DIY Repairs You Should Leave to Your Mechanic

With a shortage of certified auto mechanics, it has become increasingly popular to handle certain repairs and maintenance as a DIY project. Though this may be fine when it comes to things like oil changes, there are other repairs and maintenance that you should leave to the professionals. Here are a few of those tasks and why you should consider just skipping the DIY guides and going straight to the mechanic.

Anything on a Vehicle Inspection

The type of inspections, and what is considered to be part of a car inspection, is handled on a state by state basis. For example, the inspection requirements in Victoria may be entirely different than those found in Newcastle. Since a failed portion of the inspection could lead to fines and your car being kept off the road until the issues are professionally repaired, then certain repairs become even more important to be handled in a professional manner from the start.

Make sure you know what your particular area requires on a vehicle inspection and if the repair falls under those areas, take it to your mechanic. They can ensure they repair the issue and that the repairs meet the requirements as well as any environmentally based  requirements for parts used or disposal of items like oil.

Brakes and Brake Lines

When you start to have brake issues, you may find that you can buy the brake system which includes brake pads and brake shoes. These can be replaced with a bit of knowledge and can be done as a DIY project with the right tools. The issue with this type of repair comes in when you consider several aspects of the vehicle functionality. For example, if the brake shoes are not fitted properly it can cause damage to the tires and to the axle of the car. If they are not fitted tight enough, the brakes may not catch.

Also the traction option available in some vehicles may not function properly causing costly and sometimes deadly results in inclement weather. This is why a mechanic should be used for brakes and brake lines. Not only can they repair them, replace them, and ensure they are secured they can also use a diagnostic tool to ensure that the car is functioning as a whole with the new brakes and brake lines and no issues arise before you drive the car again.

Flushing the Transmission

There are times when your transmission may need to be flushed. This is a step that is used to push out any debris, old oil, and sludge that has built up in the mechanics of the car. The fluids are replaced with new fluids after the system has been cleaned. Though this can be done as a DIY, if too much pressure is used to flush the system it can cause irreversible damage to the transmission. This means a costly repair that could put you without a car for days or longer depending on the level of damage and ease of finding a replacement transmission.

A mechanic will use a diagnostic system and automated flush option to help maintain the pressure during the flush and to locate any clogs that may be harder to remove. It can also find any internal damage that may be missed by the naked eye.

Keep in mind that mechanics and their services are generally covered under your car's warranty if the warranty is still active. Also keep in mind that DIY repairs may void additional warranties or insurance coverage, where as a mechanic repair will likely fit into the additional warranty and insurance guidelines.