Has anyone gone through cycles where they enjoy doing car repairs/maintenance at home, and then they burn out and take it to shops? i used to love doing everything on cars at home, and over the last 5 years or so, I burned out, got frustrated, and didn't have the desire. However, recently, I've done some repairs on my parents cars and I'm back in the swing of things and enjoying every minute of it. I've got some new tools, I've relaxed when I've had to really grunt down and figure things out and get it done instead of screaming obscenities and getting mind block! I may start doing brakes again and even get into suspension work. I guess I got bored with all the stuff that filled my time when I stopped doing car stuff.
Suddenly, I like working on cars again
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I used to love doing maintenance work on my cars too… then just as you, I got to the point of sending my vehicles out to trusted shops for pretty much everything.
For me, it's mostly a function of time. I just don't have as much of it as I used too.
For me, it's mostly a function of time. I just don't have as much of it as I used too.
Doing the timing belt on our Acura earlier this year got me back into it. I've always doing fluid maintenance at home, but as I get more experience under my belt, my confidence to try something new goes up and that just builds on itself. Wrenching is a true hobby of mine, whether it's on the road cars or on small engines. I crave the opportunity to do things like adjust valves or rotate tires or change brakes. That stuff is highly enjoyable for me, and very relaxing.
Depends. These days I will do my own oil changes (when the weather is decent) and other basic maintenance like brake pads, air filters etc. But for stuff like tire rotations, or other stuff I take it to a shop or dealer. It helps that all of our cars are currently under warranty so if anything breaks I can just take it back to dealer and say fix it.
JHZR2
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It is to a great extent a matter of what tools I want to invest in, as well as the confidence I have in doing a job right. The bigger, more complex jobs that would leave lots undone and an unusable vehicle if I mess up or cant get something to go right, I generally avoid. Things that I have good confidence, or can easily pack up and leave for another day is a different story.
Also associated with the consideration is that we have a baby, and even if I enjoy working on the car and saving money, I enjoy playing and spending time better. I make more than enough money to pay a mechanic to do work, so its really a matter of what brings me satisfaction.
Also associated with the consideration is that we have a baby, and even if I enjoy working on the car and saving money, I enjoy playing and spending time better. I make more than enough money to pay a mechanic to do work, so its really a matter of what brings me satisfaction.
Originally Posted By: Nick R
Depends. These days I will do my own oil changes (when the weather is decent) and other basic maintenance like brake pads, air filters etc. But for stuff like tire rotations, or other stuff I take it to a shop or dealer. It helps that all of our cars are currently under warranty so if anything breaks I can just take it back to dealer and say fix it.
tire rotation isnt basic? 2 jacks and 15min?
Depends. These days I will do my own oil changes (when the weather is decent) and other basic maintenance like brake pads, air filters etc. But for stuff like tire rotations, or other stuff I take it to a shop or dealer. It helps that all of our cars are currently under warranty so if anything breaks I can just take it back to dealer and say fix it.
tire rotation isnt basic? 2 jacks and 15min?
Yep, except I never burnt out--between renting and buying a new car I didn't "need to". Then I bought the Jetta and read too much about how they had to be done "just right".
Once I bought the truck I suddenly had N+1 vehicles. I could work on one, get stuck, and still go to the parts store, or go to work the following day. I was no longer in fear of being w/o a ride. That's a nice feeling I must say.
I've also been surprised: I did a tire rotation and oil change in 20F weather. I will say when I did an oil change this weekend at a bit cooler of a temp my fingers were hurting, and I spent more time warming up; but it wasn't as bad as I feared. I suspect I will hate working on vehicles when the ground is soggy or raining, but cold wasn't as bad as I've long thought.
Once I bought the truck I suddenly had N+1 vehicles. I could work on one, get stuck, and still go to the parts store, or go to work the following day. I was no longer in fear of being w/o a ride. That's a nice feeling I must say.
I've also been surprised: I did a tire rotation and oil change in 20F weather. I will say when I did an oil change this weekend at a bit cooler of a temp my fingers were hurting, and I spent more time warming up; but it wasn't as bad as I feared. I suspect I will hate working on vehicles when the ground is soggy or raining, but cold wasn't as bad as I've long thought.
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I'm looking to buy an older Mercedes and get back into it again this year. If it doesn't work out I'll sell it, but in the mean time it will be a toy car and in a garage so it can sit if it has to.
Being able to work on something as time permits is a big thing for me. I did the "I have to fix this tonight to get to school/work" tomorrow thing and I'm past that.
I still do a lot of basic stuff on the newer stuff just because its faster for me than bringing it into a shop, and I know its done right. Like a battery change on my moms car for example, why make her pay when I can do it in 15 minutes myself?
Being able to work on something as time permits is a big thing for me. I did the "I have to fix this tonight to get to school/work" tomorrow thing and I'm past that.
I still do a lot of basic stuff on the newer stuff just because its faster for me than bringing it into a shop, and I know its done right. Like a battery change on my moms car for example, why make her pay when I can do it in 15 minutes myself?
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Originally Posted By: Rand
Originally Posted By: Nick R
Depends. These days I will do my own oil changes (when the weather is decent) and other basic maintenance like brake pads, air filters etc. But for stuff like tire rotations, or other stuff I take it to a shop or dealer. It helps that all of our cars are currently under warranty so if anything breaks I can just take it back to dealer and say fix it.
tire rotation isnt basic? 2 jacks and 15min?
Sure it's basic. But I could also just take it to tire shop and they'll rotate for free. I'd also have to put the car on jack stands on one end, since we only have one floor jack.
