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[thewebmistress]

I really need to learn more about how cars work. I tried to come home from downtown today and the car wouldn't start (it would sputter while the key was turned and die as soon as I let go). I feel so helpless when I don't understand what's wrong. Cars aren't that complicated, I have just never made it a priority to learn about them. I tried to run

Comments

[marijuanakills]

I totally relate to this entry, except for the fact that I am somewhat good at teaching myself things. And I have no excuse since I seem to have a natural aptitude for putting things together, mechanically speaking. I'm just lazy, scattered, and have a short attention span.

[thewebmistress]

I'm good at teaching myself things if I have an exact path to follow (a good textbook, a set of lecture slides, whatever) but I can't stand the stage of figuring out where to get information from, which lessons are actually teaching the topic properly, whether there's anything being left out, etc. I prefer to have someone there who can guide me in the right direction and at least give me good resources, even if I end up having to learn the actual material myself.

[green_eyed_view]

I guess maybe start where the first thing could fail, and then go through each one. So first spark plugs, then fuel injection.. etc. That's my only idea.

[mofoburrell]

Yeah I need to know properly how cars work, too. I know in theory how they work, but I'm totally ignorant on the practicalities of it, of how everything is hooked up to other things. Since we have a car we should take some peeks around to see how it all goes together.

[crassy]

When I was 16 my mum took my sister and I to a course on car maintenance and safety. It went through the basics (taught by a female mechanic) of oil/filter changes, tire changing, headlight changing, troubleshooting, parts of the car etc., as well as personal safety when driving (things like how it is stupid to have your first name on your vanity plates, what to do if you are in an accident in the middle of nowhere etc). If you can find something like that it may help (though you probably don't need the safety part of it).

I'm not a super-duper mechanic person but I think I'm pretty good at troubleshooting issues and basic car maintenance. I believe there is an all female mechanic shop somewhere in the city. You should check out carchick.ca and see if they have any info!

[fusaichipegasus]

If its fine now, maybe you just flood the engine by turning the ignition too much or too fast. I've done that a few times. Turn the keep too much, car sputters but doesnt start...it might do it a few times but usually if you give it a minute or two and try again its fine.