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Hi everyone!

It is so exciting to be here!

I have been driving my Civic 03 EX for a while now, and have decided as a broke college student that perhaps I should look into maintaining my own car and save money!

My question to the forum is this: realistically, will or can I really learn how to repair everything on my car all on my own?

From getting dents and scratches out, to changing oil/tires, troubleshooting and fixing electrical wiring systems, bleeding out/replacing brakes, and doing wheel alignments, etc?

And secondly, where should I start in trying to get my hands wet in ''knowing my car better''? The only thing I really know how to do is change the headlight out pathetically. Everything else seems so complex.

Thanks for any help or advice

 
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Hi!

Nice car! That's a good idea. I didn't start really getting into it until I'd had my car for 5 years.

A lot of things, yes. EVERYTHING? Theoretically yes, but there's a limit to what you can do outside of a shop/garage.

There are tutorials online. Depending on the location of the dent, you might be able to fix it. I view my dents as... beauty marks.

Yep. You need special tools if you want to put the tires on your rims. You're probably better off finding someone with them.

Yes. It can get difficult, especially if the ECU (main computer) is involved.

Yep.

Maybe. Might be easier and more cost effective to have it done though.

Hey, that's a start! I started getting into car stuff when I restored my headlights for the first time. After seeing the difference in appearance and headlight performance, I was hooked! Luckily I had a do-it-yourself auto shop nearby, so I've gotten all the experience I wanted. Just do everything you can. Before taking it into the shop, search here (or use the Google) to see if the problem is something you can fix first!

Welcome to the forums!

 
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If you have no or little experience then pay extra attention to torque values on bolts/nuts/fasteners. I would stick to preventative maintenance until you feel comfortable to do, repairs. Diagnosing problems comes with research, training or experience. You tube has a lot of videos that can help, but get a service manual and do it all by the book, don't cut corners.

 
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Stick around, ask questions when you need. Thanks to this forum, I was able to rip my engine completely apart and put it back together in perfect working condition.

More things I've been able to DIY thanks to the forum (just to name a few):
-remove a headlight in 5 minutes
-timing belt change (start to finish) in 3-4 hours
-learned how to work with fiberglass (and make a subwoofer enclosure)
-rear drum to disc conversion
-how to change out any part of my suspension
-how to change my clutch
-install a turbocharger
-pretty much anything that has to do with car audio

Civics are stupidly easy to work on, you just gotta be willing to dive into it. Check out my mod list on my profile. Most of it was a DIY job

 
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It's absolutely possible, but a lot depends on how capable you are and how much effort you are willing to put forth.
It may take longer than you want and may not ever go as planned, but that's all part of the job.
There's a helluva learning curve. Seek those who already know.

I started off as a kid with a broken car and no money. My dad had a toolbox and a driveway and a floor jack.
I got a manual and started reading.

Within the first week of having my license and first car on the road, I was pulling the engine out to fix a broken throwout fork. (63 VW Bug)

Of course my dad was coaching and giving a hand when I needed help.


2 damn lifetimes later, I'm STILL doing it for a living and still love what I do.
Pretty demented, huh?

 
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I pulled my entire engine and swapped the transmission from auto to manual, in my garage.

You will need the drive to learn and the tools, which are actually pretty cheap.

That project I had to test and create new electrical components, replace the ecu, and do the mechanical job.

I did pay Honda to re-code my key, because there is no way to buy that tool... that I know of.

 
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Spoken like a true masochist

real talk, though. Stick around and make friends with the regular posters here (right now, mostly moderator/admin staff, but we're all just regular guys. Seriously.). Where you located at? Maybe if there's someone knowledgeable nearby, they can help "coach" you until you learn to walk on your own.

 
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Man, I have to admit that your mods are so impressive.

Would you please put hyperlinks on every mod that you have done on your profile? That would be awesome

I drove lexus GS 350 and a Civic 2005 EX special edition (just bought it few weeks ago at 97k miles for $3800 for everything - So cheap so I bought it, hehe)
Honestly, most of the work on my GS are from my friends at shop. But now with the Civic, I want to put my hand on
Could you please take sometime and put hyperlink on your mods in the profile?

Thanks a lot

 
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First off, thanks

Second, not gonna lie. That's gonna take a LONG time. Also, I've learned hyperlinks in profiles don't play very nice. If you have questions about any specific mod(s) or want me to help you find the best price, just let me know. Feel free to PM me with questions and inquiries. I always try to answer my PMs.

 
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good to know you were not in the way of that mad driver in vegas, Josh

like the others said, for the simple things, get a Haynes manual (available at most car parts store - autozone, advanced, etc.). The mods xriceboyx mentioned are mostly not in the manuals (because they are mods ) and they are more likely to be found in internet forums than manuals.

the other part that the others mentioned is also very important. You will find out the first time you find a stubborn rusted stuck bolt/nut. (personally, I don't have the patience to finish two of my cars...)

so, for simple, normal things, you go to the manual. (If you go to the more complete Heims manual instead of the Haynes, good - but they cost an arm.)

for not regular stuff, like installing rear disk brakes, you come in here.

A good reason? I prefer to smear grease in a paper manual than smearing it on my phone, tablet/computer while working on the car

 
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Protip: Don't get dirty. You only smear up your electronics if you get dirty.

 
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i am dirty old man, excuse me?

 
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oil,brakes,filters, these all seem way more difficult then they actually are if i was you id start by buying a manual.