The DIY approach can be great for a lot of the things you need to do to care for your vehicle. There are some services that you really should not tackle yourself, unless you are a trained and certified mechanic. If you do not have the education and experience needed to do the job right there is a good chance you will do more harm than good.
Aside from the matter of training, there is the issue of proper equipment. Most people do not have the costly and complex tools that are required to properly diagnose and repair today’s vehicles. Your local professional auto service technician is trained and equipped to perform all automotive services in an affordable and timely manner.
The following are a few examples of automotive services you should leave to the professionals:
Engine Diagnostics – Today’s advanced on-board automotive technology has greatly simplified the diagnosis of engine problems to a large degree, however the technology is not perfect, and it does not eliminate the need for human interpretation. Engine codes can be very general and require more sophisticated equipment to reveal the true source of the problem.
Tire Rotation – While it may seem simple to jack up your vehicle and change the tires around, not doing the job correctly could mean costly damage to your tires, or worse yet, it could result in losing a wheel at highway speeds and a life threatening auto accident. It is better to have a tire professional do the job. They have the training to not only do the job properly, but also to spot signs of uneven tread wear and tire damage.
Suspension Repairs – The suspension system of your vehicle provides stability to your vehicle’s steering system therefore it is critical to the safety of your vehicle. Any work you do or new components you install during a suspension repair could have a serious impact on suspension system performance and reliability.
When considering attempting an auto service task keep in mind this rule of thumb – “when in doubt, send it out”. Call your local automotive services professional.
