r/MechanicAdvice

1.1M archived posts · Feb 2012 – Sep 2026

Advice from experienced mechanics from several fields.

r/MechanicAdvice

This is more than a car repair forum!

Created Feb 17, 2012

1.4MMembers (last snapshot)

1.1MArchived posts

#MECHANIC CHAT: Join the /r/MechanicAdvice IRC for instant conversations with other users on libera.chat irc network.

PART TRADING: If you have parts you would like to trade please do so at r/partIt

If possible posts must include the make/model/year in the title or body of the post. If that isn't available, provide all you know and explain why.

All bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding questions. BELONG in r/Autobody or r/Diyautobody/ Do not ask for an estimate there as it is against the subs rules. Questions of this nature will be removed

#RULES

#Please Take a Moment To Read The Rules Before Posting

1) Advice Format. This is a subreddit for asking Mechanical questions pertaining to vehicles, engines, etc. If it's got wheels, treads, floats, flies, or has an engine you're good to go and we'll do our best to help. Showing off w/out a question goes in r/justrolledintotheshop legal/insurance questions go in r/legaladvice or r/insurance. Title, salvage, body work, paint work, etc questions also dont belong here. Memes, youtube videos and other non questions are not allowed

No intentionally bad, harmful, or deceptive advice. If we feel a piece of advice is particularly reckless, dangerous, or extremely unhelpful it maybe removed If a post or comment is provided that is not a response to a question, the post may be removed. Please report bad advice to the mod team.

2) Keep discussion friendly, civil, courteous, and professional. We're here to help so being rude won't help. Dont assume a shop is trying to "rip you off." It's okay to ask for a second opinion.

Golden Rule: If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all. Those who demonstrate they cannot follow the rules will be warned and posts removed. Those who continually cause issue will be removed

3) Only one vehicle/problem/incident per thread, and only post once. If you didn't get an answer the first time, or you don't like the answer you got that does not mean you post it again. Do not post asking questions of your own in someone else's post

The only exception is for posting updates, provided it is properly marked as an [Update] or similar.

4) Spam/Self-Promotion/Improper Linking/advertisements. Linking to outside content is not allowed, unless it's germane to the discussion. We allow links, pictures, video, or audio file to help diagnose your problem. Linking for the purposes of promotion (eg offers/coupons/self blog posts/youtube/advertisements/how to) is strictly prohibited and will result in a permanent ban. This is a zero tolerance policy. This isnt a place to post your youtube channel, advertisements, memes, shitposts or business

5) Personal Information. Sharing personal information, or specifics on r/MechanicAdvice is not allowed. Please do not name the shops specifically (unless part of a chain) This is not a review forum for specific shops.

6) Body Work. r/MechanicAdvice is a sub for mechanical questions. Questions related to dings, dents, accidents, paint and so forth DO NOT belong here, please post in r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or r/Diyautobody/ Take the car to an auto body repair shop who can give you a qualified estimate.

Asking for an estimate in r/autobody is against there rules. If you have insurance/total loss questions please ask in r/insurance.

#RIP-OFFS, SCAMS, & SECOND OPINIONS

You may ask a second opinion on a quote/repair from a shop. However, please observe rule #1 when asking for a second opinion. It is considered rude to ask, “Is the shop trying to fleece/rip me off?” You wouldn’t ask “Why are all cops pigs?” on r/AskLeo, ask about Creationism on r/AskScience, or talk about vaccines causing autism on r/AskDocs.

Generally there is a good reason why a repair costs what it does. We are more than happy to help you figure out why a shop wants to charge you for a repair, and we will tell you if it is unusually high. We are also happy to advise on how you can save money at the shop. Please read the sticky post on the subject for details.

#IMPORTANT

Understand that the assistance you receive is ADVICE ONLY and is given with the understanding that the giver assumes no liability for any damages that occur as a direct or indirect result. It is impossible for a mechanic to diagnose your problem accurately without seeing/hearing the problem with his own senses. Any advice you receive you must use AT YOUR OWN RISK.

#OUR PARTNER SUBREDDITS:

*r/Diyautobody

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