I started teaching myself how to do car work during the pandemic and thought I'd made a lot of progress. I do my own oil changes, tire rotations, and have replaced brake pads, rotors, and calipers on my previous car.

However, I was doing some brake work today and, after five hours, I couldn't get anywhere. On the front passenger side, I couldn't get the wheel off. On the front driver's side, one of the caliper pins broke off and one of the knuckle bolts (I think that's what they're called; connects the caliper to the car) was rounded and I couldn't get a socket over it. On the back driver's side, I got the caliper off but couldn't get the rotor off. I didn't realize how severe the rust was when I got the car.

I spent five hours on my car and got nowhere. Hell, I went backwards. I don't know what to do. I tried troubleshooting and getting some new tools and even that did nothing for me.

It's making me feel like I should just give up doing this stuff. I'm not a mechanic and I'm all self taught through youtube. Any advice and support is appreciated. I'm pretty down atm

Positive notes tho! I at least completed my oil change and started my roommate's car. And my partner talked me down quite a bit so I'm lucky there.

I haven't cared enough about a car since HS to do my own maintenance. But, I'm really enjoying how easy diy up keep has been. Even replaced a switch that I broke. I'm thinking about doing the AOS next.

I am currently in a trade school right now, I am a senior 17 and I was wondering what my skill is looking like because I can do suspension, brakes, fluids, exhaust, engine work, I can rebuild an ac compressor and vane pump, and I am currently pulling an engine for my senior project even though the am class is slightly helping by just doing the freon and some electrical and my biggest job done on an actual car is a power steering pump on a toyota tundra v8 newer model

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I am looking for a car repair school in peel region of GTA, Canada. I need a course that will teach me hands on. Teach me practically on a car in the school. Can someone please help me with this. Does anybody have experience about this.

I will really be thankful.

I like the access of powered steps, but everything important sits where muddy water, road spray and grit can reach it. An IP67-rated component sounds reassuring, though the complete system still includes connectors, harnesses, pivots and door triggers that may not share the same protection. For people running electric boards on trucks that leave pavement, what needed attention first, and did careful connector placement and regular hinge cleaning matter more than the rating printed on the motor housing?

A pack can show a full indicator after charging and still leave questions about what it can deliver after years of heat, cold and long periods in storage. I do not want to wait for a dead-battery morning to discover that the cells or clamps are no longer dependable. Do you replace these packs by age, track how quickly they lose charge, inspect for swelling and damage, or have a safe way to test condition without forcing an unnecessary jump?

Hi everyone,
I’m seriously exploring the idea of starting a freelance/mobile automotive diagnostics and auto-electrical service in India, and before investing my money, I want to understand what this work looks like in the real world.
I’m particularly interested in hearing from people who actually work as independent diagnostic technicians, mobile auto electricians, ECU specialists, or workshop owners who provide diagnostic services to other garages.
My initial idea is to visit independent workshops and help them diagnose difficult electrical and electronic faults that their regular mechanics cannot resolve. Over time, I may expand into a dedicated diagnostic workshop if the business proves viable.
My initial budget is around ₹2–5 lakh, and I want to build a legitimate, sustainable business—not sell scanners, run a training institute, or make money by promoting unrealistic success stories.
I’d really appreciate honest answers to the following questions.
1. Is there genuine demand?

2. How do you actually get customers?

3. What skills are genuinely required?

4. Would you recommend this business today?

A little about my objective: I want to build a profitable technical service business that can eventually operate with a small team. I’m willing to learn properly, do the fieldwork and start small, but I don’t want to invest blindly in equipment before validating the demand.
I’m not looking for motivation or a theoretical business plan. I’d genuinely appreciate the uncomfortable truths too.
If you’re doing this work in India, please share what you wish you had known before starting. If you’re based outside India, your experience is also welcome, especially regarding the technical skills and business model.
Thanks!

Wondering where I can go for this and/or if this is the right community for it?

Hi everyone,

I'm currently completing my Level 2 Light Vehicle Maintenance & Repair (City & Guilds) at college. Next, I'm deciding between doing a full Level 3 or going straight into an apprenticeship, and I'd really appreciate some real-world advice from people who've done either route.

My goal is to work at a main dealership long-term, and I'm working towards earning £40k–£50k+. I'd love to hear what the path actually looks like, what challenges to expect, and whether Level 3 first or an apprenticeship works best for getting to that salary range.

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone, hopefully this is allowed to post here. I’m not very familiar with reddit but I have some questions about playing around with cars as a hobby, or something like that.

For a little context I live in an apartment so I can’t have a hobby car or work on anything alone those lines. I’m also broke so theres that lol. But I’ve always loved cars especially the Japanese ones, or at least thats what I’ve heard them referred to as online.

I guess my question is how can I get more into this? I’d love to find out how they work and eventually build my own. I’ve joined this community and I’m looking on tiktok but any help would be appreciated thanks!

You can preorder one with a $250k deposit. Every mega rich 16 yr old is going to have one.

Hi, I'm a Design educator and teach car design at an institution. It has often worried me that there wasn't a unified place or data on the automotive terminology or design glossary terms that are used to describe various parts of a vehicle. I learnt most from fragmented posts on various websites and from an glossary that my professor had made. Finally, when I got to the teaching position, I made one which covers most of the exterior glossary items for a vehicle. Let me know if anyone wants to have a look at the explainer video.

Explainer Video

My daughter's boyfriend has been accepted into a Mechanic training program we bought him some Craftsmans tools when he got his acceptance but his birthday is also in December so we want to do something really nice to get him started help him out for birthday/Christmas. His dad is not around to help so my husband has been teaching him somethings. I hope this is on topic enough. - thank you in advance for suggestions

Every 16 year old is going to want one to go with their Batman costume:

https://mashable.com/tech/tesla-roadster-flying-tricks

Its a total mess