View Poll Results: Do you do your own maintenance?
I do my own maintenance
23
54.76%
I have a shop do my maintenance
1
2.38%
I don't have any maintenance done
0
0%
I do some of my own and shop do the rest
18
42.86%
Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll
Does it really pay to do your own maintenance?
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 170
From: Lugoff, SC
My fiance and I do oil changes, brake fluid changes, coolant change, supercharger oil change and we are going to flush out some of the trans fluid, rotate tires. I haven't had anything major happen to the car yet but if that would come up I would have to get that done at a shop.
My next step is to see if my Dad and I can do it. If that doesn't work, then it goes to a shop.
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 469
From: Alberta
try to do everything myself (with the help of forums and friends) if i doint have the tool, i'll usually just go buy it or rent it... just gotta remember where all the parts go and retorque everything properly 
things i wouldnt do: rebuild a tranny, or anything that requires a tech 2 scan tool... just take it in for that!
things i wouldnt do: rebuild a tranny, or anything that requires a tech 2 scan tool... just take it in for that!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 385
From: Stevens Point, WI
I do as much as I can with the tools I have. I wish I had a lift ion the garage, but that's not going to happen in an apartment. I haven't done the plugs yet on the Monte, as I'm not exactly sure how to go about rotating the engine forward.
Last weekend I replaced a wheel bearing and a tie rod end on the Monte. I still have to take it in and have the lower control arm bushings replaced, as I don't think I have the tools to do that myself.
Outside of that, I always do my oil changes, air filters, brakes, batteries, belts, fuel filter and I've now learned how to do door hinges, electric seat motor and track, and IAC valves on my fiancées 96 Mustang GT.
Last weekend I replaced a wheel bearing and a tie rod end on the Monte. I still have to take it in and have the lower control arm bushings replaced, as I don't think I have the tools to do that myself.
Outside of that, I always do my oil changes, air filters, brakes, batteries, belts, fuel filter and I've now learned how to do door hinges, electric seat motor and track, and IAC valves on my fiancées 96 Mustang GT.
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 702
I do all my own maintainence but there are some repairs that I have a shop do. Some of the stuff I can do but just don't feel like doing or depending on the time of the year, I might have someone else do it. The older I get, the less repair stuff I feel like doing. Being kind of poor at the moment also dictates what I do myself.
Wayne
Wayne
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,605
From: Mentor, Ohio
I am a "do-it-all myself". So far, the only things I don't do is exhaust work (not worth being under a car for that and there are good shops that can weld in a nice replacement exhaust with stainless steel if needed). And transmission work (I can change trans fluid, but outside of that, anything in the trans requiring service, I have not tried to conquer).
I have done head gaskets, water pumps, control arms, shocks, struts and the list goes on and on and on.....
I have done head gaskets, water pumps, control arms, shocks, struts and the list goes on and on and on.....
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 474
From: KC,MO
If you can do your own maintaince...that way you know what is going on with the car. If something is bent or leaking or rusting then you know about it and will not come as a surprise down the road or make it look like the shop is trying to get more money out of you. Or by doing something yourself you know when the shop is trying to get more money out of you as well.
