Thinking about doing some of your own auto repairs and car maintenance at home to save money? While it may sound like a great idea, there are benefits to bringing your car to a mechanic, whether you need a simple car maintenance service or a more serious car repair. Mechanics are trained to diagnose auto repairs and at AAMCO we carry out a complimentary multi-point inspection with every service. Here are a few car services you may think you can DIY and why it’s a good idea to bring your car to a mechanic anyway.

Oil Change & Oil Filter Replacement

Scheduling oil changes every few months can be tedious and frustrating, so it may be tempting to just do it yourself at home. All you have to do is buy the right kind of engine oil and an oil filter, then drain and refill, right? While that’s technically what’s done during an oil change, there actually is more to it when you bring your car to a mechanic.

Why it’s Good to Have a Mechanic Do Your Oil Changes

First of all, doing an oil change at home doesn’t save you much money. Most of the price of an oil change is the cost of oil and a filter. The cost of labor is minimal comparatively. When you come to AAMCO, however, you also get a complimentary multi-point inspection with your oil change service, which means if you have any other looming car problems, your mechanic should catch it before it starts causing you trouble.

Air Filter Replacement

Roughly once a year, you need a new air filter, depending on your driving habits. Because it’s such a simple task, it can be tempting to do it yourself at home. The air filter itself is inexpensive and in most cases, you can find instructions easily online for how to replace the filter. What’s the downside? There are other parts impacted by the condition of your air filter that may also need servicing.

Why it’s Good to Have a Mechanic Change Your Air Filter

Whether you’re replacing your cabin air filter or engine air filter, they’re part of important systems of your car. By bringing your car to a mechanic to have the filter replaced, you’re able to have the other parts in those systems inspected for potential wear or damage. In particular, your engine air filter keeps out debris and ensures the proper amount of air is able to circulate. If you’re long overdue for a new engine air filter, it could have put extra strain on your engine that’s caused additional necessary car repairs.

Transmission Fluid Replacement

Typically, your car needs new transmission fluid every 30,000-100,000 miles or so. That’s a wide range and the type of transmission your car has, as well as your driving habits, makes a big difference in where you fall in that range. It’s best to check your owner’s manual or ask a trusted mechanic if you’re unsure. You may think that replacing your transmission fluid is just like doing an oil change – and you’re not entirely wrong. However, just as with an oil change, there are benefits to having a mechanic carry out the service instead of doing it yourself.

Why it’s Good to Have a Mechanic Replace Your Transmission Fluid

Transmission repairs rank right up there with engine repairs on the list of auto repair services you want to avoid. While you can’t entirely avoid them, having a mechanic do your oil changes and transmission fluid replacements allows them another opportunity to catch necessary car repairs early. The earlier you catch any engine or transmission repair, the more money you may be able to save and the less extra damage you may encounter.

Brake System Service

Especially if you’re handy with a car, you may be inclined to replace your brake pads and rotors yourself at home. With a couple tools, it can be a simple bit of car maintenance and may save you money. What’s the downside? While the replacement of brake pads and rotors is simple enough, there are other problems that can arise from worn brake pads and rotors that a mechanic is best at catching.

Why it’s Good to Have a Mechanic Do Your Brake Maintenance

There are a number of other problems your brake system may have alongside needing new brake pads or rotors. You can pay attention to other symptoms from your car to better understand what you may need to have done, but a mechanic is always best able to find any other brake system repairs. If the surface of either rotor is slightly uneven, it can cause problems with braking and a mechanic will have to level it. It’s also possible you’ll need new brake fluid or should have your brake fluid bled to improve efficiency of your brakes. All of these potential auto repairs can be caught during AAMCO’s complimentary multi-point inspection with any car service appointment.

Need Help with Auto Repairs? Trust the Mechanics at AAMCO Wichita

No matter what your auto repair needs are, the mechanics at AAMCO are here to help. DIY auto repairs are great for saving you time and money, but many car services are best done by a mechanic to ensure they’re done well and to potentially catch other necessary repairs before they escalate. When you come to any AAMCO location for a maintenance or repair service, you’ll also get our complimentary multi-point inspection to ensure key systems in your car are operating at their best. Schedule your appointment online today!