Sarah Jacobs

Sarah Jacobs

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Can you change a tire?

Man, business must be booming for AAA! Because the overwhelming majority of Americans are pretty helpless when it comes to basic automotive maintenance and troubleshooting. 

A new survey found 68% of cars currently have at least one thing wrong with them. And when people were asked whether they could handle relatively simple fixes--like changing a tire--the answer for most was a resounding NOPE.   

1.  Could you add windshield washer fluid to your car?  30% aren't sure they could.

 2.  Could you replace your windshield wipers?  52% don't know if they could handle it.

 3.  Could you jump start your car if the battery died?  53% don't know if they could.

4.  Could you put a spare tire on?  61% aren't sure.  One in five don't even know how to use a gauge to check the tire pressure.

5.  Could you replace a blown fuse?  63% aren't sure they could do it.

6.  Could you change your own oil?  67% said no.

Now here's the craziest stat.  Researchers showed people different photos of car parts.  And 41% couldn't even identify which part was the ENGINE. 

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??! They don't even know where then engine is?!

When I was about to get my driver's license, my mom made me learn to do basic maintenance before I was allowed to drive. I had to demonstrate that I could change a tire, check and refill my fluids, and change my oil. Now, I haven't changed my own oil in years, but I could if I needed to. I like being independent, and knowing how to do stuff for myself is something I'm extremely proud of, y'all! Thanks, mom, for making me learn all that stuff!

I had a series of old beaters back in the day that were in constant need of repair, and I was pretty happy that there was so much I could do on my own. At 19 years old, living on my own, I couldn't afford to pay someone to do all these things for me, so I'm glad I could do a lot of it for myself. Again, thanks mom!

I once had a friend who went YEARS without getting her oil changed because--QUOTE!--"I didn't think you had to change the oil on  new cars." Yes. This is a real thing. *sigh*

So be honest: how many of the things on the list above can you do? 


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