Why dosen't everybody work on their car?

[steppinthrax]

I don't get it. Most of the maintendance on a car can be performed by yourself. I think the experience is rewarding considering you saved a bundle of money. I know someone who always says oh only a professional can do that or It must be professionally done??? Unless your an attorney or in some profession where it dosen't make economical sense everyone should know how to do the following.

Change oil/coolant/transmission fluid
Change brake pads/rotors/drums
Change Battery wipers alternator
Change fuse/relays and do basic electrical diagnostics
Change plugs/wires/distributor cap/distributor
Change filters (cabin/crankcase)
Top off or charge refridgerant
Be able to diagnose and replace various engine management sensors (i.e. O2, IAC, MAPP etc...)

 

[thirdeye]

I do my own work or pay someone to do it. When it comes to my STi everything is done by me, my other vehicles. I don't care as much.

Sometimes there's things I just don't feel like doing. Not having a nice garage to do the things in though certainly puts a damper on me doing anything in the winter time.

 

[CptCrunch]

I do what I can on my vehicle, time and equipment permitting. Always have with my older vehicles 1990 cavalier, 1992 century, 1993 bonneville. Newer car, 2006 corolla, most of the work (except oil changes and the like) are done at the dealership under warranty/while still under warranty. Starting to do more and more on it as it progresses in age

 

[Capt Caveman]

Some people are lazy, don't have the tools or space, intimidated, non-mechanical or don't want to get dirty.

 

[vi edit]

For some things, it's simply not practical. I had an old Monte Carlo that took a mechanic 6 hours to change the alternator. Take that times 3 or more for a normal shadetree mechanic or worse to do.

The battery was almost as bad to change. The time, tools, and frustration involved with simple maintenance items are just mind boggeling on some modern engine layouts.

When it comes to oil changes, for the $10-$15 more that it costs every couple months it's nice not having to worry about oil stains all over the floor or driveway and then dicking around with oil disposal when I'm done.

It's not a matter of skill or ability, it's simply more convenient to let somebody else do it.

 

[Aikouka]

When I was at home and had a car that was out of warranty, I did everything myself for the most part (except tasks where I simply didn't have the tools nor the desire to spend hours upon hours). But since my new car is in warranty, frankly it looks better if I always have it serviced by a reputable place when it comes time to offload it onto someone else. You pay more, but meh... it's better in the long run.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I don't have time. You don't have to be an attorney or doctor for your time to be valuable. Also, I don't have the expertise, and it's not particularly enjoyable to me.

I guess if you need to save the money and have the expertise, it makes perfect sense to work on your car. I'm just not in that category.

That being said, I did change the brakes last time on my previous car. The cost to let someone else do it was just too much compared to the effort. (Something like $25-30 and an hour of effort, compared to paying $150).

 

[MiataNC]

Time = Money

If you have a decent job (say 20$ an hour and up), it's usually cheaper to pay someone to do routine maintenance.

For example the difference between buying the filter/oil for an oil change and paying the dealer/shop to do it, is usually 10-15$ (if that). Add up the time you spend running out to get the parts, plus the time working on the car, and you usually spend less paying someone to do it.

 

[exdeath]

Biggest thing for people is going to be specialized tools. Scanners, brake tools, A/C refrigerant recovering/recharging system, lift, compressor, impacts, etc. Even the most savy and best home shop equipped DIY gear head with $10,000+ in tools is highly unlikely to have a refrigerant recovery station or brake rotor lathe in their garage.

A lot of people here who work on their cars take for granted they either have all the tools themselves or have 24/7 access to a full service shop. I've got two shops I can go to any time day or night and I have personal connections to a body shop, a transmission shop, an exhaust shop, and a machine shop. If you don't have access to those things, it's cheaper to spend $100 to have someone else do it in 15 minutes, even if you know how to do it. Otherwise you are turning a 15 minute job into a weekend job. That alone is a problem for people who don't have backup transportation or cant risk not finishing or having to wait 2 days for parts due to unforeseen part breakage. Or you are buying $2,000 in tools to do a job you might do once or twice on your own vehicle.

Unless it's a primary hobby or profession, you aren't likely to have economically viable access to those things, hence why only the most devoted gear heads do their own work and the average Joe does not. Just having a floor jack, a pair of jack stands, and a place to drain and store 7 liters of used oil, isn't something you'd expect an accountant to have.

It's easy to say "everyone should change their own oil" when you can drive on a lift, drain it into a built in drain reservoir, and drive away in 5 minutes.

