Home Depot offers do-it-yourself workshops like "How to build a deck."

I suggest that vehicle parts stores offer do-it-yourself workshops like "How to install new brakes," or "How to install a new tire on your motorcycle."

Millions of people would love to get their hands on a mig welder or automotive paint gun for thirty minutes. Welding supply shops, paint shops, fabrication shops, etc. could also offer such seminars. The classes could well sell some products to the non-professional public and create some new regular customers.

The large viewership of do-it- yourself shows demonstrate a market for such seminars.
-- Sunstone, Oct 23 2005

(?) Auto Parts store help on the Net http://www.autozone...900823d8005035e.jsp
Auto Zone offers written instructions on their web site [Sunstone, Oct 26 2005]

I'm guessing the liability--errors and omissions, etc.--makes this impractical when it comes to mission critical components and systems.
-- bristolz, Oct 23 2005


I assume these would be drive-in seminars? E.g. they take place in a parking lot with a movie showing how to do everything, and instructors running around helping people who can't.
-- phundug, Oct 24 2005


[+] Even though this is about three-quarters-baked in the form of half-a-dozen shows on the Speed channel and others, where some guy and his girlfriend from Minnesota show you how to add a really bitchin' bumper to your 4x4 or jack it up to unnatural heights.
-- land, Oct 25 2005


bris: given the widespread incidence of workshops teaching tricky things, I think you just need some standard boilerplate "we're not responsible for anything" language in your waivers. And the liability on this has to be *way* less than some of the other suggestions around here (nuking the Canary Islands, good grief).
-- DrCurry, Oct 25 2005


The thing is that this idea is quite plausible while many of the other ideas on here are not (Hullaballoons, good grief). So, the issue of liability is one that I feel enters the picture and particularly since the systems in most cars these days are not built to be user serviceable or even user accessible without specialized equipment, codes and knowledge, and are at risk from damage by the novice.

I think it likely that the owner of an IS300 might file suit if the instructions he followed to adjust, say, an ABS controller resulted in the failure and destruction of that controller or any of the other major systems.

Another issue that I think is pertinent is in regard to EPA rules for the proper use and disposal of some of the solvents, coatings and chemicals that a hobbyist might need to use for, in particular, paint work. In some states these chemical systems are no longer available to the hobbyist.

I'm not adding this to be negative or anti-invention but rather just to point out the realities of the idea in practical use.
-- bristolz, Oct 25 2005


I know what you're saying, but I would hate to think that we live in a world where a "civilian" can't pick up a wrench. How did the qualified repairmen get qualified? Just offer the same courses to the public.
-- DrCurry, Oct 25 2005


We are well into that world already.

Did you know that you cannot buy a service manual for a Honda or Acura? Honda will not release the information to the public--only to their dealerships.

Many of the tools, both hardware and software, required to service cars are controlled by their manufacturers and simply are not available to the public.

The reality is, at least to me, that it won't be long before there are the equivalent of EULAs on cars and many consumer products. Maybe this will lead to an open source movement for cars or something.
-- bristolz, Oct 25 2005


honda - spit!
-- po, Oct 25 2005


Not just Honda, [po].
-- bristolz, Oct 25 2005


I like this idea, because I find the trend of abstraction from deep-level practical knowledge of everyday devices disturbing. Forty years ago, I think I'd be correct in saying that the majority would be able to fix basic automotive problems, wire a plug, fix a lawnmower etc. These days, in many so-called developed nations, that's sadly not the case, and I think this decrease in independence is a bad thing.

Of course, in the automotive field, companies have actively attempted to prevent users acquiring the knowledge and capability to service their own vehicles - witness the ongoing fasteners race as evidence of this (allen keys, star fasteners and so on). It makes sense for them, but at the expense of freedom of their customers. [+]
-- DocBrown, Oct 25 2005


A part of me died when Chilton, publisher of repair manuals, when out of business.
-- RayfordSteele, Oct 25 2005


(( sob )) I know, [RayfordSteele]

I'd have shot myself, but the gold-blessed S&W service manual wasn't where I left it. Fortunately, thanks to the "Incomplete Idiot's Guide to Self Improvement" I'm all better now.
-- reensure, Oct 26 2005



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