question from a girl

[wildmountainhoney]

So, one of my concerns is repairs. I am not a handy girl, and definitely not a mechanic. How do you handle these things? Especially the women? I always feel like mechanics take advantage of me just because it's obvious I don't know anything on this stuff. If you break down and no money and no way to get your vehicle off the road that just happens to be where you live, what do you do? I would love to get a really cheap older, smaller something that I can handle... of course depending on if I have money or not. But, would not know thing one about fixing it up. I saw a vehicle from another post that someone sent me a link to and he had solar panels on top and everything, which is awesome!&nbsp; Just wondering.. will keep reading now. Thanks!<br /><br />p.s. I saw on youtube a 73 y.o. lady who is living alone in her RV and I think what a whiney baby I am... LOL! She was amazing! I think it was womenRving or Rvingwomen

 

[sl1966]

If you're not on on the road now, or gonna be on it for at least a year'ish. Look into taking some mechanic classes with a local college. This will also help you with your vehicle purchase when you're ready to buy.<br /><br />

 

[Guest]

<span id="post_message_1274743320">If you're not on on the road now, or gonna be on it for at least a year'ish. Look into taking some mechanic classes with a local college. This will also help you with your vehicle purchase when you're ready to buy.<br /></span>

<br /><br />Agreed....I know some excellent women mechanics...you may like it, but even if it isn't your thing...you can't go wrong knowing how your stuff works.<br /><br />When I am in charge of the world, you will be required to know basic mechanics to get a driver's license...<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> I think that would save a number of accidents...male and female caused.<br /><br />Bri

 

[sl1966]

The benefit of the classes is that you can do some repairs yourself and save money. It's impossible to be able to fix everything, but at least you'll know enough to not be ripped off by repair shops.<br /><br />

 

[sidat202]

Another thing to consider is getting a road side service like AAA. That way you can get your vehicle off the road.<br />AAA has plans starting around 60.00 for the year. That's cheaper then one tow. Their deluxe RV plan is around 160.00 per year.<br /><br />It was mentioned to me that maybe I could give&nbsp; how to classes on vehicle maintenance and repair.<br />May not be a bad idea.

 

[tinythetrucker]

Hanes auto manuals are a great sorce of info and most librarys will loan them to you also lots of dealers have classes on the basics, I have to get large things fixed at a shop because i dont have to room i need for repairs and the places i stay wont allow you to do heavy mechanical work, I would also suggest maybe find a smaller town mechanic some one older in a small shop if you ask he or she might even help you learn, My best friend is sitting here while i write and she suggests dating a mechanic "LOL" thats her answer to everything, Good luck and stay safe.

 

[Guest]

<span id="post_message_1274743576">My best friend is sitting here while i write and she suggests dating a mechanic "LOL" thats her answer to everything, Good luck and stay safe.</span>

<br /><br />ROFLMAO... David, my wife says she married her mechanic. <br /><br />I go to the shop these days too for stuff I can no longer do or don't want to do as does she...<br />And I think that finding a good mechanic you can trust to do the right thing is like a good doctor, dentist, lawyer, jeweler, whatever....find a good one and give them your business so they can stay in business....That is what makes the world goes around.<br /><br />bri

 

[Guest]

Sid....if you attend the RTR this winter maybe you could give a basic wrench workshop...maybe geared to women. We do lots of workshops. <br />I am a terrible teacher...found out while teaching a community college Metalsmithing/jewelry course....it got done but I didn't like teaching and was not all the good at it...I tend to say.."here, let me do it.......give me the wrench,,,move over, I'll get that" Ooof. &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Bri

 

[McBe]

Try picking up a Chilton or Haynes manual for your vehicle and start with the easy stuff.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also YouTube has lots of good videos.<br /><br />&nbsp; You might not rebuild an engine but will probably be able to take care of things like fuel filter, changing wiper blades, oil/filter change, air filter, main relay, spark plugs and wires, valve cover gasket, belts, hoses, antifreeze,&nbsp;etc.&nbsp;<br /><br />&nbsp;My car is a 20-year-old Honda and as things go wrong, I try to figure out what the problem is.&nbsp; If you have the time and patience,&nbsp;&nbsp;it's really kind of fun to do the DIY thing.&nbsp; I'm not always successful but&nbsp;being familiar with the manuals gives me a basic understanding and helps when talking to&nbsp;a&nbsp;mechanic.&nbsp;

 

[sidat202]

Ya I would be interested in doing that.<br />You gotta let them do it or they'll never learn.

