What Should You Bring Your Car To The Dealership for?

Many car owners learn to DIY a lot of fixes for their cars — after all, some of the fixes are super easy and would save a lot of money versus going to the dealership or mechanic. However, while there are some things that can be easily fixed, there are certain things that should be dealt with by the dealership to make sure that the repair is done properly and won’t affect the safety or performance for your Honda Fit while you’re cruising around Los Angeles with it.

Here is a list of things that you should bring your car to the dealership for, and what you can DIY without risking the integrity of your car:

To The Dealership:

1. Electrical Short
   Having an electrical short in your car is a great fire hazard and is usually identified by that distinctive smell from the wire insulation burning. With the car having so many different wires, it can be hard to find where the exact problem is if you don’t have the knowledge about electrical components.

   It’s best to bring your car in (or get towed there) for this issue. You may think to try tinkering around with the wiring and figuring it out, but the risk of damaging your car further is high, as you could cause more shorts if the wiring is done wrong.

2. Clutch Issues
   If you find that your clutch isn’t working normally, you should immediately bring your car into the dealership service shop. Reaching the clutch to inspect or change it requires many auto components, like the engine, to be moved around and it’s almost impossible to do yourself. The engine is extremely heavy and requires specialized equipment to lift it out.

   Even if you were able to get the engine out to look at the clutch, can you confidently say that you can change the clutch, reconnect everything and place all the components back flawlessly?

3. Engine Problems
   If your engine light is turning on, don’t attempt to fix it yourself! Substituting parts that you think are broken (might not even be that part) will cause a lot of damage to your engine, especially because your engine requires manufacturer-specific parts to work properly.

   Moreover, unless you’re already a seasoned mechanic, you won’t likely be able to put the engine back together in one piece and have it in working condition after taking it apart.

4. Faulty Airbag System
   Fixing your airbag system is the last thing you want to DIY since they deploy with a small pack of explosives to give it the speed and force needed during a collision. It’s extremely dangerous to be working around the system since it can set off the sensors and cause injuries to an unsuspecting person.

   If your airbag lights ever come on, this should be your cue to bring your car in to be inspected by a professional as soon as possible. You don’t want your airbags deploying randomly, or worse, not deploying to protect you if you get into an accident.

5. Windshield Replacement
   The windshield is an integral part of your car’s structure and ensures that the driver and passengers are shielded from the elements and also required for the proper deployment of the passenger-side airbags.

   While small chips can be patched up by yourself, if it’s cracked through completely you should always get your windshield replaced professionally to ensure that it is installed correctly and ensure the safety of your vehicle while it’s on the road.

You Could DIY

1. Oil Changes
   While oil changes can be messy, if you have the proper equipment to perform this task safely, such as a sturdy car jack, and you have space, it is possible to DIY. Have all your tools laid out when you start the task so that everything can be carried out smoothly. Lay out absorbent materials on the ground to prevent spills when you empty out the old oils.

   However, if you just got a new car, like a Honda Accord lease from your Los Angeles dealer, it’s better to go back to them especially if they included free changes! It’s much less of a hassle and definitely stress-free.

2. Engine and Cabin Air Filters
   You can easily change the engine air filter and cabin filter by yourself, and the filters are usually quite cheap compared to doing this at the dealer or mechanic. The engine air filter should be changed between 15,000 and 30,000 miles, depending on your driving conditions (unpaved roads would require changing more often). If you don’t drive much, you should change the filter every 3 years as it becomes more brittle with age.

   Similarly, the cabin air filter should be changed every 15,000 to 25,000 miles. For easier tracking, you can change them both at the same time. Always check the user manual before making any changes to prevent causing any damage by accident.

3. Tire Changes
   It’s a relatively easy process to switch your summer-tires for winter-tires and vice versa — granted that you have the right equipment to do this safely and you know what you’re doing. It’s not worth the risk if you don’t have a proper car jack or tools to mount your tires.

   If you want to have your wheels balanced, you should go to the dealership or mechanic to do so rather than doing a simple tire rotation. This will also extend the life of your set of tires as you’ll have more even wear and tear on each tire.

With this list in mind, you can be wise about what to replace by yourself and what to get done professionally. In the long-run, you’ll be able to save money on repairs as you won’t be creating more problems to fix!

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