Americans generally have a great love affair with cars. After all, they spend an average of 45 minutes doing car-related tasks per day, according to the US Department of Labor. As cars are considered to be good investments, it makes sense to pick up knowledge that would help you care for that investment. It’s good then that there are car maintenance skills that you can learn at home. 

Tire Replacement

A recent AAA survey found that around 20% of Americans do not know how to replace a flat tire. It’s a fairly simple procedure that will require that you invest in a few other tools such as a jack, a lug wrench, a pry bar, and a spare tire. If you’re not quite sure what to do, you can go online and load up helpful tutorials on popular platforms like YouTube or use an app. If you learn how to do it yourself, you can save up anywhere from $100-$300 per tire. It also saves you from having to call a tow truck service if you get a flat tire on the road.

Small Paint Touch-Ups

Cars are a thing of beauty but they are prone to visible aesthetic damage—otherwise called paint dings or scratches. If you leave any paint chips open, you risk leaving your car vulnerable to rust damage, says Paul Wright of Popular Mechanics. Thankfully, small paint touch-ups can be something that you can learn to do in your own home. The reviews of Automotivetouchup.com recommend choosing as close a match to your car’s paint and apply clear coat afterward. It gives your car’s surface an extra layer of protection. An added bonus is that a small paint touch-up should only take about 30 minutes or so.

Checking Car Oil

Your car’s oil helps protect the engine by keeping its components cool and properly lubricated. It follows that, over time, the oil will get dirty and even low. It’s recommended that you check the level of the oil each week by pulling out the dipstick, wiping it clean, putting it back in, taking it out, and checking the level once again. There are marker lines that should tell you what the proper level of the oil should be. If the level of the oil is below the marker lines, you’d better get the oil changed. Of course, you can change the oil yourself—another skill you can master at home.

Any skills that you learn that can help you maintain your car is a good investment of time and effort. Learning car maintenance skills will give you a chance to be hands-on with your car’s care and save money. More importantly, you’ll also have precious skills that you can pass on to your children.