some of us *do* need to know how a combustion engine works in order to drive the car

[balmofgilead]

Lately:
I want to take an auto repair/maintenance class at one of those continuing education programs. Never mind that I don't have a car, or even get a chance to be behind the wheel much...

My reasoning is that someday (hopefully, though not likely to be, soon) I'll be buying and then owning a (used) car, and I'd like to be able to check out the car's condition on my own, rather than summoning some Magic Car Guru who will examine the car and pronounce it fit or unfit. Currently I know zilch about how cars work. And of course it's good to be able to do your own maintenance, or some of it, or at the very least, be able to understand and converse intelligently with your mechanic.

{It's also partly that my mom, as relatively open-minded and independent as she is, doesn't do (as in "feel she understands or ever will") electrical or mechanical stuff, and used to tell me that "men just understand these things naturally," and that's not an MO I'd like to live with. (I mean, I think she tries, but sort of feels by default that it's just not in her blood and she'll never have a solid grasp of things.) }

Comments

[calypso72]

The University where I used to work offered car maintenance/repair in its continuing ed. lineup. I knew someone who took it and she said it was definitely useful.

[balmofgilead.livejournal.com]

I actually haven't found any here other than one at a community college in the 'burbs...I need to look harder, though.

[rippetoe.livejournal.com]

That is an excellent idea, and I would like to join you depending on the price and time of the class!

[balmofgilead.livejournal.com]

Cool. I haven't found any that look promising yet (haven't looked all that hard) but I'll keep you posted!