Do You Know Your Car?

[Alysser]

Not at all, and that probably isn't good. I know how to change a tire but I don't really know much else.

[Karen]

Not at all, and that probably isn't good. I know how to change a tire but I don't really know much else.

Aww, next time you have some spare time, have someone go over it with you! Even a local mechanic if you ask nicely, and have no relations around who are car folks!

(Note: I didn't say "car guys" - I once had a male coworker, after I discussed some old cars with him, look at me a little funny and say, "Y'know, you are a bigger "car guy" than most actual guys I know!")

[Lady's Human]

Not at all, and that probably isn't good. I know how to change a tire but I don't really know much else.

Get out the manual in the glove box and look at it. Learn where to check oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant level.

Get a tire pressure gauge and check them every once in a while. They should be within 1-2 PSI of each other.

There's a ton of basic maintenance information in the owner's manual for every car that over the long term can save you a short ton of money. Fluids are cheap. Engines and transmissions are pricey.

[Roxyluvsme13]

Yeah, I'm with Alyssa on this one, I don't know crap about my car. I can put oil, windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, etc. in but I can't change a tire or anything like that. I'm pretty car-stupid.

[Alysser]

Well to be honest, my Dad kind of does all that. I am probably going away to school next year, so I should learn that. I am sure he'll teach me before then.

[Freedom]

You can also go online to a forum for your make and model, and learn a LOT. I had never done this until I bought Carmine (my Prius). Being a hybrid and so different, I felt I needed to know more about it, and in searching I discovered that there are car forums!

For the Prius, many of the folks have done step by step videos on how to do various things, so save you money. Like changing the cabin filter, which should be done annually, takes about 5 minutes, and costs $30 at the Toyota dealership. Thanks to links on the forum, I buy the new filter online, a Toyota one not a generic (just to be sure I wasn't messing with my warranty the first few years), at an stunning $5 WITH shipping!

I also learned plenty about after market add ons, and I even bought a few myself.

Loved the story about the teal Saturns! I have gone to a few red Prii in the past and wondered why I couldn't get in, lol.

[lolli94]

I have a dad and brother who are both 'car guys' (my brother is actually in college to be an auto tech). So I know how to fill the washer fluid and check the oil, but that's about it. They do the rest for me. That may not be such a good thing...

[Taz_Zoee]

Get out the manual in the glove box and look at it. Learn where to check oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant level.

Get a tire pressure gauge and check them every once in a while. They should be within 1-2 PSI of each other.

There's a ton of basic maintenance information in the owner's manual for every car that over the long term can save you a short ton of money. Fluids are cheap. Engines and transmissions are pricey.

This is exactly what I do if I have a problem with my car.....check the manual! I know the basics and I know how to get help.

You can also go online to a forum for your make and model, and learn a LOT. I had never done this until I bought Carmine (my Prius). Being a hybrid and so different, I felt I needed to know more about it, and in searching I discovered that there are car forums!

For the Prius, many of the folks have done step by step videos on how to do various things, so save you money. Like changing the cabin filter, which should be done annually, takes about 5 minutes, and costs $30 at the Toyota dealership. Thanks to links on the forum, I buy the new filter online, a Toyota one not a generic (just to be sure I wasn't messing with my warranty the first few years), at an stunning $5 WITH shipping!

I also learned plenty about after market add ons, and I even bought a few myself.

Loved the story about the teal Saturns! I have gone to a few red Prii in the past and wondered why I couldn't get in, lol.

My boyfriend has changed his brake pads by watching a video online. He does TONS of things by watching videos online. So if I have problems, he can usually help me figure it out. And he's not what I would call a "car guy" either.