Auto repair isn’t as hard as you think. It’s like learning a new recipe. You gather the ingredients (tools) and follow the instructions step-by-step. If something goes wrong, you can always order pizza (go to an auto shop).
No Reason to Feel Intimidated
I know you might be afraid to pop open your hood. Don’t be. It’s not a big deal.
How do you learn anything? You practice until you get comfortable with it. Auto repair isn’t any different.
You might not be able to name a single part of your engine the first time you look at it. And that’s okay. Good things come to those who are patient and persistent.
Gender Stereotypes Hold No Power
You don’t “belong” in the kitchen, do you? No! Men and women are equal partners in a relationship. It’s totally okay to cook for a man, or, your partner, but it should never be expected of you. Big difference.
Forget about gender roles. They don’t hold any power over you unless you let them. Yes, most mechanics are men. But that doesn’t mean working on cars is a “manly” thing. (auto repair changed my life in tons of ways!).
Open your car’s hood
You must start somewhere. Ask your mechanic to open the hood and show you some important parts of the engine (hint: ask them to point out which fluids to keep an eye on!). No mechanic? Ask a friend or relative who works with cars.
Here’s a basic preventative exercise you can do. Check your fluid levels once per month. If a fluid like coolants is low, go to the auto shop. Also look under the hood before big trips. It would be horrible to get stranded.
Start flipping through your owner’s manual
Your owner’s manual contains all kinds of knowledge that can empower you. You’ll find a picture of your engine with essential car parts labeled. There’s a section that explains the meaning of every light on your dashboard. You can even access a recommended maintenance schedule.
That maintenance schedule is the absolute most important thing inside your owner’s manual. It tells you what services your car needs to thrive at 100, 1,000, 10,000, and 100,000 miles. Your car could join the 200,000-mile club if you take those suggestions seriously. Even better, you can prevent repairs that break the bank!
Don’t feel pressured
I’m not suggesting you should quit your job and become a mechanic. You don’t even have to learn how to replace your air filter or windshield wipers if you’re not interested in it. However! Be mindful of your auto’s needs. To achieve that, you need to learn basic facts about your engine and the fluids that keep it running.
Share this blog with your friends so they can be more confident about auto repair like you.
