snowy

I've never had a problem with the mechanics addressing me in a condescending or patronizing way. However, the one time I did have a problem with my former car, the tow truck driver was very condescending. He insisted upon checking that the car was in fact in need of a tow--he made me turn on the car for him (it wouldn't turn over because the wire leading to the fuel relay had broken, which I figured out on my own), and was puzzled when the electronics were still on. I told him it was the fuel relay, but he insisted on popping the hood and looking everything over for himself. Ten minutes later, he finally decides that yes, the car does need to be towed (duh).

Once, when I took my former car in for cheap oil service, they tried to sell me a service I clearly didn't need based on the fuel injection system in my car at the time. I laughed at the guy and asked if he thought I was an idiot.

I may be female, but I know my own cars and I know what should be where, what should be moving, and how my car should sound. I also know how to check all of my fluids and change a tire.

So far I've been lucky in my choice of mechanics--one crusty old German who made my Volvo station wagon drive like a sportscar and one excitable old Asian named Helmut who actually prefers to deal with women over men (less pressure on his language skills). Both family-owned and operated businesses, though Hardy's sons are cuter than Helmut's.

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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau