The CAR WIZARD shares 10 Crazy Easy and Essential Mechanic Tips 

I've been a mechanic (auto,diesel, machine, race shop) for 26 years but had to basically resort to doing it part time in my driveway because my wife (RIP) got very aggressive cancer and I had to become her full time caretaker for the last 8 years. Now that she has passed, I have to go back to doing this because really what else can I do. So I'm rebuilding my tools and doing my homework all over again, I've missed a lot in the last 8 years. And even these videos are reminding me of some stuff I have completely forgotten about and it's always a good idea to refresh your brain. You can always forget some tricks that maybe you haven't used in a long time. 👍

My best tip for a baffling mechanical problem, when your frustration level rises, is to just walk away, get a good night's rest, and you might even know the answer with coffee even before you pick up a single wrench the next morning. Often it takes some distance and time away, because we cannot always see the forest since the trees are in the way. Never push on a job when you are irritated by the seeming complexity. It can become a safety issue and seldom yields good results. A smart mechanic knows when it is time to stop, take a rest, and wait for another day.

Mr. Wizard, I been a mechanic for 40 + yrs. Back in my younger years I had a local repair shop that would let me watch them work on cars and teach me what video does today. What I'm trying to say is Thank you for inviting us in ur shop, ur tips r awesome. Keep on keeping on.

Most good mechanics I know are too busy to make videos like this. I appreciate the time and energy you take to make these. This tips are amazing! Thank you for your generosity!

I've been a mechanic for 33 years and I learned from your tips! Everyone sees the trees different so don't think that experienced mechanics can't learn from your videos. Going to get those relays. A+

For someone who makes their living working on others vehicles it's incredibly nice of him to share some tips for your backyard mechanics. Due to financial limitations I've always repaired whatever I can myself so learning any new tips or tricks is always very appreciated no matter how small or easy they seem. Excellent video.

I am pretty inexperienced with working on cars but here’s my tip for people like me trying to learn. When you’re watching a RU-vid video to learn how to do a job, watch one for the specific car you’re working on (ex. Changing brake pads and rotors 2016 Mazda 3) and then watch another one that is a general video (ex. How to change brake pads and rotors). The first video can help you see things specific to your car and the second more general video is likely more thorough and might have some additional tips or steps

Two more tips. #11 The fuel pump hammer trick can work on any electric motor that has locked up. Your window regulator motor is a good example. Tap the motor lightly with a hammer as you apply power. Same with a bad starter. #12 When dealing with a very stubborn bolt or nut especially one that is already slightly damaged Tighten it to break it loose, then loosen it. Sounds counterintuitive but it works many times.

I can't believe how calm he was explaining the fuel pump problem right after going full *beast mode* on the fuel tank

I died when he went from calm to banging on the gas tank

Super glue trick and relay/switch were new to me. All 10 of these tips are gold.

Great video, my dad was a successful automatic transmission mechanic in the 60s and 70s. He was good and he was fast (air tools galore) working a flat rate hour. He gave me all his tools after he retired and I noticed he had several 3 and 4 ft. Extensions hanging on the side of his tool box and I wondered what he used then for. Now I know.

David is like that older brother or dad you never had who could show you some of his experience. Thanks Car Wizard.

The Bob Ross of auto repair, good info and relaxing to watch.

I watched the video for the full 26 minutes and I will say that it's done with much talent. The way car wizard explains the details of the different tips is unique. It's great help for all those owners that are looking to save money with car repairs. Great job Car wizard!!!!!

To expand on tip #1; not only do you not want to get mentally stuck in one area, don't get stuck on one vertically either. Sometimes it's easier to get to a bolt on the underside by going in from the top.

The sound is clear, no noise, well balanced (as you prove at 4:49) and high quality. The improvement is great. Just like your content! Now teach Hoovie and Doug how to do sound.

This guy makes me feel bad for mistakes that I've never done.

Another Tip I use on occasion is when your trying to install spark plugs in tough locations, you can take a piece of fuel hose and slide it onto the end of the plug and use it to guide the spark plug into the hole and can twist the end of it to screw the plug in enough so that you can finish up with a socket and an extension. I’ve also used the hose Tip when installing knock sensors on some Hondas when they are really difficult to get your fingers in there.

I've been wrenching for 44 years and I've learned a lot from you by watching only a few of your videos. I'm not a mechanic by trade. Only for my own stuff. But thanks so much for these videos

I’m in the Automotive trade 25 years now, and I have to say ,Car Wizard is absolutely on the ball with All his tips and tricks, listen up folks ,you’re goin to learn a lot from this guy,could listen to him all day,love his no nonsense approach.

