Should You or a Professional Fix Your Car?

There are many people that have problems with their cars that they need fixed, but they don’t want to pay a shop to fix them. However, you are taking a risk with DIY car fixes, especially if you’re not sure what you’re doing. There are many types of body shops and car places where you can have your car worked on by professionals. There are even shops that are specific to your make and model of car. Find out why you should take your car to a pro as well as some car fixes you can actually do yourself!

Do-It-Yourself Approach

Most people don’t have training in auto repair unless they went to school for auto repair or have someone in the family that fixes cars. When people know how to repair things themselves, it can definitely save money, but only when work is done correctly. The do-it-yourself approach is great for restoring cars, making your car look nicer on the inside and out, and for helping you learn if you are seriously interested in car mechanics.

However, it’s not the best approach if you have no experience with cars and need something fixed. Reportedly, most cars have around 30,000 individual parts in them. Many are made by the individual company that you buy your car from, which is why they can do specific make and model repairs. However, many cars often have many different suppliers that make parts differently, which can make your actual DIY fix different than online tutorials.

What Can You Do at Home?

You can do a few things for your car at home. Generally, those car fixes aren’t exactly “repairs”, but they are services your car needs. For anything wrong with your car, you can always call us and see if it is something that you can do on your own. If so, we can walk you through what to get and what to do. If it’s not something you should do at home, we will let you know. Some examples of at-home fixes include:

• Replacing your windshield fluid. Often, we do this with your car servicing. However, if you go through it quickly, you can buy some at our store and refill it yourself. You simply pop the front hood, unscrew the windshield wiper fluid knob and fill it to the line.
• Get new windshield wipers. Sometimes, wipers simply break. If you don’t know how to replace them, take them in and learn how it’s done. When you do know how to fix them, you can buy extra wipers after your car is serviced and then keep them in your car for emergencies. If one breaks when you’re on the road, simply replace it with the new ones.
• Some people can change their oil by themselves. However, you definitely want to learn how to do this from a professional. Many people don’t know that over-filling your car with too much oil can cause oil to splash out on car parts, then smoke when you are driving.
• Tire patching. If you get a screw, other object or a tear in your tire, you can keep a car kit with you to patch it when you’re on the road. However, patches don’t work forever, so you will definitely want to have a professional look at it eventually.

Why a Professional Instead of DIY

Many people take cars, phones, computers and other investments to professionals for fixes. Why? Because professionals have specific knowledge about specific products, why they mess up and how to fix them quickly and correctly. No one can be an expert in everything, which is why you sometimes have to throw in the towel and decide that maybe you do need a professional to fix your car for you.

Many people try to fix their car on their own, thinking they save money in the long run. However, when you do this, you have to do research on your car, guess at what is wrong with it, and then invest time in learning how to fix it yourself. Then, you have to buy all the parts you need to fix your car. After all is said and done, you’ve lost much more time (and possibly money) than you would have investing in a professional.

Professionals:

• Have the experience professional mechanic jobs provide. They’ve probably seen your problem and have fixed it many times.
• Are stocked with any and every tool that your car would ever need. They have the major tools that would cost a fortune for you to get on your own and they can use those tools correctly to make auto repairs.
• Will fix your car until the problem stops. If the problem isn’t fixed the first time (which it generally is), then they have warranties to make the problem right.
• Can schedule a specific time to fix your car. You know when it will be fixed and you can have it work with your schedule. They do the work much quicker than most people.  people could do on their own.
• Offer you the option of paying for your repairs through insurance instead of only out-of-pocket.

Fix Your Car with a Professional

Do you know something is wrong with your car, but you’re not sure what? If so, then it’s time to fix your car with a professional. Our highly-skilled ASE-certified technicians offer comprehensive knowledge and experience. You can be sure that your car will be handled with the latest diagnostics equipment and that everything done to your car will be explained to you in terms you understand. Fixing major parts (like brakes or steering) on your own can prove disastrous if everything is not 100% right. Call Scott’s Fort Collins Auto at (970) 682-4202 to get the help of a professional when something happens with your car!