I've recently purchased a '98 BMW 520i and i'd like to be able to do some of my own servicing on it (such as oil changes/brake pads/discs etc) but the problem is that i dont really know anything about car maintenance. Does anybody know if you can do courses on such a thing or get some private tuition ? I dont want any qualifications in it or anything like that but i'd like to know what i was doing.
Learning how to service your own car
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Soldato
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http://www.haynes.co.uk/webapp/wcs/...10001&storeId=10001&productId=30803&langId=-1
My biggest piece of advice would be don't buy your oil from asda etc. My Favourite brands are, in order of goodness:
Castrol GTX
Selenia
Mobil One
My biggest piece of advice would be don't buy your oil from asda etc. My Favourite brands are, in order of goodness:
Castrol GTX
Selenia
Mobil One
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Haynes manuals are good, although I've noticed they are starting to put things like "Contact your local service centre" for the harder jobs these days which is a shame.
Its important you have somewhere out of the elements to work on the car, its no fun being under the car getting the oil filter off and it starting to rain or going dark on you
Its important you have somewhere out of the elements to work on the car, its no fun being under the car getting the oil filter off and it starting to rain or going dark on you
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
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[TW]Fox said:
Unless BMW run oil through an unusual component, Castrol GTX of the same garde as the genuine BMW oil will run fine.
But the Genuine BMW stuff is probably better than the Castrol.
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Five_Star said:
In 99 out of 100 of cases, it's prolly a good thing.
[TW]Fox said:
Seems to confirm that fact mate.
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarticle.do?categoryId=82915222&contentId=6009003
( Click the " Which oil should I use? " tab )
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Soldato
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GTX is a mineral and Mobil 1 is fully synthetic.
How has Biggles pipped ranked them in order with GTX at the top
Theres no real rating as such either as they are totally application specific.
Oil threads suck.
How has Biggles pipped ranked them in order with GTX at the top
Theres no real rating as such either as they are totally application specific.
Oil threads suck.
I learnt how to change the oil/oil filter/air filter/fuel filter on my cars by helping my Dad. I can confidently do it alone now and have done for a while. I can also change brake pads/discs, but sometimes have trouble with the amount of strength required to get some of the nuts off, and so need help from Leon. I think that's what stops me from doing more of the jobs that need doing and drafting in his help. Even so, it's useful having someone on hand who can do this sort of stuff, and I bet I've saved hundreds of pounds over the years.
Do any of your mates service their own cars? It's the best way to learn imo. Otherwise you can do basic mechanic courses at nightschool, because they used to offer them at my old college.
Do any of your mates service their own cars? It's the best way to learn imo. Otherwise you can do basic mechanic courses at nightschool, because they used to offer them at my old college.
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GTX is a mineral and Mobil 1 is fully synthetic.
How has Biggles pipped ranked them in order with GTX at the top
Theres no real rating as such either as they are totally application specific.
Oil threads suck.
No no, other way up, GTX is the cheapest I'd ever use on purpose, Mobil One is the best.
What about motul?
Id have imagined that to be one io the best
Also what about redline?
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What about motul?
Id have imagined that to be one io the best
Also what about redline?
I'm beggining to wish I'd never bothered, I'm not listing every oil producer in order of goodness.
I've never encountered motul? Prolly wouldn't use Redline because of the cheesy name, doesn't add 10bhp does it?
It's huge in motorsport - look at the Ferrari GTR cars, Subaru's rally cars etc - they all use Motul racing oils.
It's not generally that well known about in the 'normal' trade, it's more of an enthusiasts/professionals choice.
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It's huge in motorsport - look at the Ferrari GTR cars, Subaru's rally cars etc - they all use Motul racing oils.
So Mobil One quality? better? Worse?