Car Maintenance Essentials

Service Description

This five-week hands-on course covers the car mechanics skills most people never get taught. Each session combines practical knowledge with real hands-on time on actual vehicles. No experience needed, no car required. What you'll cover: Week 1: Know Your Car A full tour under the hood: what everything is, what you can handle yourself and what to leave to a mechanic. You'll check your oil, fill fluids, learn what your warning lights actually mean, and replace your windshield wipers. Week 2: Seasonal Tire Changes How to safely and confidently change your own tires. Floor jack technique, torque wrench use, which tire goes where, checking tread depth and tire pressure, and how to store your off-season set properly. Week 3: Tires Continued and Brakes Tire rotation, reading a tire sidewall, wheel alignment and why it matters. Plus a deep dive into brakes: how they work, what brake service actually involves, and how to avoid being talked into replacing pads and rotors before you need to. Week 4: Oil Changes Why oil matters, how to choose the right type for your car, and a hands-on oil change demonstration. You'll also learn where to dispose of used oil and what a fair price looks like if you prefer to have it done at a shop. Week 5: Noises, Preventing theft, avoiding overcharges at the shop How to diagnose and investigate common car noises, what's an emergency versus what can wait, how to read a mechanic's quote and what questions to ask. Plus practical theft prevention and what to keep in your emergency kit. Meet your instructor: Our instructors are licensed mechanics with 15+ years of experience. They have taught automotive skills to hundreds of students, from complete beginners to seasoned pros. They are passionate about creating a welcoming environment for beginners to learn about their vehicles. Total beginners welcome: you do not need to have taken our basics workshop to participate. Ages 16+. Participants under 16 may join if accompanied by a parent or guardian.