Where to start learning about car maintenance as an absolute beginner.

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UsernameLadiesMan217

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We're talking someone who doesn't even know how to do an oil change here.

I read Nicodeamus' thread on his self car maintenance and tbh I don't do any of that, not even a fraction and it made me feel bad, and since I will be buying a cheap car at the end of this year, I need to know these things.

So I thought I'd practise while I can on the current Fiat Palio 2000 model (not sure if that's easy to work on or not).

I also have no idea where the car's manual is, so perhaps I can view one online?

But I'm getting a little scared, I've never checked things like battery water pressure, readjust the handbreak. My dad takes it to his mechanic every 15-20k kilometers, but I don't think it's good enough.

Also, could this be dangerous? Can I touch something and get hurt/die? (Logically I would think no, but I'm being serious here, I don't know anything about cars.)
 
UsernameLadiesMan217 said:
We're talking someone who doesn't even know how to do an oil change here.

I read Nicodeamus' thread on his self car maintenance and tbh I don't do any of that, not even a fraction and it made me feel bad, and since I will be buying a cheap car at the end of this year, I need to know these things.

So I thought I'd practise while I can on the current Fiat Palio 2000 model (not sure if that's easy to work on or not).

I also have no idea where the car's manual is, so perhaps I can view one online?

But I'm getting a little scared, I've never checked things like battery water pressure, readjust the handbreak. My dad takes it to his mechanic every 15-20k kilometers, but I don't think it's good enough.

Also, could this be dangerous? Can I touch something and get hurt/die? (Logically I would think no, but I'm being serious here, I don't know anything about cars.)
Click to expand...

Google.

Seriously, plenty of online resources to start reading.

When you're done with that, get the Haynes manual for your car (if there is one).

If the car is your daily transport I would suggest avoiding anything that will leave it on bricks if you mess things up.

Or next time you take your car for a service, as the mechie if you can sit in and watch, saying you'd like to learn the basics.

Yes, it can be dangerous, but not really life threatening unless you lack all common sense.
 
TehStranger said:
Google.

Seriously, plenty of online resources to start reading.

When you're done with that, get the Haynes manual for your car (if there is one).

If the car is your daily transport I would suggest avoiding anything that will leave it on bricks if you mess things up.

Or next time you take your car for a service, as the mechie if you can sit in and watch, saying you'd like to learn the basics.

Yes, it can be dangerous, but not really life threatening unless you lack all common sense.
Click to expand...

This.
The biggest barrier IMHO is tools - you need a decent set of sockets, spanners and screwdrivers, including odd ones like torx or e-torx bits. A torque wrench. Jacks and jack stands. Then some cars have special tool needs as well (changing the oil filter housing seal on my cars needs a 46mm socket).

Get yourself some liquid gloves too.

And for the safety aspect - common sense and care. Don't work under a car unless it's well supported on PROPER stands. Don't drink the antifreeze. Don't put the battery acid in your eyes. Oh and try and avoid skin contact with used oil (the liquid gloves help somewhat here). Disconnect the battery before doing anything. Don't wear loose clothing if you're going to be near a running engine. Make sure your hair is tied back too if it's long.

Research the job you are doing before you do it, and make sure you have everything you need (new seals/gaskets, gasket maker, ONE TIME USE BOLTS) as it's a real pain to have to go out halfway through a job to buy something - especially when it's sunday, the parts shops are closed and you need the car for work on Monday...
 
Start with getting a Haynes service manual for your car and a decent tool set. It has a step by step guide to do almost anything with pictures. Best way to learn.
 
TehStranger said:
Google.

Seriously, plenty of online resources to start reading.

When you're done with that, get the Haynes manual for your car (if there is one).

If the car is your daily transport I would suggest avoiding anything that will leave it on bricks if you mess things up.

Or next time you take your car for a service, as the mechie if you can sit in and watch, saying you'd like to learn the basics.

Yes, it can be dangerous, but not really life threatening unless you lack all common sense.
Click to expand...
Alrighty! Thanks a lot, will check that out asap. I usually have difficulty having the discipline to teach myself stuff like that on my own, but I'll give it a bash.
Sinbad said:
This.
The biggest barrier IMHO is tools - you need a decent set of sockets, spanners and screwdrivers, including odd ones like torx or e-torx bits. A torque wrench. Jacks and jack stands. Then some cars have special tool needs as well (changing the oil filter housing seal on my cars needs a 46mm socket).

Get yourself some liquid gloves too.

And for the safety aspect - common sense and care. Don't work under a car unless it's well supported on PROPER stands. Don't drink the antifreeze. Don't put the battery acid in your eyes. Oh and try and avoid skin contact with used oil (the liquid gloves help somewhat here). Disconnect the battery before doing anything. Don't wear loose clothing if you're going to be near a running engine. Make sure your hair is tied back too if it's long.