You are the Bob Ross of car mechanics. Sometimes I come across a youtuber and say to myself, "I'd like to drink beers and BBQ some meat with this guy". You're one of those dudes invited to my BBQ. I have a lot of humble people coming along. Life is good.

For tip number 4, it's essential to use a non-petroleum based lubricant. Can't just be any old grease. If you use a petroleum based grease it will cause the o-ring to swell up and wreck it. I've seen o-rings swell up enough to break plastic housings.

For Tip #6 I’ve used sticky wax for many years to keep a bolt in the socket. Wax rings for toilets or if you can find a block of soft beeswax. Either one works great and it eventually melts away.

I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting much. Now I've favorited this video for future reference

"With a flip of a switch, I can answer five questions at once" that was such a flex 🥵😂

Started working as a part time mechanic at a shop specializing in classic Land Rovers. Thanks for an inspiring video for thinking up my own wizardry on these old trucks!

About three years old. However, I do appreciate your content tremendously. I enjoy working on vehicles, home issues ( hardware) as well when not "an emergency" as in getting to work, and you cannot afford a good mechanic. I do all my repairs on my oun, not by choice, but necessity. Your tips here help me take care of my family. Experience is underrated and undervalued. Honestly, I just cannot afford it presently. So your tips are and were critical to me. I wish I could afford a good honest mechanic, but I can't right now. I just have to figure things out in the no choice but myself mode. Thank you for your help.

Hello David, As an Electronics Technician for over 40 years another trick that I have used especially with electronics circuit boards when you have to attach a fastener that is not magnetic and is hard to get to, I use beeswax. This will hold a Phillips head or a Allen head screw securely attached to the tool. What's great about this tip is that the beeswax is inert and non-conductive. To keep the beeswax handy but not sticking to everything I will put some into an old cleaned out deodorant container. This way every time you need some you take off the cap and screw up the beeswax to expose it and dip your screw head or your to head into the beeswax. To obtain the beeswax I use the wax ring for a toilet. Hope this helps. Paul

The internet really has made life easier for the engineer, when I get stumped with a problem the answer is nearly always on there. It can save hours of struggling and testing.

I've been working on cars professionally for 8 years and studied in college automotive technology and I've got a few new tips and just wanted to say I love what you do and how you do it

You are the best mechanic I have ever come across. Glad I found this channel

35 years ago, an old mechanic taught me the newspaper/socket trick. Last year, I taught it to another fellow, who visited the now very old mechanic in a nursing home and shared the story of how his teaching continues all these years later. The superglue washer idea is awesome.

The car wizard really is one of the better RU-vid channels. He seems like an honest and fair man. Thanks for all you do!

As a professional porcelain throne viewer , I can agree with this info. Thank you.

wonderful . so refreshing to encounter a master of their work expressing total honesty and revelation of technique

I used to check youtube when I couldnt figure something out... now I check it before I even try!!!

Video and audio quality are great wizard. Well done this channel has came an incredible way since the beginning.

The first sign of wisdom is...."restatement of the obvious". Your videos are very good and a nice reminder that more people can handle this car mechanic stuff if they have a little curiosity and some gumption. I was an executive headhunter most of my career but was always trying to figure things out or fix something. This included maintenance and issues specific to my cars, the family and even some friends and neighbors. Most of my vehicles have been Honda the last 37 years. I even did some time at Monro and Firestone as an entry-level tech during Covid-19. I agree with your Tip #10 and would also add beyond Google and RU-vid searches, look up the "Forum" for your car online. I've been part of Piloteers for many years and get outstanding wisdom from owners and actual mechanics on Honda Pilots. I told every customer who would listen how to look that forum up for their cars because a good handful of people who love their common cars, find a place to share ideas. Kind of like "birds of a feather flocking together". Keep up the good work Car Wizard.

I love this I’m going to be getting out the military and I want to pursue a career in being a mechanic. I grew up watching and fixing cars with my dad and always had some of these problems thank you for this💪

To lubricate "O" rings I've used Vaseline Petroleum Jelly for 40 years, never had a problem cutting or nicking seals. The Navy called it Petrolatum Technical, same thing, works great and it's cheap.

Silicone spray lubricant is also the secret to pulling electrical wires through rubber gaskets without struggling.

With Tip #9 make sure you're not running your engine, otherwise you probably won't see the interior lights dim due to the alternator putting out 14 ish volts.

Love your tips Mr. and Mrs. Car Wizard ... can't learn enough these days and I appreciate everything you share ... well done and well said

As a qualified mechanic i can vouch for this guy he knows how to make life easier

Excellent video! BTW, the fuel pump trick will also work on starter that has a bad spot on the commutator by rapping it with anything you can reach it with.

