Did any of you start fixing your car on the lexus without any prior knowledge of fixing cars?

 

yea. attempted to do my starter job with a little knowledge but u just gotta label and remember which nut and bolt goes where. had to get some help from a mechanic friend but she starts up purty now.

changed rotors and pads without any idea how to do it but same friend taught me. damn what a long way i've come in 1 year.

 

If you're planning some diy's without any previous practice on other cars, you'll find some repairs for a novice would be better left to a shop. However, there is plenty of servicing you can do with some instruction. A lot depends on how handy you are with a wrench and your understanding of the basics. All cars have similar basics, it's the variations in how they're applied that makes things interesting. If you really want to scrape your knuckles, I'd read up on sites like CL and Lextreme to learn about your car. I'd also either get a shop manual or subscribe to a web service like alldata. Have a number handy to a tech for those inevitable questions you won't find an answer for in the manuals. Of course, CL is here as well and another grease monkey is always welcome!

 

Don't be too afraid to tackle basic maintenance. Things like oil, brakes, fluids, and tuneups. When you get some more confidence sites like clublexus and lexls.com have an immense amount of knowledge and tutorials to walk you through each step. Just make sure that you don't swim in waters a little too rough for yourself.

Personally i had to learn out of necessity when i was a teenager. I couldn't afford mechanics so i had to learn how to do it on my own. Always make sure you have the right tools and a good jack and a good set of jackstands. Never compromise your safety. I had my share of close calls and near death experiences that could have easily been prevented. But now i can pretty much do everything from changing axels to complete engine and auto to manual swaps. just stick with it.

 

its a good experience, especially changing spark plugs and wires on the LS, its a biatch.

 

plugs and wires is pretty easy. an easy 20 minute job.

 

I knew nothing about fixing cars, but I like to take things apart to see how it works and put it back together. When I started working on my LS I just got better at it, especially using the maintainance manual.

 

i had done basic maint. on some other cars but the first thing i did for my old LS was replacing the hydraulic power steering hose.

fun stuff.

 

i started on my old 850 turbo volvo doing the breaks. But almost all my m experience is from my 92 audi v8 and I cant see how anything on a ls could ever be harder then that car. It's fun to drive it after knowing you just fixed it.

 

Moved to car chat from the LS forums...