Research the job you are doing before you do it, and make sure you have everything you need (new seals/gaskets, gasket maker, ONE TIME USE BOLTS) as it's a real pain to have to go out halfway through a job to buy something - especially when it's sunday, the parts shops are closed and you need the car for work on Monday...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice as well :)

Daaamn so I actually need money to start off with. I think my dad has some of these tools, I'll have to ask him when he gets home.
 
nah its easy -

Basic tools are sockets, and spanners.

Oilchange - you may need a oil removal tool.

Common sense is the key. ALWAYS check the job out beforehand (like google etc), get the required tools and parts.

DO things systematically. Changing oil is THEEEE easiest. Plugs too. Hect you can do a basic service in 30mins.
Battery water checks and stuff like that is seasonal.
You dont need a manual, most are available as pdf online.

Im not a mechanic, but I have done engine changes, head gaskets clutch changes... WITH my PC in the garage to guide me :)
 
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I was thinking I'd do an oil change first, googled it and see that I need to actually lift the car. Hrmm, I guess I'll start off more basic than that.

Side note: It took me 10 minutes to figure out how to open my bonnet, didn't know there's a latch under the bonnet itself that needs to be pulled -_-
 
To be very blunt here. I learnt most basic car care, including minor service, i.e. spark plugs, oil, etc, in technical high school
 
berrypi said:
nah its easy -

Basic tools are sockets, and spanners.

Oilchange - you may need a oil removal tool.

Common sense is the key. ALWAYS check the job out beforehand (like google etc), get the required tools and parts.

DO things systematically. Changing oil is THEEEE easiest. Plugs too. Hect you can do a basic service in 30mins.
Battery water checks and stuff like that is seasonal.
You dont need a manual, most are available as pdf online.

Im not a mechanic, but I have done engine changes, head gaskets clutch changes... WITH my PC in the garage to guide me :)
Click to expand...

Yes! That motivates me a lot, since I was thinking of buying a less complicated car to work on (apparantly fiats are relatively hard)
 
Hmm I can't seem to load the Haynes website on my browser.

One sec guys I'm gonna upload some pictures, is there supposed to be STRING? attached to my battery?
I'll show you now
23ru6a0.jpg

adnuro.jpg

What purpose could that serve?

Also, judging by the icon, this is where water for the wipers squirt goes?
vr3ic9.jpg
 
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I'd recommend reading your normal manual first. I'm surprised many people don't do this, but if you don't even know how to open a bonnet, you definitely need to RTFM. Beyond that, yes Google and Youtube are your friends.

Also, be careful about asking for car advice on MyBB, or you'll spend days looking for your extra reserve tank under the back seat, or pay R90 000 for an ancient Monza.
 
TJ99 said:
I'd recommend reading your normal manual first. I'm surprised many people don't do this, but if you don't even know how to open a bonnet, you definitely need to RTFM. Beyond that, yes Google and Youtube are your friends.

Also, be careful about asking for car advice on MyBB, or you'll spend days looking for your extra reserve tank under the back seat, or pay R90 000 for an historically significant Monza.
Click to expand...

FTFY ...
 
I grew up in a very technical suburb of Pretoria and my dad taught me most of the stuff that I know. Fixing a car is like learning how computers work, it takes time, but eventually you will get the grasp of it.

Your first real lesson will be once your car fails.
 
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berrypi said:
get a golf... been:whistle: making mechanics out of men since 1979
Click to expand...

Golfs or Opels are really easy to work with. The Toyota Corolla (old models) are also relatively easy to understand.

I won't even try to change the wipes of a fancy mercedes, which is why I don't like buying expensive cars.
 
Sinbad said:
The biggest barrier IMHO is tools - you need a decent set of sockets, spanners and screwdrivers, including odd ones like torx or e-torx bits. A torque wrench. Jacks and jack stands. Then some cars have special tool needs as well (changing the oil filter housing seal on my cars needs a 46mm socket).
Click to expand...

BMW? Merc? Has to be one of the big four, VW, Audi, Mercedes or BMW.

I'm leaning towards Merc or BMW. They love those odd sockets. Particularly BMW esp on their motorcycles.
 
TJ99 said:
I'd recommend reading your normal manual first. I'm surprised many people don't do this, but if you don't even know how to open a bonnet, you definitely need to RTFM. Beyond that, yes Google and Youtube are your friends.

Also, be careful about asking for car advice on MyBB, or you'll spend days looking for your extra reserve tank under the back seat, or pay R90 000 for an ancient Monza.
Click to expand...

I just joined a Fiat forum, albeit it seems pretty dead and I'm having a hard time opening the Haynes webpage, but I'll keep on trying.

Yeah I definitely need to read as much as possible. When my dad comes home maybe he will know where the actual manual is.
 
XennoX said:
BMW? Merc? Has to be one of the big four, VW, Audi, Mercedes or BMW.

I'm leaning towards Merc or BMW. They love those odd sockets. Particularly BMW esp on their motorcycles.
Click to expand...

Merc M112 motor (v6 3.2)
 
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