Owning and running a car can be expensive, not just in terms of the purchase cost and the ever-rising price of fuel. There are also maintenance fees to consider, with some drivers spending thousands of pounds over the life of their vehicle to keep it running smoothly.
In fact, according to a study conducted by Kwikfit, vehicle owners spend around £350 a year maintaining and servicing their car, as well as dealing with unexpected breakdowns. Over the years, that can really mount up.
Of course, the cost of maintaining your car depends on a wide range of factors, including its age, mileage, model and how you drive it. However, it’s a more universal truth that by doing as much simple maintenance work yourself and dealing with any minor issues as soon as they arise, you could save yourself money on car care over the lifespan of your vehicle.
If you’re eager to do as much car maintenance yourself as possible, then here are some essential pieces of car care equipment you need to invest in.
A Car Jack And Wrench Set
Changing a tyre is a simple piece of car maintenance, but a surprising number of drivers don’t know how to do it, or they don’t have the right tools on hand.
Let us explain in simple terms; to change a tyre on your car, you’ll need a spare as well as a car jack to raise the vehicle off the ground, a wrench for removing the wheel nuts and a wheel nut key if the nuts are locked into place. It would also help if you keep your car’s manual nearby in case you need to refer to it, at least for the first couple of wheel changes.
When you’re choosing a jack for your car, you need to find out the gross weight of the vehicle and then choose a jack that will be capable of raising and holding it. Investing in a high-quality car jack will pay off in the long run, so it’s worth taking the time to explore the options on the market and find one that’s best for your vehicle.
An OBD Reader
Modern cars use error codes to show if there’s an issue and have an onboard computer that stores data with errors in it. When your car breaks down, you need to access this data, but most drivers simply take their vehicle to a mechanic to diagnose and deal with the issue.
Most mechanics use an OBD (on-board diagnostics) reader, and since you can get one yourself, you could save a vital step in the process. Also, if you have the skills, you could fix the problem yourself.
This means your car will spend less time in the garage, and you’ll be able to get instant access to all your car’s onboard diagnostics information.
If you’re looking for an OBD reader that gives you access to an intuitive app and the chance to easily read and understand the error codes in your vehicle, then the Carly Universal OBD Scanner could be the ideal option for you. First, learn a little more about the benefits of a car code reader and how this innovative piece of equipment could be good for you and your car.
A Car Battery Charger
Your car’s battery is essential for running its onboard systems and functions that make the vehicle easy and comfortable to drive. Therefore, it’s an important part of your vehicle. Sometimes, the battery can lose power for a number of reasons, in which case you need to recharge it.
Thanks to the cutting-edge electrical equipment and onboard computers on modern cars, it’s not advisable to jump start a car from another’s battery anymore. Instead, it would be best if you used an external charger.
A car battery charger is simple to use and can be kept in your garage or even in the boot of your car in case of emergencies while you’re on the road. When buying a car battery charger, make sure the unit comes with all the necessary cables needed to hook it up to your vehicle, and if not, then make sure you source them so that you have everything you need for when the time comes to jump start your car’s battery using your charger.
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An Automotive Stethoscope
When you think of a stethoscope, you probably think of a doctor or nurse checking a patient’s heart rate. An automotive stethoscope uses the same principles, but instead of a person it can be used to listen to the internal workings of a car engine. So, the next time your car starts making a strange noise, you can use an automotive stethoscope to listen to the car and isolate where the sound is coming from. This will make it easier for you to identify the cause of the noise and fix the problem.
Automotive stethoscopes are incredibly sensitive and designed to pick up even the slightest vibration in the engine, so they are ideal for listening to even the smallest of sounds and dealing with even the slightest of issues in your car.
By using an automotive stethoscope, you can do preemptive maintenance as well as eliminating strange noises (getting your priorities right, of course) You can, for example, identify loose components in your car’s internal workings and tighten them before they come completely off and cause serious damage to your vehicle. Quality automotive stethoscopes aren’t expensive to buy, so they’re definitely worth the investment.
A Comprehensive Car Cleaning Kit
Driving a clean car is a great feeling, cosmetically, but it’s easy to get behind on your car cleaning when you’re busy. Getting your car completely detailed can be expensive, so it’s worth doing as much cleaning as you can yourself. While it’s easy to let your car cleaning get on top of you, it’s more important than you might think to keep your vehicle in pristine condition.
That’s because studies show that a cleaner car can use less gas and generally run better than a dirty one. Also, a car that’s full of rubbish and other unneeded items will be heavier, which can affect fuel consumption and general driving performance. As such, you need to make sure that you’re on top of your car cleaning and that you don’t keep too much unneeded junk in your vehicle.
When you’re cleaning your car, you need to make sure that you have a quality vacuum cleaner to suck up dirt and debris. If you’ve got a driveway or garage, then you could use your home’s corded vacuum, but if you don’t, then you should consider buying a cordless vacuum.
These devices are easy to use, as they run on rechargeable batteries and don’t have a cord. So, they’re great for reaching the crevices in the back of large or awkwardly shaped vehicles. A good cordless vacuum can allow you to remove dirt from inside your car. For the outside, consider a pressure washer or high-powered hose to clear away any grime from your car’s bodywork.
The Bottom Line
The equipment on this list might seem expensive when you add it up, but this initial outlay is nothing compared to the cost of taking your vehicle to the garage every time it has an issue. So, you could potentially save hundreds of dollars, if not more, if you choose the right maintenance equipment and learn basic car care skills. This list should help you to identify the right equipment for any dedicated driver who’s eager to reduce their car’s trips to the mechanic.