The terminals will be marked minus (-) for negative and plus (+) for positive. Ensure you have no metal jewellery hanging from your wrist and remove the negative terminal. Make sure it is secured away from any metal. Repeat the process for the positive terminal. Before you can remove the battery, there will usually be a battery clamp to keep the battery secure in the engine bay. Find and remove the clamp and the battery should be easy to pull out of the car. Once you place in the new battery, reverse the process and don't forget to secure the clamp. Remember to hand in your old battery when you buy a new one as you could receive a discount.

Changing your wiper blades (skill level 1)

Make sure that you purchase new wipers of the correct size before removing the worn pair. If you accidentally break them, you have new ones with which to replace them. Raise the wipers off the windshield. On some cars (such as a VW Polo), you will have to set the wipers up before you can raise them and avoid damaging the bonnet. Most wipers have a plastic clip in the middle that you raise. A locking clip can then be slid out and viola, the wiper can be removed. On new models, open the clip and slip them around the metal hook along the wiper arm. Make sure that the plastic clip is secure and it will lock your wipers in place. Check your blades: Check you wiper blades by running your finger along the blade to check for a smooth surface. If your wipers are worn or are excessively noisy during use, it's time to replace them.

Rotate your tyres (skill level: 3)

If you have mag-lock nuts, ensure you have the adaptor-lock ready or if you have hub caps, purchase cable ties to secure them to the wheel when you're done. Loosen the wheel studs while the car is parked (with the handbrake deployed) on a level surface. Raise the car via a jack and secure with a jack stand. Remove the wheel studs and take off the wheel. Take the opportunity to check the wheel and tyre for any road damage. Also check the tyre tread to ensure it's safe enough to drive. It doesn't hurt to run your finger over the brake discs - the surface should be perfectly smooth as uneven wear could indicate a brake-pad replacement or brake-skimming due. The right rear wheel moves to the left front and the left, rear wheel should move to the right front. The front wheels needn't be switched when moving them to the rear. Make sure that tyre sizes on both sides of the vehicle are identical and if your car has directional-pattern tyres, only front tyres should move to the rear. Tighten wheel studs lightly before lowering the car and tighten wheel studs in the opposite order you secured them in.

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