5 Common DIY Car Maintenance Mistakes

If you want to take the maintenance of your vehicle into your own hands, a lift isn’t the only thing that will make the process successful. You’re only human, so you’re bound to make mistakes when you’re first starting out, but avoiding these ones will help you get started on the right foot.

Underestimating Yourself

There are some car lovers who want to get into DIY car maintenance but just aren’t sure they’re up to the task. It can be intimidating at first, but you don’t want to underestimate your abilities before you’ve even started out. The only way to know if it’s right for you is if you do your research, take stock of your resources, and trust in your abilities.

Overestimating Yourself

On the other hand, you may be so ready to hit the ground running that you’re at high risk to make serious mistakes. Don’t start working on your vehicle unless you’ve learned enough about its particular needs and how to diagnose its common problems. From online forums to social media, there are resources that you can use to your advantage. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Not Keeping Track of Parts

If you get ahead of yourself during more intensive work, you could end up taking things apart without considering best practices for putting it all back together. Consider labelling the parts you remove and carefully keeping track of every change you make. Not only does this prevent errors, it helps you develop fluency in the mechanical structure of your vehicle.

Being Careless About Fluids

From motor oil to coolant, transmission fluid to brake fluid, a vehicle depends heavily on fluids of various kinds. It’s common for DIY novices to be too casual about the type and quality of these when working on their cars. Fluid replacements and top-ups are highly common forms of routine maintenance, so pay attention to the fluid requirements of your vehicle as outlined in its manual.

Not Being Properly Equipped

Few things are more important than having the right tools and equipment. You may be inclined to cut corners to save a buck here and there, but purchasing the proper tools for the job is better than making a mistake that will cost you even more in professional repairs. Last but certainly not least, don’t underestimate what a vehicle lift can do to radically enhance your DIY experience!

A high-quality lift is one of the most powerful purchases that you can make for your garage. As an investment, it will help optimize the condition and longevity of your vehicle for years to come. Contact the Lift King team by calling (403) 283-1020 and we’ll find the lift that’s right for you!