Working on your own car comes with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, plus it's also a great way to save on expensive labor costs. However, there are some repairs are better left to those trained and certified to handle the work. Here's a list of auto repairs you should leave in the hands of professional mechanics and technicians.
Body Work
Whether it involves a few minor dents or a complete rebuild after a serious accident, a lot of work goes into repairing your vehicle's body work. While you may be able to touch up a few paint chips or even knock out a dent or two, you won't be able to reliably perform any major body work unless you have the right tools and years of body repair experience.
Getting the perfect results also takes plenty of practice, especially when it comes to paint. The professionals understand the preparation, techniques and tools needed for the best results, as well as the variables to consider during the entire process.
Windshield Replacement
A DIY windshield replacement sounds like an easy task, but it's actually one fraught with plenty of risks. For starters, there's the risk of the windshield leaking due to insufficient or improper sealing. There's also the risk of damaging the windshield itself - a minor crack can turn into a major setback.
Not only do you get high-quality results with a professional replacement, but you'll also have a warranty to rely on in case there's anything wrong with your professionally-installed windshield.
Clutch Replacement
For some people, replacing a clutch is a fun weekend spent tinkering with the vehicle they love to drive. For others, it's a time-consuming, labor-intensive ordeal with plenty of heavy lifting involved. Most jobs require the transmission to be moved out of the way while others require complete engine removal.
If you have neither the time nor the mechanical aptitude to deal with a clutch replacement, you're better off letting your mechanic deal with it.
A/C System Recharge
Aside from the environmental dangers of handling modern refrigerants, working on your car's A/C system can be a dangerous task if you don't have the right tools and the right training. A typical A/C system operates under very high pressures, making it dangerous to handle without the proper safety precautions in place.
Recharging your A/C system without the right refrigerant or the correct steps can easily lead to widespread damage, rendering the system unusable until it's repaired at considerable expense. For these reasons, an A/C system recharge is a task you'd want a professional to take care of.
Air Bag Service
Air bags are an integral part of your vehicle's crash safety system. They're also dangerous for DIYers to work on or around due to the explosive charges they rely on. Air bags use these charges to quickly and consistently deploy split-seconds after the point of impact, protecting both driver and passengers in the event of a crash.
The explosive power required for air bags to deploy during a crash also makes servicing or working around them exceptionally dangerous unless the right safeguards are in place. If your air bag light suddenly comes on and stays on for any reason, you're better off having your trusted technician take care of the troubleshooting and repairs.
Suspension Alignment
Accurate alignment helps reduce tire wear while ensuring the vehicle tracks straight and true. This requires specialized tools capable of accurately aligning the wheels to within the manufacturer's specifications. Unfortunately, you won't get that level of accuracy by attempting a vehicle alignment on your own. Alignments and other suspension repairs are best left in the hands of experienced professionals.