Do it yourself mechanic

I am introducing another hub to help people that want to save a few bucks on auto repairs by doing it themselves. I also am going to provide helpful information to the public on how to care for their vehicles better to make them last longer.

Of course we all know that we should check our tire pressure more often. We even say "I'll do it when I gas up", but do we hold true to our promises? Without proper tire inflation several problems can arise.

Unequal tire pressure can cause:

1: Loss of traction (Tire pressures should be checked at least once a month in the winter)

2: Steering difficulties (Vehicle may not want to go straight, can veer left to right)

3: Beads can "pop" (The side wall of the tire may become detached from the rim if tire pressure is substantially low)

4: Poor gas mileage (You don't want to pay more at the pump than what you have to)

5: It can cause accidents (Remember everyone on the road just wants to get home)

How do you know how much PSI (pressure per square inch) of air to put in your tires?

On all tires the correct air pressure is listed on the sidewall. DO NOT over exceed! It can also be found on your drivers side door on a sticker from the manufacturer, or in your owners manual.

I personally keep my tires at 40 PSI through out the summer to maximize my mileage. And in the winter since I have a rear wheel drive Dodge Ram I lower the back tires to 35-38 PSI for a little extra traction on the snow. It is not necessary, but I notice the difference.

"Would you like conventional, or synthetic?" That's the question a lot of us hear when we bring our vehicle to get an oil change. "Should I get the more expensive oil, or the cheaper stuff" is a question we ask ourselves.

In fact most people prefer the conventional oil in their vehicles due to either cost, trust in a brand name, or the old saying "It's been working for how many years". But, many don't realize the implications that can be caused by conventional oil. For one it degrades faster than synthetics, it doesn't have the extreme wear protection properties, and recommended oil change intervals are not as long as synthetics generally.

What does this mean for you? It means that if you use conventional oil you are cheating yourself, and your vehicle.

There are many different oil manufactures each with their own types, and qualities of oil. Choosing one that will provide cost efficiency as well as exceptional engine protection is essential. I have used several different types of oils in many of my vehicles, and have found that synthetics are the best.

Your vehicle may take 5w-30, 10w-30, 0w-20 or several others. Finding out which one is best for your vehicle is easy. To do this open your hood and find the oil cap. On the oil cap it will say what type of oil weight is recommend. You may also use your vehicles manual to see what other types may be used. Certain vehicles like BMW's for example can only use a certain oil weight for it to function correctly. While my Dodge Ram can use either 5w-30, or 10w-30.

I personally recommend Amsoil, because they are a leader in their industry. I have been using their products for a couple years now, and I am indeed impressed. My oil change intervals are a lot longer around 5000 miles-7500 miles. I have been using the 5w-30 XL extended life synthetic in the summer, and the 10w-30 in the winter.

You can find an amsoil retailer by going to www.amsoil.com. Many places do not have Amsoil as a choice, and in my opinion the reason for this is because it would outsell the competition. I will also be including a step-by-step guide on how to properly change your oil later on. (I still have about 1000 miles to go)

Doing your own brakes and saving money is great. Since a lot of places can charge a wallet full I want to show you how to change your own brake pads and rotors. I used to bring my vehicle to the dealership to get the brakes done until I found out how much money I was just handing over to them. For instance my brake pads were less than $25 when I bought them from Napa Auto Parts. My rotors are less than $80 each, and the caliper grease is less than $4. Adding it all up I can do a complete front brake job for less than $180 myself. That saves me a bunch compared to around $250-300. It doesn't take a certified mechanic to do your own brakes it is very simple.

All you need:

1: A jack (the one that comes with your vehicle will work too)

2: Socket set and a ratchet

3: For Safety a jack stand, and a piece of wood

4: The brake pads / rotors, and just as important the caliper grease

5: Tire iron for taking the lug nuts off the tire

6: Your favorite drink (you might get thirsty)

Instructions for removal of brakes

As of right now I think I am going to make a video of how to do this so it easier to explain, and show. I don't want anyone to start this project, and not be able to complete it. So this will have to wait for a couple days at least, sorry.