The automobile you drive is nothing like the one your parents drove.  With the advent of computers, new types of engines, engine accessories, power windows, brakes and climate control, plus a million other components, one has to wonder if repairing such a mechanical beast is within ones realm of capability. Don’t fret; with all the new fangled “stuff”, it is still just an engine. With that in mind, there are many things that must be taken into account when deciding on whether to repair an auto yourself, having a shop look at it or taking it to an automobile dealership.
The first thing to consider is the type of auto you might be working on. Lower price range autos VS. mid-price range vs. luxury brands all have their nuances. Chevrolet and Buick (in the USA market) are generally easier to work on as parts and expertise is readily available. Domestic brands are the most popular as they are the most available in any given market. Foreign autos to the US market such as Audi, BMW or Mercedes are not only expensive to purchase but harder to work on - since their technologies are somewhat unfamiliar to the domestic market.
Once you’ve reconciled your brand, you are ready for the diagnosis (also called “troubleshooting”). Much like your doctor, auto repair requires a finesse or touch that can be learned with time, patience and some good ole money for parts. The diagnosis will enable you to determine if the problem is fuel related, electrical related, engine related or a myriad of other problems. However, with today’s technology, many of these diagnoses are as simple as a hook-up of a code reader to your car’s computer and just like magic, problems can be pinpointed. Most auto repair stores, shops or even dealers will read codes for free in hopes you will have any identified problem repaired there.
After a problem is identified, it is generally as easy as picking up the parts and a repair manual to tell you what components might have to be removed, and some specialized tools that might be required. Also, some problems can be identified by the way an engine is performing when it is running, or trying to run. If it is running “rough” (it might be a fuel mixture problem), if it is running well but the car won’t move (a transmission or drive train problem) or even if it won’t stay running after starting it might be a mechanical problem.
With all the things that it might be, one has to decide if the auto is even worth fixing. For instance a car might be 12 years old and paid for, but if it requires a $4000 transmission it might be more prudent to purchase a new vehicle and not have to deal with the problems that come with an older vehicle. With all these things to consider – type of vehicle, diagnosis, picking up the repair items or the way an engine runs, you might wish to have someone else do it. But that generally always costs more than doing it yourself.