I've been doing my own basic maintenance on my car for a couple years now—oil changes, filters, brake pads, stuff like that. Saved some decent cash and learned a lot from YouTube vids. But lately I'm wondering if maybe I'm missing something important...anyone else feel this way?
Doing your own maintenance definitely has its perks—saving money and gaining hands-on experience is always valuable. But there's a reason professionals exist beyond just convenience. For instance, when I was doing my own brake pads, I thought everything was fine until a mechanic friend pointed out uneven wear caused by a slightly warped rotor. It wasn't something I'd have noticed easily on my own, and it could've led to bigger issues down the road.
Professionals often catch subtle signs of wear or potential problems that DIYers might overlook, simply because they see hundreds of cars and know exactly what to look for. Plus, they have specialized tools and diagnostic equipment that most of us don't keep in our garages. I'm not saying you should stop doing your own maintenance—it's great you're comfortable with it—but maybe consider an occasional professional inspection or tune-up to catch anything you might've missed.
