AutoMD.com Ranks the Top Five Car Repair Jobs You Can (and Should) Do Yourself ... and the Top Five Best Left to the Experts!

'Doing it Yourself' on a Few Simple Repairs Can Save You Time and Money

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Jun 29, 2010, 08:00 ET

CARSON, Calif., June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With longer days, warmer temperatures, long holiday weekends and, for many, more leisure time, summer tends to bring out the fixer-upper and DIYer in all of us. So, the team of expert mechanics at AutoMD.com (www.automd.com) has released a ranking of the "easiest car repair jobs you can (and should) do yourself" – designed to send even the most timid DFM'er (Do-it-for-Me!) under the hood to save money and time.

If the thought of replacing front brake pads, an air filter, or even a fuse, typically makes you hit the local mechanic (and your check book), AutoMD.com recommends that you put the brakes on that unnecessary spending and experiment with the 'Top Five Easiest Repair Jobs' using the website's easy-to-follow, step-by-step 'how to' guides and videos. You might find them so easy you'll want to do AutoMD.com's 'Next Five to Try'!

"These are jobs just about anyone can do, and not only will it save you money – nearly $200 if you complete all of our top five easiest jobs* – but, believe it or not, it can also save you time," said AutoMD.com President Shane Evangelist. "Our experts estimate that most car owners can complete all five of the easiest jobs in less than an hour – far less time than taking your car into the shop or dealership for just one of them. Plus you have the benefit of feeling more empowered in the repair process."

But, before you start fiddling with that transmission or water pump replacement, check out AutoMD.com's list of 'Top Five Jobs Best Left to the Experts!'

AutoMD.com's Top Five Repair Jobs You Can (and Should) Do Yourself

Jobs are ranked by level of 'easiness'. AutoMD.com provides How-to Guides for each of these jobs and recommends a review of the guide before embarking on each job. Times are estimates, some jobs could take longer depending on the vehicle.

1. Replace Wiper Blades
Easy Factor:	Illustrations on package. Wipers blades usually just snap in by hand. They are light, highly visible and easily accessible.
Tip:	Tilt the wiper arms upward for easy removal of the blade.
Tool Factor:	No tools required.
Time Factor:	Less than five minutes.

Click here for guide on How to Replace Wiper Blades

2. Replace a Fuse
Easy Factor:	The fuse box cover is labeled to identify the circuit just like on your home fuse box – and replacing the fuse is just as easy. Some vehicles include a plastic fuse removal tool and a spare fuse.
Tip:	Location of fuses is in the vehicle owner's manual.
Tool Factor:	Many vehicles include a fuse puller. Flashlight (optional).
Time Factor:	Less than ten minutes.

Click here for guide on How to Replace a Fuse

3. Replace a Light Bulb
Easy Factor:	If you can replace a light bulb in your house, you can do this! To remove and install a bulb, just push-in and twist.
Tip:	You may have to remove a lens with a screwdriver.
Tool Factor:	Screwdriver.
Time Factor:	Less than ten minutes.

Click here for guide on How to Replace a Headlight Bulb

4. Replace an Air Filter
Easy Factor:	The filter box assembly is on top of the engine and easily accessible. Just remove the cover and lift out the filter.
Tip:	Location and instructions are shown in the vehicle owner's manual.
Tool Factor:	May need a screwdriver to remove cover of filter box.
Time Factor:	Less than fifteen minutes.

Click here for guide on How to Replace an Air Filter

5. Change your Engine Oil and Filter
Easy Factor:	These days, engines are designed with service in mind. Oil filters and oil fill locations have been improved for easy removal and less chance of spills. The recommended engine oil type and capacity is in the vehicle owner's manual.
Tip:	The used oil can be poured into the original container and dropped off at the local auto parts store.
Tool Factor:	Latex gloves, oil filter wrench, drain pan, combination wrench, and a funnel.
Time Factor:	Less than thirty minutes.

Click here for guide on How to Change Engine Oil and Filter

Click for AutoMD.com's Next Five Easiest DIY to Try: Replace your battery, Change a flat tire, Replace a serpentine belt, Replace spark plugs, Replace front brake pads.

AutoMD.com's Top Five Jobs Best Left to the Experts!

Unless you are an expert DIY mechanic with time on your hands, these are jobs best left to the repair shop or the dealership. If you are considering trying it yourself, check out the difficulty ratings and tool requirements for each on AutoMD.com's How-to Guides.

1. Replace an engine
Difficulty Factor:	Lot of components to remove; requires specialty equipment; today's engines have more and more electronic controls, and it's easy to lose track of all the parts. Takes a lot of "know how."
Tool Factor:	Cherry picker (engine hoist).
Time Factor:	Could take days to replace.

2. Replace a transmission
Difficulty Factor:	Transmissions are heavy and difficult to remove.
Tool Factor:	Transmission jack and could require big equipment such as cherry picker (engine hoist) and vehicle lift.
Time Factor:	Could take over 6 hours to replace.

3. Replace a clutch
Difficulty Factor:	The transmission must be removed to replace the clutch. Lining up the clutch disc can be tricky.
Tool Factor:	Requires specialty equipment such as transmission jack, cherry picker, and clutch alignment tool.
Time Factor:	Could take over 6 hours to replace.

4. Replace A/C components
Difficulty Factor:	Refrigerants are harmful gases and laws prohibit the release of these gases into the atmosphere; clean working conditions are important to prevent contamination; need many safety precautions; not following correct procedures can damage the a/c system. Technician has to be certified to work with refrigerant.
Tool Factor:	A/C recovery equipment is very expensive.
Time Factor:	Could take over 4 hours to complete.

5. Perform a wheel alignment
Difficulty Factor:	Requires specialty equipment to perform the job. It is not practical for a DIYer to have this equipment (some repair shops don't even have the equipment).
Tool Factor:	Wheel alignment rack, caster/camber gauge, specialty adjustment tools.
Time Factor:	Could take more than 2 hours to complete.

Click for Next Five Jobs to Leave to the Experts: Replace a timing belt or chain; Replace a water pump; Replace a heater core; Replace a fuel tank; Replace a fuel pump

About AutoMD.com

AutoMD.com™ (www.automd.com), a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Auto Parts Network, Inc., (Nasdaq: PRTS), is the most comprehensive and unbiased free online automotive repair resource designed to empower car owners with the best way to repair their vehicles. Backed by a team of automotive data specialists and certified auto mechanics who are advocates for the car owner, AutoMD.com allows both car owners and DIYers to 1. Diagnose car problems, 2. Know how much auto repairs should cost, 3. Understand the steps needed and the time it should take with How-to Auto Repair guides, and 4. Find the right local auto repair shop at the right price for their issue and 5. Get your auto repair questions answered by the AutoMD.com community.

Unlike other repair sites, AutoMD.com does not rely on revenue from repair shops or dealerships, so car owners can rest assured that AutoMD.com repair shop listings are completely unbiased and designed to help car owners choose the best, most affordable shop for their vehicle issue.