911 Easy car repairs that all women should know!

Ok Ladies this one is for you!  As I've mentioned on a few occasions I am one of six children.  There are 4 girls and 2 boys.  Although we were girls my parents raised us to be able to take care of ourselves when it came to labor.  Not to say "you don't neeeeed a man to do anything for you" but so that if ever we were in a situation we would be equipped with the right tools to hopefully not be completely helpless.  So we cut grass. We washed the car.  We checked our oil in the car.  Yes, checked our oil.  There are a few things our father taught us about just basic car maintenance.  Things that I feel every woman (and man) needs to know.  So I am going to share the top 5 with you!

#1.  Changing a tire/fix a flat (getting it plugged)

This is probably one of the most important. If you are by yourself or with children you definitely want to know how to change your own tire.  Everyone should have a tire jack with them as well as a spare tire.  The only tool you'll need aside from the jack(which I always make sure to keep in the car) is a wrench  to remove the nuts.  To change your tire, first you'll need to remove the flat one. Make sure your car is in the park position. Place the jack on the frame of the car. Using the jack raise the car up enough to just support the car.  You don't necessarily want it to lift the car at this point.  Now you'll need to pop the hubcap off and loosen the nuts (some cars come with the wrench).  Now you'll pump the jack more to lift the car high enough to be able to remove the tire.  Take all of the loosed nuts off and take the tire off.  Then replace it with the spare, tighten the nuts back (be careful not to use so much force that you make the car fall off the jack.  Once you have tightened the nuts let the car back down using your jack and you are done!  Knowing how to do this will save you time you would have had to wait on your road side assistance and get you points in your circle! lol  (side note: instead of running to get a brand new tire go see if it is possible to get it plugged.  Plugging a tire usually costs anywhere from $10-$20.  Plugs last longer than the tire itself.  Most of the time it can be plugged but it all depends whether or not it is a hole or a rip.  Holes can be plugged as long as they are not on the edge near the rim. if it's a rip unfortunately you'll most likely need a new tire). 

#2.  Checking your air pressure/putting air in your tires 

A lot of cars today have the chip in them to let you know when your tire pressure is down. However if you have an older car you may not have that convenience.  Don't fret!  The first important thing you need to know is that each tire has the tire pressure amount physically on it (this is the amount of air that each tire needs to have).  You can find it on the outside of the tire. It will be in either PSI or KPA. You can also find this information in your car manual. To put air in your tires just go to any gas station (all have both air and vacuums).  Most air machines cost $1 and takes quarters only.  You may luck up and find one that has free air but those often times don't have the air indicator on them (you can purchase your own air gauge for about $20).  You'll need to unscrew the black nozzle off of the air port (I usually put it in my pocket so I don't lose it).  Then just take the air pump and hold it on the port and squeeze handle.

 

You'll hear the air going into the tire. When you let go of the handle the indicator pops out.  This is where you'll find the number.  Usually in increments of 10 starting at like 10.  Continue to add air, checking the pressure as you go making sure you don't go over the recommended amount.  When you are finished replace the nozzle and pat yourself on the back! You're done! (Side note: always check the pressure when the tire is cold).

#3.  Checking your oil/adding oil

To properly check your oil you'll first need to know where to find the oil. It is under the hood of your car.  If you aren't familiar with what is under the hood of a car, that's ok.  If you pay close attention you'll see that it will tell you what's what.  So to find the oil look for handle shaped like a loop.  It usually says  'engine oil' on it.  You'll need to grab a light-colored cloth of some sort (tissue works).  Pull that loop out and you'll find a thin metal stick attached to it.  Take that cloth or tissue and wipe from the top to the bottom of the the oil stick.  Along the way you will find markings on the stick letting you know the range of oil that is ok.  You want your oil to be within those two markings.

