Motoring DIY fixes

These simple but important fixes can be handled at home – without paying a mechanic to help

Cars are becoming more complex and their upkeep increasingly specialised, and while many maintenance tasks are best left to the experts, there are still a few minor but necessary fixes you can easily tend to yourself to save time and money.

1 WIPER BLADES

Windscreen wiper blades should be replaced every 12 months, or when they start to leave streak marks and/or screech. All you need is a pair of cutting pliers. First, squeeze the small clip that holds the wiper blade in place and slide it off. Then cut the new rubber to fit and slide it back on. Auto stores keep a list of blades to suit your car.

2 LIGHT GLOBES

Replacing a blown globe is an urgent task, but one you can easily do yourself. The hardest thing is knowing how to access them. Fortunately, this information is usually on hand in the car’s owner’s manual, online or even on Youtube. You may need a common Phillips-head screwdriver to remove a lens cover, and long-nose pliers can prove handy for unplugging wires on headlight globes.

3 CAR BATTERY

If you’ve had to jumpstart your car, or your engine struggles to start every morning, than it’s time to replace your battery before it lets you down. Changing the battery yourself is generally pretty simple. Use a spanner to carefully disconnect the black, negative (-) terminal followed by the red, positive (+) terminal, making sure you don’t touch anything else with the other end of the spanner. Then undo the battery clamp and remove the battery. Installation is the same, but in reverse.