Originally Posted By: Nick R
Depends. These days I will do my own oil changes (when the weather is decent) and other basic maintenance like brake pads, air filters etc. But for stuff like tire rotations, or other stuff I take it to a shop or dealer. It helps that all of our cars are currently under warranty so if anything breaks I can just take it back to dealer and say fix it.
tire rotation isnt basic? 2 jacks and 15min?
Sure it's basic. But I could also just take it to tire shop and they'll rotate for free. I'd also have to put the car on jack stands on one end, since we only have one floor jack.
Air tools makes me love working on cars.
I will not ever work on a car without them anymore.
I use a power drill with the appropriate clutch setting for small fasteners and then torque down by hand.
Hand tools are a joke.
I will not ever work on a car without them anymore.
I use a power drill with the appropriate clutch setting for small fasteners and then torque down by hand.
Hand tools are a joke.
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I have lost some motivation since my tool set is incomplete and I don't have air tools. But I spend too much time fiddling with things on my car so that may be why I'm burned out some.
The determining factor in whether I love or hate working on cars is 90% dependent on WHERE I'm doing it.
Narrow, uncovered driveway in January- NOPE.
Heated, clean, organized shop with lift and appropriate toolage- suddenly worlds greatest mechanic.
Narrow, uncovered driveway in January- NOPE.
Heated, clean, organized shop with lift and appropriate toolage- suddenly worlds greatest mechanic.
I worked in a tire shop for a winter; it was different than "hobby time". Volvo had no brake lights whatsoever, so "figure it out this minute" and don't be a puss and go on alldata. I'd much rather work on cars I've chosen, mostly on their simplicity and ease of diagnosis.
That said it's a narrow bandwidth between "I need a project" and "OMG I'm in over my head". I have a half-completed Firebird project that I hurredly, temporarily rustproofed on the last temperate day then parked it in a snow bank so I could have my garage bay back. That distracted me from getting my daily driver up to snuff for state inspection, so I was doing brakes in bone chilling temps last night. Feast or Famine...
PS agree on the air tools. Impact wrench takes some monotony out.
That said it's a narrow bandwidth between "I need a project" and "OMG I'm in over my head". I have a half-completed Firebird project that I hurredly, temporarily rustproofed on the last temperate day then parked it in a snow bank so I could have my garage bay back. That distracted me from getting my daily driver up to snuff for state inspection, so I was doing brakes in bone chilling temps last night. Feast or Famine...
PS agree on the air tools. Impact wrench takes some monotony out.
I do most of my own work because it gets done properly as most shops just throw stuff together or their technicians don't have adequate training to know what they are talking about. Then there is the problem of up-selling you a bridge when you go in for an oil change or an annual inspection.
I don't mind just fiddling around with a vehicle as a hobbyist and get some satisfaction out of it. There is a different side of it when the work has to be done and time is limited or have weather issues such as the recent cold spell nationwide.
Tools are not an issue for me, its more about making time and working outside between rain storms or other nasty conditions.
I don't mind just fiddling around with a vehicle as a hobbyist and get some satisfaction out of it. There is a different side of it when the work has to be done and time is limited or have weather issues such as the recent cold spell nationwide.
Tools are not an issue for me, its more about making time and working outside between rain storms or other nasty conditions.
Originally Posted By: SwedishRider
For me, it's mostly a function of time. I just don't have as much of it as I used too.
Exactly.
I work 5 days and only have 2 days free. That's often filled with other annoyances like paying bills, doing laundry, etc
For me, it's mostly a function of time. I just don't have as much of it as I used too.
Exactly.
I work 5 days and only have 2 days free. That's often filled with other annoyances like paying bills, doing laundry, etc
For me its my knee's, ankles and back. I got the 2's. Too old and Too Fat. I have nice thick hunk of cardboard to lay on when changing oil. Its not pretty getting up and down, but I only do it once, as I have everything ready for the underneath part. I take small nap while waiting for oil to drain.
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Originally Posted By: supton
I've also been surprised: I did a tire rotation and oil change in 20F weather. I will say when I did an oil change this weekend at a bit cooler of a temp my fingers were hurting, and I spent more time warming up; but it wasn't as bad as I feared. I suspect I will hate working on vehicles when the ground is soggy or raining, but cold wasn't as bad as I've long thought.
As long as you dress for it, 20F without a wind is fine to work with bare hands even. Keep your core and feet warm and your hands will stay warm too.
That said, a garage/shop is in my future though. Too many mechanical toys and most of my free time is after 7:30pm. I will have to draw up a creative financial plan to show the wife how it will even pay for itself.
I've also been surprised: I did a tire rotation and oil change in 20F weather. I will say when I did an oil change this weekend at a bit cooler of a temp my fingers were hurting, and I spent more time warming up; but it wasn't as bad as I feared. I suspect I will hate working on vehicles when the ground is soggy or raining, but cold wasn't as bad as I've long thought.
As long as you dress for it, 20F without a wind is fine to work with bare hands even. Keep your core and feet warm and your hands will stay warm too.
That said, a garage/shop is in my future though. Too many mechanical toys and most of my free time is after 7:30pm. I will have to draw up a creative financial plan to show the wife how it will even pay for itself.
I don't mind when it's nice weather and I have the right tools. Fixing the car to get to work stinks.
The routine maintenance stuff I still do for the most part and a lot of the more simple repair jobs but some stuff I just don't feel like doing so I have someone else do it.
I remember the days of only having one vehicle and having to fix it right then so I could get to work. Luckily those days are gone and I have other vehicles to drive if something breaks down that is outside my capability or I just don't want to do it.
Wayne
I remember the days of only having one vehicle and having to fix it right then so I could get to work. Luckily those days are gone and I have other vehicles to drive if something breaks down that is outside my capability or I just don't want to do it.
Wayne
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