I realize most of you here do your own mechanical work. I'd like to also but have no idea where to start. I have zero mechanical experience, and was wondering what books/websites/whatever else are most helpful for learning basic procedures/basic mods.(in addition to this site of course) thx.

One thing that you should be able to do is change your own oil. Its a matter of removing 5 bolts and spinning off your oil filter. Read your owners manual front to back. Do searches on this web site, there are alot of how to's here.

look up Southern Cal Xterra http://www.sccxterra.com/

Go to one of their mod days or just any even. Learn by observation then crawl underneath your rig and learn by experience. Enjoy.

If you have no auto repair experiance, and want to learn the basics and learn to do some things on your own, I would say look into a non credited course at one of the local trade schools and take an intro class.

Doing the basic things such as changing oil and breaks can be done by anyone with the right tools. I think to work on a car you have to first start with the fundimentals on what parts do what and how they operate.

I have spent years around cars and could build you a pre computerized car from the ground up. Modern cars still stump me, not because I don't understand how they work, but just like everything else, you throw electronics into it and things are not as clear. Bad thing is, I work with compters for a living as a Systems Analyst.

I agree.It's always best to learn with someone there that knows what they're doing to lend you hand..That'll get you to learn more about your rig..

Check out our Backyard Mechanic section too...

Amazing what you can learn by reading the factory service manual. I just browse through it sometimes and learn how a part of the truck works.

The thing to keep in mind is that it isn't this huge complex monstrosity that you could never fully understand. Like everything else, it is a bunch of simple systems put together.

I find that helps me... you don't need to know how the whole truck works today... if there is a problem with the brakes - just learn how the brakes work. No single system is really that hard to understand.

Howstuffworks.com is cool, too.

I agree, this is a great resource.

I got a crash course in auto repair when I didn't have money to have a mechanic fix it. I went to Pep Boys and bought a Haynes Manual. It was either fix my own truck, or don't drive. So I learned really fast. Start small (brake job or oil change) and when you are more confident you can move on to bigger things (suspension work and/or engine work). 8 years later I am still working on my own vehicles, and I will continue even if I have the cash to have someone else do it.

My friend gave me his Haynes book. It was like a jump start for me. Highly recommend.

only problem with that, is that i don't think there's a haynes/chilton manual for 05-06..if someone knows where it is speak up! the factory service manual isn't bad though

Where are you at in SoCal? We occasionaly have mod day's, although we havn't had one in a while. Still if you needed some help with the X I know I would be willing to help you out, I'm not a wrench head, and have just started working on my X but I've done some work on my samurai as well as my girlfriends car.

All it takes is one post and I'm sure some one in your area will be willing to help, heck I know I'd come help if you're near Santa Barbara.

Gooooooo Computer Geeks! BSA right here!

I actually got in touch with Hayes myself and they told me that the 2003 Xterra manual is due out in September of THIS YEAR?!?! lol
I can just imagine when the '05 will come out!

Damn a little slow..

My understanding of the process Haynes goes through to make a new manual is this: They acquire the vehicle in question, completely tear it down, take pictures, and then put it all back together again and sell it or something. No wonder it's a few years behind.

I wanna work there!!!

Naw, they just boilerplate normal maintenance stuff.

Haynes sucks really...even thir updates will include some references to older trucks they for got to remove...example, one jeep manual said to rotate the distributer cap to set the timing...which was ok for the previous model, but would do like $300 worth of damage to the one it said to do it to, etc.

The factory service manual is very good if you can get it.

But, I have to second the motion to hook up with a local club, and do mod days.

There's nothing like doing it to learn it, and with other guys (And their tools if you don't have any yet...) to help...you can SEE how its done, and, get recommendations as to what you need, etc.

Yeah - I take Haynes advice with a grain of salt... but it's better than nothing.