Post: #1

I don't know anything about cars beside to change the oil every three months. I like how some cars look but I don't know every make and models like other guys do. I know nothing about maintenance. What's the minimum that I should learn??

Post: #2

Know how to change a tire/check oil/check tire pressure/add washer fluid to say the least

Post: #3

Learn to perform the basic maintenance, and learn every component in the engine block and what it does.

Learning to work on your own shit is one of the most masculine things you can do. Girls love guys that aren't afraid to get greasy.

Post: #4

what sources should i use to read up on cars?

Post: #5

A man shouldnt own a car unless he knows how to:

- fill it with fuel,
- check/change oil and filter,
- Check fluids (and know what low readings mean) top up if required
- Check tire pressure and know how to replace a flat. Rotate tires.
- Use jumper cables properly
- Change all the bulbs

Or just have enough cash to not give a fuck. Pay someone else to do all that for you. The danger in that is you are not in control if something were to happen, so learn how a motor works. Buy a Haynes manual for your vehicle.

Post: #6

Pretty much 90% of car repair can be found on youtube.

Buy some wrenches, go at it. All the mechanical bits are mostly bolted together, hardly anything larger then a 1/2" bolt.

Learn to drive a manual transmission, a dying skill.









Eventually we get to this point

Post: #7

That footage from Le Mans was amazing.

Post: #8

This is a great topic and I'm glad it was brought up. So many guys--like myself--had baby boomer beta dads growing up that didn't teach them basic shit like this.

Post: #9

As the gentlemen said above, know how to drive stick.

Post: #10

Buy a Chilton's or Hayne's book on your car. Probably about $20. Spend some free time flipping through it. Even if you don't do your own repairs you'll learn a lot. It's a handy reference.

Routine maintenance I'd say change your oil every 3000 miles and get your coolant flushed once a year right before the winter.

Pay attention to how it drives and handles. Check your tire pressure once week. The air pressure changes with the seasons. It can actually go too high as well as too low. It's important. I keep a portable air compressor in my trunk. Runs on 12v cigarette lighter power. It's very handy. Good for tires, soccer balls, air mattresses etc. $20.

You should be able to replace headlights and other bulbs and wipers with minimal hand tools.

I get about 400-440 miles to a 15 gallon tank of regular. I don't write it down but I do reset my trip set everytime I fill it up. If the mileage drops below 400 it's probably tune up time. Just pay attention to things like that. Be one with your car.

Post: #11

Minimum

How to drive in all conditions
What to do when you get a flat tire
How to change your wipers, oil, and, air filter
Check your tire pressure and tread
Check your fluids and belts
Keep your car clean and presentable

Tools?

Jack and Jack stands or/and
Ratchet and wrench set
Screw drivers
Oil filter wrench
Funnel, pan

YouTube and forum for your particular car will show you easy or hard any particular repair or modification is.

The real tricky thing is being able to diagnose any given problem.

Post: #12

Unless you DGAF, how to correctly wash and wax and detail
http://www.autopia.org/‎

Post: #13

Know that there are cities like NYC where you don't even need a car, where you don't have to deal with the headaches of new tires, oil, coolant, wiper fluid, brake pads, scratches, accidents, inspection, gas prices...

Where to get food you don't have to drive for several miles, you can walk around the corner. Where really everything is right around the corner. Where you never have to worry about drunk driving.

Living car free is amazing, I feel like a giant weight has been lifted off my back. Higher all around prices are probably offset by not having any automobile related expenses.

Post: #14

Good advice above.

Agree with the Haynes manual for your car. Each book will have a full breakdown on a maintenance schedule, how to do those things, and the equipment you'll need. I'd say about $200 will get you the bare minimum (jack, jackstands, wrench/socket wrench)

Changing your oil, air filter, and tires is easier than you think if you've never done them. I'm by no means a car expert but basic common sense and the ability to follow instructions will take you most of the way.

Do not get your car fixed at dealerships. Get AAA and find a repair shop through them. Even then, try to do as much yourself as possible.

My car recently started rattling. I took it in to two garages and they both told me I needed to replace my catalytic, and my car only has like 20,000 miles (a cat should last 75k-100k) Just by popping the hood and following the rattle I found a metal plate that was rattling, looked at a manual and turns out that plate is the heat shield for the catalytic. Absolutely nothing wrong with the cat itself and both garages wanted to charge me $750 for a new one. I took the heat shield off, threw on a couple washer plates and got the heat shield back on, tightened it as hard as I could, lo and behold the rattling is gone.

Problem is nobody fixes anything anymore. Mechanic hears a rattle and he wants to replace the entire goddamn part. They were gonna charge me $750 for a perfectly fine working part when it was a fix that cost me a few cents. Again I know jack shit about cars but learn the basics, use your male power of observation and go from there. If all else, don't be afraid to call mechanics on their shit or get several opinions.

Post: #15

Reviving thread because this has recently become an issue among my cars and household drivers - know what the warning lights mean and the cost of ignoring them:

Red Battery symbol- low voltage because your alternator is not charging the battery. Can probably drive home if not too far, ~$50-$100 to fix an old battery, corroded terminal, replace alternator, or wiring.

Red Oil symbol - low oil pressure, you're screwed and better pull over as soon as you safely can and shut off the engine. You've got extremely low oil level or low pressure from engine damage. Expect to pay $500-3000 to repair. A flickering oil light means your engine is worn and at low rpm doesn't develop much pressure, put in higher weight old in that old beater.

Yellow check engine light - bad sensor reading going to computer. Scan for codes to see what's up. Could be $0 or $500. OK to drive.

Flashing yellow check engine light - very bad engine problem, like spark plug not firing and raw fuel entering catalytic convertor. Fix ASAP, do not drive. $100-1000.

Tire pressure warning light - your pressure is below 20-25 psi in one OR MORE tires. Maybe got low with outside temperatures dropping, just top it off, or maybe a nail in the tire $25. Maybe your pressure is down to almost zero and you'll need a new tire if you keep driving on it $150.

Airbag light - problem with the system and it won't fire if you're in an accident. I have no idea what this costs, can't be too much I'll guess $200.

Also seconding Parlay44, pay attention to how it handles and sounds, so you get early warning when something changes or is failing.

Post: #16

C'était un rendez-vous

Everyone should know this....

Post: #17

(09-30-2014 08:58 PM)Engineer Wrote:  Reviving thread because this has recently become an issue among my cars and household drivers - know what the warning lights mean and the cost of ignoring them:

Red Battery symbol- low voltage because your alternator is not charging the battery. Can probably drive home if not too far, ~$50-$100 to fix an old battery, corroded terminal, replace alternator, or wiring. Drive it as far as you like if it's a diesel and it's not dark Can also come on if the alternator belt is slipping due to being a touch loose- should be 1/4 to 1/2 a turn if you twist the belt with your fingers. Alternator light often flickers, accompanied by squealing from the belt, after driving through water.

Red Oil symbol - low oil pressure, you're screwed and better pull over as soon as you safely can and shut off the engine. You've got extremely low oil level or low pressure from engine damage. Expect to pay $500-3000 to repair. A flickering oil light means your engine is worn and at low rpm doesn't develop much pressure, put in higher weight old in that old beater. Steady on. Pull over and check it, it most likely just needs a top-up. $5, you're not necessarily screwed.