How did you learn those mechanical skills?

[Jcb890]

check your PMs meph

[nsn240]

working on my own stuff, my friends and the internet

[balmo]

really started knowing more about cars when i got my corolla and my friend helps out. he's a toyota tech.

[theicecreamdan]

Originally Posted by YakuzaS14

taking some auto classes help too

I took a couple, but it seemed liek they were repeating stuff I already knew.
and I can't really stand to work on other people's cars so I quit taking those classes. I'm cool working on my own stuff, but I will make my money elsewhere.

[sncs14]

being broke constantly and not trusting others to do work i know i am more than capable of doing myself is how i learned. maybe some of us are more mechanically inclined, or maybe we just have more drive. if i want to learn to do something i do the research necessary and/or talk to people who can help me out by giving me advise, ideas, or show me. if you want to do something badly enough and it's within your means to achieve that goal you'll find a way to do the job. get tools and lots of reading material. start out with routine maintenance: oil change, spark plugs and wires, brakes, etc... nothing is as hard the second time around. just like the others stated, practice makes perfect.

[SimpleS14]

asked questions, got some tools, looked at the car and begin to take apart stuff and put it back the same way.

[ghostchild316]

I've been around cars all my life.My dad is a mechanic and I used give him a hand a sometimes.I took an auto class and highschool too.Gettin a 240sx helped since I do all my own shit,working at a transmission shop, and what really has helped me indentify parts is working at an auto parts store(O'reilly).The internet has helped too.Not really into fixing other ppl's cars,just wrenching on and hot rodding my own

[nrg]

from spending my summers at my dad's shop around the age of 9 years old to 14 years old.

[AllenRPS13]

for me, i have took 1 basic auto class when i study in college and then try to learn by myself, and also when i need to install something, then i will research on internet or try to figure it out how to install...

[theicecreamdan]

a lot of times I get myself way over my head on a project, and I have to learn a lot to get it all done.

[NemeGuero]

Originally Posted by theicecreamdan

a lot of times I get myself way over my head on a project, and I have to learn a lot to get it all done.

my last 2 projects were that way

[kiss my bumper]

well first i took the auto classes at school but i was the jack ass in the back that would never work because goofing of or looking for parts on the net for my FC3s. but it wasn't till my third year i bought a 240 with a blown head gasket( to find that i had a blown motor) i rebuilt the topend and my friends tought me more then class. i later got 1st place in VICA( auto compation) and a scholorship threw lexus. but i became a pilot...lol

[BayS13]

buy a rx7 turbo2 and youll become a master mechanic

[Andrew Bohan]

hmmm yea i guess that helps too

[Mervyn]

These are the classes that my college offers:

•Intro to Automotive Mechanics
•Automotive Electrical
•Brakes, Suspension, Alignment
•Automatic and Manual Transmission
•Engine Repair
•Independent Study (Auto Tech)
•Independent Study (Auto Body)
•Body Repair and Refinishing
•General Service and Repair

So which of these classes should I take? I'm only interested in fixing engines, fixing all the other components in the engine bay and around the car, and auto body repair.

[NemeGuero]

Why not take 'em all? haha. Read the course information to see what the class is about, then base your decision off of that.

[TheTimanator]

my uncle is a mechanic. Every time I've had car problems I would take it to him and we fix it together. Eventually I was able to do the basic stuff myself. As soon as I get a daily driver I'm gonna get into a little more complicated stuff like wiring and engine work. To me, working on cars is 80% common sense as is most things in life.