It used to be a lot easier to DIY car repairs than it is today. For example, I could do almost all the work needed to maintain my 70s-era Datsun B210 to the point of even swapping out the engine myself. Changing the plugs, distributor cap and brake pads, servicing the cooling system, replacing the starter and many other essential tasks were well within my scope.

These days, I wouldn’t even think of sticking my nose — or my tools — into a modern, computerized engine. Even changing the spark plugs on my Subaru is a challenge I won’t accept, because the placement of the plugs calls for an amount of labor far above my current pay grade. That doesn’t mean, however, that there aren’t plenty of maintenance jobs modern drivers like me (and you) can DIY to save money and hassle.…