We all have to start somewhere. The gearheads here (probably) weren't born with a silver pushrod in their mouths, and not everyone goes to school and gets a certification.

Personally, I got into cars because:

• I own a car.
• I drive a car.
• Repair shops are expensive.
• I can't leave well enough alone.
• My right foot is made out of lead.

Being a computer guy, I figured that it was basically the same process, just with more mechanical parts and less electronics: find a problem, troubleshoot, diagnose, repair or replace, test.

I started by joining this forum, reading the how-tos and Tech Info sections, and supplanting that with a lot of Googling and reading the Haynes and owner'* manuals cover to cover.

So, I ask: how did you guys get your car knowledge? Any recommendations for a casual mechanic like me to learn more?

i got started by working in a salvage yard in TX and getting to see all of the cars there trhat still had alot if life left in them but no one to put the wrench time in, i was just to poor to buy one.

Well, I had my hands in engines at about age 6 helping my dad and uncles on the farm I went to school when I was old enough. When I graduated from school my dad opened a garage and I worked there. I kind of got out of auto work in the mid 80s and then stated getting back in to it about 20 years later.

dad at first then online forums

My dad does most of the work on all of his cars. So when it came time for me to get my first car, I started to learn about them from him. Then I found this forum, and I've learned so much in such a short time because of it. The amount of knowledge and information here is awesome.

I learned by just messing around, 2 and a half years later my car is now supercharged and getting ready to get some valvetrain work done

My friends and I work on cars all the time pretty much so I've seen a good variety of cars

Pops had me learning which wrench was which, soon as I could read enough to help out. That was the real basic stuff. Then began seeing how much it cost to fix a car, I wanted to know more. Met a buddy who is a full time mechanic and does work on the side, we hung out and I helped out. Now he has his own shop and he calls me in on the ugly jobs. (and the 3800'*). Mostly just too much hanging out and asking questions.

Biggest two issues that hold a person back from working on their own car is confidence and some tools. Get a basic set of tools and you can do most anything with some confidence.

My Dad always worked on his own cars and eventually got his own auto electric alternator/starter rebuilding shop. It was at the shop that I gained knowledge of how things work on a car and gained a lot of experience there. We were by no means rich so I was always driving buckets that needed something fixed....

well i have always ben interested in cars. my dad had an 88 camaro which i thought was the coolest thing ever at the age of 9 or 10. Then once i got my first car i immediately became really intersted.

Well I've been around cars all of my life. My dad has been working on cars for around 40 years so naturally i would get into them eventually. My dad use to take me to the local dirt tracks when i was a kid so that helped & he bought me a 1970 chevelle to help him restore eventually when i was young but he ended up selling it before i was old enough to help him & all =( I also got made in fun of a lot during elementary & middle school about the racing & car stuff so i never really let my interest bout cars out again until i was old enough to say screw everyone else so yeah I never really had the opportunity to get really really reallyyy into cars until i had one, i only had a 97 breeze so i didnt bother with modding them but right whenever i got the monte over 2 years ago i really started brainstorming & then i joined the forums & here i am now =)