Do-It-Yourself Vehicle Maintenance

CAMPBELL — Many aspects of auto maintenance are best left to a professional, but there are some things you can easily do yourself. Here are two do-it-yourself measures you can take to improve your driving experience:

Tire pressure maintenance
While regulating tire pressure is important for safety, performance and tire longevity, many drivers don’t know that it can also affect fuel economy. While vehicle manufacturers set recommended tire pressure at a minimum specification, raising the pressure slightly above this number can actually improve your car’s gas mileage.

To maintain the air pressure in your tires, you’ll need a tire pressure gauge. Pocket gauges are simple and inexpensive, but a digital gauge offers improved reading accuracy. After removing the valve cap, use the gauge to check the air pressure and make sure it’s at or slightly above the manufacturer recommendation (this can be found in your owner’s manual or on the inside of the driver’s side door).

Air filter replacement
An engine air filter helps keep the engine running clean by stopping abrasive airborne particles from entering the cylinders. In most cases, replacing an air filter is simply a matter of popping off the adhesive clips, pulling out the old filter and putting a new one in its place. Before replacing an air filter, determine whether replacement is necessary—even if the filter isn’t completely clean, it may still be functional for a while longer.