I am looking into purchasing a newish (2005-2007) diesel truck. I want to take automotive classes at my local community college and do all my own work to my vehicle. I have been told that no matter how much you know about automobiles, they are very electronic now days and therefore one needs expensive computer equipment to do anything more than a oil, fluid, filter change, or anything else fairly basic.
I am curious what the yahoo community thinks...
Is it reasonable to do all your own work on a semi new car, or even a new car for that matter. Everything from a basic oil change, to replacing brakes, or a master cylinder, or replacing engine mounts and transmissions...maybe even adding chips and more skillful jobs???
Please let me know your thoughts and advice!
Thanks!
-Happy LIs maintaining a newer car or truck by yourself practical?
Despite what people say, basic maintenance on a modern car is no more difficult (and often a lot easier) than an old one. Take servicing for instance: you don't have to check/adjust valve clearances, set ignition timing, adjust carbs etc etc. Changing brake or suspension parts is no more difficult than on an older car either.
Obviously, there are areas that need to be left to a dealer if they require special tools or diagnostic equipment. They include : clearing codes after repairing engine management, abs or airbag system, replacing parts that need to be coded to the car (injection pump, some fuel injectors and various other parts).
Block Exemption laws of about 2002 mean that a car manufacturer must make technical information available to independant users. Most makers have a technical website you can subscribe to where you will find all the information required to repair a vehicle.
If your car is still under warranty, it's best not to fix it yourself, as it may invalidate the warranty.Is maintaining a newer car or truck by yourself practical?
The electronics in today's motors just make doing adjustments nearly obsolete, otherwise a motor is a motor and there is no difference in repairing them. You may find that sometimes the electronics can try to make adjustments and compensate for a part failure, that may send you in the wrong direction but experience will help you to correct the vehicle. The basics will help you get started and then you can determine if it something you want to pursue.Is maintaining a newer car or truck by yourself practical?
i have 1 pickup and a van. i do all the work on them. with the right tools you can do the job yourself. almost all cars now have computers. and with the right code reader. you can fix just about any car out there. the trick is to master the code reader.Is maintaining a newer car or truck by yourself practical?
My Father was a Propeller engine Mechanic in the Air Force. The first thing he taught me was that with the proper information anyone can fix anything. Purchase a manual for your vehicle at a parts store. This book, a set of tools, and even a code reader (available rather cheaply at the same store), or have the parts store read the code for you when necessary, ( check engine light on) and you should be able to intelligently handle most problems with your car. Do not let the electronics worry you. These sensors are generally easy to replace when they go out. Biggest thing there is NEVER connect or disconnect one wth the battery conncted. Even a small surge on some of these will ruin them and some of them are expensive.
With the classes and a manual you should be able to tackle most anything that happens short of a major rebuild.