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: exdeath
Biggest thing for people is going to be specialized tools. Scanners, brake tools, A/C refrigerant recovering/recharging system, lift, compressor, impacts, etc. Even the most savy and best home shop equipped DIY gear head with $10,000+ in tools is highly unlikely to have a refrigerant recovery station or brake rotor lathe in their garage.

A lot of people here who work on their cars take for granted they either have all the tools themselves or have 24/7 access to a full service shop. I've got two shops I can go to any time day or night and I have personal connections to a body shop, a transmission shop, an exhaust shop, and a machine shop. If you don't have access to those things, it's cheaper to spend $100 to have someone else do it in 15 minutes, even if you know how to do it. Otherwise you are turning a 15 minute job into a weekend job (a problem for people who don't have backup transportation or cant risk not finishing). Or you are buying $2,000 in tools to do a job you might do once or twice on your own vehicle.

Unless it's a primary hobby or profession, you aren't likely to have economically viable access to those things, hence why only the most devoted gear heads do their own work and the average Joe does not. Just having a floor jack, a pair of jack stands, and a place to drain and store 7 liters of used oil, isn't something you'd expect an accountant to have.

It's easy to say "everyone should change their own oil" when you can drive on a lift, drain it into a built in drain reservoir, and be done in 5 minutes.

You don't need a 1 to 2K mechanics tool set to work on a car. The items I previouslly mentioned don't require an extensive amount of tools. I started with a 15 piece stanely toolset from walmart (14 bucks). I could change my oil and battery with that. When I did my brakes I bought a breaker bar and a craftsman toolset with sockets 8mm to 30mm 3/8" drive (40 bucks). I've done just about everything with that toolset. I never known a situation where I needed a special tool that I couldn't get a hold of from Autozone for free rental. Autozone and advance auto allows you to rent free special tools.

As far as the AC system goes you can do some basic things such as charge a low system with the charging tube and cans of R-134a they sell at Wal-mart. A gauge would also be nice to make sure you don't overfill. But if you need to evacuate the system or flush it you will need someone to do it for you. However, I've seen people build a vacume pump with a old refridgerator compressor for under 20 bucks!!!!!! It pulls down more then the enough needed to evacuate a system. With that in mind you could essentially do a whole system.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax

Originally posted by: exdeath
Biggest thing for people is going to be specialized tools. Scanners, brake tools, A/C refrigerant recovering/recharging system, lift, compressor, impacts, etc. Even the most savy and best home shop equipped DIY gear head with $10,000+ in tools is highly unlikely to have a refrigerant recovery station or brake rotor lathe in their garage.

A lot of people here who work on their cars take for granted they either have all the tools themselves or have 24/7 access to a full service shop. I've got two shops I can go to any time day or night and I have personal connections to a body shop, a transmission shop, an exhaust shop, and a machine shop. If you don't have access to those things, it's cheaper to spend $100 to have someone else do it in 15 minutes, even if you know how to do it. Otherwise you are turning a 15 minute job into a weekend job (a problem for people who don't have backup transportation or cant risk not finishing). Or you are buying $2,000 in tools to do a job you might do once or twice on your own vehicle.

Unless it's a primary hobby or profession, you aren't likely to have economically viable access to those things, hence why only the most devoted gear heads do their own work and the average Joe does not. Just having a floor jack, a pair of jack stands, and a place to drain and store 7 liters of used oil, isn't something you'd expect an accountant to have.

It's easy to say "everyone should change their own oil" when you can drive on a lift, drain it into a built in drain reservoir, and be done in 5 minutes.

You don't need a 1 to 2K mechanics tool set to work on a car. The items I previouslly mentioned don't require an extensive amount of tools. I started with a 15 piece stanely toolset from walmart (14 bucks). I could change my oil and battery with that. When I did my brakes I bought a breaker bar and a craftsman toolset with sockets 8mm to 30mm 3/8" drive (40 bucks). I've done just about everything with that toolset. I never known a situation where I needed a special tool that I couldn't get a hold of from Autozone for free rental. Autozone and advance auto allows you to rent free special tools.

As far as the AC system goes you can do some basic things such as charge a low system with the charging tube and cans of R-134a they sell at Wal-mart. A gauge would also be nice to make sure you don't overfill. But if you need to evacuate the system or flush it you will need someone to do it for you. However, I've seen people build a vacume pump with a old refridgerator compressor for under 20 bucks!!!!!! It pulls down more then the enough needed to evacuate a system. With that in mind you could essentially do a whole system.

True, renting or borrowing tools is an option. I wasn't countering your post, merely putting in my $0.02 and perspective on why some people might not prefer to work on their own vehicles.

