Car repairs are expensive, and being stranded can be scary. Do the best you can to avoid both by learning how to properly maintain your car at this free car care clinic for women.
I’ve always said that all teens should be required to take more real life courses during high school:
- a finance class where they learn to budget and the intricacies of investing
- something that goes beyond home ec that teaches grocery shopping and cooking, home repair and maintenance, how to use basic tools and other practical life skills
- some sort of legal course that discusses what your rights are in any given situation
- an automotive class that goes over how to change a tire and your oil, what to do when any of the many lights on the dashboard light up or if you’re in an accident, and how to drive to conserve fuel.
Those are all areas that we throw these teens into when they become an adult and we expect them to learn by doing, but they all have the potential to be costly mistakes— or at the very least, more expensive to hire other people to take care of rather than doing by themselves. And the worst thing you can do is put some of these decisions off in order to save money, because they can snowball and become even more costly down the road.
A great many of us grew into adulthood without mastering some of these life skills, and basic automotive care is pretty high on that list. As a fairly independent woman, I’m a little ashamed to admit I’ve never changed a tire or my own oil; I’ve relied on my husband or brother for that. I’ll make sure my daughter learns before I set her loose in a car, though. I don’t want her to wind up stranded on the side of the road, having to wait for someone else to rescue her.
If you’d like to learn to be a little more self-sufficient and proactive when it comes to caring for your car, AAA Mid-Atlantic is offering a complimentary women’s car care clinic.
“Drivers who attend this car care clinic will have a better understanding of how their vehicle operates. We look forward to sharing insights that can save money for motorists and help extend the life of their vehicles.”
-Michael Andrews, Manager for the Dover Car Care Center
The clinic is free for both AAA members and non-members. A AAA master and an ASE-certified technician will be on hand to discuss:
- major vehicle systems, car maintenance tips, warning signs, and the basics of service intervals
- how to check tire tread and air pressure regularly and why it’s essential
- the magnitude of regular battery checks
- how to check the different automotive fluids and when
- braking, steering, and suspension systems
- the value and difference between wheel alignment checks and wheel balance.
Guys, the average cost of check engine light-related repairs in the United States was $390.38 in 2014. This clinic is FREE. Do the math. It’s worth the small time investment to help save your money, extend the life of your car, ease your mind a bit and hopefully keep you from being stranded on the side of the road.
With any luck, it will encourage more women drivers to learn even more about the upkeep and DIY repairs they can do on their cars!
This car care clinic takes place at at the AAA Mid-Atlantic Dover Car Care Center on Friday, November 17th at 6:30pm. The address is 124 Greentree Drive, Dover DE 19904.
To participate, you’ll need to call (302) 674-8020, option 4. Pass it on.