New Owner of a DSM but clueless about cars

[Lvzbel]

Hello I bought a GSX about a 4 months ago and so far good very fun car to drive. But I have one problem I have no clue about about cars and I tried looking for automotive classes on the weekends but I had no luck and Im a Medicine student trying to get into Med School so I have to no time to get anymore classes. Even thou Im a really hands on person and I like doing stuff myself and learning in the process but I have no clue how to start learning with my car.

How did you guys learn? Is there any books that will help me get familiar with every part of my car? Any advice will be gladly appreciated.

 

[3kgt2nv]

read alot in the forum tech articles and this site has alot of useful info as well.

VFAQ Site - Visual Frequently Answered Questions

 

[blizz99]

I learned how to do a lot with the Haynes ahd Chilton manuals. The VFAQ and the tech section on this site helped out a lot too.

 

[GMCometh]

I learned how to do a lot with the Haynes ahd Chilton manuals. The VFAQ and the tech section on this site helped out a lot too.

I second this. I've been reading through the chilton manual that came with my car for the past couple days. I've learned a good amount of information...

 

[blizz99]

The manuals are the best way to learn. It gives you detailed step-by-step instructions.

 

[1cleanreddsm]

Hello I bought a GSX about a 4 months ago and so far good very fun car to drive. But I have one problem I have no clue about about cars and I tried looking for automotive classes on the weekends but I had no luck and Im a Medicine student trying to get into Med School so I have to no time to get anymore classes. Even thou Im a really hands on person and I like doing stuff myself and learning in the process but I have no clue how to start learning with my car.

How did you guys learn? Is there any books that will help me get familiar with every part of my car? Any advice will be gladly appreciated.

You start with doing maintence on your car in your garage, then out of curiousity you will wonder "What is that? What is it's function" then your learning curve moves from there. Don't expect too much from books, as you use them as a guide only and sometimes can be confusing, especially chilton manuels. Post a thread on the forum if you have a question, I'm sure someone will input somehow. But just read the rules and search!! After your first mod, give yourself a pat on the back and tell yourself "A good job well done!" you'll feel good about it

 

[GsXdSmKingGsX]

Sell your car to me? I know things.

 

[cookmeup272]

Read just about every thread that pops up on here. Thats pretty much what did it to me . You learn about all the noob mistakes very quickly.

 

[97 DSM Gs-T]

you've come to the right place my friend. this site has everything you ever need to know about eclipses, talons, and lasers. people on this site have help me out a lot in the past. also look into a service manual for your car they help out a lot as well. and when you have a problem dont ask it on here straight up or you might, key word might get bashed for not using the search feature first. just a tip. anyways good luck bro!

 

[randypogue]

i just have my friend who drag races his dsms to tell me and stuff like that plus we toor my car down to put some new stuff on i learned alot so far from doing that plus the one thing you should know is how to change the oil if you dont know how to do that then you know nothing about cars

 

[Lvzbel]

Wow what a great forum, I didn't expect such as fast responses here . I will get the manual for my car and yes I being doing the maintenance by doing the oil change at least is a start. Ill keep reading the forums as much as i can thank you

 

[SubversionX]

I've gotten most of my information from networking with local auto enthusiasts and searching the forums. Just soaking in what other people have asked. The digital tour is also really helpful

 

[GMCometh]

Wow what a great forum, I didn't expect such as fast responses here . I will get the manual for my car and yes I being doing the maintenance by doing the oil change at least is a start. Ill keep reading the forums as much as i can thank you

We've all gotta start somewhere.....

 

[etay89]

well i've been into DSM's for a little over a year and still have little clue what's going on . what helps me is the following

-haynes manual, it will give you the basic run down on how the eclipse in general works, what it requires, etc.

-going to/hosting a meet, 3-4 months after getting a dsm, i hosted a local dsm meet. you'll learn about different set ups that people have.

-befriend the local DSM genius, its always good to have one for if you ever have any questions...they're generally gonna get answered by them

-NEVER GO TO A CHAIN SHOP FOR ANY WORK!! (sears automotive, pep boys, etc.) DSM's are different kind of beast then your typical Cavalier/Civic. Most of these guys are generally underpaid and underknowledable...meaning you're putting your car at risk.

