Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Top Five things a Girl should know about her car

mystic511 · 12-16-2003, 10:27 PM

I don't think all people have the desire to learn how to fix/maintain there car. Sometimes people would just rather pay someone the money to save them the time, effort and dirtiness of having to do it themselves. So for me personally, I don't push that people should learn to do their own repairs. I do believe though, that there are basic things that women (and some men) should know. These things help maximize reliabilty and safety on the road and when you're away from home.

1) Tires: Changing a flat, identifying tire wear, checking tire pressure - These simple things could mean the different between being stuck in the bad part of the city and going home.

2) Jump starting a car - For the same reason as above

3) Identifying basic maintenance problems - this includes things like when a car is vibrating, knowing if it's because alignment is bad or if it's something worse. If the brakes are squeaking and stuttering, being able to identify if just the brake pads need changing or if the whole brakesystem is about to die. It's even as simple as knowing what all the warning lights in the dashboard mean. I know people that don't know what certain lights mean when they come on. Knowing these things could be the difference between getting suckered at a repair shop or not. Also, for the reason above, not finding yourself stuck someday.

4) Changing window wipers - There is no reason to pay the outrageous prices that oil change places charge for something that literally takes half a minute. This includes filling the window washer fluid. Clean windows improve visibility and safety.

5) How to drive a manual transmission car - There are too many people out there that only know how to drive automatics. Manual cars are cheaper, have better gas mileage on average, and are just plain fun to drive. Plus, what if a person is stuck somewhere or forced into a position where there's only a manual car available? It would be best to at least learn the basics.

I agree with above posters that a person should be able to check all fluid levels (there's only like three things: oil, coolant and brake fluid) and also that people should learn how to control a car in precarious situations. People should also be aware of their manual's recommended routine tuneups. They usually have a chart of milage and what parts should be replaced when. You'd be surprised how many people don't know or follow those.

12-16-2003, 10:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
mystic511 Tilted	I don't think all people have the desire to learn how to fix/maintain there car. Sometimes people would just rather pay someone the money to save them the time, effort and dirtiness of having to do it themselves. So for me personally, I don't push that people should learn to do their own repairs. I do believe though, that there are basic things that women (and some men) should know. These things help maximize reliabilty and safety on the road and when you're away from home. 1) Tires: Changing a flat, identifying tire wear, checking tire pressure - These simple things could mean the different between being stuck in the bad part of the city and going home. 2) Jump starting a car - For the same reason as above 3) Identifying basic maintenance problems - this includes things like when a car is vibrating, knowing if it's because alignment is bad or if it's something worse. If the brakes are squeaking and stuttering, being able to identify if just the brake pads need changing or if the whole brakesystem is about to die. It's even as simple as knowing what all the warning lights in the dashboard mean. I know people that don't know what certain lights mean when they come on. Knowing these things could be the difference between getting suckered at a repair shop or not. Also, for the reason above, not finding yourself stuck someday. 4) Changing window wipers - There is no reason to pay the outrageous prices that oil change places charge for something that literally takes half a minute. This includes filling the window washer fluid. Clean windows improve visibility and safety. 5) How to drive a manual transmission car - There are too many people out there that only know how to drive automatics. Manual cars are cheaper, have better gas mileage on average, and are just plain fun to drive. Plus, what if a person is stuck somewhere or forced into a position where there's only a manual car available? It would be best to at least learn the basics. I agree with above posters that a person should be able to check all fluid levels (there's only like three things: oil, coolant and brake fluid) and also that people should learn how to control a car in precarious situations. People should also be aware of their manual's recommended routine tuneups. They usually have a chart of milage and what parts should be replaced when. You'd be surprised how many people don't know or follow those. __________________ One day, I will become Virtually Infamous.