Absolute Beginners Car Maintenance

[zarjaz1991]

So…here’s young Scott deciding finally, after many years of this being something of an Achilles heel, to sort something major out.

Please don't take the Michael here, this is absolutely genuine and since I've been in "confess all" mode these past few weeks, I'm minded to finally sort this out.

I’m a car enthusiast, a driving enthusiast – but I know next to nothing about car mechanics or basic maintenance. There. I've said it.

I mean, I’ll be clear – I can change a wheel, I can check oil, water, stuff like that. And I know some people can't even do that. So I'm not right at the bottom of the pile. But ask me to change a brake pad or change the oil? No. Not happening.

It’s been a blind spot for as long as I can remember and I have absolutely no idea why. I went into IT straight from school and I’m great at that and I guess that’s where my focus lay and nothing else mattered.

I have always dismissed this sort of stuff - in my own head as well as in response to others - with "oh I'd be no good at that stuff". But why? I've never tried, I can't know.

And so now, I want to put that right.

Let me be clear – I’m not after a career change. I’m not looking to be able to rebuild gearboxes or engines.
I just want a basic level of knowledge that I really should have, but don’t. And for some reason I’ve suddenly become quite appalled and ashamed at this, and now I want to fix it.

Herein lies the challenge.

1. I need a face to face course. Following videos is no use at this stage because I don’t even know the very basics. (And I have no tools currently, nor a car I don't mind messing up!)
2. None of my local colleges run such short courses in the evenings
3. There is one – at Solihull, which is a bit of trek but it's a six week course one evening a week so I’ll happily do it. BUT the next one in November is full – with 17 on the waiting list!
They are likely to run another in the new year and I want to get on that but there really is nothing else unless I want to commit to a full academic year, five evenings a week for a “Level 1 Diploma” which is way above what I need and I cannot commit that amount of time, it’ll burn me out (quite apart from all the working away I have to do).

I also don't have ANY tools. Like, none. That's also worth bearing in mind. And I probably need to fix that, but there isn't a big budget here either.

Dilemmas abound. Suggestions welcome, particularly if anyone knows anything within striking distance of Leicestershire!

Scott

[RizzoTheRat]

Are there any local car clubs around? Some have meets where people will be happy to help. I joined the owners forum for my motorbike and we used to have occasional "fettle days" were a group would meet up and help out a few people who wanted to do some maintenance jobs. There's also a few "men in sheds" type organisatons around who will plenty of knowledgeable people happy to help, especially if you can offer some IT help in return. https://menssheds.org.uk/find-a-shed/

For tools, the Halfords Advance stuff is good, not too expensive, and comes with a lifetime warranty. If you keep an eye out they often have stuff on sale, especially coming up to Christmas. However you will want quite a few, a decent socket set for starters, then you'lll need screw drivers and hex drivers, often bought as a set, maybe some open spanner, and consider a torque wrench. As a beginner finding a group who will let you use thier tools is a lot simpler, and you'll be able to find out what you actually need.

You might think video's aren't any use, but there are so many on youtube you can usually find one for a specific job on your particular vehicle, so worth picking one job and searching for a video on how to do that. However there's a lot of peace of mind of having a person at a meet or course to ask for advice or to check your work, especially if doing things to your brakes.

Edited by RizzoTheRat on Monday 29th September 15:38

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Home car mechanical works are largely a thing of the past aren't they?

Back in the day we (nearly) all knew how to do major jobs because we had to, almost daily!

The way most of us learned was when we HAD to. Haynes manual in one hand & dad's tools in the other. We gradually acquired tools to do specific jobs as and when.

You've disregarded Youtube, but you really can learn a lot, even as a novice. Pick up an old random Haynes manual from a charity shop & read it. That'll soon put you off DIY

[ARH]

Plenty of talk here over the years on buying tools, but a halfords type set with sockets screwdrivers and spanners will get you off to a good start. A good jack and axle stands will be essential as well.

I have no idea about courses or such as I am self taught and been messing with cars since the mid 70's.

If you are short of cash this may be difficult if you need your car to "just work", as when learning you will end up in situations which make your car unusable for a day or 2, it will happen and has happened to us all. This will just put you off. And waiting for your car to need work is going to take a long time to build confidence.

The easy way is to find a scrap car, that has good youtube coverage and get in and take bits off and put them back on. It wont matter then if you get stuck, you can just walk away, and come back with a clear head the next day.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Home mechanics is a hideous occupation, especially if your car is broken & you need it!

I tried to change the diff on my MG roadside in the snow in 1986. I got so cold I could get my hands to take my overalls off when I got inside.

I vowed from that date I'd never do a thing again...and I never did! (despite owning TVRs for 25 years )

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Note the snow on top of the hat! Never do this (and the colour of my hands )

[zarjaz1991]

RizzoTheRat said:

Are there any local car clubs around? Some have meets where people will be happy to help. I joined the owners forum for my motorbike and we used to have occasional "fettle days" were a group would meet up and help out a few people who wanted to do some maintenance jobs. There's also a few "men in sheds" type organisatons around who will plenty of knowledgeable people happy to help, especially if you can offer some IT help in return. https://menssheds.org.uk/find-a-shed/

For tools, the Halfords Advance stuff is good, not too expensive, and comes with a lifetime warranty. If you keep an eye out they often have stuff on sale, especially coming up to Christmas. However you will want quite a few, a decent socket set for starters, then you'lll need screw drivers and hex drivers, often bought as a set, maybe some open spanner, and consider a torque wrench. As a beginner finding a group who will let you use thier tools is a lot simpler, and you'll be able to find out what you actually need.

You might think video's aren't any use, but there are so many on youtube you can usually find one for a specific job on your particular vehicle, so worth picking one job and searching for a video on how to do that. However there's a lot of peace of mind of having a person at a meet or course to ask for advice or to check your work, especially if doing things to your brakes.

Thanks, yeah with the videos I think once I've got the very basics they will be of some use but not having done ANYTHING like this before makes it very tricky to get started with a video. I mean, I've used screwdrivers and that really is about your lot tools wise.

Scott

[zarjaz1991]

ARH said:

Plenty of talk here over the years on buying tools, but a halfords type set with sockets screwdrivers and spanners will get you off to a good start. A good jack and axle stands will be essential as well.

I have no idea about courses or such as I am self taught and been messing with cars since the mid 70's.

If you are short of cash this may be difficult if you need your car to "just work", as when learning you will end up in situations which make your car unusable for a day or 2, it will happen and has happened to us all. This will just put you off. And waiting for your car to need work is going to take a long time to build confidence.

The easy way is to find a scrap car, that has good youtube coverage and get in and take bits off and put them back on. It wont matter then if you get stuck, you can just walk away, and come back with a clear head the next day.

Yep I guess this is less about actually ending up working on my own cars - though that might come later - and more about even being able to understand what goes on and what gets done. I've got two cars so in theory one being off the road for a bit while I did something isn't an issue but by the same token it's going to be some time before I trust myself to do anything on a car I'm going to be driving. Though eventually I'd like to get to that point.

Scott

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

zarjaz1991 said:

Thanks, yeah with the videos I think once I've got the very basics they will be of some use but not having done ANYTHING like this before makes it very tricky to get started with a video. I mean, I've used screwdrivers and that really is about your lot tools wise.

Scott

Most of us started with a hammer and an adjustable spanner. Then came mole grips and pliers.

Add a socket set & Robert is your mother's brother.

[zarjaz1991]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Most of us started with a hammer and an adjustable spanner. Then came mole grips and pliers.

Add a socket set & Robert is your mother's brother.

I get that but I've no idea what I'm doing and have absolutely no confidence. It's quite a weird situation to find yourself in, to want to do this but be largely clueless. But I have a determination to get past it.

Scott

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

zarjaz1991 said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Most of us started with a hammer and an adjustable spanner. Then came mole grips and pliers.

Add a socket set & Robert is your mother's brother.

I get that but I've no idea what I'm doing and have absolutely no confidence. It's quite a weird situation to find yourself in, to want to do this but be largely clueless. But I have a determination to get past it.

Scott

Mate, none of us knew what we were doing until we did it!

[Pistom]

I feel the biggest barrier is confidence in what you're doing.

You're unlikely to have confidence at the beginning but the first time you do a job successfully, it starts to build your confidence.

Watching videos is a big help as it gives you an idea of what to expect.

