Since I like to do a lot of car repairs myself, I’m often asked if there is anything I don’t do – or simply won’t do and the answer is, “Yes!”  Like everyone who loves cars and enjoys working on them, there are always a few things we either won’t do or just generally dislike doing. There are also things I believe someone else has the ability to do much better than I can.  

Brakes

Well for starters, I don’t do any kind of brake work – ever.  It’s too easy for something to fail and I don’t have any certification to work on brakes.  That’s not saying I can’t get certified, or that it’s a requirement in Illinois, only that I don’t trust myself to do good brake work.  In fact, I know a lot of great weekend mechanics who could probably do most (if not all) types of brake work just as good as a certified mechanic, but to play it safe, I always take my vehicles to someone who is certified in brake work.  Believe me when I say it saves me a lifetime of worry.

Windshields

I have helped people put all kinds of windshields in their vehicles, but this is a real two-person job – especially front and rear windshields – which requires a precision and skill that I just don’t have by myself.  Windshield glass – especially front and rear – is extremely heavy; I would never attempt to do this alone.

Spark Plugs

Okay, I know changing spark plugs is relatively easy, but this is one thing I dislike doing so much that I’ve been known to do a little bartering in exchange for replacing the little monsters.  I’ve been known to wash and detail a car, change the oil or even buy pizza and beer just to avoid it.  Changing spark plugs isn’t difficult, it just takes time and sometimes I don’t have the patience to even begin to attempt the job.

Exhaust

Again, this is something I leave up to the professionals, unless the problem is fairly simple, like replacing a tail pipe or patching a muffler on an older vehicle.

I think we all have our limitations and above are a few of mine. I don’t look at having limitations as being a bad thing, in fact, I know what I’m good at, I know what my patience is good for, and I know what I simply can’t do or what I feel uncomfortable doing.  I want to do a good job, but I also realize I may be lacking in the expertise needed to do those things. 

I think when we learn how to do our own auto repairs, it matters not whether those things take a few minutes or a few hours, but instead how comfortable we are doing them, learning what we’re good at and also accepting what we may not be able to do well - or at all.

Okay Cars for Girls readers, it’s time to brag!  Tell me - what are you good at?

Tags: Advice, General //