What's a good way for a beginner to get into DIY car mechanics on the driveway at home?

People have been working on their own cars for generations before the internet came along. So it must be easier than ever now right?

I'd like to get a good basic understanding of how a car works, all the essential components. Then some model specific knowledge to tackle some DIY jobs!

I've got a book (Hillier's Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Technology) as a start. Although I'm not doing this to get into the trade or gain a qualification - just knowledge, so maybe it's overkill

Knowledge transfer is a wonderful thing! Identify a job which you need to do, locate a friend (or local forum user) who has done this job before and invite them over for tea and bacon!

I started working on my own cars with No training to start with
My grandad did help with the basic jobs - oil / sensors here and there

but as his health dropped off - i had todo more and more on my own....

Eventuially i went to college did 3 year and learnt soo much
I'd tackle way more jobs now as a result!
BUT
the downside, i wanted to get into the trade - couldnt

Now i do very little and i do miss it from time to time

But i have a skill meaning my own cars are maintained well and issues i can sort as well

Ziggy

Your technology book may be a little too heavy, or not. Such books tend to be full of theory, but vehicle failures and maintenance often don't fit with the experts expectations. So be prepared to find advice on here that may conflict slightly with that. Don't be afraid to highlight any differences, as anyone with experience, or knowledge, should be willing to explain why what is real is different that the boffins' expectations.

Get a Haynes manual for your car.
Scan through it for all the jobs possible, some will mean something to you, others may not.
Pick something of interest, and read the section thoroughly, then re-read it whilst looking at the relevant part of your car.
Perhaps the routine servicing section might be a good place to start.
Ask questions on here.
Don't mess with the car unless you are sure you won't break it, but questions and answers on here will help you gain confidence.

Is there anyone local to you who seems to work on their car at home, a daily runner, or perhaps a hobby classic. Talk to them, offer to help.

Update your profile to show your location. With members on here spread widely, there might be someone near willing to help you, or allow you to help them, or to teach you in return for help.

No substitute for hands on experience,get yourself an old car,mot failure etc,take it to bits,put it back together.

I did my 1st DIY car mechanics in 1971/72 on my then Fait 600D. Was a student, no money etc. Have never looked back.

Started with a simple service. Oil change, cleaning the centrifugal oil filter, spark plugs, brakes etc.

Others have mentioned Haynes/other manuals etc. so I'll mention some different stuff.

Think SAFETY 1ST - your safety when working on/under the car and driving it.

This will generate a simple but essential shopping list of thing to get and things not to do:

Quality trolley jack, axle stands, wheel chocks, safety glasses, mechanics gloves, inspection lamp, ground insulation/padding (most people start off with old underlay backed carpet)

Do not rush or try to cut corners on a job. This is when accidents or vehicle damage occurs. Allow plenty of time in both preparation, execution and post execution review and checking.

If in doubt don't do it without further research or asking someone with experience.

The most potentially lethal thing (other that the car crushing you) are any under tension/compression springs. From the small biro/pen like springs, brake springs and of course suspension springs.

Tools: Buy the best you can afford and slowly build your tool stock up. Takes quite a few years to gather together all the tools you will likely need. Some you will make and fashion yourself (e.g. bent wire hook, bent screwdriver, ....) Hang on to these as dearly as you do your expensive tools. If you need something special then ask yourself what is the likelihood you will need/use that tool twice? If so buy it.

Trust me and others in saying that when you get into doing your own car DIY you will never look back. And when you come to buy a new/another car you will well equipped and know what you are talking about, especially when garages/dealers are involved.

I can only concur what others have said by learning from older family members. I learned initially from my Father/Grandad/Uncle, then at secondary school we were lucky enough to have a rolling chassi in a class referred to as brunton, both girls & boys took part in this, we also took part in cooking/knitting/sewing, but that's another story.

I really can't add anything else other than night classes if there is anything like that in your neck of the woods.

I agree totally with replies above. Been doing it since the days of the Ford 'swingle tree ' brakes, but , and it's a big but, a car today isn't like a car of 30 years ago. It's now a computer on wheels , with an ECU for the engine , an ECU for the brakes ,one for the body and ,in automatics , even one for the gearbox.
I would say that you do need to be computer literate too, as with all the modern emission controls it's difficult to fault a modern engine without a lap-top. As long as you keep the engine oil clean and filtered properly though you shouldn't have too much trouble..