Why would you want to go to the trouble of learning how all kinds of car problems feel, and sound, and look?

You're NOT going to fix the darned thing even if it IS broken!

The answer, my friend, is that you WILL have to give a description of the symptoms to the person who DOES fix your car when it's broken! It MIGHT behoove you to have some sort of barometer to judge whether or not the fix matches the problem!

Furthermore, there is no more useful talent for you in choosing a mechanic than having a basic ability to speak in his language.

Without this course you go to the garage saying, "There's something leaking out of my car."

(Mr. Badwrench thinks to himself, "Here's a real sucker, I can tell him/her it's a major antifreeze leak and charge 'em $250 for a new radiator!".

Mr. Goodwrench has to leave the car sitting overnight with a piece of paper underneath to catch some of the leak before he can even begin to diagnose the problem.)

After this course you can say, "I have a small anti- freeze leak somewhere around the left front part of the car. It doesn't seem to be affecting the fill level between checks but I don't want my neighbor's cat licking it up and getting sick."

(Mr. Badwrench will have second thoughts about trying to snow a knowledgeable customer. Mr. Goodwrench will tighten a hose clamp for you for free and you'll be on your way in 20 minutes instead of having to leave the car overnight!)

Do you get the picture now?

The unknowledgeable car owner gives himself away to every dishonest repairman the minute he opens his or her mouth. Even if he finds a good mechanic the job becomes more time consuming, and probably more expensive, because of the owner's inability to point the guy in the right direction.

In fact, one of the things to look out for when you're trying to find a good mechanic is the guy who doesn't want to hear your observations about the problem - the good ones ask questions and maybe even take notes on your comments!

© March 23, 2000 Mark H. Henshaw