Cars, Maintenance and Automotive Knowledge — Learning Roadmap¶

This roadmap is your study plan. Work through the phases in order. Each phase builds directly on the previous one. Mark your current position with ← You Are Here and update it as you progress.

Prerequisites Map¶

No prior automotive knowledge is required. This topic starts from zero.

No prerequisites → Cars, Maintenance and Automotive Knowledge (start here)

If you want broader DIY skills context, [[home-renovation-brazil]] covers tool safety and project planning in a complementary domain.

Learning Path Visualization¶

flowchart TD
    A([No Prerequisites — Start Here]) --> B

    subgraph P1["Phase 1: Foundation  •  Weeks 1–3"]
        B["Module 01: Introduction to Your Vehicle"]
        B --> C["Module 02: Fluids and Filters"]
        C --> D["Module 03: Tires and Brakes"]
        D --> E["Module 04: Battery and Electrical"]
    end

    subgraph P2["Phase 2: Core Mechanics  •  Weeks 4–6"]
        F["Module 05: Engine Fundamentals"]
        F --> G["Module 06: Suspension and Steering"]
        G --> H["Module 07: Diagnostics and OBD-II"]
    end

    subgraph P3["Phase 3: Applied Skills  •  Weeks 7–10"]
        I["Module 08: DIY Repairs"]
        I --> J["Module 09: Buying Used Cars"]
        J --> K["Module 10: Electric Vehicles"]
        K --> L["Module 11: Road Trips and Emergencies"]
    end

    subgraph P4["Phase 4: Mastery  •  Weeks 11–12"]
        M["Module 12: Capstone — 100-Point Inspection"]
        M --> N([Topic Complete])
    end

    E --> F
    H --> I
    L --> M

    style A fill:#2a9d8f,color:#fff,stroke:none
    style N fill:#2a9d8f,color:#fff,stroke:none
    style P1 fill:#edf2fb,stroke:#8d99ae
    style P2 fill:#fef3c7,stroke:#d97706
    style P3 fill:#fee2e2,stroke:#dc2626
    style P4 fill:#dcfce7,stroke:#16a34a

Phase Breakdown¶

Phase 1: Foundation¶

Goal: Understand the major systems of a car, build safety habits, and get comfortable performing the most common maintenance checks and tasks. Leave Phase 1 able to confidently open a hood, check fluids, inspect tires, and change a battery.

Phase 1 Exit Criteria:

• Can explain the purpose of all major vehicle systems to a non-mechanic
• Has checked oil level, coolant, tire pressure, and battery terminals on a real car
• Scored ≥ 70% on all Phase 1 module tests
• Completed at least one Beginner project from PROJECTS.md
• GLOSSARY.md has at least 10 entries filled in

Milestone unlocked: Foundation Built

Phase 2: Core Mechanics¶

Goal: Develop genuine understanding of how the engine and drivetrain work, what can go wrong, and how to diagnose problems systematically using diagnostic tools.

Phase 2 Exit Criteria:

• Can explain what a DTC code means and how to look it up
• Has connected an OBD-II scanner to a vehicle (or simulator) and read live data
• Scored ≥ 75% on all Phase 2 module tests
• Completed at least one Intermediate project from PROJECTS.md
• CHEATSHEET.md has entries for common OBD-II codes and maintenance intervals

Milestone unlocked: Core Mastery

Phase 3: Applied Skills¶

Goal: Apply knowledge to realistic, complex scenarios: hands-on repairs, used car buying, EV systems, and emergency response. Leave Phase 3 capable of handling most common ownership situations independently.

Phase 3 Exit Criteria:

• Has performed at least one DIY repair with confidence
• Can conduct a structured pre-purchase inspection on a used vehicle
• Understands the differences between BEV, PHEV, and HEV ownership
• Scored ≥ 80% on all Phase 3 module tests
• QUESTIONS.md open questions are mostly resolved (status: 🟢)

Milestone unlocked: Applied Practitioner

Phase 4: Mastery¶

Goal: Synthesize everything into one comprehensive, documented vehicle inspection. Leave Phase 4 able to serve as a knowledgeable advisor to anyone buying, maintaining, or troubleshooting a car.

Phase 4 Exit Criteria:

• Capstone inspection documented in PROJECTS.md with photos or notes
• Overall topic score ≥ 80%
• CHEATSHEET.md is complete and genuinely useful as a quick reference
• GLOSSARY.md has definitions for every term encountered throughout the topic
• At least one teaching artifact exists (maintenance guide, write-up, or recorded walkthrough)

Milestone unlocked: Topic Mastery

Time Estimates Summary¶

[!NOTE] These estimates assume roughly 5 focused hours per week. If you're studying part-time, the calendar weeks will stretch accordingly. Consistency matters more than pace — even 2 hours per week gets you to mastery in 6 months.

Milestone Definitions¶

Alternative Paths¶

Fast Track (If You Have Some Experience)¶

If you already own a car and have done basic maintenance:

Skim Module 01 → Start at Module 03 → Continue normally

Take the Module 01 test first. If you score ≥ 85%, skip to Module 03.

Deep Dive Path (Maximum Understanding)¶

For maximum depth, add these supplementary activities between phases:

• After Phase 1: Work through the manufacturer's service manual for your specific vehicle
• After Phase 2: Shadow a mechanic for a few hours at a trusted shop; ask questions
• After Phase 3: Attempt a more complex DIY repair (timing belt, suspension component)

Project-First Path (Learn by Doing)¶

If you learn best by doing rather than reading:

Module 01 → Document your car's current condition → Module 02 → Perform an oil change → ...

Alternate one module of theory with one hands-on task at each step.

You Are Here¶

Current Phase: Not started

Current Module: None — begin at Module 01

Last Completed Module: None

Next Action: Open Module 01 and read the Overview section.

Update this section each time you advance to a new module or phase.