Car Repair Skills Everyone Should Have

[alfred russel]

Inspired by the off topic topic discussion....what are the auto care / repair skills you must teach your son or daughter regarding automobiles, or else you failed as a parent (maybe that is a bit strong).

My short list off the top of my head:
--how to change a tire
--how to plug a tire
--how to check the air and put air on a tire
--how to jump a car
--how to put gas in a car (this is trivial, but apparently there is a languishite that doesn't know how)

Some things that just need to be done or else you get ripped off:
--how to change windshield wipers
--how to replace an air filter
--how to change lights

[Jacob]

Taking parenting advice from languish?

Not going to happen.

[Richard Hakluyt]

How to hail a cab seems simpler.

[garbon]

Pretty much none of those seem necessary - maybe the gas one but that depends on where you live given that there are states where pumping your own gas is not allowed.

[Admiral Yi]

Agree with your list except delete plugging a tire and add checking/adding oil and adding wiper fluid.

[Viking]

adding to your list

- checking and filling engine oil
- checking and filling water
- checking and filling wiper fluid
- re-setting the car alarm
- aligning mirrors to the new driver (life or death thing)

[11B4V]

Inspired by the off topic topic discussion....what are the auto care / repair skills you must teach your son or daughter regarding automobiles, or else you failed as a parent (maybe that is a bit strong).

My short list off the top of my head:
--how to change a tire
--how to plug a tire
--how to check the air and put air on a tire
--how to jump a car
--how to put gas in a car (this is trivial, but apparently there is a languishite that doesn't know how)

Some things that just need to be done or else you get ripped off:
--how to change windshield wipers
--how to replace an air filter
--how to change lights

Should know
--how to change a tire
--how to check the air and put air on a tire
--how to jump a car
--how to put gas in a car (this is trivial, but apparently there is a languishite that doesn't know how
--how to change windshield wipers
--how to replace an air filter
--how to change lights
--change/gap plug and plug wires
--change oil and filter
--replace fuse

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

Pretty much none of those seem necessary - maybe the gas one but that depends on where you live given that there are states where pumping your own gas is not allowed.

Because you will never drive in one of the 48 states where you need to do it yourself?

[crazy canuck]

You need to teach your kids how to find a good reliable mechanic so that they can spend their time doing more fruitful activities.

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

You need to teach your kids how to find a good reliable mechanic so that they can spend their time doing more fruitful activities.

And what do they do when all four of them are booked solid for the next three months?

[11B4V]

You need to teach your kids how to find a good reliable mechanic so that they can spend their time doing more fruitful activities.

and the more they know, the more they can save money or spend it on other things.

[derspiess]

Pretty much none of those seem necessary - maybe the gas one but that depends on where you live given that there are states where pumping your own gas is not allowed.

Practically as soon as I could walk, my mom always made me get out, go pay inside for the gas (pay at the pump was a distant dream in those days) and then pump the gas.  I hardly ever had to do any chores around the house, but that one was important to her for some reason. 

[lustindarkness]

Should know
--how to change a tire
--how to check the air and put air on a tire
--how to jump a car
--how to put gas in a car (this is trivial, but apparently there is a languishite that doesn't know how
--how to change windshield wipers
--how to replace an air filter
--how to change lights
--change/gap plug and plug wires
--change oil and filter
--replace fuse


If you can do these, get a jack stand or two, and you can also rotate your own tires and change brake pads.

[11B4V]

As far as the more advanced stuff, it depends on how big a PITA it is. I'm getting old. Changing the timing belt, tensior, and water pump on the neon cost me a little over 100 bucks plus a day of time four years ago. But, removing an engine mount and jacking the engine up is a pain. You have to do that step to get access. Could I do it again...yes. Will I...no. A shop would charge 700-1000. A timing belt going out on an interference engine is not pretty.

[garbon]

Pretty much none of those seem necessary - maybe the gas one but that depends on where you live given that there are states where pumping your own gas is not allowed.

Because you will never drive in one of the 48 states where you need to do it yourself?

That's why I said that's the only one that is potentially necessary.

Personally, I know how to pump gas and have always been in states where you are allowed to pump your own.