The coronavirus pandemic has upended much of life in the U.S. and throughout the world. Of course, it hasn’t changed the fact that cars need maintenance and repairs to keep them in good working order. If you are unsure of how to fix your car during these times, you aren’t alone. Fortunately, there are some options available.
Challenges With the Pandemic
Some mechanics and dealer service departments have remained open. So, you can potentially bring your vehicle to them. However, if you are trying to socially distance, you may not want to go in-person. Additionally, most providers have experienced significant slowdowns due to the new practices and procedures necessary to deal with the pandemic.
This means that a lot of people are hesitant to go to their traditional service providers. This is especially true for simple jobs such as oil changes and replacing headlights.
Learn To Maintain and Fix Your Car Yourself
The good news is that you can learn to do almost everything you need for your vehicle. Changing your oil is easy with a few basic supplies. Similarly, anyone can learn how to replace a battery or how to change a headlight in a matter of minutes.
Check out some of the guides online to get started with fixing your car. It may be a good idea to order the service manual. AutoZone has a broad selection of these manuals for just about every vehicle you can think of.
This documentation includes the steps to diagnose problems, how to fix them and which parts you need to order to do so. Although you can learn a lot from online guides, the first-party manual is even better. Combined with a code reader, this information can help you figure out almost every problem you could imagine (and some you can’t).
How To Get Parts
When you want to order parts, one of the best options is to get curbside or in store pickup for car parts. Ordering online for pickup means that you can get your parts quickly. However, you don’t need to browse inside a store or even go near anyone. Just give you information over the phone when you arrive, and you can have the parts brought to your vehicle.
To find the right parts, AutoZone is a great resource again. The website has a filter that lets you choose your vehicle. Using this, you will see only parts that work for your car or truck. With online order pickup, a few parts and tools, and information on how to fix problems, you can handle almost all your maintenance and repair needs during the pandemic. That means you can stay safe while taking care of your car.
Get Started Now
If you are worrying about whether to go to the mechanic during the COVID-19 pandemic, consider a better option. By learning a few basics, you can take care of most problems yourself. This has the added advantage of being fun. It is enjoyable to work on your own vehicle. You’ll enjoy a more rewarding ownership experience, save money and stay safe. What could be better?