How to learn EVERYTHING about cars

mbowen89 · 02-23-2014, 02:24 PM

Hey, so I'm an electrical engineer and love electronics, and know a lot of that stuff inside out. However, I have a 2014 Camaro and I really want to understand technically everything about it!

Where can I learn exactly how all the different components work together, etc? From intake manifold, to gas tank, to radiator to brakes, you name it.

Mr Twisty · 02-23-2014, 03:33 PM

Automotive classes at your local vo-tech would be a decent base to start from.

SteelCamaro · 02-23-2014, 05:36 PM

You'd be surprised how much these forums and Youtube videos will teach you. Sure, not as much as an actual class, but still a lot more than you'd think. I'd suggest using the search function and just browsing these forums, along with watching various Youtube videos on the car.

mikeyg36 · 02-23-2014, 05:49 PM

YT will teach you a lot. I like ETCG videos personally.
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_q-UNDJeEBSHqKzAP_8x_A

Overflow · 02-23-2014, 06:14 PM

I found that getting involved with the car scene itself allowed me to learn a ton of info from other people.

chef-beavis · 02-23-2014, 06:19 PM

Either a good classroom or a good mentor. I have been fortunate enough in my life to be blessed with some of each. Most real gearheads love to teach and pass the torch if someone wants to learn and help.

mikeyg36 · 02-23-2014, 06:53 PM

I should also add that nothing beats working on your own car. Built not bought is a great motto.

mbowen89 · 02-23-2014, 09:28 PM

I was hoping there would be really good online "tutorials" so to speak that had breakdowns of everything. Thought you guys would know the best ones, or how you learned all about car stuff, if not just from your dad

*DGthe3* · 02-24-2014, 05:14 PM

Most of the stuff I've found I came across because I was looking to learn more about a specific thing. I know a few sites that offer very basic knowledge about what does what, though I don't quite think thats what you're after.

Are you looking for practical knowledge to help you diagnose/repair/modify your car, or more theoretical knowledge so that you can understand the machine better? You said you are an electrical engineer, so I'm going to guess that you might be more interested in the latter. If so, you could probably get a lot out of something along the lines of an automotive engineering 101 textbook. I'm sure there are some out there that are written in more of a conversational format (instead of just deriving equations & solving examples).

mbowen89 · 02-24-2014, 06:16 PM

Yeah just a big but detailed overview of the entire system. How a fuel injection system works. Not to rebuild one or anything, just to know how it works.

Bhobbs · 02-24-2014, 06:21 PM

I have learned a lot from restoring my Chevelle and even just basic maintenance on family cars. Reading on different forums and websites helps a lot.

tc Bosnian · 03-06-2014, 12:02 AM

YouTube is your best friend. Try to attack projects on your own. Google every project then go out there to try it. If you run into problems just sit back and think. I haven't been fortunate enough for my dad nor anyone else to teach me but I love doing my own work and do a lot of research before attacking projects. With time you can figure out a lot of things and if you can't get on forums. You'll be amazed how much these guys know and how they are willing to help.

02-23-2014, 02:24 PM	#1
mbowen89 Drives: 2015 CRT 2SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: IN Posts: 638	How to learn EVERYTHING about cars Hey, so I'm an electrical engineer and love electronics, and know a lot of that stuff inside out. However, I have a 2014 Camaro and I really want to understand technically everything about it! Where can I learn exactly how all the different components work together, etc? From intake manifold, to gas tank, to radiator to brakes, you name it.

02-23-2014, 03:33 PM	#2
Mr Twisty Drives: the 2nd amendment home Join Date: May 2008 Location: OK Posts: 14,763	Automotive classes at your local vo-tech would be a decent base to start from. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin lib·er·ty /ˈlibərdē/ noun 1. the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views

02-24-2014, 05:14 PM	#9
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 25,366	Most of the stuff I've found I came across because I was looking to learn more about a specific thing. I know a few sites that offer very basic knowledge about what does what, though I don't quite think thats what you're after. Are you looking for practical knowledge to help you diagnose/repair/modify your car, or more theoretical knowledge so that you can understand the machine better? You said you are an electrical engineer, so I'm going to guess that you might be more interested in the latter. If so, you could probably get a lot out of something along the lines of an automotive engineering 101 textbook. I'm sure there are some out there that are written in more of a conversational format (instead of just deriving equations & solving examples). __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!! __________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum

02-23-2014, 05:36 PM	#3
SteelCamaro Drives: 2012 2SS LS3 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: The Garage Posts: 561	You'd be surprised how much these forums and Youtube videos will teach you. Sure, not as much as an actual class, but still a lot more than you'd think. I'd suggest using the search function and just browsing these forums, along with watching various Youtube videos on the car.

02-23-2014, 05:49 PM	#4
mikeyg36 Drives: 2015 Z/28 #533 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NY Posts: 6,732	YT will teach you a lot. I like ETCG videos personally. http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_q-UNDJeEBSHqKzAP_8x_A

02-23-2014, 06:14 PM	#5
Overflow Space Shuttle Aficionado Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 30,897 View My Garage	I found that getting involved with the car scene itself allowed me to learn a ton of info from other people.

02-23-2014, 06:19 PM	#6
chef-beavis Drives: IOM 2013 2SS/RS, Greenie, 06 FXSTBi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Turd Town, WI Posts: 1,602	Either a good classroom or a good mentor. I have been fortunate enough in my life to be blessed with some of each. Most real gearheads love to teach and pass the torch if someone wants to learn and help.

02-23-2014, 06:53 PM	#7
mikeyg36 Drives: 2015 Z/28 #533 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NY Posts: 6,732	I should also add that nothing beats working on your own car. Built not bought is a great motto.

02-23-2014, 09:28 PM	#8
mbowen89 Drives: 2015 CRT 2SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: IN Posts: 638	I was hoping there would be really good online "tutorials" so to speak that had breakdowns of everything. Thought you guys would know the best ones, or how you learned all about car stuff, if not just from your dad

02-24-2014, 06:16 PM	#10
mbowen89 Drives: 2015 CRT 2SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: IN Posts: 638	Yeah just a big but detailed overview of the entire system. How a fuel injection system works. Not to rebuild one or anything, just to know how it works.

02-24-2014, 06:21 PM	#11
Bhobbs Drives: 2015 SS 1LE Red Hot, 1970 Chevelle Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 6,990	I have learned a lot from restoring my Chevelle and even just basic maintenance on family cars. Reading on different forums and websites helps a lot.

03-06-2014, 12:02 AM	#12
tc Bosnian Drives: 09 a4 1500 silverado 2010 2ss rs Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: fort wayne Posts: 309 View My Garage	YouTube is your best friend. Try to attack projects on your own. Google every project then go out there to try it. If you run into problems just sit back and think. I haven't been fortunate enough for my dad nor anyone else to teach me but I love doing my own work and do a lot of research before attacking projects. With time you can figure out a lot of things and if you can't get on forums. You'll be amazed how much these guys know and how they are willing to help.