This was great, I could watch another hour of your tips. Thank you Car Wizard!

Me wanting to get into the auto mechanic field your videos are very informative thank you! Keep up the awesome vids!

The hammering of the fuel tank is like the beating on your starter motor when it won't start.

Google has changed the game on repairing things. I even google things I know just to make sure I am using the best techniques and practices.

I have been wrenching for a long time off and on and this video helped me with things I have forgotten. Thank you

Great tips for the back yard mechanic I use some of them but now I have more to make the job easier thanks Car Wizard.

You can always learn something new if someone is willing to share their knowledge .Thanks for sharing ...

If I lived near this guy he’d be my mechanic. He has integrity, knowledge, and... wizardry.. Awesome video.

Great information! Just now ran onto your video. I’m now a subscriber. I’ve been a mechanic for several years now, and am constantly learning new tips and tricks to do my job better and more efficiently. I’m looking forward to watching more of your videos! Thanks.

I gotta say the long 3/8 extension is so true!!! My dad, an auto mechanic for 30+ years, showed me this and i was just like why didn’t i think of that super useful!!!

I've been twisting wrenches for over 45 years and can say that these tips are pure gold. I've known this stuff since I was a kid but the accumulation of this kind of knowledge takes years for someone who works on vehicles daily and I am glad that there's someone out there sharing these tricks of the trade. BTW, grease works if you don't have super glue handy.

hitting random things with hammers has proven to be a surprisingly effective technique

Very helpful video, the socket extensions to get to the gearbox bolts is a great idea, you can also take the bolts out the cross member and lower it to get to the 2 bolts on the top of the gearbox.

Absolutely one of the best pearls of advice you will ever hear is what this gentleman just said, just call it a day (or a night), go get cleaned up, relax and quit thinking about that blankety-blank frustrating problem. Almost every time when you re-address the problem the next day or whenever you get to it, then you will solve it much quicker than you believe possible. I should know, I am an expert at getting into frustrating auto repairs! PS: At at least it’s not a total loss, you learn lots of new cuss words each time

"it evaporates and you never see it again "... ahhh you mean like my paycheck? Wow that fuse trick you pulled out is so simple yet genius!

Wow, been a family mechanic a long time and still learned from your tricks, thank you! Tomorrow I’ll spray some silicone on my legs before I pull my pants up 😂

Mr Wizard, 1st I'd like to comment on the TV show - you are a true asset to the show. Appropriate humor, good knowledge etc... good car show type entertainment! Thanks for that. 2nd I understand you served for our good ole r,w & b... Thank you for your service! Finally- this sort of video is a really great concept. The world thinks there are 2 types of mechanics- professionals and diy guys or hobbyists. I have a small excavation company and below a certain level of difficulty, l fix most of my own problems and do ALL of my own maintenance. I also enjoy hot rodding but dont have nearly enough of that in my life. Anyhow, never being formally taught the art of mechanics I know my speed is way behind the curve or my techniques dont evolve because I'm too focused on getting the job done. So these tips are SUPER helpful! Also, would love to view your approach to larger or harder jobs that you see people procrastinating over. I have a terrible habit of youtubing the hell out of something only to find out there was nothing left to doing it... but doing it! I still fall into that trap a lot. Anyhow there are many types of mechanics other than the two stereo types I mentioned that will really benefit from your tips. These tips, order of operations, good tool advising, troubleshooting techniques etc are all going to help us folks that find ourselves doing this on a daily basis in one way or another! Thanks! You are the man!!!

Great video, with some excellent tips. I especially like the rubber mallet to the gas tank for a stopped fuel pump. I used to drive GMC Safari vans and had three of them over the years. Loved the vans but every single one of them had fuel pumps stop working after about 60 thousand miles or so...and there is no warning...they just stop. left me stranded every time. One of them even did it to me twice, even after I put on a new pump. GMC was infamous for those faulty fuel pumps, and they could have easily designed a cut out in the floor above the tank where the fuel pump was installed, but didn't.

Using paper on a bolt head and super glue for washers. Genius tips in this video, thank you. The microphone works great by the way, great quality 👍🏻

I just graduated 6 months of classes in automotive and learned the basic but there isn’t nothing like hearing from mechanics that deal with everyday issues. I’m not done learning and love this industry because this is my passion. I want to do things the right way and make customers happy. Thanks again for helping me with simple mistakes that can be avoided with just a little thought and effort.

This video really helps me a lot about the mechanical problems. Thank you！

You’re doing great man! Good content and thank you for helping

I immediately had visions of me in a lawn chair while fixing the car w/ 10' of extensions.

