Yesterday, I had the honor to participate in a panel discussion for women in the auto industry. The event was hosted by Lexus and Be Car Chic. It was a wonderful experience. And a shout out and thanks to Melanie Batenchuk for inviting me! I shared some critical takeaways about my experience working with women and cars.
Just now I did a Google search for women and cars. I was curious about what other bloggers had to say about the subject. Here’s a screenshot of the search result:
Ugh. That’s not an empowering message. To satisfy my curiosity, I searched for “men and cars.” No objectification there. Just articles about why (most) men love cars.
You Don’t Need to Be “Saved”
Disney movies tell stories about a knight in shining armor who comes along to save a damsel in distress. As a result, little girls grow up thinking they need a man to protect them.
It’s wonderful to have a partner — man or woman — but you should never completely depend on that person. Even if a woman has zero interest in cars, that’s no excuse to be ignorant.
Some women might say, “I don’t see the big deal. If I have car trouble, my brother or boyfriend or husband will take care of it. Why bother?” Answer: Because you can’t predict the future.
Maybe you’re driving a few hundred miles away for a work trip. Maybe your partner is sick at work, or out of town. You breakdown, get stranded, and no one can come help you. Now what?
A Plea for Personal Responsibility
You need to own the situation. And you can’t own the situation unless you spend some time under the hood. You don’t have to be a mechanic. You just must be mindful of your vehicle’s needs.
I encourage women to use their senses. Pay attention to sights, sounds, smells, and sensations. Make a note of anything odd or unusual. Get that information to an auto mechanic as soon as possible.
I also encourage women to be proactive. It’s not difficult to do your own auto safety inspection. Who needs a garage? Do it in your driveway. Check fluid levels, tire inflation, and battery condition once per month. Do that and you will prevent most car problems.
