Would you know how ?

isn't that what we have men for, lol?

Seriously, though, no, I wouldnt have a clue about changing (or charging) a battery - I'd have to call the RAC. And, in all honesty, I think my DH would too as he's not ever so mechanically-minded.

I can't mend my washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner etc. so, if necessary I pay someone. DH and I feel the same about the car as these days they are much more complicated than they used to be and no place for an amateur as Vegas has pointed out. When we got an airbag fault some months ago on a car that has now gone, we called out an electrics specialist and he fixed it for £50 which we felt was well worth it for our peace of mind. I wonder what the VW dealership would have charged?

Having lived alone for some years now, I have learned how to check oil and water and brake fluid, and check tyres etc.
But, my goodness, when it comes to it we really do rely on men. Pesky though they might be at times, they sure do come in useful. On Monday my car broke down in heavy traffic on a dual carrriageway, and after a few minutes of complete panic (I had my 11 year old grand-daughter with me and she was terrified!), eventually a really kind man pulled over, waved to the traffic to stop, then with another bloke who also stopped, they pushed me onto the grass verge, making sure my grand-daughter was safe behind the crash barriers. Then a big tow truck arrived and two lovely men made sure we were o.k. and towed us to a garage.
My car is still in that garage, and I am driving their 'courtesy car' which is brand new and I feel really posh!!!
But worried about the bill at the end of all this!!!!-
Men, - I love them now! Honestly, they were all so kind and concerned.

I wanted to be a car mechanic when I was younger (Haha) so I know how to do basic stuff, but I wouldn't do anything now except oil and water and tyres.
Actually, I can't really manage the air in the tyres anymore, because of arthritis in my hand.

The local garage I use, has a policy of treating women with respect, not ripping us off or patronising us, so I happily go there with any problems.

I was a bit like you merlotgran, - I have always said I know more about bleeding brakes, than a lot of women my age! (for the uninitiated, that is what you used to do with brakes).

absent - given her history of accidents, nothing would surprise me!

No, but then I don't drive. Greatnan What on earth does your daughter do to her car with a chainsaw?

Like many other car-related tasks, changing the battery is no longer simple. The space under the bonnet is no place for us amateurs to fool around in!

Apart from checking oil and water levels...

When I passed my driving test I did a car maintenance course, not with the intention of doing my own servicing but so that I understood how my car worked and could talk to garages with some confidence and knowledge. DH was not just away from home a lot but often completely inaccessible as he was overseas fro weeks at a time. It was sink or swim - and I preferred swimming

I can jump start a car and probably change a battery if required. I once took my tights off and used them as a temporary support for a collapsing exhaust system.

I learnt how how to change battery and flat tyres when I first started driving 30+ yrs ago,mr.g. made sure I knew how to do it as he worked shifts and said I was certain to have problems when he wasn't around,but I have never needed to do either in all these years.

I'd have to get the handbook out to find out how to open the bonnet .

I can jump start a car but not sure about changing the battery - not sure I could lift the bloomin thing! The same goes for changing a tyre. I know how but wouldn't be able to remove the nuts. I used to be able to change a fan belt and knew about distributors and carburettors and such but now .......

Yes, so can I but replacing a battery was a lot easier in the olden days. Now, with most cars, you have to have all the PINS/codes to reset your electronic equipment such as radios and sat nav systems.

Yes I could but I drove professionally for 20 yrs so had plenty of practice over the years

Some things are easier and quicker to DIY rather than wait. Especially when car is on your drive.

Replace the battery Kitty DD tried jump start but battery is deceased

Yes. I think car maintenance was written into my wedding vows.

Wouldn"t want to, that is what we pay the breakdown service for !!

No - it's what I pay Green Flag to do!

No, I'll learn if I ever have to but my car warns me if the battery is getting flat so I'm not likely to need to.

I see no point in learning things I will probably never need to know but things like using garden machinery are so easy and I can do and have done all of those. Just as well while DH is getting over his op.

Change it or jump start it nina? But, yes I could!

Yes - having lived alone for over 30 years, I have learned to do quite a few jobs on the car and also DIY.
I do find it impossible to change a tyre though, because the garages tighten up the nuts with a power drill.
One of my daughters has been driving for 25 years and has never put oil or water in her car, or pumped up her tyres. She would rather pay extra for petrol at a small garage that will do it for her. Her sister is a 'Kiwi wife' and is dynamite with a chain saw!

Yes I know how to do that, as I have watched DH, but have not actually done it myself.

Not a chance!