Difficulty scale for "how to" articles
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Introduction:  if you are reading this, you are probably wondering how hard this job really is.  If you don't have much experience working on cars, adjust the difficulty and time up.  If you are experienced working on cars, adjust the difficulty level down.  Do you have a safe, level space to work?  Do you have free time to deal with possible complications?  Are you the kind of person who double checks their work and does research beforehand?

If you don't have tools, for the price of taking your car to the dealership, you could buy a full set of tools that will let you to work on your cars forever.  Just be thorough, read the directions/factory service manual a few times until you are familiar with every step, double check your work, observe safe practices when raising the car and working on it, and you should be able to complete the work successfully.  Disclaimer: this website and any information you find here, both in the FAQ or forum is not a substitute for the factory service manual or the supervision or work of a certified mechanic.  Do the work at your own risk and take all safety precautions including those listed in the factory service manual, see the terms of use agreement for the full legal disclaimer.   Here are some useful mechanics tips: 1000 answered questions: garage organization and mechanic's tips

Difficulty scale:
1.  This job can be done by almost anyone and should always take less than a few hours including prep and clean up.
Examples include: headlight bulb changes, car detailing

2.  Factory service manual is required.  The entire job should take less than 4 hours including prep and clean up.
Examples include: oil, coolant, transmission, or brake fluid/brake pad changes, changing the wheels/tires.  

3.  Factory service manual is required.  This job requires research to be done correctly.  If there are no complications, plan to take up to a full day including prep and clean up if it's your first time.  A machine shop is not needed but you may need specialized tools.  It can be done by someone with no prior mechanical experience as long as they follow the instructions in their factory service manual.
Examples include: changing wheel bearings, removing the transmission, timing belt change.  

4.  Factory service manual is required.  This job requires more research and requires specialized tools.  These projects will take more than a full day for most people including gathering parts, complications, prep, and clean up.  This is a challenge if you have only basic prior mechanic experience and it will take more time, but it can be done as long as you follow instructions and plan ahead.  If you have only basic mechanical experience and successfully do this project, upgrade yourself from "total newb" to "can speak from experience".   If you have some solid experience working on cars and a well stocked tool kit, go for it.
Examples include: cylinder head replacement, clutch change, removing the engine

5.  Factory service manual is required.  This is the limit of what a shadetree mechanic can do.  Do serious research before attempting this job.  This job requires outside help, such as from a machine shop.  There is a high probability of complications and it will take at least a weekend.
Examples include: rebuilding the engine yourself, converting a donor gasoline car to diesel with "bolt ons"

5+.  Factory service manual is required.  If you don't already know how to do this job, don't even bother asking questions because you need to do a lot of research to even understand the basics.  There will be some complications.  Do not attempt unless you have at least medium mechanical experience and even then you will need outside help.
Examples include: custom engine tuning or building, custom turbo fabrication, converting a car to diesel with custom work.