New to doing my own maintenence...
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 161
From:
New to doing my own maintenence...
Alright don't be too hard on me but I have never done any work on car engines, I understand how they work and I'm usually good at fixing things (such as mechanical watches) however I've just never dipped into the car engine pool.
Where can I start? My car is approaching 80K (don't worry I'm not gonna mess with the timing belt for my first experiment, I'll let Audi do it this time), it needs new brake pads and I'm sure new spark plugs, is this a reasonable start? How did you get started? Any tips/tricks/good stories?
Fill me in guys! I'm really looking forward to being able to interact with my car on a more intimate level (if it can be more intimate than that magical Audi drive)
Where can I start? My car is approaching 80K (don't worry I'm not gonna mess with the timing belt for my first experiment, I'll let Audi do it this time), it needs new brake pads and I'm sure new spark plugs, is this a reasonable start? How did you get started? Any tips/tricks/good stories?
Fill me in guys! I'm really looking forward to being able to interact with my car on a more intimate level (if it can be more intimate than that magical Audi drive)
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,633
From: Tempe, AZ
RE: New to doing my own maintenence...
Brakes, plugs, and also changing your oil would be a good place to start. Buy a good repair manual, and you should have no problem. Bentley makes the best repair manual.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,308
From: Chicago, IL
RE: New to doing my own maintenence...
First thing I changed out/did on my car.
Oil change
Tierods
Get oem spark plugs dont get NGK I dont know why people got such a hard-on for them.
Hawk Pads
Brembo or Powerslot rotors (be nice upgrade)
Oil change
Tierods
Get oem spark plugs dont get NGK I dont know why people got such a hard-on for them.
Hawk Pads
Brembo or Powerslot rotors (be nice upgrade)
ORIGINAL: AML 225
Alright don't be too hard on me but I have never done any work on car engines, I understand how they work and I'm usually good at fixing things (such as mechanical watches) however I've just never dipped into the car engine pool.
Where can I start? My car is approaching 80K (don't worry I'm not gonna mess with the timing belt for my first experiment, I'll let Audi do it this time), it needs new brake pads and I'm sure new spark plugs, is this a reasonable start? How did you get started? Any tips/tricks/good stories?
Fill me in guys! I'm really looking forward to being able to interact with my car on a more intimate level (if it can be more intimate than that magical Audi drive)
Alright don't be too hard on me but I have never done any work on car engines, I understand how they work and I'm usually good at fixing things (such as mechanical watches) however I've just never dipped into the car engine pool.
Where can I start? My car is approaching 80K (don't worry I'm not gonna mess with the timing belt for my first experiment, I'll let Audi do it this time), it needs new brake pads and I'm sure new spark plugs, is this a reasonable start? How did you get started? Any tips/tricks/good stories?
Fill me in guys! I'm really looking forward to being able to interact with my car on a more intimate level (if it can be more intimate than that magical Audi drive)
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 614
From: Asheville, NC
RE: New to doing my own maintenence...
Dude, I was in your same boat, now I feel like I'm ready to tackle a timing belt. Brakes are easy as pie but you need a special tool for the rears (learned the hard way...don't try to use needlenose pliers) and get a repair manual just like flyinb said. I have a Chilton but should be getting a Bentley for Christmas. Both of them give step by step instructions although I think the Bentley goes into a lot more detail on a lot of things. Just start tinkering with your car and don't be scared and you'll learn fast.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 161
From:
RE: New to doing my own maintenence...
I can handle oil changes no prob! Brakes are a little intimidating but from everything I've heard are a good place to start. I guess I'll check out the bently manual, where' s a good place to get the special audi/VW tools for our cars?
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,307
RE: New to doing my own maintenence...
well im thinking about getting the bently manual. when u go to repair or replace like new brakes or pads for example, can u use their instructions for upgraded ones or should u use another method of instruction?
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 526
From:
RE: New to doing my own maintenence...
hey i was in the same boat as you i really dont know what i am doing but i find if you research it enough there are tons of pics out there and write ups. i did mine with little know how and it was easy as well as a confidance booster. this link really helped me out. front brake write up
1st Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 147
From:
RE: New to doing my own maintenence...
Hey just a quick reminder for you as well.. DO NOT get cheap brakes for your car. Pick up some MINTEX RED BOX pads. And make sure to either get new rotors OR have your old ones cut. You may just wanna get it done w/ but believe me... Audis are tempermental and you have to maintain them correctly. I found out the hard way w/ my brakes.
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,307
RE: New to doing my own maintenence...
ya daft i know exactly what u mean. well i hadnt had my car for too long and my pads went, and i didnt know the warning symbol for break pads need replacing, im done yall already know what happened......................metal on Fing metal
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,633
From: Tempe, AZ
RE: New to doing my own maintenence...
ORIGINAL: juice88
well im thinking about getting the bently manual. when u go to repair or replace like new brakes or pads for example, can u use their instructions for upgraded ones or should u use another method of instruction?
well im thinking about getting the bently manual. when u go to repair or replace like new brakes or pads for example, can u use their instructions for upgraded ones or should u use another method of instruction?