Running and maintaining a car can be a very expensive proposition, and that’s without all of the other considerations like insurance and registration factored in. Cutting costs wherever possible can often mean vehicle owners end up servicing their own vehicles and although this is absolutely a great way to save a few bucks, it’s not without its disadvantages. In this article we take a look at the various advantages and disadvantages that come with servicing your own car to give you a much better idea if it’s the right choice for you.
Why servicing your own car can be a good idea
If you’re tired of taking your vehicle in for a car service in Coffs Harbour every six months or so, whether it be for the time or monetary commitment, it’s likely that you’ve already looked into servicing your own car. Fortunately, servicing your car on your own premises isn’t as difficult as you might think and it works to solve both the time and monetary issues you’re fed up with. If this sounds good to you, you’ll need to first start by learning a little bit more about your car’s engine (if you don’t already have knowledge related to this, of course). This new information can give you a much better idea of how to diagnose faults in the future and can give you a clearer understanding of what your mechanic is talking about. Research should give you a clear idea how to do simple things like check and change oil and other fluids, replace blown fuses and change air filters.
What are the negatives of servicing a car yourself?
It’s not all good news though, we’re afraid. First up, someone with little experience can make a critical error when servicing their vehicle, such as using the wrong fluids, and this can result in a trip to the mechanic anyway (and a much higher price tag than if you just took it there in the first place). If you’re just starting out in the world of car servicing, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to buy your own tools and quite a lot of fluid and other miscellaneous bits and pieces. Although these usually pay for themselves, if you end up taking your car in for a service anyway it’s easy to see how this can be considered money wasted. Servicing your own car can also void your vehicle’s warranty – the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission demonstrates three conditions that uphold the validity of your car warranty: the need for qualified mechanics to work on your car, that services are conducted according to strict manufacturer specifications and the use of the correct components for your car. This is usually only an issue if you are wanting to service a new car, though – if your warranty is already finished, there’s obviously less issue for those looking to service their car at home.
Saving money in the long run
If you’re willing to invest some time and energy into learning about how to service your own car, performing a car service yourself is a great way to save money in the long-term and learn more about the ins and outs of your vehicle. If you do go down this route it’s important that you don’t get too carried away, however – you’ll still have to visit your mechanic for the important stuff, and it’s never a bad idea to book in a service just to double check what you’re doing is working for your car – especially if it’s a brand new vehicle you’re working on.
