Installing a new part on to your car can be very intimidating. You might not be sure of what you are looking at, and you definitely don't want to break something.

The truth is, most car parts are not too difficult to install. Completing the installation of a car part can be a very rewarding experience and it is a great way to learn about your car. The other advantage you now have is the Internet. Very often you can find step by step walkthroughs on the Internet (with pictures!) to help you through the process.

Not only does installing the part yourself save you money because you aren't paying anyone else to do it, if something goes wrong in your car after a while you will have a better understanding of what you did.

Almost all modifications that are not performance related can be done yourself. This includes things such as body kits, stripes, stickers, white face gauges, and more. The one modification you should leave to the pros is painting your car. You more than likely don't have the tools to do a good job.

There are also some other things you should not install yourself. Things such as exhaust work and changes to your gears should be left to people who have the right tools, experience, and space to do the job the right way.

The important thing to remember is to try to install the things you can safely to learn about your car, and leave the tough stuff to the pros. They might even let you watch if you ask nicely!

Next Step: Maintenance - Keeping Everything Working