 

[whyadsm]

This forum and Google. I'd learn/ed a lot from this forum.haha

 

[gabytech]

If I would be you, I would first attempt to learn the basics of the automotive engine and turbocharger to better understand how the different componets work independently and in conjuction with other components... Chiltons and Haynes manual are repair manual, not an automotive technology book. What I suggest is for you to go down to borders and buy an Automotive Technology book and read it before you try to make basic repair and performance bolt-ons on your DSM, or it will go bad real fast.. If you don't have a knowledge of how the engine works, you are gonna get lost on how to use the different tools needed to repair your DSM and bolt-on performance parts or even know which combination of parts to go with. You said you are in med shcool, first you gotta know and understand the human body, before you learn how to work the human body, right??? it's the same with cars...

 

[Colt4G63 also]

If I would be you, I would first attempt to learn the basics of the automotive engine and turbocharger to better understand how the different componets work independently and in conjuction with other components... Chiltons and Haynes manual are repair manual, not an automotive technology book. What I suggest is for you to go down to borders and buy an Automotive Technology book and read it before you try to make basic repair and performance bolt-ons on your DSM, or it will go bad real fast.. If you don't have a knowledge of how the engine works, you are gonna get lost on how to use the different tools needed to repair your DSM and bolt-on performance parts or even know which combination of parts to go with. You said you are in med shcool, first you gotta know and understand the human body, before you learn how to work the human body, right??? it's the same with cars...

That post hit the nail on the head. Service manuals assume you have a working knowlege of the basic principals; you want to start with a textbook.

I took a two year college course on auto tech, and I'm still learning. New technologies come our all the time. If you're motivated to spend the time learning and working on your own car, you should be able to progress enough to at least take good care of your own model of car.

 

[90gen1tsi]

Well if you have had it for four months your probably not far from getting some hands on experience ! seriously though this site is great! search for what you can and then ask questions for stuff you can't find or don't understand! There are other forums out there but this is the most uhhhh "user friendly"

 

[jed344]

i learned by doing. and doing wrong aswell. have been working on cars sence i was 13. ( my dad used to drag race). I feel a dsm is a pritty easy platform myself. but then again i used to work on wrx's alot and they have less room.

 

[Lavery]

Don't forget about the Upgrade paths and FAQ's in the Tech section. With any luck these will keep you from posting pointless threads.

 

[Lvzbel]

Well if you have had it for four months your probably not far from getting some hands on experience ! seriously though this site is great! search for what you can and then ask questions for stuff you can't find or don't understand! There are other forums out there but this is the most uhhhh "user friendly"

Holy crap does that means that they are unreliable ? Is not a concert to me since i have another backup car. I really bought this car to learn and from what i read the GSX can be a beast coming from a honda that i dont even feel the inspiration to work on it

 

[Kyle d32a]

LA is a big place and I'm sure there's a good dsm scene there. I would go to some local meets and befriend some of them and then you can have people to help you and teach you that way. Also like stated before the manuals, vfaq, and this forum are very good sources of info. Also one of my good buddies is huge into vw's. He wasn't into car's at first like you, bought his first vw and got hooked. He has since then taken the whole car apart. The interior including carpet has been taken out, the motor and tranny have been out "motor has been rebuilt", even the whole suspension taken apart including subframe. He got a manual and read it and then did everything himself. Me I'm more of a visual/hands on learner but it amazes me at what he can do just by being curious and thumbing through the manual.

 

[drosales99]

Best way books to read is chiltons and haynes but if you are looking for classes WYOTECH is in long beach and I hear their automotive classes are amazing but I haven't the slightest clue the scheduling. Good luck

 

[Absit]

read alot in the forum tech articles

Read every tech article, even if it doesn't apply to your car, transmission, etc. Read every thread, even if it doesn't apply to you.

 

[Blurred Talon]

Read, read, read, research, research, research.

Pick up a factory service manual from eBay, 1000x better then Haynes or Chiltons.

Also if the DSM is your only vehicle, I suggest you don't screw around with it too much.