On-board computers, electronic controls and digital displays have abolished the days when you, the average guy, could sort of get away with doing your own 'repairs'. Now fairly basic rejigs, like changing brake pads or replacing an air filter can get dicey, with computer systems monitoring everything and setting off warning lights at the slightest deviation.

BUT, don't fear, courtesy of our friends at Autotrader.com, FHM has some old tricks hidden up our oil stained sleeves, that might just save you some money and more importantly fill you with an enormous amount of self-worth.

1. The home oil change

The home oil change is the blue square ski trail or class III rapids of do-it-yourself auto maintenance: hard enough to impress the novice but not so easy as to bring disdain from the expert. It requires some tools - your hands will get dirty and your friends will be impressed. You’ll need: A special wrench to reach, remove and replace the oil filter, a pan to collect the old oil and a new oil filter.

Check the owner’s manual for the grade and amount of oil you’ll need, and buy an extra bottle or two in case you spill some or use it to top off your oil between changes. Warm the car up a bit before you start in order to warm up the oil, which will help it drain out easier.

2. Keep the tires topped off

Improperly inflated tires can rob you of valuable miles per gallon and will wear unevenly, meaning you’ll have to replace them sooner. Pick up a tire pressure monitor, which run anywhere from $3 for a simple device to $60 for more exacting ones, and check your tire pressure. Your recommended tire pressure will be noted in the owner’s manual, on the tire itself and/or on a sticker on the car (sometimes in the driver’s side door well). You can top up your tires if necessary at most gas stations and car washes.

3. Change your tires

And while we’re talking about tires, changing a tire is still one of the simplest things you can do yourself. Most new cars come with the equipment you’ll need – a spare, a jack and a tire iron. If you’ve purchased a used car that doesn’t have these things, an auto supply store is likely to have these items available for your make and model. Do a dry run of changing the tire so you know how the jack works, where the spare tire is, etc. You don’t want the first time you try this to be on the side of the road during a rain storm. Also, check the spare tire’s pressure from time to time to make sure it’s still usable.

4. Paintwork maintenance

For small scrapes, scratches and dings in your paint, a quick swipe with some touch-up paint will spare yourself a trip to the repair shop. It won’t be perfect or hold up on close examination, but to the casual viewer, your ride will look fine. Most auto stores carry a wide variety of touch-up paints so, for small jobs, you're likely to find one that closely matches your car’s paint color. Ignoring those small scratches and scrapes can cause bigger problems. Chipped paint can rust and turn into little craters in the paintwork.

5. Windshield woes

Windshield wiper blades are one of the few things that haven’t changed since, it seems, dinosaurs roamed the earth. If you’re finding the blades aren’t sweeping all the water off the windshield when it rains, or they're leaving streaks or appear frayed, it might be time to replace them. You can pick up new wiper blades that match your car’s make and model at most auto supply stores or order them through your dealer. They’ll usually run you between $10 and $25 per blade and most can be replaced easily. While at the store, pick up a jug of wiper fluid to have handy when the reservoir in your car runs out.