Car Maintenance Anyone Can Do from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Check all fluids and maintain proper levels.
Change the engine spark plugs

Battery maintenance to prolong the efficiency and life of the battery
Learn how to change a flat tire, fix a flat, and much more

Check all fluids and maintain proper levels.
Change the engine spark plugs
Battery maintenance to prolong the efficiency and life of the battery
Learn how to change a flat tire, fix a flat, and much more

Syllabus

Introduction

I introduce myself, the course.

The basic amount of tools needed to get started. Also, what other tools would come in handy, though they are not needed to get started.

Simple safety steps and tips to stay injury free.

What are monthly checks and why are they important

Learn how to check the fluids under the hood. This is the first step to making sure your car runs efficiently and safely.

Explanation of coolant types.

What serpentine belt is and how to inspect it for wear.

Changing a burnt-out headlight is a snap.

How to take care of a battery and add years to its life.

Air Filter Inspection and replacement

You will learn how to inspect and inflate tires to the proper pressure. Also, check the tread for wear and when to replace.

If you need to get under the car to do an oil change or anything else, you need to watch this lesson first.

Selecting an Oil filter and the oil

Step by step instructions on doing an oil change.

Simple steps to changing spark plugs.

If you don't know how, I show you how easy it is. Never get stranded from a flat again.

Save some money and fix the flat yourself.

Be able to help someone who did not take this course and their battery failed.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches practical skills like changing oil and spark plugs, which empowers owners to perform basic car maintenance themselves

Covers essential safety tips for working on a vehicle, which helps learners avoid injuries while performing maintenance tasks

Explores preventative maintenance steps, which can extend the life of a vehicle and potentially save money on costly repairs

Includes instruction on jump-starting a car and changing a flat tire, which are useful skills for roadside emergencies

Requires learners to acquire basic tools, which may pose a barrier to entry for some students without existing equipment

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Car Maintenance Anyone Can Do with these activities:

Review Basic Physics Concepts

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Reviewing basic physics concepts like torque and friction will help you understand how different car components work and why certain maintenance procedures are necessary.

Browse courses on Torque

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Review online resources explaining torque and its applications.
Practice problems related to force and motion.
Watch videos demonstrating simple machines and their mechanical advantage.

Read 'Auto Repair for Dummies'

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Reading this book will provide a solid foundation in car maintenance principles and complement the course material.

View Auto Repair For Dummies on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to basic maintenance procedures.
Take notes on key concepts and procedures.
Review the troubleshooting sections for common car problems.

Practice Changing a Tire

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Practicing changing a tire will reinforce the steps learned in the course and build confidence in performing this essential task.

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Gather the necessary tools: jack, lug wrench, spare tire.
Loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire.
Jack up the car and remove the flat tire.
Install the spare tire and tighten the lug nuts.
Lower the car and fully tighten the lug nuts.

Four other activities

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Follow Online Tutorials for Oil Change

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Following online tutorials will provide visual guidance and reinforce the steps involved in performing an oil change.

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Find a tutorial specific to your car's make and model.
Gather the necessary tools and materials: oil, filter, wrench, drain pan.
Follow the tutorial step-by-step, pausing as needed.
Dispose of the used oil properly.

Create a Car Maintenance Log

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Starting a car maintenance log will help you track maintenance tasks and stay organized, ensuring that your car receives timely care.

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Create a spreadsheet or use a notebook to record maintenance tasks.
Include columns for date, task, mileage, and notes.
Record all maintenance tasks performed on your car.

Document Your Car Maintenance

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Documenting your car maintenance with photos and videos will help you remember the steps involved and share your knowledge with others.

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Take photos or videos of each step of a maintenance task.
Write a brief description of each step.
Compile the photos and descriptions into a blog post or video tutorial.

Explore 'Chilton's Total Car Care'

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Consulting Chilton's Total Car Care manual for your specific car model will provide detailed instructions and diagrams for more complex repairs.

