To think this Tesco worker was a bit OTT?

Me too. The only time ever I have not reversed well was when I was driving a very large motor home in NZ and a KIWI male insisted on "helping" me and he directed me to reverse into a bin. I know it was deliberate. My (now) ex-husband agreed. He knew I could reverse and park on a six-pence. We agree on nothing else! I ignore all men "helping" me to do anything with cars.

I had an old guy (I think a grandparent) stand frowning with his arms crossed and watch me reverse my car in to a space at school, he then clapped when I got it in… I’m quite chill but that really wound me up!!! I’m amazing at reverse parking it’s one of my only skills 😅

I don’t know why you stopped yourself, I would have openly laughed in his face then asked him if it was my lack of penis that was prompting him to talk to me like that. He sounds like a proper twat.

Maybe he was rather taken with you, and wanted to prolong the conversation whilst showing you how wise and experienced he is, and complimenting you on your extreme youth!

Then why are so many men autistic?

Well let’s be honest here, dear. The fault is entirely your own. Firstly, a woman owning a car. Whatever next! Then to try and buy oil for it yourself, and pay for it yourself and then think that you should worry your pretty little head about doing the top up yourself. Assuming of course that you have the strength to get the cap off the oil can. where will you put it? Do you even know where the engine is, what it looks like .

He was quite right about getting your parents to help. Although of course he did not mean parents he meant parent . As in your Father. Don’t however trouble him until he is home from his very important job. Find him his pipe and slippers, settle him in his armchair, then ask him.

The point of mansplaining is that they assume you don't know because you're a woman. Nobody needs to be psychic to not insist on offering random advice, and keep going when it's clearly not wanted.

He went OTT. But the point with the original mansplaining was that Rebecca Solnit was actually an expert, and had written the book the mansplainer was talking about. He just didn't listen when she tried to tell him.

Whereas how is random Tesco man supposed to know who knows and who doesn't? He's probably seen someone screw things up and doesn't want it to happen again. People aren't psychic, but often we expect others to be able to guess our circumstances.

My first thought hearing Ops recounting of the conversation is that the cashier may be ND. He's not explaining because he thinks you need it. He's explaining because he knows about it. Nothing to do with him thinking you need an explanation or you being a woman. He's speaking the thoughts he had in response to understanding your oil light was on and you were buying the oil for that.

Perhaps he gets told to ask his parents to do it for him because he struggles, and is echoing what his parents tell him about the rules of changing oil.

Of course he could just be super sexist but from the description, my gut says no.

Maybe it was an attempt at chatting you up? :)

I'd imagine by the time the mansplaining lecture has been satisfactorily completed, the oil level in the engine will be quite settled.

He's mansplaining. Ignore.

It’s possible, but even new engines consume some oil. The pistons have piston rings which seal the combustion gasses but these rings have a tiny set gap, which in turn causes some combustion gas to leak into the crankcase and some oil to creep up into the combustion chamber, which will burn the oil and exit through the exhaust.

As the engine racks up mileage these rings wear and the seal between the ring and the cylinder bore becomes less effective so more oil will creep through and be burnt. Obviously in this case there was a design issue with this Audi engine which caused more oil to be burnt this way.

Oil can also leak into the combustion chamber from the cylinder head via the valve stem seals once these become older. And of course oil can leak through general leaks, head gasket failures and other types of failures.

I think to ‘mansplain’ something would mean to actually know what you are talking about.

On the contrary, the archetypal mansplainer knows less about thr matter than the woman he's explaining it to.

The only time I have ever scraped my bumper whilst parking was when my idiot manager insisted on guiding me in, waving his arms about as if he was directing a plane. He then said, 'Oh, you've scraped your car.' and left swiftly.

Lesson learned: do not trust people to help you who have the mental acuity of a gerbil.

It’s fine.

You ‘should’ check when engine has not been running for some time (10-15mins is fine) as the oil has settled back into the sump so you will get a more accurate reading on the dipstick.

Some modern cars don’t have a dipstick and read the level whilst the engine is idling or whilst it’s not running depending on which measuring device is fitted. So if your more modern vehicle tells you that you need to top up… then top up. Engine hot or cold… just don’t burn yourself.

On other hand, if you don’t regularly check your oil level and your engine does eventually become starved of oil…. You will most certainly blow the engine up. Hot metal parts moving at 1000’s of revolutions per minute with no lubrication…. BANG!

Oh my God - this is where I start telling people to fuck off. I do not need my car explaining to me, I know it well. Certainly better than some random twat in a supermarket.

Exactly this. Marvellous mansplaining 👏👏👏

Haha, had to reply to this one. That’s hilarious.

Female race engine builder of 13 years here.

I think to ‘mansplain’ something would mean to actually know what you are talking about.

The amount of times I have topped my oil up, my cars overheated and I have killed people… 😂

Sounds like you are more clued up than he is.

Hilarious but hopefully coming from a helpful place....you must look very young if he thinks your parents should do it.... surprised he didn't want proof your an adult 😁👍

Unsolicited advice is irritating. Unsolicited advice that is bollocks is fucking annoying.

Snap! Not a Citroen is it?

I have had to guide my DH into the occasional tight parking spot - I usually shout a lot and gesticulate a lot as if to tell him the gap left behind.

Parking beepers are a godsend

Well said @SnoopysHoose

@MillyBar
To be blunt, his background is irrelevant and unknown to any customers, he can keep his opinions to himself, for all he knows the customer could be a mechanic.
Please can we all stop twisting ourselves in knots trying to excuse an interfering overbearing man.
ND people can learn manners and skills, it's not a get out to be rude or overbearing or intrusive.
I'm autistic and I remind myself what to say/when to say, never would I use it as an excuse to behave like this.