Remember we are talking the average American who can't turn on their TV if they lose the remote, have 100 IE toolbars on their PC, and can't even keep their tires properly inflated and rotated, and who start their car and step on it immediately first thing in the morning when it's 20 F out. Changing fluids and working on brakes will be well beyond their comprehension. Most people wouldn't know what tool they needed in the first place, even if they could borrow or rent them.

But hey, people like that keep other people in business and keep the economy going, so can't complain too much.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Time and specialist tools/information.

For example, I got owned this weekend trying to remove my e46 4:3 aspect Sat Nav monitor. I thought I had all the info in the world, went out had the trim and vents out in two minutes flat, went to remove the locating clips to release the bottom part of the unit and spent 4 hours trying to get the clips released. Turns out the 'Expert' forum advice I got was for 16:9 monitors (which I was fitting, not removing). Popped down to the Dealer and a tech popped it out in 20 seconds by removing one of the rotary switches, revealing a hole, poking it with a regular small screwdriver which released the clips, secret-passage style.

They did it free (Yes, a BMW dealer did something for free. Believe it!) so I chucked the tech the price of a couple of beers, but this was just a waste of 25% of my very precious weekend.

 

[lurk3r]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
I don't get it. Most of the maintendance on a car can be performed by yourself. I think the experience is rewarding considering you saved a bundle of money. I know someone who always says oh only a professional can do that or It must be professionally done??? Unless your an attorney or in some profession where it dosen't make economical sense everyone should know how to do the following.

Change oil/coolant/transmission fluid
Change brake pads/rotors/drums
Change Battery wipers alternator
Change fuse/relays and do basic electrical diagnostics
Change plugs/wires/distributor cap/distributor
Change filters (cabin/crankcase)
Top off or charge refridgerant
Be able to diagnose and replace various engine management sensors (i.e. O2, IAC, MAPP etc...)

Oil's too much of a hassle to transport the used oil to a proper recycling place to pay to have it disposed. $10 vs hours wasted no brainer

Brakes, sometimes I'll do if its nice outside, but any small error and you have a car with no brakes.

Batterys, depends how dirty, getting battery acid on a nice pair of jeans vs $15 to install it, I've gone both ways here too.

Electrical is kinda silly to take to someone until you've covered the basics yourself, a $15 multi meter hitting all the fuses can save $75 mechanic's charge easy, a shop manual for $20 ish will help you track any relays, once it gets to pulling pannels, depends on weather/time. I'm not about to work in the driveway when its under 50F when I can just pick up a shift and make more than the mechanic.

Basic tuneup, plugs wires etc I'd rather do myself

 

[jtvang125]

Here's what the majority of drivers know about cars:

Gas gauge low --> pump gas.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Here's what the majority of drivers know about cars:

Gas gauge low --> pump gas.

If they can find the gas door latch release...

Though I admit they hide those things pretty well these days. Took me a while to figure out that I could in fact open my trunk without using the key fob (release button was hidden in the glove box). RTFM.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: exdeath

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Here's what the majority of drivers know about cars:

Gas gauge low --> pump gas.

If they can find the gas door latch release...

Though I admit they hide those things pretty well these days. Took me a while to figure out that I could in fact open my trunk without using the key fob (release button was hidden in the glove box). RTFM.

Been there, except if the fob was in the ignition the button would not work. You had to use the unlock button on the centre console. For 18 months I thought it was not possible and thought it was really lame. It was me that was lame. Again, RTFM!

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
I don't get it. Most of the maintendance on a car can be performed by yourself. I think the experience is rewarding considering you saved a bundle of money. I know someone who always says oh only a professional can do that or It must be professionally done??? Unless your an attorney or in some profession where it dosen't make economical sense everyone should know how to do the following.

Change oil/coolant/transmission fluid
Change brake pads/rotors/drums
Change Battery wipers alternator
Change fuse/relays and do basic electrical diagnostics
Change plugs/wires/distributor cap/distributor
Change filters (cabin/crankcase)
Top off or charge refridgerant
Be able to diagnose and replace various engine management sensors (i.e. O2, IAC, MAPP etc...)

Because everyone has tools and time to do this. :roll:

Believe it or not, some people have other commitments in their lives and would prefer to spend an evening with their family, mow the lawn, play ball with the kids, or, god forbid, actually have some small bit of down-time. Some people work full-time jobs and have families as well; that means they simply don't have time during the week and there are more important things for them to do on the weekends. There's more to life than saving a few bucks.

ZV

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
As far as the AC system goes you can do some basic things such as charge a low system with the charging tube and cans of R-134a they sell at Wal-mart.

If you want to do it wrong, you can do it this way, yes. An A/C system is a closed system. If it gets low, it is BROKEN and needs to have the leak repaired. Just charging it again is the wrong way to fix things.

