Don’t feel bad if you don’t know much about cars because you’re not the only one. There are a lot of people out there who wish they knew more, especially when they find themselves stranded somewhere or have a problem with their current vehicle.
What you shouldn’t do is give up hope on yourself and assume that you can’t educate yourself and learn more. All it takes is you being proactive and having a positive attitude as you embark on this journey to becoming more of a car enthusiast. Take it slow and don’t beat yourself up if there are areas you don’t understand as well as others.
Educate yourself
Your first order of business is to learn and educate yourself on all there is to know. Start by getting curious and actively seeking out information that’s new to you. Visit your public library or search online for various blogs and topics that cover all you need to understand about cars. Watch television shows related to cars and read books and publications that will quickly inform you on the major areas you should know about first.
Buy your own Car & Review the Manual
One way to truly dive into learning more about cars is to buy one yourself. This is an entire process that you’ll want to take seriously and understand more in depth before you go out and purchase one on a whim. You’ll want to approach a dealership having a good idea of what make, model and color you’re interested in buying. Be patient and don’t jump at the first deal or car that comes your way. Once you do land your dream vehicle, it’s a smart idea to read the entire manual and better understand what you need to do to maintain it properly.
Take Care of Finding A Repair Shop yourself
If your car does become problematic or you get in an accident and need repairs then take it upon yourself to lookup car frame shops in your area who can fix the issue. In the past maybe you’d had your spouse or father take care of this problem for you, but it’s a good idea to step up and learn the process for taking your car in and getting it evaluated and repaired yourself. It’s a good idea to get several estimates before you commit to going through with the repairs at the first shop you stop in.
Follow Racing
Another great idea for learning more about cars is to take up a new hobby like following racing. Check out NASCAR events on television or go see the races live if possible. Learn more about the sport by reading online publications and searching for new events that pop up. Start to follow some of the big-name drivers and learn more about them and why they’re so passionate about cars and driving. If you’re feeling super ambitious, you can go to a local go-kart facility and see for yourself how much fun it is to speed around the track.
Talk to an Expert
The only way to learn any new subject matter is to talk to an expert who is experienced in their trade or industry. Either you can find a mechanic who wouldn’t mind chatting with you or take the initiative to search for car experts in your area. It’s likely you’ll quickly find someone who’s passionate about cars and racing if you simply look and ask around. Maybe you have a family member or friend who is an expert, and you didn’t even know it until you opened up and started asking questions. See if they’ll meet with you to discuss cars further and brainstorm a list of questions ahead of time you can ask during your conversation.
Join Communities on Social Media
Social media is the perfect spot for you to learn about a new topic or hobby that intrigues you. There are online groups for just about any kind of activity or interest. Start reading and chatting with those who are into cars and know what they’re talking about. Follow people on social media who have a passion for cars and consistently share related content. It’s easy to check your accounts wherever you are so you can always keep on top of your new hobby. This is a great place to ask questions and not feel silly about how little knowledge you have.
Watch YouTube Videos
You can learn anything you want on YouTube and some people find it easier to watch videos than to read information. Go nuts learning and experimenting as you explore and take in valuable tidbits you can use in your own life. These visuals will allow you to even fix your own car by yourself if you get comfortable enough to do go through with them on your own. The only roadblock is that if you have questions, you’ll have to find someone you know or post a question to an online forum.
Take A Class at your Local Community College
Go out and truly learn more about cars by getting your hands dirty and receiving education from a pro. Take a local class and better understand how cars work and the process for making common repairs. You may even feel like going out to buy an old beater and bringing it back to life after completing your car classes. You’ll also likely meet new people who are also interested in learning more about cars, and you can exchange knowledge and questions with each other.
Conclusion
It’s not as difficult as you may think to learn more about cars. These are all excellent starting points for you in your journey to educate yourself on the subject matter. Go slow and be patient with yourself as you discover, search and experiment in your downtime. You may realize it’s not a hobby you care for, or become truly passionate about cars and want to make them a bigger part of your life.
