DIY or pro car care: which one to opt for?
DIY or pro car care: which one to opt for?

DIY vs. Professional Car Care – Which One’s Better?
If you are a vehicle owner, it is always your duty and responsibility to maintain your four-wheeler at its best to ensure durability, optimum performance and security. However, you can manage your vehicle either by yourself or with the aid of a professional. There are pros and cons to both. Here, we have highlighted the causes and effects of DIY vs. pro car care, and when you need to opt for what.
All about DIY car maintenance
DIY car maintenance has its own set of advantages and disadvantages:
Pros
• Pocket-friendly: This is one of the most highlighted advantages of DIY car care. It saves a lot of labour costs.
• Convenience: You can do the necessary according to your convenience without depending on anyone.
• Learning experience: Working on your vehicle gives you an insight into its working mechanism. It proves to be helpful under crucial circumstances.
• Control over the quality: During DIY car care, you can maintain complete control over the quality of fluids and spare parts. You can ensure the best if it is in your hands.
Cons
• Lack of expertise: Since you are not a professional, you often lack the expertise to address a specific issue. This may lead to poor or wrong maintenance, causing more difficulties.
• Limited equipment: Certain maintenance tasks require specific tools and equipment that may not be readily available at home. Equipment acquisition is a pricey affair.
• Time-consuming: DIY car care often proves to be time-consuming, especially if you are a novice. Detecting and addressing a particular issue might take hours.
• Warranty void: DIY car care often risks warranty, as several vehicles exclusively allow maintenance by certified professionals.
All about professional car maintenance
If you take an insight into the pro car care, you will discover both benefits and setbacks here, too.
Pros
• Experience: Pro car care involves experience and expertise. The mechanics are skilled at identifying and sorting various issues that arise.
• Comprehensive services: Pro car care offers a wide range of services, including simple and complicated issues, requiring highly skilled tools and mechanics.
• Warranty protection: Professional car service often ensures warranty protection.
• Easy access to tools: Since the mechanism of a car is complicated, the issues require complicated tools and equipment, which can be easily accessed at a professional centre.
• Time-saving: Professional car service requires much less time due to expertise, experience and facilities.
Cons
• Costly: Branded professional service centres charge more, especially for specialised services. The labour charges are higher too.
• Inconvenient: Professional care often proves to be inconvenient due to the waiting time, appointment booking date, etc.
• Upselling potential: Several service centres may push to sell multiple unnecessary parts and equipment. Know your vehicle requirements precisely to reduce such wasteful financial drainage.
When to choose DIY car maintenance
You can opt for DIY car maintenance during:
• Oil changes: An oil change is a simple task, and you can do it yourself. The equipment is simple and readily available.
• Air filter replacement: Changing the engine and cabin air filters can be easily done at home, as it is simple and requires very few tools.
• Battery replacement: Following the relevant safety precautions, you can easily replace your car battery.
• Tyre rotation: Although a hefty task, this too can be performed at home.
• Replacing the spark plug: This is a very simple job, but ensure to maintain the manufacturer’s guidelines.
When to choose professional car maintenance
You have to opt for professional car maintenance under the following circumstances:
• Engine repairs: This is a serious and complicated issue that requires professional expertise and sophisticated tools.
• Transmission service: This is a highly specialised mechanism and requires special skills and knowledge. Transmission fluid leakage, slipping gears, or delayed shifting require skilled technical knowledge and expert execution.
• Brake service: If there is any issue with the master brake cylinder, ABS, or brake lines, you need professional help without a second thought.
• Steering and suspension: These, too, involve complicated mechanisms and therefore require professional knowledge and expertise.
• Electrical issues: Issues like dead accessories, flashing lights, or battery problems require skilled professional expertise.
Conclusion
Know your limits well and never risk the safety of your vehicle. However, having a reliable car insurance policy is mandatory for every vehicle, not only to meet the legal standards but also to ensure protection and security.
Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.
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