ZV

 

[Slew Foot]

Why the heck would I want to spend the time and energy to learn how to do all those things properly? That's why there are mechanics.

Why doesnt every one grow their own food or cut their own hair? Or take care of their medical problems?

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have in the past but just don't have the time anymore. It's not worth it to me to bother and disposing of used fluids is a real fucking pain in the ass. :thumbsdown:

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
I don't get it. Most of the maintendance on a car can be performed by yourself. I think the experience is rewarding considering you saved a bundle of money. I know someone who always says oh only a professional can do that or It must be professionally done??? Unless your an attorney or in some profession where it dosen't make economical sense everyone should know how to do the following.

Change oil/coolant/transmission fluid
Change brake pads/rotors/drums
Change Battery wipers alternator
Change fuse/relays and do basic electrical diagnostics
Change plugs/wires/distributor cap/distributor
Change filters (cabin/crankcase)
Top off or charge refridgerant
Be able to diagnose and replace various engine management sensors (i.e. O2, IAC, MAPP etc...)

Because everyone has tools and time to do this. :roll:

Believe it or not, some people have other commitments in their lives and would prefer to spend an evening with their family, mow the lawn, play ball with the kids, or, god forbid, actually have some small bit of down-time. Some people work full-time jobs and have families as well; that means they simply don't have time during the week and there are more important things for them to do on the weekends. There's more to life than saving a few bucks.

ZV

I have a wife, 3 yo daugter, home, FT job in the Field of IT and in School for my Masters. I can still manage the time to work on my car and do all the above things you mentioned. You have to be able to establish balance in life.

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
As far as the AC system goes you can do some basic things such as charge a low system with the charging tube and cans of R-134a they sell at Wal-mart.

If you want to do it wrong, you can do it this way, yes. An A/C system is a closed system. If it gets low, it is BROKEN and needs to have the leak repaired. Just charging it again is the wrong way to fix things.

ZV

It's a closed system however it does leak over time (just undetectable). And if it's not too low it can be recharged in the method I suggested before. However, if it keeps comming down then yeah you need to find the leak and fix it.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
I have a wife, 3 yo daugter, home, FT job in the Field of IT and in School for my Masters. I can still manage the time to work on my car and do all the above things you mentioned. You have to be able to establish balance in life.

Work-week:

7:00am, wake up, shower, dress, go to work.
7:00pm, get home from work, change clothes, tidy up house.
7:30pm, cook dinner.
8:00pm, eat dinner.
8:30pm, wash dishes, etc from dinner.
8:45pm, free time.
10:00pm, sleep.

75 minutes of free time a night, and two nights a week that's take up by going to the shooting range. When I'm on a project anyway, which is increasingly frequent since my department is hemorrhaging people and I've got three people's projects falling on me. There's only so much "balance" one can have in there.

Weekends have Saturdays free, but Sunday is blocked through about 2:00 for church and getting groceries. The afternoon is usually working on the house, chopping wood for the fireplace, or doing laundry.

I basically have one open day a week where I don't have either a commitment or a "keep the lights on" responsibility (e.g. laundry, yardwork, etc). When I get married I don't think I'll be able to consistently use that limited free time for tinkering with my car as I do now.

ZV

 

[Rio Rebel]

Why would anyone feel the need to tell other people what they *should* work on? I don't get it.

Those of us who pay to have our cars repaired aren't scared, or lazy, or slow. We simply choose to spend our time and money in other ways.

Like someone said earlier, I also don't grow my own vegetables or cut my own hair.

 

[CFster]

And if there's air in the A/C system how do propose to get it out without a recycler?

If you replace a brake caliper, master cylinder or for some other reason open the brake system on a late model GM truck how do you bleed the brakes without a $4000 GM Tech II scan tool to energize the ABS solenoids?

If you replace a battery in a late model VW or Audi how will you reset the throttle body adaptation or worse yet the immobilizer after you've put the new battery in? Good luck, your car wont start.

How will you check the fluid level in your Ford transmission (or fill it even), without a Ford IDS laptop scan tool and special adaptor that plugs into the side of the transmission. This goes for other makes as well, such as VW/Audi.

How will you do "basic electrical diagnosis" on your Saab which has a fiberoptic wiring harness?

After you've "diagnosed and replaced various engine sensors..", how will you know that the error code you've pulled with your code reader means the sensor is at fault, or if it's a wiring issue, or some other running problem which is affecting the sensor? Oh by the way, the code reader you bought for $75 only pulls generic OBD-II codes, and isn't anywhere close to an OEM level scanner, which can access up to a dozen different modules in the car, and provides bidirectional communication (activations).