gnl63

Hi Guys,
Like many people in Los Angeles, I live in an apartment. But I love to do my own repairs on my TL and my wife's accord. For oil changes i normally take it to the dealer, it costs $30 and I don't want to worry about where to dump the oil. (Which is another questions, where to dispose of chemicals?)

Anyone out there with tips & tricks on where to do your DIY repairs? I've changed my brakes while parked on a nearby street, but I felt a little out of place. Are there DIY car garages that I can rent? Secret vacant parking lots in the city that people use?

Thanks

redzuan

I live in Monterey Park 7 miles from downtown; seriously your welcome to use my parking lot: may be I can tap your brain abit

ez12a

for at least motor oil (and probably MT oil) you can purchase recycling containers. Used oil can be given to pepboys or an orilleys (kragen) and probably other places free of charge.

MT oil would probably pass as recyclable since you can technically use motor oil in an emergency.

But for the love of god do not dump chems into the ground. If you're caught it's a great way to get the EPA on your butt and some heavy fines. One guy in my old integra forum dumped MOTOR OIL into the ground. Neighbor caught him and called the EPA. They came over gave him a huge fine and dug up the ground.

edit: also, i'd look over your lease. I've seen clauses where you cannot do auto work on the premesis. But this was at Newport Beach, i'm sure certain areas of LA could care less.

jwr0ng626

iTrader: (1)

find a buddy/neighbor nearby who would let u borrow his driveway for a couple hrs? or redzuan? lol

LoveMyTL-S

If your military, a lot of bases have an auto hobby shop to do all your maintenance at.

triax37

iTrader: (1)

I've done some minor work on the street, and had good luck working next to a gas station. For the gas station, officially I was "off" their property, but parked on a non-busy street right next to the station. People just figure you had some car trouble and are zip-tieing your engine back together...

Since you're in LA, I think asking a friend to borrow their driveway is the best option. And be thankful that at least you're in a place with houses/driveways - I'm in San Francisco, where there are virtually no private driveways (each is shared by a building of 3-6 apartments), so doing anything fluid related is challenging...

abracing

If its fluid related and gonna take a long time i jst go to a relatives hse. If its something simple then i go to a not so busy do it yourself carwash.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

do it in the apartment parking lot after working hours....i do it....from oil changes to tranny flush to detailing to everything....

now unless you live in a high rise and the parking lot is in the basement....that would be an issue....

Aman

FWIW I hear many quick lube and service shops don't mind taking in used oil and disposing of it.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

yup....they have the big disposal tank sitting outside....you just go there and toss it off also the old filter

Bearcat94

I believe that they are required, by law, to accept used oil.

I don't know if that's only certain kinds of shops, or anywhere that does oil changes. It may also vary by state.

phee

iTrader: (5)

bring the car into my apartment living room



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

abracing

^ see it can be done! Lol.

Ruby

I like in an apartment, but I also have my own driveway its not an issue...They don't have any around here unfortunately but I heard there are places where you can rent lifts by the hours.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

^^^

thats bad ass, phee !!!

o4Komodo

iTrader: (2)

Bahahah awesome, Phee!

Personally I'd just work on my car in wherever my car is. If it needs to be done then it needs to be done.

RU_JELLY

iTrader: (1)

drive it to my dads shop that has two hydraulic lifts

gnl63

Phee you're the man! You've inspired me!!! I'm just glad to hear from so many apartment folks!

import roller

I live in an apartment, and to wash my car i bring out a bucket with soapy water, and two cat liter buckets full of water (Heavy as hell) and I wash the car in my car port (no garage) I use an old water pitcher to pour the rinse water off the car, and then i dry it and wax it.

Now for mechanical work, maintenance, overlay installs, I will do most of it in my car port. if I need electricity, i have a 80' and 50' extension chord i will run out to my car and work on it that way. If i'm doing anything where I may spill some fluids, i take my car to the extreme rear of the parking lot (where very few people go) and get it off the ground and work on it. here's a pic of the G35 when i was doing the camber kit, tranny flush, oil change, and differential fluid change. Just get a lockable catch can so you can transport the fluids to a local oil change or autoparts store to dispose of the fluids.

tc5280

yup just piss the neighbors off, then buy then beer, all good.

06TL-A-spec06

Find a friend that own a house and borrow his drive way.....or lift your car in ur parking spot n have fun

LostSol

find a rich fat chick with a house. use her for her driveway. ditch fat chick.

VQPower37

^

SpiderX1016

Do work at Autozone. Everyone does it.

tones160

Lmao this thread is epic funny. Well what i do i just go to a public park with a lot of parking spots and i do everything there. Even police be complimenting me when i work on my own car, one time one of them tried to tell me something and i asked him if he wanted to help me so i can finish faster. Then he just said "nah you're good" lol. Go for a public park's parking lot.

PS: My avatar's site is where i usually work on my car as you guys can see