Wiper blades
Blades last six to twelve months, and streaking, chattering or a split rubber edge means they are done. The driver and passenger blades are usually different lengths, and both are listed in the manual. Most cars use a hook-shaped arm. Lift the arm off the glass, press the small tab where the blade meets the arm, and slide the blade down and out of the hook. The new one slides up until it clicks. Lay a folded towel on the windshield first, because a bare metal arm that snaps back can crack the glass.
Exterior bulbs
The manual lists a number for every bulb on the car, and that number is all you need at the store. Work with the lights off and cool.
- Open the hood or the trunk trim panel and find the back of the lamp housing.
- Unplug the connector, then twist the bulb holder a quarter turn counterclockwise or release its wire clip.
- Fit the new bulb without touching the glass, since skin oil creates a hot spot that kills a halogen bulb early.
- Reassemble, then test the light before closing everything up. Replace headlight bulbs in pairs, because the second is rarely far behind the first. Look up the procedure first, as a few cars require removing part of the bumper. Leave factory xenon systems to a shop, since they run at high voltage, and sealed LED assemblies are replaced as a whole unit.
Engine and cabin filters
The engine air filter sits in a black plastic box held shut by metal clips or a few screws. Replace it every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, or sooner on dusty roads. Hold the old one up to the light, and if little light comes through, change it. Note which way it faced and make sure the lid seals all the way around the new one. The cabin filter cleans the air you breathe and usually hides behind the glove box, which unhooks and swings down. Change it every 15,000 miles or once a year, and match the airflow arrow printed on its edge.
What you save
A cabin filter costs $15 to $25 and a shop often charges $70 to $100 to fit it. Blades run $15 to $30 each, and the parts store will usually fit them free.
Tip Walk around the car once a month with the lights on and the hazards flashing, and check the brake lights in the reflection of a store window or garage door. A dead bulb is a common reason for a traffic stop.
