Top 10 Easiest DIY Repairs
Save at least $1,000 for DIYers of all skill levels with these 10 easy car repairs
What are the DIY car repair jobs? Doing DIY car repairs is very beneficial, and it can also save you a lot of money. But if you don’t know what you’re doing, these repairs can quickly spiral out of control and cost you time and money. At FIXD, we’ve helped millions of drivers save money with DIY maintenance and repairs. So, we’ve put together this list of the 10 easiest DIY car repair jobs anyone can do.
While there are some car repairs that you should leave to the professionals, these 10 jobs can all be done by beginner DIYers and don’t require any specialized tools, skills, or experience.
The best part? You’ll save a trip to the store and about $1,000 in labor costs.
Replace disc brake pads
Time required: less than 2 hours
Estimated savings: $87-$110
DIY Car Repair Job Guide: The braking system is one of the most important maintenance and repair items on your vehicle, but don’t let the high cost of braking jobs in the repair shop put off this critical job. If you have the tools to perform tire rotation and some wrenches and sockets, then you can perform DIY braking jobs with minimal experience.
One thing to keep in mind: this only applies to disc brakes, not drum brakes. Drum brakes can be more difficult to operate and often require specialized tools. The good news is that all modern vehicles have disc brakes at the front, while most vehicles also have disc brakes at the rear.
After replacing your disc brake pads, don’t forget to check the brake fluid level and top up if necessary.
Perform an oil change
Time required: 30-60 minutes
Estimated savings: $43
The engine is one of the most expensive components in your vehicle, so make sure to protect your engine with proper maintenance. The first is regular oil changes, which is a great DIY job. When doing a DIY oil change, don’t forget to dispose of the used oil properly. Most auto parts stores will accept used oil, but if not, you can contact your city or county government to find a used oil recycling point.
Trucks and SUVs typically offer enough ground clearance, and you can slide underneath them to drain the oil and remove the oil filter, but most cars need to lift the vehicle somehow. Portable ramps are a quick and easy way to raise the front of your vehicle, but even if you don’t have those, jacks and jack mounts will do the job perfectly.
Instead of those windshield stickers that often fade or come off, use the FIXD app to set reminders that you’ll never forget!
Get DIY steps here >> how to change your car’s oil
Clean/replace the mass air flow sensor
Time required: 5-90 minutes
Estimated savings: $84-$321 depending on whether you need to clean or replace MAF
While this list primarily contains preventative maintenance, a faulty Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor is one that can lead to checking your engine lights. Not only are MAF sensors easy to replace at home, and sometimes you can clean the sensor to heal anything that is causing the malfunctioning indicator. All you need is a $3 can of mass airflow sensor cleaner.
If your inspection engine light is on, use the FIXD sensor and app to extract the code. If you suspect that the MAF sensor is the root cause, try cleaning it first to avoid the unnecessary expense of purchasing a brand new sensor.
Get DIY steps here >> how to clean a mass air flow sensor
Replace the windshield wipers
Time required: less than 30 minutes
Estimated savings: $44
What are the DIY car repair jobs? When it comes to safety items on your vehicle, replacing your windshield wiper is the easiest. It takes less than a minute to remove the wiper blades, and most wipers are designed to be a universal installation, making installation quick and easy. If you buy wipers from an auto parts store, some will even install them for you for free!
Get DIY steps here >> how to install windshield wipers
Replace your car’s battery
Time required: less than 2 hours
Estimated savings: $36-$46
DIY Car Repair Job Guide: A dead car battery can leave you stranded without notice, so it’s important to know how (and when) to replace the battery. In today’s highly computerized vehicles, even a low battery can cause quirky problems when it comes to electronics. Replacing a battery that has run out or is about to run out will save you from any inconvenient accidents, and it can also save you a lot of money compared to replacing the battery at a repair shop.
Like windshield wipers, some auto parts stores will do the battery installation for free, but knowing how to install it yourself is an added insurance in case someone else accidentally puts the battery cable back.
Get DIY steps here >> how to replace your car’s battery
Replace the lifting door struts
Time required: 30 minutes
Estimated savings: $123-$155
On SUVs, hatchbacks, or any other model with a rear lift door, a defective strut can cause the lift gate to not stay still. Depending on the situation, this can be a minor inconvenience or safety hazard. Replacing the struts is very easy, and although a ratchet and sleeve are sometimes required, it can usually be done with a screwdriver.
Charge the freon on on the air conditioner
Time required: 5 minutes
Estimated savings: $123-$155
What are the DIY car repair jobs? Summers are hot, and there’s nothing worse than an air-conditioning system that blows out icy air. If your A/C compressor (located under the hood and driven by a serpentine belt) turns on and off quickly, and the air inside the car is warm, then you may not have enough freon in your system.
As a quick fix, you can buy a Freon kit at any auto parts store to charge your HVAC system. However, often there is a potential problem that causes the leak in the first place and still has to be addressed.
Get DIY steps here >> how to charge your car’s A/C
Restore the headlights
Time required: less than 1 hour
Estimated savings: Over $500
The headlights of modern vehicles have acrylic lenses, which can become hazy or foggy over the years, making the clear lenses yellow and/or cloudy. Reasons for this include oxidation from constant exposure to sunlight, as well as the use of certain car wash chemicals, which may limit the functionality of your lights day or night.
Of all the tasks listed in our list of the top 10 DIY car repair jobs, restoring your headlights is the most cost-effective one. While some repair shops will try to sell you new replacement headlights that may cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, there are plenty of products available for DIY enthusiasts to restore their headlights to their original condition in your own garage. In most cases, you can restore the headlights without removing them from the vehicle, but sometimes they need to be removed. Removing the headlights is not a bad skill because some vehicles require the headlight housing to be removed from the vehicle to replace the burned-out bulb.
Get DIY steps here >> how to fix your headlights
Replace the engine air filter and cabin air filter
Time required: Less than 30 minutes (each)
Estimated savings: $60-$76 (combined)
One of the simplest maintenance items you can replace in your car is the filter in the cabin or engine. The engine air filter is located under the hood and is mounted inside the air cleaner housing, usually held together by metal clips or screws. The cabin air filter is located under the passenger-side dashboard inside the vehicle, and depending on the year, make, and model of the vehicle, it can sometimes be difficult to replace.
See how to change cabin air filter >> How to change cabin air filter in 4 easy stepsSee
how to change engine filter >> Car Engine Air Filter: A Complete Guide
Rotate the tires
Time required: less than 1 hour
Estimated savings: $35-$44
DIY Car Repair Job Guide: Proper tire maintenance is not only important to extend the life of these expensive wear parts, but it’s also important to maximize your safety on the road. Tire rotation is the easiest DIY car repair job because most of the tools needed (jacks and wrenches) are standard on all cars. The only tool you need to buy to perform DIY tire spin is a jack holder for added safety: don’t just use jacks to spin tires. On average, a repair shop can cost between $35 and $44 for a tire replacement, and you can do it for free in less than an hour.
You can also easily check your tires and inflate them properly between recommended tire rotations to ensure optimal performance and minimize tire wear.
Get DIY steps here >> how to turn a car tire
Conclusion
What are the DIY car repair jobs? If you’re looking for quick and easy ways to save money when repairing or maintaining your vehicle, then these 10 DIY car repair jobs should be at the top of your list. No matter what kind of DIY car repair you’re ready for, don’t forget to use FIXD to diagnose car problems and monitor your car’s health in real-time.
