I want to learn about cars. Specifically about repairs, maintanence and, inspection. I don't know where to start other than the manual for my own car.

>>28551079 (OP)
That's where you start, a manual. From there start with oil changes, coolant service, a valve cover gasket, plugs, brakes, maybe shocks. Just start small and work up from there as you get more tools and get comfortable.

>>28551079 (OP)
If you don't have a dad or buddy to teach you it's a tough road. You basically
>Find a job that needs doing
>Watch a chrisfix video
>Tell yourself "hey that doesn't look so hard" and buy all the parts and tools
>Jack up your car
>Realise that you do not, in fact, know what the fuck you are doing
>Make a thread on /o/ in frustration
>Repeat several times until you manage to complete the job, break the car or give up

>>28551079 (OP)
um what the FUCK is that real

Do you know how engines work at the very least?
https://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm
Get a slightly busted car and the shop manual (not the owner's manual), fix shit.
Maybe start with ricer mods like intake, header, sway bars and see if you can handle it first.

>>28551082
>>28551096
>>28551115
I'm just so nervouse about fucking something up and then having no way to travel. Definetly gonna read into how engines work. Is it worth shelling out the cash for autorepair classes at a college? Or is that money better spent on a busted up car?

>>28551138
>I'm just so nervouse about fucking something up and then having no way to travel
I completely feel you OP, its a reasonable concern which is why you need a second shitbox. Doing a big job when you have to get to work Monday is the absolute worst; it makes you more likely rush, make mistakes a fuck up.
>Or is that money better spent on a busted up car?
Absolutely better to do this. I currently have a few big jobs due for both cars but I play shitbox musical chairs to get it done without stressing. Best advice is pickup a hand propane torch if you're worried about sticky bolts, and make gigasure every wrench is fully seated on a bolt or nut before you turn it so it doesn't strip. In your situation id recommend
>3/8 impact almost mandatory, or 1/2 electric impact for big chassis jobs
>quality box wrench set for small fasteners, cheap wrenches are fine for bigger sizes
>a cheap set of ratcheting flex head wrenches
>quality small socket set
>breaker bar
>propane torch
>sledge and a set of punches/wedges
>wire brush
>basic hand tool set and ratchets
>a few cans of penetrating fluid
>can of antiseize (will last you decades)
You can get by on 90% of diy work with just these tools. For any specific job dont try and nigger it, just buy the special tool. For stuff like brakes, an oem-tool piston compressor kit is absolutely worth it over a cheap harbor freight compressor.

>>28551144
oh also a cheap disk grinder. Invaluable depending on the situation

>>28551144
Duly noted anon. Gonna start looking for a shitbox.

>>28551138
that other anon is right, forget about big jobs if you dont have a backup car

>>28551138
Don’t mess with your engine if you have no idea what you’re doing. Start with smaller tasks—change your fluids and oil, maybe replace some filters. If your car needs engine work, I guess you either learn by doing or mess it up and give up, lol. There are probably videos on YouTube showing how to fix things on your specific model—especially if it’s not a newer one.
t.chatgpt

>>28551226
off topic but shit like chatgpt and grok are basically a more efficient version of what google used to be before they made it shit. I was able to use it to reverse engineer some old vidya mod code to tailor the game for me, but also figured out that other parameters I wanted to edit are buried in engine code that nobody has cracked yet

>>28551232
Yeah chatgpt is good replacement for google

>>28551144
> For stuff like brakes, an oem-tool piston compressor kit is absolutely worth it over a cheap harbor freight compressor.
Don't think I've ever seen an actual dedicated compressor tool. I've been doing brakes on my cars over 20 years and always just used a C-clamp and the old pad.

>>28551270
for pistons that arent theaded that works fine but threaded pistons are a complete bitch

>>28551096
I second youtube and chrisfix specifically. Definitely try to find an online forum dedicated to your make/model; can learn lots from others.

>>28551144
Good tool list, anon. I've managed with breaker bars, but a 3/8 impact would probably be kino. Jack and stands I guess goes without saying (ramps are nice for quick oil changes), but one thing I would add is some pick tools and a nylon pry bar (very inexpensive) for taking off trim; worth it to not gouge up all your plastic. Cheap OBDII is worth it as well for the inevitable MIL.

>quality box wrench set for small fasteners
Interestingly, the only wrench I've ever broken was like 8mm and was of the cheapie variety (but warranteed)

>>28551273
Ah yeah, I did have to borrow the tool from the auto part store for one car (lincoln).

>>28551298
I suggested quality sockets/wrenches for the small stuff because theyre usually made to tighter tolerances and you're less likely to round off a bolt. I've never broken a wrench of any kind unless im doing something really dumb with it. On big bolts like 18mm and above those tolerances dont matter so much so you can get away with cheap shit

>>28551304
a chink set that fits most makes is like 25$

>>28551226
I would disagree about not touching the engine. Anything that only requires popping the valve cover off for minor stuff is not only easy, but adds valuable knowledge about the engine itself. Valve lash adjustments for example are really easy and teach you how the engine physically moves.