Tuesday, September 1, 2020

6 DIY car care mistakes you may be making

 

Do you like to take car care into your own hands when it comes to keeping your Orlando Toyota in tip shape? You're not alone - a lot of drivers like to DIY their car maintenance to save money and also get the feeling of accomplishment that they're caring for their vehicle on their own. However, just because you Googled how to DIY your car care doesn't mean you can actually get under the hood... so before you get started, check out this list of 6 common DIY car care mistakes you might be making. 


Don't make these car care mistakes when you're doing it yourself

Mistake #1: Overestimating or underestimating yourself. 

Unless you have car care experience, you need to take baby steps when it comes to DIY car maintenance. Start with smaller projects like tire care (inflation, changing tires, etc.), oil changes, checking fluids, and other basic maintenance before you move onto bigger projects. You shouldn't jump into ambitious endeavors like swapping out a transmission until you've had A LOT of experience. On the other side of things, don't underestimate yourself and be afraid to take care of the basics like oil changes and adding coolant to your car. Just remember, our Orlando auto service techs are always here with answers if you have questions. 

Mistake #2: Using the wrong fluids. 

Before you start adding fluids under the hood, make sure you're using the right ones. Your car takes a specific type of motor oil; it might also require a certain type of transmission fluid or coolant. Consult your owner's manual or ask our auto service techs what's necessary to keep your car running before you start DIYing this part.

Mistake #3: Not having the right tools. 

Before you take on a project, make sure you have the right tools to complete it. And if you don't, make sure it financially makes sense for you to buy the necessary tools instead of just scheduling the maintenance or repairs at Toyota of Orlando. Don't try to do the job without the right tools - it can do expensive and even irreparable damage to your car. 

Mistake #4: Not labeling parts after you remove them. 

When you're starting on your DIY car care journey, you should label parts after you remove them from the car. They're going to look a lot different laying on the garage floor than they do installed in the vehicle, so it might be challenging to put them BACK if you don't know what's what. 


Toyota of Orlando service

Mistake #5: Not sticking to a car maintenance schedule. 

You should never postpone routine car care like oil changes and tire rotations, just as you should never ignore warning lights in the dashboard. Whether you DIY the solution or visit our Orlando auto care center, don't delay in fixing these issues. 

Mistake #6: Jacking your car up at the wrong point. 

When you jack your car up to work under it or DIY your tire care, make sure you're doing it at the right point (you can check your owner's manual). Jacking your car up at the wrong point is extremely dangerous to you and can do major structural damage to the frame. 

Let Toyota of Orlando help you on your DIY journey

Have questions or need advice? Toyota of Orlando is at your service. Call us today at (407) 298-0001 or visit us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall. 


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