8 DIY Car Repairs You Can Do For Your Used Mazda Vehicle

Regular maintenance is required to keep your used Mazda car, truck, or SUV performing at its best. It also prolongs the life of the vehicle. Caring for your vehicle is necessary whether or not your car is still under the manufacturer’s warranty or an extended warranty.

The cost of maintenance and repairs are not typically covered by these so-called “bumper-to-bumper” warranties. This means you will be coming out of pocket to pay for work related to normal wear and tear. Imagine the big dent in your pocket if you have to take your vehicle to the mechanic shop for every little thing that needs fixing.

Many times, car owners forget to factor in these costs in their monthly budget which already includes car loan payments, gas, and insurance premiums. But this doesn’t have to happen to you. With these 8 do-it-yourself maintenance and repair projects even a simpleton can handle, you won’t have to break the bank to keep your car.

Brake Pads

You rely on your brakes to slow or stop the car. Good brake pads are essential for performing these actions and preventing a collision or a fatal accident. Pads don’t last forever and need to be replaced once they are worn to about 2mm-3mm in thickness. Things you will need are a jack and jack stand, c-clamp, lug wrench, hammer, wrench, a piece of string, and a turkey baster to remove brake fluid. You just saved at least $150-$250 on parts and labor to replace either the front or back brakes.

Oil Change

Doing an oil change on your used vehicle doesn’t call for mechanical skills. This job can easily cost from $15-$100. First, you’re not only saving money, but you’re also guaranteed the correct and quality oil is used as specified in the vehicle’s manual. There are too many complaints of mechanics using low grade, synthetic oil or synthetic blends. This can shorten the life of your engine and reduce fuel efficiency.

Air filter

Another simple fix is the air filter. Air filters prevent dirt, debris, and harmful contaminants from entering your engine. Over time, the filter’s ability to clean the air entering the engine reduces. Replacing the filter after every 20, 000 to 40,000 miles help keep the engine running smoothly and maintain fuel efficiency. It also prolongs the life of the engine. All you have to do is pop the hood of the car, remove a few screws, open the air filter housing, remove the old filters, fit the new ones, then replace the screws. In 10 minutes, you’re done!

Fuel filters

The fuel filter cleans the fuel before it reaches the pump to ensure clean gasoline get to the engine. This helps preserve the life of this expensive car part—the engine. Unclean fuel can damage the fuel injector and cause fuel to drip. The average fuel filter change costs about $100-$150 for parts and labor. Replace the filter by removing a few parts and swapping out the old with the new.

Windshield wipers

Don’t throw away about $100-$150 to replace windshield wipers. Replacing or fixing chipped windshield wipers is quite simple. First get the right size and fit for your vehicle. Follow the instructions that come with the wipers to slide out the old wipers and fit the new ones. Who needs a pro when it literally takes about 2-5 minutes to complete this DIY job!

Install new battery

This is by far one of the easiest DIY projects. First, ensure you have the right battery designed for your model of used Mazda. Battery changes are typically done every 4 to 6 years. Use a wrench to the detach cables securing the battery. To avoid a short circuit, remove the negative (black) cable first and replace it last. Take the old battery out and fix the new one in place before reattaching the cables. You saved about 200 bucks by not having a mechanic replace it.

Change spark plugs

Check your spark plugs about every 30,000 to 40, 000 miles and replace if necessary to maintain good fuel consumption. A set of plugs cost about $30. Armed with a wrench and the usual car tools, replace the plugs and save big! Like, $200-300 type of big!

Replace headlights or taillights

Headlights and taillights help you see ahead and be seen by other drivers. They also indicate turns, lane changes, and braking. You can purchase aftermarket bulbs compatible with your used Mazda and state laws. You will need to remove the car battery, nuts, bolts, and screws before placing the new lights. Wear gloves to avoid transferring grease unto the bulb. Otherwise, it can shorten the bulb’s life or cause it to explode.

So you see, you don’t exactly need to be car savvy to perform these quick fixes on your car. There are many videos on YouTube that offer step-by-step details for these DIY car maintenance and repairs. All you need is basic knowledge and some simple tools. You will save thousands of dollars in the long run.

If you'd rather have a certified Mazda mechanic work on the vehicle for you, then you can schedule your service today!