7 DIY Car Care Tips for the New Year

Winter is just around the corner, and now’s as good a time as any to get your car ready for the colder, chillier months ahead. The certified service technicians at our Joplin Honda dealership want to help you get prepared. So, we’ve gathered some simple car care tips that you can easily do yourself. (Of course, our Auto Service Department is always ready and willing to lend a hand, too!)

7. Change Those Wiper Blades

Replacing your wiper blades is something you should do at least once a year. You tend to use your wipers more aggressively in the fall and winter months, but the summer heat takes its toll on wipers, as well, so a twice-per-year change is recommended.

Signs you need new windshield wipers

If you notice any streaking, cracking, or separation, it’s a sure sign you should replace your windshield blades. You can buy a set of new wiper blades from an auto parts store near you, and they are pretty easy to replace at home. (And don’t forget to replace the third wiper blade in the back if your car is so equipped.)

Our Parts Department stocks an assortment of wiper blades especially made for your Honda. If you need new Honda windshield wipers in Joplin, give us a ring at (417) 625-0800.

6. Check Your Tires

Inspect your tires for improper pressure, uneven wear, gouges or cracks in the sidewall, or any other abnormality. Invest in a good quality tire pressure gauge. Refer to your owner’s manual for the correct tire pressure; you can also find this information on the inside of the driver’s door jamb.

Don’t forget to check the tire pressure of your spare. You never know when you’ll need it! On some trucks and SUVs, the spare is underneath the vehicle, suspended by a cable. Take the time to also make sure the cable is working properly. Spray it with a lubricant, like WD-40, followed by white lithium grease. If you are not sure how to do this, please take your car to our Service Department for assistance. 

5. Change Your Fluids

Most fluids in today’s modern cars are fairly straightforward to inspect. Clear or opaque plastic reservoirs show if fluids, like brake fluid, power steering fluid and windshield washer fluid, need refilling. If you do so, remember to top off your brake and power steering fluids from a clean container to avoid contamination!  

You should also inspect your coolant by looking at the plastic recovery reservoir next to the radiator. You don’t have to remove the radiator cap, just fill the reservoir to the correct level using the proper kind of coolant. Do this when your engine is cold to avoid injury.

As always, consult your owner’s manual or give our Honda service center near Springfield a call if you aren’t sure what coolant or fluid to use. 

4. Replace Air Filters

A dirty air filter reduces performance, increases emissions, and wastes gas – and that’s all bad, for various reasons.

Most air filters can be replaced without tools, and they’re also very cheap, meaning they’re excellent DIY car maintenance tasks. Simply remove the air filter cover, which is usually fastened with latches, then swap out the old air filter with a new one. Refer to your owner’s manual for the location and the correct replacement filter type. 

3. Inspect and Clean the Battery

Take a look at your battery. If there is a lot of corrosion on the terminals or cables, purchase an inexpensive wire battery cleaner. Remove the cables using a socket wrench, then clean the connections and terminals thoroughly. Once done, reconnect the cables, making sure they fit snugly.

You can also buy small felt discs that go over the posts to slow down corrosion in the future. This will potentially extend the life of your battery.

If you notice that your car is getting harder to start, take a trip to our Service Department in Joplin. We’ll perform a free battery check for you and provide you with our recommendations.  

2. Fix Your Lights

It’s winter. Nights come sooner. Roads get slicker. People tend to be frazzled driving to and from work. Better make sure your headlights and taillights are working as intended.

Visually check your headlights, taillights, and brake light bulbs. Most are very easy to replace by following the instructions in your owner’s manual.

If your headlight lenses are cloudy, you can clean them yourself using one of the many off-the-shelf headlight restoration kits on the market. You can ask our Joplin car parts store for suggestions on such headlight products. 

1. Change Your Oil

While we would love nothing more than to change your oil in Joplin, we also feel that most car owners should know how to do this task at home. (Once you do your first oil change, every future one gets easier and takes less time!)

The best way to change your oil is to just do it. Seriously – watch a video (this one’s good), buy all the necessary items, and clear a couple of hours out of your day to tackle the oil change. Here are some safety precautions to be aware of before you slide under that car:

• Make sure your car ramps or jacks are secure and not in bad shape.
• Put some concrete cinder blocks under the chassis to protect you against an accidental slip or break.
• Place wood or bricks behind the back wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling.
• Wear safety glasses – you don’t want oil in your eyes!
• Gloves can help protect your hands, though they’re not necessary.
• Never change the oil when your vehicle is parked on a slope, especially one that angles forward, in your direction.
• Don’t change your oil when the engine is hot. Hot oil and human skin is a big no-no.
• If using car jack stands, ensure they’re placed in the right place, not just somewhere under the car.
• Double-check that you have all your tools and parts, because once you open that oil drain, you’re not going to be driving anywhere.
• Clean up oil spills as soon as you can. Kitty litter can help pick up oil, though driveways are magnets to oil stains.
• Never dispose of old engine oil improperly! You can pour the used oil in the new oil’s empty container, then recycle that oil at an authorized auto parts or service store. Check Earth911.com for an oil recycling place near you.
• Always check for leaks after you’re done. 

Oh... it was? Well, luckily, we’re here to help. At Roper Honda, we offer affordable oil change service that rivals those “quick lube places.” Not only are we inexpensive, but we’re also fast, so you can get on with your busy day. If you simply don’t want to deal with the hassle of changing your own oil, or if you need help with any of these other DIY car care maintenance tasks above, Roper Honda is the solution.

Schedule your appointment online or give us a call at (417) 625-0800. We proudly serve the entire area around Joplin, including Springfield, Neosho, Miami (OK), Pittsburg (KS) and Rogers (AR).