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I came across an ad today for an Owner's Clinic at a local Honda dealership. I thought it would be cool to go and learn more about my car. But then I thought I'd be there with a bunch of soccer moms who are trying to figure out how to check fluid levels in their Honda Odysseys. I think something like that would be too basic (maybe not). I'd like to get my car up on a lift and learn what connects what to what and how things work. None of my friends or family are into cars so everything I know is from reading posts, looking at website like "howstuffworks.com", and my own experience. It would be nice to get some knowledge from some kind of advanced clinic. Is there any such thing? Any suggestions for a newbie who wants to get to know his car better?

 
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http://forums.clubsi.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB42

 
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i tought myself most stuff. i learned alot from this site actually. hang around here fo awhile. that honda owners clinic sound cool but i dunno how much you'll learn about aftermarket parts and that fun stuff. good luck

 
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The only suggestion I have is to read, read and read. Read the post here and in other forums like ClubSi(as mentioned by HondaGuru). Don't limit your self to only honda enginees. Also ask questions even if they seem stupid remmember there are no stupid questions only stupid people. [IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG]

It would also be nice if you had a car that you could practice on.

 
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I suggest you rent the movie Fast and Furious and watch it several times. You will learn virutally everything about how the import scene works and how car works, especially nitrous systems.

/end sarcasm

Well believe it or not, some car magazines often do have information about cars that are useful despite their horrible 1/4 miles, but I digress. Most car magazines normally have like a tech section that deal with various topics. Furthermore, you can HondaTuning magazine that targetted for duh. That's a good start. Than when you got the basic knowledge and really want to work and disassemble your car, you can purchase a Helm Manual for our car.

 
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Just to clarify, I'm not at the point where I'm interested in aftermarket parts. I'm more interested in things that you might take for granted. For example what's a header and what does it attach to and what does it look like. That's just an example but that's what I'm talking about. I want to learn about the stock setup of a Civic. I'm just a step above being able to change my own oil. Thanks!

 
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Everyone has been correct. I knew a bit about cars, but you just start picking up info everywhere you see it. You learn from playing with your car, opening the hood and looking around, for Honda-specific things, I've learned most of it off this website. Just click and learn.

 
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Targetted for duh? Hmm, may be what I need....

 
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The header is the set of 4 pipes extending from your block where they're ported into your combustion chambers. They're used to expell exhaust from all 4 chambers into one pipe and then out to your cat then your muffler then to pollute the air. The combustion chambers are where you pistons or "cylinders" are. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

I <3 Cars.

 
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not always. sometimes it goes from a 4 pipe to a 2 into 1 configuration. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]

I <3 being specific.

 
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Get an unreliable car like my old POS Altima... you'll learn it inside and out pretty quick when everything just ends up falling apart and you have to replace everything[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/IMG]

 
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I like that approach. I should've done that with my old '87 Chevy Cavalier. I was so eager to get rid of it. I didn't bother learning form all the problems.

 
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The only reason I got rid of it was because the same problems kept coming back consistently. I only had the car 4 years and I replaced the clutch 3 or 4 times, and the started twice and a bunch of other stuff... I don't know what the hell was wrong with that car... I didn't beat on it or anything.

 
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The best way to learn is to take it apart. Don't do it just for the hell of it, but when you have to fix/install something, get a manual or instructions and do it yourself. You'll learn more than just what some part is, you'll probably find out what it does too. Just whatever you do, don't take the engine apart unless you really know what you're doing. If you want to learn about engines, get some books.

 
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LOL take it apart [IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG] best way to learn and to actually learn stuff is..... automechanics class, I take it, change my own brakes, oil, filter, brake fluid, basically theres more things every year you must learn.

 
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you wanna know the best way to learn about cars? forget that online b.s. (sorry joe). make friends with a local mechanic. ask lots of questions.

 
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"200- honda civic owners MANUAL"