To many people, the idea of working on their car or motorcycle seems like a black art. As someone who could only change oil and a flat tire coming into college, I can relate. Here are a few tips to get you started.

The most obvious thing you’ll need when starting out as a weekend mechanic is a good set of tools. Don’t go out and spend a fortune, but start with the basics and build from there. A good quality basic set of wrenches, screwdrivers and sockets is all you’ll need at first – $100 will get you off to a very good start. If you’re not sure you want to make that kind of investment, become friends with someone who has tools and doesn’t mind you borrowing them from time to time.

Something to remember when buying tools is that you pay for what you get. A brand like Snap-On or Mac will last you forever; however, you will pay for that type of quality. The no-name brand of tools you find in the discount bin at the convenience store will last you all of five minutes if you’re lucky – trust me, I speak from experience. I prefer Craftsman, Kobalt and other mid-priced, store-brand hand tools. I usually look for a “replace it for free”-type guarantee on whatever I buy.

The second thing you’ll want to buy when you’re getting ready to work on your car or motorcycle is a service manual. Factory service manuals are useful, but often expensive. I prefer to buy a Clymer or Chilton service manual for the vehicle I plan to work on. A service manual has step-by-step instructions on how to do nearly anything to your vehicle and can be purchased online or at most auto parts stores.

I know what you’re thinking – “I don’t need no stinking instructions.” I’ll remind you there is a big difference between assembling a Wal-Mart computer desk and changing the brakes on the vehicle that sends you down the road at 60 miles per hour. In one case, the worst thing that can happen is your desk shakes when you type; the other can mean the difference between stopping safely and being in a serious accident.

The third – and probably most important – thing you’ll need is a friend who has experience working on cars or bikes. Having someone around who knows a thing or two can be very valuable when you start to dig under your hood. If you want to change your oil for the first time, talk to this person to find out what you’ll need and what you can expect. I recommend using 10W-30 motor oil.

Finally, a few safety items should be included with your tool purchases. A pair of comfortable safety glasses is a must. These can be purchased from most auto parts and hardware stores for anywhere from $1 to $20. The first time you break a screwdriver and a piece of metal hits you square on the lens, you’ll be glad you had them on. Besides being incredibly stylish, wearing a pair of Mechanix brand work gloves (or similar style) is also a good idea. These cost around $20 and will save you from the majority of cuts and scratches you can get when that rusted bolt finally breaks free and sends your knuckle hurtling toward a sharp piece of metal.

Ultimately, learning how to work on cars and motorcycles is just a matter of doing it. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve had to learn the hard way is that if you’re not sure, ask someone who knows. After a while, you will start to see that working on your car is not as complicated as you thought. Don’t be afraid to get dirty and have fun.