View Chilton Nissan Titan/Armada 2004-2014 Repair... on Amazon

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Find the Chilton's manual for your car's make and model.
Review the sections related to specific maintenance tasks.
Compare the instructions in the manual to the course material.

Career center

Learners who complete Car Maintenance Anyone Can Do will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Automotive Technician

An Automotive Technician diagnoses, repairs, and maintains vehicles, often specializing in specific areas like engine repair or electrical systems. This role directly aligns with the practical skills taught in the course, such as changing oil and spark plugs, performing fluid checks, and understanding basic vehicle maintenance, building a foundation for hands-on work. The course's focus on preventative steps and basic repairs could also benefit aspiring Automotive Technicians, helping keep costs down for their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automotive Technician

Vehicle Inspector

A Vehicle Inspector rigorously examines vehicles to assess their condition and safety, often for regulatory compliance or pre-purchase evaluations. This course may help a Vehicle Inspector by teaching them essential maintenance procedures, including fluid checks, tire inspections, and battery maintenance, aiding in a thorough inspection process. Understanding the practical aspects of car care will inform a Vehicle Inspector's understanding of potential issues and their severity. This course provides a unique perspective from the viewpoint of maintenance and not just inspection.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vehicle Inspector

Fleet Maintenance Coordinator

A Fleet Maintenance Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the maintenance and repair of a company's vehicle fleet, ensuring vehicles are in good condition and operation. This course may be useful for a Fleet Maintenance Coordinator, offering practical knowledge about fluid checks, tire care, and basic repairs, enabling them to better oversee their fleet. The course's emphasis on safety and preventative maintenance will be very helpful in maintaining and extending the life of a fleet, in addition to their administrative duties.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fleet Maintenance Coordinator

Auto Parts Salesperson

An Auto Parts Salesperson assists customers in finding the right components for their vehicles, needing deep product knowledge and an ability to relate to customer needs. This course may be helpful for an auto parts salesperson, by providing a practical understanding of car maintenance, including oil changes, spark plug replacement, and battery care, enabling them to better recommend parts and assist customers. The course's focus on the practical will help an Auto Parts Salesperson relate to what a customer is doing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Auto Parts Salesperson

Service Advisor

A Service Advisor acts as the bridge between customers and automotive technicians by explaining repairs and maintenance needed, also helping customers understand service details. This course may be useful for a Service Advisor since it helps provide a baseline of understanding of vehicle maintenance. This can improve communication with both the customer and the technician, helping them understand the process. A Service Advisor would also benefit from the course's preventative steps.

See salaries and explore the career path for Service Advisor

Automotive Shop Owner

An Automotive Shop Owner manages all operations of an auto repair business, including business administration, customer service, and oversight of the repairs. This course may be useful for an Automotive Shop Owner because this foundation of understanding of vehicle maintenance practices allows them to more effectively manage their technicians and understand the work being performed. This course particularly highlights tasks such as fluid checks and tire care, which are common maintenance needs. This course gives practical knowledge that complements the business aspects of running an auto shop.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automotive Shop Owner

Transportation Dispatcher

A Transportation Dispatcher coordinates the movement of vehicles and drivers, often in a fast-paced and high-stakes environment. This course may be useful for a Transportation Dispatcher by giving them a deeper understanding of basic vehicle maintenance, helping them to understand maintenance needs, and allowing them to better communicate with mechanics and schedule preventative tasks as needed. The course's safety tips will also aid this role and will be useful information to share with employees.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Dispatcher

Motorcycle Mechanic

A Motorcycle Mechanic repairs and services motorcycles, possessing a strong understanding of mechanical systems and diagnostics. This course may be useful for a Motorcycle Mechanic because, while it focuses on cars and trucks, it provides a basis in maintenance and understanding of vehicle systems. Concepts such as fluid checks, spark plug replacement, tire care, and battery maintenance are useful for anyone who works with motorized vehicles, including those who work on motorcycles. It's valuable for a Motorcycle Mechanic to understand how to approach these maintenance tasks, so that they can be applied to both cars and motorcycles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Motorcycle Mechanic

