Changed my oil, now what?

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TallicaFan2k5

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I changed my oil for the first time today.... first I've ever done it... I wanted to get into cars more, or be more of a "car guy", so I decided the place to start was to change my oil...many people go to a mechanic to get it done, so I figure I might as well learn... beyond that my oil hasn't been changed since getting my car 2.5+ years ago.... :crazy:

So now what? I mean what should I do now to advance to the next step?? I want to understand cars basically so when my cousin talks to me I understand the things he says... lol... sure I could ask him but he has a full time job and college, and I work 3rd shift full time, while he works 1st...so we don't talk much...

Anyway just give me some places to start...if there is such a clear path to being a Level 1 "car guy" :P
 
If you really hadn't changed the oil in over a couple of years, the next step is to trade your car in. :dopey:
 
..I've rotated my tires before...and on our old van..... not a lot of fun :P ...and I don't think mine need done...

I'm working on getting a Camaro, but then again I'm trying to save money to get into school next year..... and I can't do both... so I'm hoping this car will give me another year and a half....
 
Change your oil filter if you haven't already done so.
-Wash, polish and wax your car (weather permitting)
-Rotate your tires (As Blackbird said). Also air them up/check PSI's.
-Clean out your air filter or replace it
 
I dunno then. I'm only fourteen so I only know SO MUCH about cars but I think a lot of the checking up like tranny fluid and such require some type of full-on lift. I wonder if you can change your brake fluid with just a hydraulic lift and supporters like you do change your oil filter...
 
yeah of course I changed my oil filter...... I just filled my tires the other week... I need an air filter, but I looked everywhere and NO ONE had my filter....AutoZone said it was discontinued...or the one of the two, and offered to order me one if I wanted to wait a week or so, or get a K & N...

but a K&N wouldn't be worth it for my car...1988 Chevy Beretta (V6) with like 114,xxx miles on it :P


Do any of you know any websites that are detailed and yet easy to understand and can overview just general car stuff?
 
well, i'll try to help you out.

your supposed to change your oil every 3000 miles or 3 months. which ever comes first.

it is recomended that you rotate your tires every 5000-6000 miles. if they are directional tires simply move the front to the back and back to the front. if your car if front wheel drive and does not use directional tires however it is recomened that you cross the front tires to the oposite side when you mount them on the back. left front to right rear and right front the left rear. do not do this however of you have directional tires as this will cause them to not perform as well. you can tell if you have directional tires by looking at the tread pattern. if it looks to go forward it is directional.

automatic transmission fluid should be changed every 60,000 miles. this isnt something worth doing yourself though as it can be complex depending on the car its done on.

the timing belt and fuel filter should be changed every 90,000-100,000 miles.
 
hmmmm well you can:

-Check all the fluid levels
-Check compression (if you get bored)
-Check spark plugs and gappage
-Change/clean air filter
-Replace Fuel filter
-Replace brake pads
-Replace rotors
-Install head unit and good speakers lol
-Change your cat if its shot
-Muffler?

so many things you can do bro, just need time money...and if you want to mod get a new car, i strongly recommend that lol.
 
radial tires dont need to be cross rotated.

www.howstuffworks.com would be a good place to start increasing your auto knowledege.
learn the four stroke (otto) cycle. (it really helps to get a basic understanding of it and then see it (or conceptualise it) on a model or something.)
how diesel engines work
how transmissions work
how differentials work
how brakes work
how suspensions work

i find its easier to learn how fix/ maintain something when i know how it works. try not to learn too much in one go. dont move onto transmissions then diffs before you fully understand the engine.

for instance; now that youve changed the oil i suggest you learn a little about the lubrication system in the car. oil is the lifeblood of the car. the oil pump is the heart of that lifeblood. there is nothing more important than oil pressure and distribution in a running car.
the oil is generally kept in the sump (oil pan) which is normally located on the bottom of the engine. oil is picked up by the pump and distributed through various channels and galleries to the sundry bits of engine that need lubrication. it returns to the sump by gravity.

while learning about oil; friction, bearings, seals; would be a good thing to consider in conjunction.
 
Hehe, when I had my porsche... You had to re-tension it every 15k and replace it every 30k
Click to expand...

tis life with a sports car.

and btw make sure to check your muffler barings and blinker fluid those are critical!
 
Thanks....

and I don't even have a muffler....haha.... yeah it has to go back on by February I guess... it was all f'ed up so my dad took it off a few months ago..... and took some other pipe and put it over the gap..
 

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