Automotive Training Courses in Pittsburgh for laymen (apartment complexes, schools)

[noblerare]

Hi all,

I am new to Pittsburgh and moving there in a month. I've always wanted to learn more about how to do car repairs and about cars in general, how they work, how to diagnose certain common sounds or failures, etc. Is there any sort of automotive training courses for laymen that I can take out of some community colleges or technical schools? I'm not looking for a full certification or a full course load or anything. Something in the evenings or weekends would be nice since I work full time.

Just something to get me from absolute novice to someone who won't be ripped off at auto mechanics and can do some repairs on my own.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[okaydorothy]

Rosedale Technical School. I believe they do teach at night.

[gg]

You could learn a lot on line. For example if you own a Ford Mustang, you could join a forum for the car you own and just start reading. It isn't as hard as you think. There are a TON of learning to be done on Youtube for example. Changing your oil would be a good first step. I used to do a lot on my own cars, but have less time now, but I know a lot about cars just from being an enthusiast.

[Bazzwell]

Not sure of a casual type of course. Most of what I see are courses that lead to becoming an actual working mechanic. But there may be something.

However, you will need to make an investment beyond yourself if you want to do your own repairs, even minor ones like an oil change or tire rotation. You'll need a jack and jackstands and the knowledge of how to use them properly. So you don't damage the vehicle and more importantly, yourself. A basic tool kit is a must with a variety of sockets, wrenches, adapters. Extras like a filter wrench, drain pan and so on. An OBDII code reader can tell you a lot and a service manual, or at the very least, a Haynes manual, pays itself back in no time. Oh, screwdrivers, dozens of them.

Another thing to keep in mind. Where are you going to do this work? You'll need a reasonably flat spot in an area that allows for this sort of work to be done. Apartment complexes and so on sometimes frown on even looking under the hood.

It can be done, I do it myself all the time. But then I was informally trained by hanging around mechanics most of my life or being hung out to dry with a "repair" that did more damage than good and having to fix same myself. Good luck and many happy oil changes to you.

[RogersParkTransplant]

I don't know much about automotive stuff myself, but I have a very high opinion of CCAC (community college of Allegheny county) and a Google search shows that they do offer courses:

https://www.ccac.edu/automotive/