 

[wildmountainhoney]

Those are great suggestions. If I can, I will look into classes.&nbsp; For the now it's not possible, even financially.&nbsp; I am not mechanical inclined nor really interested, but necessity becons. I'd rather cook a good meal or two for someone who is! LOL! Tiny, please tell your friend to hook a girl up! LOL! j/k made me chuckle!

 

[gypsydreamer]

I was invited me to join a mechanic in his shop while he rebuilt the engine of his race car.&nbsp; I sat in a chair in the shop while he did the work.&nbsp; Every step of the way, he would explain what he was doing, including what each part was, how it worked, what it was for, etc.&nbsp; And when he finished late in the afternoon, he said, "Ok, now repeat it all back from the beginning."&nbsp; It was the best learning experience of my life.&nbsp; Because now, when a mechanic talks about the lifters or the carb or whatever, I have a pretty good idea what he's saying.&nbsp; No way I could work on it myself, though.&nbsp; We are still friends and whenever I think there may be a problem (or somebody else thinks there may be a problem) with my van, I call him and we discuss it.<br /><br />So, make friends with a wrencher!&nbsp; How do you find one?&nbsp; Check his/her fingernails for grease stains!&nbsp; (S)he'd probably like a good meal!<br /><br />Edited to remove extraneous stuff.

 

[katelyn]

I definitely know where you're coming from wildmountainhoney, I've always had my Dad / BF/ or Brother do work on my vehicles and now my van.&nbsp; Like someone else said the AAA insurance is going to be a must for me when I move into my van. It's definitely worth the money!&nbsp; One thing that's helped me is my friend YouTube lol!&nbsp; I look up my vehicle and what needs to be done ex. alternator, and usually a video comes up. <br /><br /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[wildmountainhoney]

gypsydreamer, that was a fortunate learning experience for you! What a blessing! <br /><br />Katelynn, youtube is a wonderful thing.. at least if I can't fix my car I can find a good song! LOL! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[ParadiseParrot]

Considering many minor things that can go wrong require a computer to hook up to.<br /> If your on the road get AAA/Good Sam and hope the guy fixing the problem is honest and good at his job.<br /><br />I mean what else can you do when you know no one in an area?

 

[Les H]

i have been a builder and remodeler all my adult life, so have had tools in my hands for over 25 years. When my brother was alive (was an asc cert mechanic), wed often spend a weekend replacing an engine or tranny in one of the numerous $500 beaters that either of us had. So, basically, if it is on the outside of the engine, i can usually get it off and replace it- or do maint on it. Once you go inside, though, all bets are off, and i have to get help from a friend or a shop. One of the very best tools i have is an OBD2 code reader. Most cars are so electronic these days that you need a computer to figgure out why the check engine light came on. Thats what the code reader does. Mine was $99 at harbor freight, with the 20% off coupon. When the light comes on , you plug it in under the das on the drivers side of your newer than 96 model vehicle, turn it on and the computer tells you what is wrong. It came with a disk to install to help decipher the codes, but they are in relativly plain language and you can always google your year and make and model and the code number too. There are other code readers for pre96 vehicles, and the more expensive ones are both OBD 1 and 2. Wouldnt it be great to know in advance what the car was going to the shop for?? Some places charge $40-60 JUST to read the code! Advance auto and Orielies and a few others do it for free, though. For example, my wife , vwry mechanically DISINCLINED, brought her car to the shop because the check engine light came on ( i was working out of town) and they charged her $40 to read the code and tell her she lost her gas cap ($10) . That alone pwould have paid for half the machine! And nuttin wrong with some lessons, a hayes book, or dating a mechanic! B-)

 

[wildmountainhoney]

good advice! thanks <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp;&nbsp; Now where does a girl meet a cute mechanic? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; tee hee hee

 

[peacetara]

wildmountainhoney: If you figure it out let me know!!!!!

 

[wildmountainhoney]

tee hee hee! I will Tara! Hey how are ya?

 

[danny819]

If you have a check engine light on autozone will read it and give you the printout for free. Nothing like having your own but for those who don't have one it's a good resource to have some info before you take it to a mechanic.