Young mechanic voice “hey Dave I glued my finger to the bolt,

Dave, "You are the mechanic BOSS of the world! (I just want to share my enthusiasm for sharing your wonderful suggestions!) ... After 60+ years of doing my own wrenching, I also learned something!!! Thanks Dave!

Thanks for your time in sharing these great tips.

The one with the fuel pump actually works with the starter too, I've done it for whole summer 😀

We DEMAND more mechanic tips!!! Those were very useful.

Thank you. These are all actually useful tips. You are a good teacher!

Great video, love how he explains it, straightforward, and the WHYS and WHY NOTS

Has to be my absolute fave channel on RU-vid. Such a chill-dude sharing their wisdom w/ the world! Keep up the great work!

A tip that blew my mind was an easier way to align the input shaft when mounting the transmission to the engine.... Get some real long bolts and cut the heads off of them, then thread them into the engine. They will guide the transmission into to the correct orientation, then replace the long bolts with normal bolts as you bolt everything together,

Masterclass in automotive work. Outstanding Sir! Thanks so much for posting and sharing.

That paper trick and superglue were amazing! The silicone spray as well!!! Amazing! Thank you

"Use Google, RU-vid... I do that myself.."... you're an honest person ✌️

I knew some of these "old school " tricks of the trade, but learned some new ones. Very fresh and concise.

Thanks for this detailed video David. Its very informative for proffeionals and DIY community

All good tips. I will definitely use the paper magnet one. And I love the tip to short power terminals at relay port (he uses special tool) to rule out everything except controlling signal and relay itself. Thanks for sharing, and for the thoughtful discussion instead of shouting and gimmicks.

Seems like such a nice gentle guy.. glad he is a youtube millionaire

I've never worked on a car but some of these tips are awesome in other areas. I used to do computer repair and the bit about needing to make sure your tools are actually making full contact with what you're trying to manipulate is SO IMPORTANT! Even with other types of closures. Placement/contact is the difference between unclasping plastic tabs cleanly or ripping the back right off a laptop. I love this channel. It's great seeing an expert give master class lessons like this!

As a Refrigeration Mechanic and working on Recip Compressers I appreciate your Honest and Forward Teaching. We overlap in many trades. Thank you. Calgary Canada

Thank you so much sir,appreciate your work,time and insight and of course the tips.

The mic is very good, very professional! Video quality as well.

The Wizard should run a "Shade Tree Camp" a two week course where you get to wrench with the Wizard and learn a ton.

19:35 Been there. Took 2 hours of fishing with a tiny magnet on a piece of fishing line to catch, and pull the washer out of the cylinder. I was just about to give up and start planning an engine pull since it was the only way to remove the head when I finally got it. After that I started plugging the intake ports whenever I removed the manifold.

After a blown power steering pump I went back to my mechanic 3 times for a squeaky serpentine belt. Not wanting to go back a fourth time I looked on RU-vid, found the answer in 5 minutes (idler arm pulley). Great job on the video. Love those switched relays, I just nearly had my car towed to a shop, found the answer on RU-vid again, bad relay.

Best 26 minutes I’ve spent in months, I was aware of most but only one of these pays. My mentor in a garage taught me some tips back in 1991, every time I use them I remember the guy. I think open mind and ability to learn is the main skill for a mechanic, got a few cars and bikes and do most of the repairs cause I enjoy learning and finding out what the issues are

I learned to rebuild engines from an old retired mechanic and already knew most of these lol The relay tester switch was the best one for me

Wow...the wonders of RU-vid...and the thousands of people sharing their knowledge to help everyone out! Thank you all...for your great and helpful videos...and thank RU-vid!

I’ve been an auto tech for 35 years and I’d always jumper the relay circuit with just a wire …..have to look up which wires are which so I’d didn’t short the pcm etc….I just bought those relay switches from your link! Great tool to have ! Thanks for the tip.

Upcoming winter tip: Silicone spray on your shovel and/or snow blower chute keeps the snow from sticking!

Such a nice guy and good camera work from Mrs wizard.

I just discovered your channel today. It showed up in my feed and I love it! I've been binge watching your channel and I did subscribe. However, I have tip #11 for you. Back when I was an apprentice and about 100lbs soaking wet there was a time when I just could not remove a bolt. My boss came to me and said I was doing it wrong. What I needed to do was get a good grip on my ratchet and then say, "MotherF******!!!" It worked ever time. True story. I hope my comment was not offensive but I had to share because I am enjoying your channel. Keep the videos coming. Thank you.

Hey man you’re awesome dude I have been missing with cars for long time some of your tricks I knew but not all. I thank you buddy for you posting this 👍👍👍