Oil changes are debatable for me – on our Tahoe, I can easily slide underneath it (no jack, jack stands, etc) to do the work, BUT, it is really hard to lube the chassis. My Mazda sedan, though, would have to be jacked up onto jack stands, but the chassis on the Mazda is sealed so no lube points required. I sometimes find it easier (and a better use of my time) to just have the oil change shops do it (and just tune out all their up-selling).

Other than that – light bulbs can often be easy, PCV valves, batteries. Spark plugs are debatable – some are REALLY hard to reach! I spent a good hour laying across the top of our Tahoe trying to change out the last spark plug way in the back. Some parts require special tools, too, which is frustrating that a normal set of wrenches can’t do all the work.

There are times when I’ve taken the car to the dealer or another shop to get an estimate and it just burns me up what they charge for stuff. I was going to be charged 300 dollars to change out a part that took me 15 minutes to do myself and the part cost about 70 dollars. If your mechanic gets his pricing from a book, you’re going to pay too much.

Mechanics, Lawyers and Doctors: If you know one of each of those very personally, you can save a lot of money in life.

I had some trouble replacing my wipers on my own. After trying to replace them I found that they didn’t stay flat to the jeep’s windshield when I drove at fast speeds with them on. My advice: make sure you buy the right kind. Not any old blade will work.

I wanted to make sure that the tester didn’t always say “no good” so I had them test the new battery before I bought it. Turns out it was no good also which made a me a little suspicious. However, we picked a 2nd new battery off the shelf and it was fine.

Now I suppose I could have purchased the no good battery and brought it back for a return, but it was definitely better to find out right away at the service desk. As a result of the experience, I wouldn’t buy a new battery off the shelf without having them hook the tester on it before the purchase.

But when the weather is reasonable I’ll put on some dishwashing gloves and clean my car myself. I do a way better job that the auto car wash (I can actually get my tires and rims clean of brake dust), but the savings is minimal since car washes are pretty cheap.

I can save quite a bit detailing the interior myself, too. I’m usually the only person in my car so it isn’t filthy. I vacuum it out, take a swiffer over the dash and then run some cleaner over the leather seats, steering wheel, etc. Since interior cleaning is a little more costly the savings are pretty high here.

I don’t save a tremendous amount doing this, but in both cases I do a better job than the person or machine I pay to do it.

I’ve also done small things like add brake fluid when needed, washer fluid, replace bulb for various lights, and change fuses. In all cases I either consulted the internet, my dad or another experienced person, or the fellas at the auto parts store. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars over the years not paying my mechanic or the dealer to do these small things.

He went back to the hardware store and bought bits. He returned home, loaded a bit and discovered that the drill’s cord was only one foot long. He had no extension cord.

He went back to the hardware store and bought an extension cord. Finally he could drill his hole.