The changing DIY scene

There was a time when cars were designed to be DIY friendly. In part this was by necessity: older cars required more frequent maintenance, and not all owners were in a position to take their cars to a workshop every so often. In part it also stemmed from a tradition of self-sufficiency. The cars, at least the popular ones in SA, were themselves quite basic, requiring little more than the proverbial “bailing wire and pliers” to keep them running. Thus we fixed our own cars because we had to, and because the cars were made to be fixable.

Much of that has changed. Cars have evolved into sophisticated computers on wheels, and the ever-increasing pace of development has left most owners floundering in a sea of ignorance. Ease of maintenance seems to be the last thing on designers’ minds; in fact, some manufacturers actively discourage the home mechanic from working on their products. The rise of the throw-away society has de-emphasised the importance of durability, once the overriding consideration in new-car purchases.

But some things have not changed. A motorcar still needs maintenance, and some maintenance can be carried out by the average DIY mechanic with few tools. This will not only save you money, but you will also get to know your car, and be able to spot problems before they become disasters. The following are examples of such tasks:

Changing the engine oil and oil filter, which is the most important of all factors determining the service life of an engine, both as regards the interval between changes and the quality of the oil;

Replacing the air filter at the recommended intervals, or more frequently if the vehicle is used on dusty roads;

Replacing items like wiper blades, blown light bulbs, and split rubber hoses;

Topping up the coolant and the fluids used in accessories like power steering;

Keeping a watch on the braking system by monitoring the wear on brake pads and the level of the brake fluid;

Watching the tyres for uneven wear, embedded foreign objects or ominous bulges;

Inspecting the rubber boots of CV joints, whose lifetime depends entirely on intact dust covers; and, Generally keeping a close eye on engine components.

The latter point is particularly important. You know just as well as the mechanic at the dealer’s workshop that there shouldn’t be leaks of any fluids — fuel, oil, water, hydraulic fluid, brake fluid — on an engine, or anywhere else for that matter. With the aid of a good light you can spot leaks just as well as the mechanic.

If, for instance, you are alerted timeously to a coolant leak, which often presages a water pump failure, you can get the pump replaced before it leaves you stranded at the roadside. Similarly, you can spot, just as well as the mechanic can, a loose electrical wire, a floppy connection, a chafing or split rubber hose, a degraded dust cover allowing water penetration into a wiring junction, or broken strands on a control cable. Often you will find that you can attend to the problem yourself. In other cases you can get the workshop to do it, but the important thing is that you can do it before it causes a breakdown.