These days everyone is looking for ways to save money and after seeing the latest repair bill for your 4WD, you may be thinking it’s a good idea to start doing the repairs yourself. After all, you know your way around your 4WD, and what you don’t know can be looked up online, right?
While some vehicle repair and maintenance jobs are simple enough for you to do, e.g. replacing windshield wipers or changing a flat tire, others like replacing airbags or timing belt replacement really should be left to the professionals.
Before proceeding with a DIY 4WD repair, it’s important to weigh both the pros and cons.
The Pros of DIY 4WD Repair
You could save money
Taking your car to a professional mechanic isn’t cheap and with the cost of labor and parts, even a minor repair can leave a dent in your wallet. If you know what you’re doing and have a good source for parts, doing your own repairs can save you money.
You can do it on your schedule
Automotive shops are always busy and even a simple repair job can have you waiting for anywhere between a few hours to a few days which may be inconvenient. However, if you choose to do the repairs yourself, you could pick a time frame that suits you.
You can avoid unnecessary work
We’ve all been there. You take your car to the mechanic and end up with a list of other things they feel should also be fixed. Diagnosing your 4WD problem and fixing it yourself helps you avoid unnecessary work and saves you from getting ripped off by unscrupulous mechanics.
You can learn to modify your 4WD
If you know your way around your rig and have been meaning to add some simple custom Jeep mods, you can take time to learn and do them yourself. There are many online resources from websites to online forums that can help you do a satisfactory job as long as you have the right tools.
It can be fun
If you’re one of those people who like tinkering with their 4WDs, then a DIY repair job may be fun for you. In addition to learning how your car works, you’ll also get a great sense of satisfaction from handling the job yourself.
The Cons
It can cost you more money
Even if you know what you’re doing, you can still make a minor mistake that ends up snowballing into a major problem that costs plenty of money to correct. This is especially true if you’re fairly new to DIY 4WD repairs.
It could invalidate your vehicle’s warranty
Tackling a DIY repair job yourself could void your 4WDs warranty and extended warranty. Before doing any repairs on your own, confirm the terms of your vehicle’s warranty first to see if doing so could invalidate it.
It poses a safety risk
There’s a risk that you may harm yourself while doing 4WD repairs or maintenance. You could splash caustic chemicals on yourself or cut yourself badly when using one of the tools. Alternatively, you may botch the job, placing you and others at risk of something going wrong when you drive your vehicle.
It might bring problems with your insurance
While it may be fine to do simple things like changing spark plugs or making oil changes on your vehicle, your insurance may not be too happy if some jobs aren’t carried out by a trained mechanic. You need to be especially careful with some custom modifications as they may affect future insurance claims.
Some repair jobs are best handled by professionals
No matter how good you think you are, some 4WD repair jobs should just be left to the professionals. This includes things like working on the transmission, overheating issues, or working on airbag systems. Professional mechanics have the tools and training to carry out complex jobs saving you the likelihood of destroying your vehicle.
At Dixie 4 Wheel Drive, our 4WD experts have the necessary training and expertise to tackle any 4WD repair and maintenance job. We also specialize in building custom trucks or Jeeps. If you’re looking for someone to carry out repairs, service, or maintenance on your rig or just want to have some modifications and upgrades done on your 4WD, get in touch with us. We have some great 4X4 package options you can take advantage of as well as custom 4X4 builds to take your ride to the next level.
