I know this sounds like a stupid question, but I really want to learn about car/truck maintenance and repair, but I know NOTHING currently. What is the best way to learn? Should I buy an old beater and try to figure things out myself? Are there any good books on the topic? I don't really have any friends who know a lot, and between school and work I don't really have the time to befriend my local mechanic...any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I'm new to the Ford family and don't want to get left in the dust...

 

Read LOTS of books and tinker with your own vehicle...

 

You could also check out your local community college for an auto maintenance/repair course. You'd learn a lot and at a reasonable cost. I agree with Torque - the best way is the hands-on approach. Of course, if you have any questions, make sure you post them - I'm sure someone here has the answer.

Good luck!

 

Hey there txhurrican and welcome to FTE! I was lucky some years ago in high school. We actually had a class that offered small engine repairs. I sgned up and never looked back. I was too young to have a car of my own, so I made friends with guys who did. I watched alot in the beginning, and then just started grabbing wrenches.
If you are genuinely serious about your future, you need to set some goals and priorities. I don't know how old you are or what part of the country you reside. If I could do things over today, I would get involved with any type of Organized Racing. The technology is great! And the Big 3 get most of their ideads and talent from this area.
If you aren't that serious, go out and spend a few hundred dollars on some Craftsman tools and start a Mobile, Small Engine Repair business. Find motors, tranny's from tractors and lawn gardens, and tear them apart, put them back together. Blow a few motors, to see what happens when you forget to add oil. Just have fun. Maybe your friends will become involved, if they see how much fun you're having! Talk with you again....

 

Some good ideas mentioned.

I agree with the community collage. I took a auto mechanics class in our community collage way back in.....oh well, doesn't matter.

First you will lean the basics. Tools, shop safty, 2 and 4 cycle theory and so forth. Usually after spending some time in the text book, the class will bring in a car to tinker on. In my class my car was choosen to be the class project for a day. Mine was the perfect example of a car in need of some serious maintenance. But I got a free oil change.

If a collage course in auto machanics isn't in the picture now for what ever reason, go to the collage book store and get a text book on auto machanics. You can learn a lot from a text book. Better than a service manual for learning the basics. A text book will teach you how things work. From carburators to alternators, it's all in there. Your local libarary or book store may have some good books on learning basic auto machanics. Plus a shop manual for your own vehicle. Good luck and welcome to FTE!

 

Don't forget the local library. Its free, and usually has many different books on the topic.

 

Go to library and grab a illustrated how does it work book.
Understand the basic theory behind a two stroke, four stroke and rotary engine to the point where you can talk discuss it confidently - ask questions here. Then look into the specifics of the engine you're looking to repair or modify - other method is buy a beater as your primary vehicle and be forced to learn as you go along.

 

I had a buch of stuff writtin and the my stupid pc froze, so here we go again. If you want to learn the newest vehicles, and be on the cutting edge of vehicle technology, find a school. Besides very good classroom material (About 80% of learning modern cars is classroom info), the instructor will have lab mock-ups, and designed lab jobs with instructions and performance requirements that maximize classtime and really help you understand how the vehicle works. Plus you will get acess to tools and equipment that us weekend techs. could only dream of. I wouldn't go buy a beater for a project vehicle. You'll spend more time figting rust and pouring money into it, than you will be learning about automotive technology. I would buy a truck (easier to work on) that is 1996 or newer (OBD II). These vehicles have computers that all use the same codes, the same diagnostic ports, and they have most features found on the latest model year vehicles. I'm blessed because my H.S. Auto teacher, and program is one of the best in the country. Our teams place in the to 10 every year at Ford Student Nationals, and 2 first places at National VICA. (Myself in Power Equipment Technology, and a freind of mine in Automotive.)

 

I had a bunch of stuff writtin, and the my stupid pc froze, so here we go again. If you want to learn the newest vehicles, and be on the cutting edge of vehicle technology, find a school. Besides very good classroom material (About 80% of learning modern cars is classroom info), the instructor will have lab mock-ups, and designed lab jobs with instructions and performance requirements that maximize classtime and really help you understand how the vehicle works. Plus you will get acess to tools and equipment that us weekend techs. could only dream of. I wouldn't go buy a beater for a project vehicle. You'll spend more time figting rust and pouring money into it, than you will be learning about automotive technology. I would buy a truck (easier to work on) that is 1996 or newer (OBD II). These vehicles have computers that all use the same codes, the same diagnostic ports, and they have most features found on the latest model year vehicles. I'm blessed because my H.S. Auto teacher, and program is one of the best in the country. Our teams place in the top 10 every year at Ford Student Nationals, and 2 first places at National VICA. (Myself in Power Equipment Technology, and a freind of mine in Automotive.)

