Every year it seems like the cost of keeping a car on the road just keeps going up way beyond the rise in the cost of living. While some of the problem is the out-of-control increase in the cost of gas, there are other factors at work here too. From parts to the cost of labor on repairs, it is often more than we can handle so we let those maintenance issues go. There isn’t anything we can do about the price at the pumps, but we can save a great deal on many repairs that we’ve always had done at the local mechanic’s shop. Here are some of the repairs you can learn in 2022 alone.

1. Oil Change

This is not really a difficult thing to do but many drivers simply never learned how to change their oil and even more importantly, when to change it. Since every automobile is different, the best way to learn how to change your oil including the type of oil your car needs and where to access the oil pan can be found online with a quick search function. Unfortunately, if you are like so many drivers, you forget to write down your mileage when you change it, so it becomes a guessing game when it’s time to check and change fluids in your car. There’s an easy solution to that which you will just love.

2. Diagnose and Fix Faulty “Dummy Lights”

Some of the most frustrating issues many drivers encounter are those faulty “dummy lights,” as they are often called on the dashboard. The most common error is the “Check Engine” light which doesn’t seem to indicate any problem at all. This is easy to diagnose and fix if needed with a car scanner that can diagnose faulty electronics, lights, and a huge number of mechanical issues. There is a handy scanner on the market called the Carly Universal OBD Scanner like those you see mechanics using when diagnosing issues that you are experiencing. A Carly Scanner can be easily learned by taking the time to read How to Use an OBD2 Scanner Like a Pro – Beginner’s Guide. In fact, the Carly app that connects from the Carly plugin to your mobile phone will have you diagnosing which repairs need to be done and then will link you to directions on how to reset those faulty lights.

3. Change Brake Fluid

Sometimes it isn’t enough just to check the level of your brake fluid. The manufacturer’s manual for your vehicle will give you information on when you should change the fluid, but this is something that can be easily accomplished. The OBD2 scanner by Carly mentioned above can diagnose if your car needs the fluid to be changed, and again, will link you to resources teaching you how to do the DIY brake fluid bleed and change like a pro with just a basic set of tools.

There are in fact so many repairs you probably never knew you could do, and it might just take one handy little car scanner to show you how. It’s amazing just how far technology has come in the past few years and now you finally have a way to leverage that technology to save you literally thousands a year on car repair and maintenance costs.