[zarjaz1991]

Pistom said:

I feel the biggest barrier is confidence in what you're doing.

You're unlikely to have confidence at the beginning but the first time you do a job successfully, it starts to build your confidence.

Watching videos is a big help as it gives you an idea of what to expect.

Yeah this is my chicken and egg situation.

I'm wondering if there's anything really basic on a Mk4 Mondeo (I've two, a diesel and a petrol) that I could look to learn how to do myself with a video, that's essentially very simple to do. Something inexpensive so I could have a go at it even if it doesn't actually need doing, if you see what I mean.

Maybe that's the starting point if I'm going to have to wait til next year for this course.

because you're right...if I do that, research it, get hold of the required tools and part(S) and actually do it, even if it's a really simple job, it will take my confidence up a notch.

I mean...not mechanics but, these cars, the keys in them keep needing new batteries and there was a time I'd have just got my local garage to do it, but recently I've followed a video and can now do it myself. Not at the same level but it's the same principle.

Scott

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Pistom said:

I feel the biggest barrier is confidence in what you're doing.

True.

Perhaps not try an engine transplant as the first job

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

We even made the ramps!

[Bill]

You're in the very fortunate position. You have a spare car so no pressure to rush. They're old enough to be simple but not so old they need loads of fettling. And they're cheap enough that (Your weird attachment to them notwithstanding... ) it doesn't matter if you balls it up.

Start with basic maintenance like changing wiper blades, removing a wheel then move up to servicing like an oil change or doing the brake pads. YouTube is an amazing resource.

[borcy]

You mentioned yt but try looking for some tool channels on there.
There's a married couple that start with the basics, this is a screwdriver, this is what its used for etc through to drills hammer action etc.
Can't remember what the name is but try basic hand tools explianed.

[Smint]

Most blokes i know that look after their own started tinkering with their mates and because well we were all bloody penniless keeping our old bangers going via scrap yard parts, we simply hadn't got the money to pay garages to work on our cars.

Got any mechanically handy mates? no harm in going and joining your mate when he (or she, my daughter isn't afraid to get stuck in) is next doing some jobs, even if you're there handing tools over and making the tea you'll soon pick the basics up.

Even the lads at the workshop who look after our trucks get together when major jobs need doing on their own cars, several hands make light work of the worst of jobs and between them they'll have every tool needed.

Luckily due to how the houses are laid out i can't be seen tinkering but can see out, can't say i've seen another single bonnet raised even to check the oil for years.

[Sir Keith Stormer]

I got lucky as my dad was an engineer but I’m not wired up the same way and have always been far better at mental stuff and brainwork than practical endeavours so wasn’t exactly a chip off the old block. He knew this so started me off on oil changes, it’s one bolt, under supervision of course, he didn’t assist, just watched. After a couple of those it held no fear. We then progressed to air and fuel filters, spark plugs so after a bit I could service my car without any help.
Moved onto brake pads, suspension arms, exhausts, once you get a little bit of confidence and a few years of experience then there’s not much where you need a garage, I haven’t used one in 30 years.
I did inherit his vast array of tools on his passing which helped and I’ve added to it since, getting started is the hardest part, once you’re into the swing of things it gets easier believe me, and I’m in no way what you would call “naturally gifted” when it comes to practical stuff.

[zarjaz1991]

Bill said:

You're in the very fortunate position. You have a spare car so no pressure to rush. They're old enough to be simple but not so old they need loads of fettling. And they're cheap enough that (Your weird attachment to them notwithstanding... ) it doesn't matter if you balls it up.

Start with basic maintenance like changing wiper blades, removing a wheel then move up to servicing like an oil change or doing the brake pads. YouTube is an amazing resource.

Wiper blades is a good shout, I actually used to do that myself on my old Mk3 Mondeo but it seems not to be as straightforward on the Mk4, you can't even lift them off the windscreen, there's a technique to it but I've forgotten what it is.

I can take a wheel off, I've been fortunate not to have had a puncture in a long time (and the last one was in such a dangerous spot I had to call the AA or I'd have got mown down). But I could definitely change a wheel (these cars have skinny spares and a rather pathetic jack but it's enough to do that).

Maybe brake pads is a good start but if I get it wrong I'm toast! Maybe I'm looking to start with something less safety critical.

Scott