 

It's always been my experience that to seem 'The Guru' to your friends and family all you need to do is read the manual.

Classes and libraries are great. Patience and 'stick to-itivness' are must haves.

One of the best ways to increase you knowledge is to hang out with 'those that do'. Question them as most like to talk, brag, and explain about those lessons they've learned so hard.

The internet is a wonderful, wonderful tool. It's the great equalizer. If you don't know about it, you can find out about it within the hour. Hone you google skills.

And browse fordtrucks.com in all your spare time.

 

Besides all the excellent ideas above, get married, have a bunch of kids and then you'll learn all you need to know about fender repair, flat tires, front end alignment, batteries, starters, car insurance and the Sheriff's Patrol........Old Guy.

 

I believe in the hands-on aproach. Find something to work on and ask lots of questions of anybody that might have an answer. Be advised some people that pass themselves off as mechanics don't really have a clue.
I learned what I know by taking a job as a pump jockey at a local gas station. I would hang around in the garage as much as I could and LISTEN.
Unfortunatley todays vehicles are a lot more complex due to the computers & associated sensors.
If you feel like doing some reading this site has plenty of info., just look around. Also, you could check out www.autosite.com under the maint. section, or go to www.2carpros.com at the bottom of their home page click on "faq"
Good luck.

 

I started out on a 5 HP briggs and stratton, and soon progressed to an old tired 79 mustang. poured lots of $$$ into it cause i thought that it would be my daily driver, but I now have my truck, which is VERY easy to work on and requires very few tools, and is not loaded down with all of the smog crap. Fuel injection should not scare you away, but I can not reccomend learning on one.

 

Theres a lot of good ideas here, i think you should invest $12 bucks in a (Haynes) or (CHILTON) manual for you specific vehicle, read it well, and theres lots and lots and lots of years of experience here on the FTE forums to fall back on. Good Luck! DW
P.S. IF YOU SIT HOME WAITING ON ALL THE TRAFIC LIGHTS TO TURN GREEN, YOU'LL NEVER LEAVE!

 

I was in the same boat just a few months ago. I have a degree in computer science and that's my bread and butter but I've always loved cars and have been racing cars (amateur level) the past 3 yrs. One thing I didn't have was the mechanical skills. I saw others fixing headgaskets and installing clutches at the race tracks to get their cars running again which made me realize its something that would be useful to know myself.

I think working in the field is the best way to learn. Unfortunately, I found out fast that no one would hire or even allow me to work (even voluntarily) unless I already had a decent amount of experience or an ASE cert. Well, so I had to settle for the second best option. I didn't have time to go to school for another degree so I ended up buying a couple of good books. One that I like a lot (I think its out of print but you can still find them used) is the Chilton's Easy Car Care book. If you don't know much about cars' mechanics this is the best starting point and then some. I read the book a couple of times cover to cover and got even more curious and enthusiastic.

Next, I picked up a $600 project car (wanted something inexpensive and relatively easy to work on) and have been working on it for some time now. I'm becoming more and more comfortable tearing into it everyday. I've seen many cars for $200 or even free with blown engines/headgaskets etc. It won't be pretty but will get you started and make you feel comfortable taking on the repair jobs. Its fun to just grab a wrench and start banging away when you don't care much about the car and something you don't need to drive to work the next day. However, having said all that, its a pricey way to learn - you may be able to find a cheap car but you'll still have to buy parts for it.

Oh and you'll need a decent selection of tools. I think what makes a big difference between a pro and an avg mechanic is having the right tool for the right job. I started out with a (250pc I think) craftsman set ($250 on sale). Now (in just a little over 7 months) I have a 25gal dual stage air compressor, air tools, specialty tools etc etc. Once you have the basic hand tools you'll know when to get more stuff.

OK I'd better stop now. Hope this gives you some suggestions.

Goodluck.