Learning to fix my car

I’ve got a goal this year to do more of my car maintenance and repairs myself. I know how to change my oil and filters, and the next step is taking on more of the work I would normally go to a mechanic for because it’s easier, rather than because I don’t have the gear to do the job.

My car is old enough to vote, and I have a fondness for older cars that are more mechanical than computer driven, as I stand a chance at understanding them.

I’ve bought myself car ramps as I don’t love jacks (which I do have) for everything. Ramps and chocks seems a bit more my style. My next repair – a small exhaust leak that made itself evident after some serious outback gravel road travel. While I’m under there I’ll check the heat shields and bash plates too, as I can only imagine the rattling they must have been doing on the corrugations!

I’ll do a post on how using my car ramps goes, after I’m back from my net work trip, but I’m excited to be taking on more learning. If you have a car, what do you do? Any tips, tricks, suggestions?