basic maintenance and wrenching for noobs?

caycep · 03-03-2015, 02:07 PM

Is there a good place on the internets to get the basics of DIY car maintenance and repairs? Just figured it's a good skill to know, coming from a total noob. The advanced stuff I'm sure needs to go to a mechanic who knows what they're doing.

wjones14 · 03-06-2015, 07:07 PM

YouTube is your friend. Many DIY tasks turn out to be quite simple after you watch a how-to on YouTube.

I watched a video on YouTube of a guy doing a complete brake job on a Mustang just like mine - brake and rotor replacement on all 4 wheels. It was sort of an advertisement for high performance Hawk brake pads actually, done by a reseller that sells them. Watching that, I learned that I had all the tools I needed already, except for the caliper tool to compress the rear brake pistons. So I bought the tool for $40, bought OEM rotors and Hawk brake pads, and did the job myself. I brought an iPad in the garage and watched the video while I did it.

I saved myself a few hundred dollars, used only high quality parts, and got a nice feeling of accomplishment out of it.

Basically just search YouTube for whatever you need to do - a friend of mine had a headlight burn out in his Honda Civic. I popped his hood and looked in there, and honestly couldn't tell how to get at the thing. We went to YouTube, and sure enough, there were multiple videos showing exactly how to do it.

overcoil · 03-06-2015, 07:39 PM

Youtube is great. Check out Scotty Kilmer vids to get a basic understanding but I wouldn't recommend following his advice on a BMW.
Bavauto has great BMW specific vids.
Most important is a Haynes or the like repair manual specific for your car or engine. Second browse tool catalogues and Google people who injured themselves lifting a car on jacks or stands

pete1713 · 03-18-2015, 07:10 PM

You could also look for a local BMW Car Club of America chapter. Mine runs do-it-yourself events at local shops, you get access to lifts and often tools, plus tips from fellow members and shop staff. If you have one nearby, could be a good resource.

caycep · 03-25-2015, 11:36 AM

hm, thanks for the links.

Not sure about learning to wrench on a new lease car, but maybe something simple like oil/filter changes may be a easy way to do it...

03-03-2015, 02:07 PM	#1
caycep First Lieutenant 91 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 228i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 228i [0.00]	basic maintenance and wrenching for noobs? Is there a good place on the internets to get the basics of DIY car maintenance and repairs? Just figured it's a good skill to know, coming from a total noob. The advanced stuff I'm sure needs to go to a mechanic who knows what they're doing.
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03-06-2015, 07:07 PM	#2
wjones14 Captain 649 Rep 885 Posts Drives: 2021 M2C Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Niantic CT iTrader: (0)	YouTube is your friend. Many DIY tasks turn out to be quite simple after you watch a how-to on YouTube. I watched a video on YouTube of a guy doing a complete brake job on a Mustang just like mine - brake and rotor replacement on all 4 wheels. It was sort of an advertisement for high performance Hawk brake pads actually, done by a reseller that sells them. Watching that, I learned that I had all the tools I needed already, except for the caliper tool to compress the rear brake pistons. So I bought the tool for $40, bought OEM rotors and Hawk brake pads, and did the job myself. I brought an iPad in the garage and watched the video while I did it. I saved myself a few hundred dollars, used only high quality parts, and got a nice feeling of accomplishment out of it. Basically just search YouTube for whatever you need to do - a friend of mine had a headlight burn out in his Honda Civic. I popped his hood and looked in there, and honestly couldn't tell how to get at the thing. We went to YouTube, and sure enough, there were multiple videos showing exactly how to do it. __________________ Vehicles: 2021 Alpine White M2C 6MT; 2011 Kawasaki Z1000 (1/4 mile 10.3 seconds @ 129 mph - stock) Previous: 2018 Camaro 2SS 1LE 6MT; 2015 BMW M235i 6MT; 2015 Mini Cooper F56 6MT; 2005 Mustang GT 5MT; 2003 Mini Cooper R50 5MT
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03-06-2015, 07:39 PM	#3
overcoil Major General 3074 Rep 5,577 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	Youtube is great. Check out Scotty Kilmer vids to get a basic understanding but I wouldn't recommend following his advice on a BMW. Bavauto has great BMW specific vids. Most important is a Haynes or the like repair manual specific for your car or engine. Second browse tool catalogues and Google people who injured themselves lifting a car on jacks or stands
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03-18-2015, 07:10 PM	#4
pete1713 Private 20 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 M235i xDrive [0.00]	You could also look for a local BMW Car Club of America chapter. Mine runs do-it-yourself events at local shops, you get access to lifts and often tools, plus tips from fellow members and shop staff. If you have one nearby, could be a good resource.
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03-25-2015, 11:36 AM	#5
caycep First Lieutenant 91 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 228i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 228i [0.00]	hm, thanks for the links. Not sure about learning to wrench on a new lease car, but maybe something simple like oil/filter changes may be a easy way to do it...
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