I (34 F) was stressing out today because I had a busted tail light but also a bunch of work calls I couldn't miss. I was worried about having to drop it at a shop and wait around/ awkwardly take a consulting call in a waiting room.
I asked an AI tool how long the repair typically takes, and it basically told me I was wasting my time and money if I went to a mechanic. It gave me a YouTube tutorial for my specific make and model and a picture of the exact bulb I needed…. 🤯
I went to Walmart, grabbed the bulbs for $7.48, and changed it right there in the parking lot. No tools required. I’m honestly shocked at how easy it was. And I don't even want to know how much money I saved.
For people like me who basically only know how to drive and pump gas, I highly recommend double-checking "complex" repairs before assuming you need a pro. Seriously mind blown rn.
I know nothing about cars, but today I used AI to fix a tail light for $7.48
byu/Humbled_by_it inFrugal
Posted by Humbled_by_it
7 Comments
yep, like 99% of basic car maintenance can be done at home with minimal tools
Great job!
A lot of this maintenance info is in your manual too. The first time I got a flat, I used the manual to teach me how to properly put the spare on.
If you have downtime in your car, thumb through the manual and see what other things are in it that you can handle yourself!
YouTube is good. Don’t trust AI for advice on repairs. It might tell you to use the wrong oil or put it in the wrong reservoir or something like that.
Thank you, AI! Who would have thought that replacing a light bulb could be so easy?
I fix my own everything, but I’m a highly skilled technician. There’s a tutorial on YouTube for everything it’s the greatest education platform of all time, that and some confidence and you can fix or build anything.
My battery stopped working during a long road trip. I had packed mechanics tools and a strong flashlight. I used YouTube to change my battery in the parking garage. I was able to Uber to an auto shop to get a new battery. I have a normal and popular car model, so I’m lucky there.
I have AAA but didn’t want to use it for that. I’m down to try fixes that don’t include hoisting my car.
Also. I highly recommend getting a Haynes manual for your car. It has a complete teardown with visuals for most of the maintenance and repair needs. I had one with another car, but thanks to this post I have just put it on the shopping list. The Haynes manual helped me replace my headlight assembly.
You couldn’t navigate YouTube search bar yourself?
Save the environment and yourself the learned helplessness and just Google and YouTube it yourself.