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Interested in doing my own car maintenance.. Advice?
superboyac:
Cars need a lot less maintenance nowadays than they used to, and a lot of the maintenance they do need is not something that you can do yourself. It is often said that cars today are basically computers with wheels. All new cars sold in the US since 1996 are required to have an accessible OBD-II port (On-Board Diagnostics). You can buy an inexpensive device to check the diagnostic codes if you get an engine check light, but the equipment you would need to do any serious troubleshooting or tuning can cost more than the car itself.
The most important thing is to follow the manufacturer’s schedule for changing oil, filters and other fluids, but given your projected usage, you (or your car) might die of old age before you need to replace a spark plug. You won’t save much money doing the ordinary things yourself, but it can be interesting, at least for a while.
I’d suggest looking for an introductory course in auto repair at a local technical school. It will be well worth your while if you actually do decide you want to do your own maintenance.
-xtabber (March 11, 2015, 08:18 PM)
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Yes, I was just going to say this. Get one of those apps or software that you can plug in and get all that mechanic info. I've been meaning to get one myself.
mouser:
I think you guys are forgetting who you are takling to... :-\
First thing I did when i got the car was get an OBD2 scanner.. Then torque for android to let me analyze data further.
Read my car manual cover to cover several times, got the service manual for it and browsed through that.
And then I watched dozens of videos over and over about doing maintenance.
Then read 1000s of forum posts on my specific car, and cars in general.
Then bought several large books on how cars work and how to maintain your car and read them cover to cover.
Etc, etc.
MilesAhead:
I think you guys are forgetting who you are takling to... :-\
First thing I did when i got the car was get an OBD2 scanner.. Then torque for android to let me analyze data further.
Read my car manual cover to cover several times, got the service manual for it and browsed through that.
And then I watched dozens of videos over and over about doing maintenance.
Then read 1000s of forum posts on my specific car, and cars in general.
Then bought several large books on how cars work and how to maintain your car and read them cover to cover.
Etc, etc.
-mouser (March 12, 2015, 06:06 PM)
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Sounds way easier than when I started. All I had were Peterson books that had lots of pictures with big arrows. Also a book on automotive internal combustion engine theory.
If you want to save yourself some grunts and groans get one of those telescoping magnet pickups. It seems little screws always land in inaccessible places. Also a grabber wouldn't hurt. Some of the fasteners are aluminum these days. The magnet does no good. :)
Target:
I think you guys are forgetting who you are takling to... :-\
First thing I did when i got the car was get an OBD2 scanner.. Then torque for android to let me analyze data further.
Read my car manual cover to cover several times, got the service manual for it and browsed through that.
And then I watched dozens of videos over and over about doing maintenance.
Then read 1000s of forum posts on my specific car, and cars in general.
Then bought several large books on how cars work and how to maintain your car and read them cover to cover.
Etc, etc.
-mouser (March 12, 2015, 06:06 PM)
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sounds like we should be asking you for advice now ;D ;D ;D
but seriously, and in light of the above, what are you having trouble with?
Vurbal:
One thing I would do once you have your setup for raising the car and pulling wheels, is check the disk brakes. What happens especially when the calipers have a lot of time since the last service(or they never were serviced) is you push the piston(s) all the way in so that you can fit the new brake pads in. This pushes the crud clinging to the piston through the seal inside the caliper. Typically that is when they hang. Usually after you drive the car for a few days one gets "frozen" so that the brake on that wheel drags. You used to be able to tell by the car pulling to that side when you jabbed the brakes. But with the computer controlled systems now you might not notice until stuff on that wheel overheats.
I got around it on an old Chevy Impala because in the shop there was a pile of Chevy disk brake pads we removed waiting to be sent for relining. I picked out those about 70% worn and slid them in without having to do the caliper rebuild. Just turning the rotors. Nice and cheap. $0 for parts. :) The moral of the story being never assume you can just put new pads in. You may be lucky but more often than not it doesn't last. You can end up wiping out the other brake and wheel components.
-MilesAhead (March 12, 2015, 05:43 AM)
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I had that happen to me on the old ('92) cop car I owned. The one brake job I did turned into a major nightmare before I even got started, when the Napa counter monkey couldn't figure out the rear disc brakes. Fortunately, I had a friend with his own shop who was trading car repairs for computer work.
I left the rear brakes for him because it was pulling badly to the right when I hit the brakes, and I didn't want to open that can of worms in my driveway. I don't remember what all had to be replaced when everything was said and done, but it was extensive. I knew enough about cars to know when I'm in over my head
I miss that car, but it needed too much work to justify keeping it.
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