Changing a Head Lamp

When a head lamp burns out it can be very dangerous driving at night. Head lamps are very easy to replace and do not cost very much. Every car is different so I recommend referring to your owners manual and the video below.

Click here for instructional video on how to change your car's head lamp.

Changing Your Wiper Blades

When your wiper blades are squeaky or are not cleaning your wind shield like they should, they probably need to be changed. To change your wiper blade refer to your owners manual as many cars are different. I will give a brief step by step guide to get you through it but watch the linked video as well.


1. Pull the wiper blade up to work on it.
2. Find the clip and press it in with your thumb and slide it toward the windshield.
3. Remove the wiper blade.
4. Put the new wiper blade on just like you took the old one off.
5. Make sure the wiper blade clicks in place.
6. Lower the wiper blade onto the windshield and test the new wiper blades.

Click here for instructional video on how to replace windshield wiper blades.

Jump Starting Your Car

If you turn the key and your engine does not turn over, it could be that your battery is dead. This often happens when you forget to turn your lights off. To jump start your car you need jumper cables and another car with a working battery.

1. Park the two cars close enough for the jumper cables to be able to reach underneath both hoods.
2. Pop open the hoods to both cars.
3. Both cars should be turned off. Beginning with the car that works, connect one red clamp (positive) to the positive (+) end of the battery.
4. Next, connect the black clamp (negative) to the negative (-) end of the battery. CAUTION: DO NOT let the red and black clamps touch at any time.
5. Moving over to the dead car, connect the other red clamp (positive) to the positive (+) end of the battery.
6. Now connect the remaining black clamp somewhere on the car's metal frame. DO NOT connect it to the negative end of the dead car's battery.
7. Start the car that works, wait one minute, then start the car that was dead.
8. After letting the two cars run for about five minutes, remove the clamps from the good vehicle, starting with the negative clamp and then the positive clamp. CAUTION: To avoid getting shocked DO NOT let the two clamps touch until they are disconnected from both cars.
9. Finally, disconnect the clamps from the previously dead car.


Click here for instructional video on how to jump start your car.

Changing Your Oil

Changing the oil on a car is one of the more difficult maintenance tasks. Many times it is just as easy to take it to the local Wal-Mart auto shop to avoid the labor, and it costs nearly as much to buy the oil and oil filter yourself. I recommend having it done professionally, but it should not cost you more than $30 to have it done. Don't let the repairmen talk you into the more expensive oil, because unless you drive a sports car, it really isn't necessary. You should change your oil every 4,000 miles, or every six months if you do not drive that often.

One thing that you do need to check once a month is your oil level. I will tell you how to do this to keep your engine working great. CAUTION: If your oil gets too low, your engine can overheat and break, which can cost thousands of dollars to fix or replace.

1. Park your car on a level surface.
2. Pop the hood and locate the oil dipstick (the handle is usually is yellow).
3. Remove the dipstick and wipe it off with a clean towel.
4. Return the dipstick and push it all the way in.
5. Remove the dipstick again and check to see if the oil is within the normal range.
6. If the oil is low, add oil until it is within the normal range, but be sure to avoid overfilling.
7. Return the dipstick once you are done.

Click here to watch instructional video on how to check your oil level.

Changing your Air Filter

Cleaning your air filter is one of the simplest money saving maintenances you can do for your car. The air filter should be changed every 15,000 miles and takes less then five minutes to do. Here is a step-by-step guide, but refer to your owner's manual in helping you locate the air filter is your specific car type:

1. Locate the air filter underneath your hood.
2. Pop off the filter cover (there are usually 4 screws or clamps that need to be removed to pop off the cover).
3. Lift out the air filter.
4. Clean out the inside of the air filter housing with a damp rag.
5. Insert the new air filter.
6. Reclamp or screw the cover back on the air filter.

Click here for instructional video on how to change your air filter.

How To Change a Flat Tire

Changing a flat tire is simpler than you may think. It is important to know where to locate the spare tire, jack, and tool kit for changing your tire before driving your car. Here is a step-by-step guide to changing a flat tire:




1. Jack up your car just high enough to clear the ground (your owners manual can help you with how to use your specific jack).
2. Remove the lug nuts with the socket wrench. Be sure not to lose any of these while changing your tire, you will need them to fasten on the spare tire.
3. Take the wheel cover off, then remove the flat tire.
4. Place the spare tire on along with the wheel cover (if needed), and the lug nuts.
5. Tighten the lug nuts as tight as you can.
6. Lower the car to the ground.
7. Place the flat tire where the spare tire was stored, and drive straight to an auto repair shop to have them fix your tire.