Now that you have wiped the stick clean simply stick it back in the hold (all the way) and pull it back out.  Take note as to where the oil is.  If it is within your markings you are OK however if it is below the bottom marking you need to add oil.  After replacing the stick you need to find the oil cap to the oil reservoir.  It's usually black and round.  YOU WILL NOT BE TRYING TO GET OIL IN THAT LITTLE, ITTY BITTY SPACE THE DIPSTICK IS KEPT! lol Unscrew the oil cap and simply pour your new oil in. Replace the cap and you are well on your way! (Side note: make sure you pay attention to the color of the oil as well.  Clean oil is golden or clear.  Dirty oil is black or brown. If you have dirty oil you need to go get an oil change altogether).

#4.  Changing a rear turning signal

This one is simple but one just as important as the others.  I recently had a back turning signal light out.  When I found out I knew I needed to change it as soon as possible.  Your turning signal is important because people behind you need to know what your next move concerning them is.  Not to mention it is illegal not to use them. First you'll need to see what size bulb your car takes.  You should be able to find this info in the manual or you can simply take the old bulb in the store with you to purchase the replacement.  To get to the bulb on older cars you will need to pop off the light cover from the outside.  The bulb will be sitting right there.  Simply push the bulb in and pull it out to release it.  My car is newer so to get to my bulb I have to go inside.There is a small "door" that I have to open to gain access.

     

 
 Also since mine is newer instead of pushing and pulling the bulb out I just twist my bulb to the left to remove it.  Regardless what type of car you have, removing the bulb is easy. To replace it, pop the new light in and twist to secure and you have now earned your 'Chaning car light' badge! (Side note: bulbs come in packs of two and usually cost around $5 for a pack.  If you pay someone to do it the labor for just one runs about $9. That's almost twice as much as the bulbs cost!  Save the time and money and do it yourself!)

#5.  Changing windshield wipers
Your windshield is literally the eyes of your vehicle.  You can't see properly if your windshield isn't clear which means you can't drive safely and we don't want that.  We all know what the windshield wipers do so I'll skip that part and get right to how to change them out.  You are not going to believe how easy peezy this is.  To start let me say you are not changing the entire blade.  You are just changing the rubber wiper part.

                                      

 
Like any other replacement job you need to get the correct size for your vehicle. Again you should be able to find this info in the manual but another way to find it is to slide the wiper off and measure it with a ruler or measuring tape.  Who carries a ruler in their car you ask?? Well I do but not for the wipers.  It's so that when the kids are on the go and need to do homework in the car they have all the supplies they need to get it done lol  As for your wipers maybe go ahead and measure them when you get a chance, jot it down and keep it in the glove compartment for when you need to replace them.  To get the wiper off raise the entire metal arm straight up in the air.  Be sure to raise it all the way up.  If you don't it can snap back and possibly break your windshield and I cannot help you there! Now some wipers have a latch or something that is holding the wiper onto the arm however others you can simply slide off.  Once you have removed the wiper install the new one by sliding it onto the wiper arm.  Make sure it is all the way down and.......you guessed it! You're done!!!  (Side note: windshield wipers usually cost around $15. Also, make sure you measure both wipers as one is usually a tad longer)

And just like that you ladies should feel confident enough to handle the minor car emergencies you may encounter.  Now if you are with your man and you need these things taken care of, do not...I repeat DO NOT say "Oh I can do it" lol let them take care of it for you.  It's their "thing". And if you do that it could make a guy feel a tad un-needed.  These tips are to be used if you are in a situation where there is no one there to assist.  So familiarize yourself with these tips and pass it along to another lady. Here are a few other tips I thought I'd add:

•  Keep a spare of each item in your car (wipers, bulbs) that way you don't have to run around looking at the last minute.  You can change them out and be done.

•  Keep a light rag in your car for oil checking.  

•  Keep a big over sized t-shirt in your car to throw on in case you are in a fancy outfit and need to change a tire. You can change it and be on your way all the while never looking like you touched a tire when you get to where you're going.

•   Purchase a gauge for your tire pressure in case the air machine doesn't have one attached (these are super cheap)

•   TAKE A SELFIE!!!! yep! Be proud of what you did and brag about it! lol Hey you never know, maybe it'll encourage another female to learn!