Equipment Mechanic

An Equipment Mechanic maintains and repairs a variety of heavy machinery and equipment, usually in industrial or construction settings. This course may be useful for an Equipment Mechanic, because the basic principles of fluid and tire maintenance, as well as working with a battery, are applicable to a variety of equipment. While the course focuses on cars and trucks, concepts of maintenance, diagnosis, and preventative care are invaluable to an Equipment Mechanic. The general mechanical knowledge will help them transition into this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Equipment Mechanic

Delivery Driver

A Delivery Driver transports goods, needing responsibility and a basic understanding of vehicle maintenance to ensure they get their job done. This course may be useful for a Delivery Driver because the focus on preventative maintenance such as fluid checks, tire inflation, and battery care will help make sure they can deliver goods in a dependable and safe manner. The self-sufficiency aspect of the course, teaching how to change a tire and jump a car, will be especially useful for a driver.

See salaries and explore the career path for Delivery Driver

Ride Share Driver

A Ride Share Driver provides transportation to passengers using their personal vehicle, needing a safe and dependable car to provide their service. This course may help a Ride Share Driver by teaching them vital maintenance tasks, like checking fluids, replacing spark plugs, and maintaining proper tire pressure, all of which are essential for keeping a vehicle in good operating order. The course can help a Ride Share Driver prevent breakdowns and keep their car running in good condition so they can maximize their time and continue to serve their riders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ride Share Driver

Bus Driver

A Bus Driver is responsible for safely transporting passengers, needing a basic understanding of vehicle maintenance and potential issues. This course may be helpful for a Bus Driver because they would gain an increased understanding of how vehicles operate. This knowledge may be useful in identifying potential issues with the bus and bringing them to the attention of the maintenance staff. The course also teaches how a car's battery works which may be useful in handling the bus' electrical system.

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Tire Technician

A Tire Technician specializes in the installation, repair, and maintenance of tires and wheels on vehicles, needing specialized skills and tools. This course may be helpful for a Tire Technician because it covers tire inspection and inflation, basic aspects of a vehicle needing regular attention. While this course does not cover the highly technical aspects of tire repair, the course also focuses on a skill a Tire Technician should be familiar with, changing a flat tire. The course's basic instructions provide a solid foundation for a Tire Technician.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tire Technician

Parts Manager

A Parts Manager oversees the inventory and distribution of automotive parts for a repair shop or dealership, ensuring technicians have necessary components. This course may be helpful for a Parts Manager because learning about various car maintenance practices, such as oil changes, spark plug replacements, and battery care, provides a Parts Manager with a better understanding of what parts are needed. The practical knowledge will improve their ability to manage inventory and fulfill orders effectively even though they do not do this work themselves.

See salaries and explore the career path for Parts Manager

Industrial Mechanic

An Industrial Mechanic maintains and repairs machinery in factories and production lines, needing a strong understanding of mechanical systems. While this course is not directly applicable, it may be useful for an Industrial Mechanic as a starting point by giving them a basic understanding of how mechanical systems should work. The course also describes fluid maintenance, which would be useful to anyone working with equipment. Although this course does not focus on industrial systems, the basic principles may be useful to someone starting out in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Mechanic

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Car Maintenance Anyone Can Do.

Auto Repair For Dummies

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of car maintenance and repair. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic fluid checks to more complex repairs. It's a great resource for beginners and provides clear, step-by-step instructions with helpful illustrations. This book is commonly used as a reference by both hobbyists and those new to auto repair.

Auto Repair For Dummies

Kindle Edition

Nissan Titan and Armada Automotive Repair Manual

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Chilton's Total Car Care manuals provide detailed repair procedures for specific car makes and models. is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference. It's a useful reference tool for more advanced repairs and troubleshooting. This book is commonly used by mechanics and experienced DIYers.

Chilton Nissan Titan/Armada 2004-2014 Repair Manual...

Paperback

Car Maintenance Anyone Can Do

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