Learning car mechanics can be a rewarding way to save money. With the cost of labor rising for professional mechanic shops, a "do-it-yourself" approach can give you the confidence to troubleshoot simple problems, do regular maintenance, or even perform complicated repairs on your own vehicle. Learning car mechanics does take time, and it's not cheap. Tools can be very expensive, so it's best to weigh the cost and the benefit you'll get from learning car mechanics.
Get familiar with the tools you'll be using. The term "mechanic's tools" encompasses a broad range of tools that you'll need for most every automotive repair job. This includes both a metric and standard socket set, various sizes of socket wrenches, various sizes of both flat-head and Phillips-head screwdrivers, standard metal hammers, ball-peen hammers, rubber mallets, various types of pliers, vice grips, Allen wrenches, Torx brand wrenches (wrenches with a star-shaped tip), torque wrenches that will measure in both foot-pounds and inch-pounds, an air compressor, impact wrench with a full range of impact wrench accessories, and a floor jack with jack stands.
On top of owning the tools, you'll also need to know how to use them. Some tools, like screwdrivers, are pretty self-explanatory. Others, like air compressors, require a bit more knowledge.
Study your shop manuals. Every production vehicle has a service manual that technicians and mechanics use; however, you can purchase these manuals from an auto parts store or over the Internet. These service manuals vary in quality, but generally Helms, Chilton's, and Haynes brand service manuals are seen as some of the most reliable service manuals.
The service manual details how to take apart and rebuild just about every aspect and component of your vehicle.
Practice routine maintenance. Possibly the best way to learn car mechanics is to do simple routine maintenance on your vehicle. All of the information is available in your service manual, and generally requires a low level of skill to complete. Jobs like checking your spark plug wires and replacing spark plugs, changing your oil, and checking your air filter can easily be done by an amateur.
Go to mechanic's school or make friends with your local mechanic. The latter may be more for those who are interested in actually becoming a mechanic. However, making friends with a local, small-town shop is an excellent way to learn the "tricks of the trade" that you may not learn in a service manual. Some techniques and shortcuts can only be learned through experience, and a professional mechanic usually has put in the time to learn these shortcuts. Ask to help out around the shop for free as an "intern" of sorts. Explain that you'd like to learn more about automobiles and are willing to help out around the shop in exchange for being able to "look over the shoulder" of the mechanics that work there.
Read everything you can on the subject. Besides reading your shop manual, it's a good idea to subscribe to trade publications and magazines to learn as much about automobiles in general as you can. You can get an insight into other people's experiences, and become familiar with similarities and differences between different manufacturers and makes and models of vehicles within the same manufacturer's line.
