I’m not sure I remember the year and exact trim of Peugeot my father drove back in the day. However, what I remember clearly is how simple the engine was and how, looking back, it was the perfect auto DIY repair candidate.
The problem then was, the key of the cherished vehicle was always out of sight and to attempt any sort of repair on the vehicle was a ‘sacrilege’ that my father wouldn’t have forgiven.
So, by and large, the engine bay that had just the block, starter, distributor and radiator came and went, without any attempt (at DIY on it).
The more sophisticated W124 Mercedes followed – with more creature comforts but still, a basic piece of engineering (by today’s standards) and still (yet again), every DIYer’s dream.
The challenge? Nothing changed and as ‘boys’ were denied access to the driver’s seat, they were also denied access to the engine bay!
That’s how my childhood came and went without any active play in the hood.
Unfortunately, when I became an adult and became ready for the task of fixing my cars, DIY style, vehicles became complex – and now run on a billion and one sensors, with wide values and cramped-up engine bays.
That notwithstanding, when a vehicle needs to be fixed, it needs to be fixed; there are no excuses. But, how do you learn how to fix your own modern vehicles?
How difficult is it? Can auto DIY be attempted on modern vehicles?
Article Outline
How to Fix a Modern Car: How Difficult Is It?
DIY car repairs with the Peugeot 504 or the W124 Mercedes is pretty simple, easy, and straight to the point: these older vehicles were easy to maintain and very DIY friendly.
The modern vehicles on the other hand are a different ball game altogether. All thanks (but no thanks) to the modern ECUs and a plethora of sensors that all must work together in harmony (or near harmony) to get the vehicle working.
But, in truth, is the modern vehicle truly more complex than its forebears? Is it something that doesn’t lend itself to auto DIY easily?
Let’s see.
How to Fix a Modern Car Yourself…
The general principle of automotive engineering hasn’t changed since the first Ford Model T rolled off the assembly plant. To put it very simply, fuel is burned in cylinders and the resulting ‘bang’ or energy is what propels the vehicle forward.
The byproduct of that process, combustion, produces gases which then need to be expelled, via some sort of exhaust mechanism, usually, from the cylinders directly.
Granted, this is an oversimplified rendering of the whole process of what makes a vehicle move; however, if grasped well, then, everything else becomes simple and straight to the point from there.
If you have a no-start condition for instance, only three things, in core, can cause this: fuel, spark, and then, the resulting combustion that must follow.
Grasp these basics and then a startling truth will confront you eyeball to eyeball: all the complexity of the modern vehicle isn’t necessarily reinventing the wheel, it’s just a mere ‘decoration of the wheel’ and a desire to have the wheel, ‘turn more efficiently’.
At their core thus, a Ford Model T used the same principle as the Bugatti Chiron.
That said, there’s a twist: DIY in this age and time is full of a plethora of help – both online and off.
Getting Help With the DIY Auto Manuals
I’ve always counseled others that the first step in starting the process of fixing your vehicle yourself is to buy, study, and thoroughly understand your vehicle’s repair manual.
With your vehicle’s repair manual all in your brain, thanks to series such as Haynes, more than 70% of the task of fixing a vehicle is already sorted.
The challenge back in the day while I was growing up was that I never came across any workshop manual and if someone had told me that there was a ‘something’ called ‘Haynes’ or ‘Chilton’, I would have heavily doubted them.
So, that’s a plus – for modern vehicles and folks who own/are interested in fixing them directly.
Scanners & Other Diagnostic Tools
The repair manuals aren’t the only things that have made DIY auto repair a breeze and a walk in the park for many today: scanners and other diagnostic tools have also contributed immensely to pinpointing, with accuracy, what the challenges are/may be.
Brands such as Ancel (and many others) are at the forefront of this DIY revolution, making tools to keep vehicle owners who are interested in fixing their vehicles themselves a step ahead.
Now, more than ever, you don’t need to have special knowledge to understand why your vehicle is jerking: you just need to plug a simple and reliable code reader like the Foxwell NT301 and the issue with the car together with what you should look at will be in your palms in minutes.
Was there ever a better time to take a look at what happens under the hood?
YouTube & Online Communities
Besides the code readers and array of DIY-friendly auto diagnostic tools available today, there’s YouTube and numerous other online communities dedicated to helping you both understand and fix your vehicle yourself.
For instance, if you own a Lexus, Club Lexus is where you should consider checking in, occasionally. Made up of lovers and owners of the marque, there are also a plethora of mechanics whose full-time job is fixing these cars.
The good part? They’re always ready to help with their knowledge and if that doesn’t suffice, there is always an abundance of follow-up videos on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram (links to my video channels) where others are eager to share their knowledge with the world.
Wrap-Up: Should You Attempt to Fix Your Car?
DIY car repair is a fun hobby to develop and a practical one at that: it creates a sense of pride and accomplishment, boosts confidence while on the road, and importantly, saves you money.
That modern cars appear complex today and don’t look exactly DIY-friendly shouldn’t be a cause for not delving into this very satisfying pastime.
However (and this is VERY important), before you begin, be sure you’ve thoroughly prepared yourself as advised above and be sure of your abilities.
Generally, it’s smart to start with the basics like oil changes, then work your way to cleaning the MAF, changing brake pads before engaging the engine, transmission, and other complex components.
Whatever you do, however, DON’T jump into attempting to repair your vehicle if you’re not yet prepared or as I love to say it, paid your dues. You will bitterly regret it.
And, while at it, it’s also important to focus on models that are DIY-friendly, especially at the beginning of your journey, and for this, nothing beats the Asians!