Best way to learn

gary

New member
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153
Location
Cleveland
Car
07' Scion tC 5spd
I have a strong passion for cars, but the only problem is I have no idea how to do any work on them. But I want to learn. Any ideas on the best ways to learn how to do engine/suspension or any other car modding/fixing to a car? Should I just mess around with the engine and take it apart and put it back together? Or would taking a class be the best way to learn about cars?

My scion is stock for right now, but I plan on doing a few minor bolt-on mods just for the hell of it, and experience. I plan on getting a TRD axleback, and an aftermarket midpipe, just for the hell of it, and the sound is amazing. Maybe along the road I'll get a CAI and a few other mods...i'm not sure yet..

But before I do anything to my car I have to know how to do it you know what I mean?
So what do you guy's/gals suggest, take an automotive class? or the best way to learn would be to just dive in and start messing with things, trial and error sort of..?

I'm not so sure about going F/I yet, I have no idea how a turbo works or how to maintain a boosted car, and definitely don't know how to install it... or anything to do with the engine as matter of fact... so any ideas?

And what mods do you people think that I should do first, or any mod at all.. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry if i'm bothering anyone by asking all of these noob questions lol, but I just have a real big passion for modding and cars in general..

Thanks, and nice to meet you all...
 
Howdo. When I was young we didn't have much cash so me and dad did a lot of work on cars ourself and its the best way to learn

So if you have a bit of spare cash buy yourself a cheap shed, a decent set of tools and start taking easy things apart like the brakes and suspension and work up from there. That way if you do make a drastic mistake you haven't done it on a car you need or like.
 
Most of what i know is from forums and experienced mates.

best way to start is do a service to you car (oil change, oil filter change, air filter, plugs etc)

Get a haynes/workshop manual for your car

Like Yugguy said get a decent set of tools, you'll only need the basics to start with (socket set, screw drivers, pliers) i know over here you can buy a basic tool kit.

Also try and get a mate that knows what he's doing around a car and pick his brain.

And last of all find out how an engine works, (it sounds daft but before you start work on any car you need to figure out how it works, or you'll just be working blind)

Cheers

Shane
 
Best way to learn is to just get stuck in,once youve messed it up you wont get it wrong twice!!!!!

Oh and pick the brains out of forums,there usually a lot of people with the necesary smarts on them:bigsmile:
 
ha, thanks guys! Yea so I think I'll just try to mess around with my car, or something. But first I'll need the right tools and such, I'll look around, thanks! And yea forums are great, but sometimes searching and understanding the things that people write is hard to understand. So it's best to just do it yourself and try to take things apart and put them back together to find out more about it.
 
There is indeed a lot to be said for taking something apart and re-asmmembling it. Especially if you can get at the job in a nice warm workshop with good lighting.
 
The first real job i done on a car was a head gasket on a 1.4 8v astra, it was mid winter, blowing a good'n and i had to get it done because i needed the car for work, i just used a workshop manual and my ol mans tools, took me 2 days to do it, when i needed parts i had to cycle 5 miles up the road and back.
 
I bought a suzuki sj 413 a coup[le of years ago as i wanted a change from fast cars and track days .
I took it off road once and then commenced ripping all the suspension,wheels,carbs,starter motor,seats ,propshaft,transfer boxes to name just a bit and uprating everything.
I didnt have a clue what i was doing and lost most of my knuckles but , when it all came together and i saw what a monster id created thyen it was all worth the agro!!!!!!

Then i sold it and am after something fast again!!!!
 
lol well I guess forums are my best bet because we don't have any car tools and I can't mess with the car I have now...
 
There is indeed a lot to be said for taking something apart and re-asmmembling it. Especially if you can get at the job in a nice warm workshop with good lighting.


Completely agree with you there P,

But I had to learn outside on my driveway. If it was cold and raining it still had to be done, however I've learnt a hell of a lot doing my car project.
 
The easiest way to learn how everything works is to isolate things. Find out the theory behind different systems, like suspension or brakes. If you look at one system at a time, it is so much easier. Its easiest to start on brakes IMO
 
if your going to start on brakes then PLEASE make sure you have someone that know what they are doing guiding and checking you.
the last thing you want is to find that your brakes fail when you need them
 
I have to disagree with most of the comments. The best way to learn (apart from working in the industry) is to be taught at college, evening classes. etc. This way you learn the correct way to do things. Working on cars without any training is a bit like learning to drive by yourself rather than having lessons. You will probably pass the test in the end but your skill level will be low and will have learnt bad habits and the wrong way to brake, corner, etc.

Once you have learnt the basics and are competent, you can then start to learn the more complicated aspects of car maintenance/repair, modifying.

Although forums are a great for discussions, meeting like minded people and socialising. the problem, IMO, with learning from car forums is you can quite easily get incorrect, or even dangerous, advice. Most people on forums have had little or no formal training (this forum seems to be an exception) and often give cr*p advice, so be careful.
 
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I would agree with OG in principle, there is no substitute for knowledge. Up front training is good grounding in any discipline. My first few jobs when I was a lad were done by well known mechanics/engineers and I would follow what they would do and learn from it. Gradually I would do all of the work and get it checked once completed. At the time I was doing a mechanical engineering apprenticeship so had a certain level of common sense developing and a methodical approach to things as well as understanding what I was doing and why. Once you are profficient in working on cars to the point of it being done by the book and safely then treat everything as just nuts and bolts but built for a specific purpose in mind.

It is quite common to read on other forums owners attempting brakes for the first time and getting terrible advice. There is no such thing as cutting corners or knowing just enough to get by. Only start something when you are totally confident, understand what you are doing and why, have the right tools and an experienced assistance at hand.
 
I don't agree totally. When I was younger we didn't have money for classes, and now I'm older I wouldn't have the time. I learnt by doing. I think I've don't ok which hopefully you will agree when my brake changing article gets put up. My original advice was to get a car to learn on if you can, one that it doesn't matter if you break.
 
I think the key thing here is to have a mentor who knows what he (or she) is doing to guide you and teach you properly.

If you don't know what your'e doing then you will almost certainly end up with injuries let alone a broken car.
 

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