DIY Car Repairs for Nigerian Drivers in 2024

One of the most expensive things that many Nigerians spend their annual income on is owning a car. The majority of Nigerians make a car their second largest purchase, after a home. Yet, it’s true that costs never stop when you own a vehicle.

Besides protection and fuel costs which are positively a major piece of the complete expense of claiming a vehicle every year, vehicle fixes can be incredibly exorbitant for vehicle proprietors. Regardless of where you reside, you can hope to pay some cash for important vehicle fixes.

 Although it is crucial, preventative maintenance can still be costly. However, there are some fixes that you can carry out on your own with little training and a few basic tools.

Set aside cash and time by fixing up numerous vehicle issues. Keep your car in top condition by following these  DIY car repairs

• Changing your brake pads: Here are the things you need to change your brake pads, you need your Jack, lug and wrenches. Firstly, remove your car tyres with your lug, wrench and jack. You will need a set of standard wrenches. The actual process of changing the brake pad is as easy as sliding the old brake pad out and clipping the new one in place with fasteners provided in the package. The brake pad box should come with a packet of grease, which you apply to make sure the brakes are properly lubed and they don’t squeak.
• Oil change: To change your car oil, you will need a racket, wrench, and funnel. You need to take great precautions here,  such as ensuring your car will not move during the process and you should not change the oil if you drove it in the past two hours because it will be very hot. Typically,  you need to change your car oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Also, remember to replace your car oil filter when changing the oil.
• Windshield wipers: Your car windshield wipers are important because they help you see clearly in bad weather. If they are out, broken, or bent, it could lead to a very dangerous loss of visibility. Changing your car windshield wipers happens to be one of the easiest DIYs but if not properly done can cause damage. The ones with a pin or a hook-and-slide design are very easy to replace. Unfasten the old blade and then secure the new one in place without any special tools. Straight-end connector wipers require you to depress a tab inside the arm using a screwdriver.
• Radiator: Your car radiator is essential because it helps keep your car engine temperature low. You need to flush out your radiator at intervals to avoid buildup, which could cause it to lose its effectiveness. You can flush the radiator by using a specialized cleaning product, a garden hose, and either a screwdriver or wrench to remove the drain plug. Your car radiators may also leak. If you cannot find and plug the leak in a hose or other accessible area, you can try a radiator leak sealant liquid, which coats the radiator and stops small, slow, or inaccessible leaks.
• Tire replacement: A tyre change is one of the most common DIY procedures performed by drivers. Make sure you have all the equipment you need. The most important thing you need is, of course, a spare tyre. But if you don’t have a tyre, you’re out of luck. The spare tyre should be fully inflated. The equipment you will need is a jack (to raise the car) and a lug wrench (to tighten and loosen the wheel nuts). Keep a copy of your owner’s manual close to you, which should show you diagrams on how to remove and screw on a new wheel.
• Engine coolant replacement: If your car dashboard indicates the check engine light, it may just be a coolant issue. If you can locate your car’s OBD port and you can connect it to a digital diagnostic reader, you can solve the problem easily. Coolant keeps your car from overheating. Always check your coolant levels regularly to avoid overheating. Your car mechanic may suggest that you change the coolant every 25,000 to 45,000 miles covered because it may eventually cause corrosion. This process is simple, it involves draining the excess fluid and pouring in fresh coolant.
• Car batteries: For battery replacement, get your pliers and your screwdrivers! This part of your car is necessary because you do not want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere while driving or have to jump your car at home when you are in a rush for work or going to an important appointment. All you have to do is remove the cables, buy a new battery, and reattach the cables in the proper order. You should always ensure your battery terminals are rightly placed on the negative and positive sides.

Car repairs may seem complicated but most of these things are things you can do by yourself to avoid extra expenses.  Anyone should be able to change their wiper blades, replace their air filter, change their oil, replace a headlight, change a battery, or even replace belts when they have the right tools. Additionally, YouTube is a great tool for finding videos that explain how to repair many car problems.  In case there is a problem that is beyond your capabilities, take it to a professional to avoid further damage.