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A thread for issues regarding automotive repair.
Tip: It is not hard to change your headlights. You can get a bulb at any auto parts store often for as little as 10-11 dollars, whereas your mechanic may charge 25.
Years ago, it was harder to replace a headlight. You had to buy a big bulky complete unit, and unscrew a bunch of screws and put them back. Often you had to aim the new one, as well, with still other screws.
Now, it can be as simple as changing a light bulb at home. The headlight assembly stays in the car. You just replace the bulb.
First, determine if it is the high beam or low beam bulb that is out. You can look up the number of the replacement bulb online or at the store by model and year, or bring in old bulb. Note, you do not need the high end super-bright bulbs they want to sell. A simple standard Sylvania or other brand will be fine.
Turn off engine.
In my car, you open the hood, reach for the the socket with the wire attached, and turn the socket a quarter turn. (Bulb is shaped like a right angle.) You then wiggle out socket (with wire still attached) and bulb. After pulling out socket, press down on the small latch on plastic socket to unlock bulb, and while pressing, pull bulb straight out. (Like unplugging a wall plug).
Put new bulb in socket, and push it all the way in, until you feel the latch click. (Make sure you align the prongs with the holes, not insert backwards.) Then put in the bulb and socket into the light assembly and wiggle until it is all the way in. Turn a quarter turn in the opposite direction as before to lock in place.
Just takes about 5 minutes or less. Note: do not pull wire from socket at any point. Always grasp by the socket. Do not pull wire to remove socket from headlight.
In general, never force anything. Simple firm pressure should be adequate, or you are doing something wrong and could crack something.
Once you have done it the first time, it will be so simple you will wonder why you ever went to a mechanic for this.
P Y i didnt want you to think no one read your post its not applicable to me but i am sure its good information to know thank you
I changed my battery myself. Below is a breakdown of the costs.
New battery from wal mart- $75
wrench- $2
shirt which was ruined by acid while carrying old battery- $15
backpack ruined by acid while old battery was sitting in trunk- $50
total- $142
I also sold the old one for $20 since it still had some life.
net total- $122
price to have battery changed by mechanic- $100??
Net savings- negative $22
Mechanics are def for us girls more than for you guys, you can give me the most detailed simple instructions but I’ll go to a mechanic any day.
Ever heard that funny clip about mechanic RIPPING a girl off by hundreds!! A phone scam arranged by her dad – i love it!
well popa,
if you disposed of the battery right away and was careful with your shirt you would’ve saved $65 and once you realized the battery had acid you shouldn’t have put it near your backpack
I didn’t realize the shirt was ruined until several weeks later, when a large part of it disappeared. I made the connection because the pocket had the receipt from the battery.
I cleaned out my trunk by pulling out the carpet, and pouring baking soda and seltzer on it. Then I put it in the shower to wash off the baking soda. Then I put it in the dryer.
I sold it over craigslist to some hispanic kid who was planning to use it in a ’86 Cammarro. I asked him if he was sure it was the right one. He said he was sure it wasn’t.
the shirt was ruined … when a large part of it disappeared.
Then it’s takeh not tzniusdig.
Tip #2: Keeping Your Automobile Properly Fueled
- 1) Pull up to full service pump with fuel cap facing pump
2) Roll down window
3) When attendant comes, say, “fill ‘er up on regular”
And the funniest part was in was towards the back, so I didn’t even notice it and wore it through morning seder until someone pointed out that there was a 3 or 4 inch hole in my shirt.
I wonder if the material was just brittle, and actually disappeared while I was wearing it.
At least you only wear $15 shirts.
There are some things that the average car owner can do themselves, but changing headlights, taillights, turn signal bulbs and hazard bulbs may or may not be among them.
Different models of vehicle may have bulbs that are simple to access (like the OP’s), or may require a bit of disassembly and reassembly.
If you want to know the work involved for your particular vehicle, just google it. You’ll almost definitely find detailed step-by-step info, and even video directions for the required work.
PBA; I’m with you on this 100%. Unlike home repair and maintenance, auto repair can, sometimes be performed successfully by an amateur but the cost in terms of acquiring the right tools and time spent and the peripheral damage put you at a disadvantage as opposed to driving into a repair shop and let a professional mechanic who has the right tools and experience handle it. Don’t begrudge the Ten dollars that he earns on replacing a light bulb or battery. It’s done with no time wasted on trial and error, or stopping Three times to get the right tool.
Well, I think I would still change my battery myself again.
I wouldn’t do an oil change, because you don’t really save money, even if you don’t ruin a shirt.
Just watch ’em when they do an oil change to make sure they don’t put in USED oil!
Make sure you hear that crack sound when they open the caps on the NEW bottles of oil.
It never occurred to me that it would be used oil (once) when I saw them opening the bottles of oil, but whe I checked my oil level just a few days later, IT WAS BLACK!
I learned my lesson.
How about changing a transmission yourself?
Pashuteh Yid; I’ll let you in on a little secret. I did just that. I changed the tail lamps on my car. IMHO. The front lights (one of which I needed to change.) appeared to be more complicated, so I left it to the mechanic. (And I didn’t decry the extra $10.00 I had to pay for his work.)
fyi—- my co worker said her husband went to a gas station, gave the attendant 50 dollars for gas. when the pump got to 40 dollars it stopped . so he went back to the attendant and said i gave u 50 dollars and told him the denominations of the money and the attendant said ”oh, i must have made a mistake” and let him fill the remaining $10 worth.
imagine how much $ he could make if people don’t pay attention. they can be on the phone, in a hurry, distracted by their kids or something. and then the attendant gets to keep the extra $
withthe cost of gas these days make sure you get what you are paying for. dont get scammed!!
Daas Yochid: My Nusech is “fill ‘er up on regular…PLEASE”
When I married my wife she did not drive. While studying for her license I also made sure she new how to change a tire. I did not want her stuck in no man’s land without having the ability to fend for herself. For those young people out there, this was before cell phones became popular and inexpensive.
- 1) Pull up to full service pump with fuel cap facing pump
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