While you may know your way around a car well enough to take care of a few basic maintenance tasks, there are certain jobs that should only be handled by a professional mechanic. Today’s vehicles are built with more complex components than ever before, and it requires a qualified technician with adequate experience and the correct equipment to get you back on the road safely. As such, the following automotive repairs are never recommended as a do-it-yourself project.

Automotive Repairs Best Left in the Hands of a Professional

1. Faulty Brakes

Brakes are an essential safety feature on your car. Once they become worn, it jeopardizes your ability to slow down or stop in time to avoid an accident. Eventually, bad brakes can also damage elements of the suspension system and lead to more expensive automotive repairs.

With something this important, you don’t want to take the risk of doing a brake job yourself. A technician will perform extensive testing to ensure your brakes have been fixed correctly.  

2. Bodywork

Dings, dents, and scratches in your vehicle’s paint job detract from its appearance, and you may be tempted to try buffing them out on your own. However, bodywork is another repair project that benefits from the expertise of a professional.

Often, body panels must be replaced to get the best results, which requires precision and specialized tools. Lack of experience can make the exterior look worse than it did before.

3. Head Gasket Replacement

A blown head gasket can cause a coolant leak and prevent your engine from starting. Although it’s only one part that needs to be replaced, this is one of the most time-consuming and complicated automotive repairs to complete.

It involves removing the exhaust manifold, intake manifold, and valve train just to reach the gasket. The ignition system also needs to be disassembled, and several sensors and wires must be disconnected along the way. As such, a head gasket replacement should be done by someone with the proper knowledge.

4. Transmission Troubleshooting

Modern transmissions are made up of thousands of parts all intricately positioned to work together. If you start taking yours apart, you may not remember how to put it back together. Mechanics receive extensive training on transmission work.

Even cleaning the transmission or changing the fluid improperly can cause serious problems. Additionally, heavy-duty equipment is needed to accurately troubleshoot transmission problems, which is only available at auto shops.

If your car requires bodywork or is having any mechanical or electrical issues that need to be addressed, trust Jerry Ernst Auto Body to get the job done right the first time. They provide quality automotive repairs performed by skilled mechanics who are equipped to service all types of vehicles. For more than 40 years, this locally owned and -operated shop in Cincinnati, OH, has upheld a high standard of excellence for workmanship and is proud to offer cost-effective solutions that last. Call (513) 871-7200 to discuss your car problems or visit their website for more information on what they do.