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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think its embarrassing being an adult and unable to pump car tyres or add screen wash?

86 replies

traciebanbanjo · 05/06/2018 21:18

Just that really, I know a friend that's broke but still goes to pay someone to do simple tasks like that.

I think she likes to play the pathetic woman, and says she wants to get experts to do these jobs..

OP posts:

Gretol · 06/06/2018 08:10

It has never occurred to me that some people with cars never fill it with petrol or put screen wash in! I can even change a light bulb (got Halfords to show me while they did it)

Sirzy · 06/06/2018 08:10

Those who can’t top up screenwaah what do you do when on a trip alone and it runs out then?

Original poster

traciebanbanjo · 06/06/2018 08:16

Yes it's exactly the same as a guy who says he can't cook or use the washing machine. My 70 year old dad does both and I have no time for a pathetic guy that says something like that.

OP posts:

adaline · 06/06/2018 08:16

Basic car maintenance is a safety thing, surely?

My instructor taught me when I was having lessons and made sure I could check levels on everything, fill the screen wash, check tyre pressure and fill it with fuel.

Do people just never check their tyre pressure if they don't know how to do it? What if you run out of screen wash? I have to fill mine at least once a month!

I think you shouldn't be allowed to pass your driving test unless you know basic car maintenance. Car tyres can blow out and cause serious/fatal crashes if the pressure isn't checked regularly. It only takes five minutes!

FlaviaAlbia · 06/06/2018 08:17

I think a lot of people use can't when they mean won't.

Yes, some people genuinely can't do things for various reasons, but others don't want to or don't need to learn, so don't do it.

Plus, it's much less humiliating to say your husband can't clean or cook than admit he won't put in the effort to open a cookery book and follow basic instructions or admit he thinks you exist to pick his pants off the floor.

Doyoumind · 06/06/2018 08:17

Not being able to fill up the screen wash is really strange. That's very basic.

I do the air pressure because I was shown how to ages ago and it's so easy.

I can't change a wheel and I don't know how to use jump leads. If I was shown how to I would probably give it a go.

adaline · 06/06/2018 08:18

Not being able to cook from scratch isn't a safety issue though. You can live off frozen foods or things like salad/chilled things.

If you don't make sure your windscreen is clean or your tyre pressures are right you can end up having a serious or fatal accident.

Greatorb · 06/06/2018 08:22

For those that either don't know or refuse to perform basic checks on their cars, how do you know the car is safe to drive if you don't do those checks? Or do you just not care whether you kill someone?

adaline · 06/06/2018 08:26

Judging by the amount of cars I see driving around with filthy windscreens and flat tyres, I think a lot of people just don't care.

They've gotten away with it for years so don't think it's something they need to worry with. I'm grateful I know how to do all those checks and change a tyre - when I hit a pothole last year I was stuck on the side of the road with no phone signal or means of contacting the AA or the breakdown service. Luckily I could change the tyre on my own and was on my way in half an hour or so.

Tyres are a bit more tricky than basic checks and do require a bit more oomph and muscle, but there's no reason you shouldn't be able to change your screen wash!

lynmilne65 · 06/06/2018 08:27

Ooo Angie do you live near me ? 😁

Sirzy · 06/06/2018 08:28

The twice I have needed to change a tyre I have been pissed off that although I know now due to having been fitted by a machine it was on too tight to get off by hand. Had a secret laugh both times when mr RAC had to admit I was right and nobody was getting them off by hand!

LBOCS2 · 06/06/2018 08:29

I think it's basic maintenance. It's fine as long as she always has the money to do it when it's required - but if not (as seems to be the case) then it's at best not good for the car, and at worst, unsafe. That's when it becomes a problem and she should really get on and learn.

Not only do I do my own basic bits on my car, when I borrowed my sister's I did her screenwash and tyres too as they needed the attention

Firesuit · 06/06/2018 08:31

What if you run out of screen wash? I have to fill mine at least once a month!

Do you have a leak somewhere? In 30 years of motoring, doing typically 15,000 miles a year, I've only ever added screen wash once. Screen wash lasts me from one service to the next.

adaline · 06/06/2018 08:32

No leak, I just live in the countryside and there's always tree sap, mud or bird shit on my windscreen that needs cleaning off before I leave home in the morning!

Sirzy · 06/06/2018 08:33

State of the roads here no chance screen wash would last a year!

Firesuit · 06/06/2018 08:34

I've only needed to change a tyre once in my 30 years, and the nuts were too tight, so have in fact done it zero times. Had to wait an hour for Green Flag to do it. Changing a tyre is not a skill worth having, for the average motorist in the UK. If I lived in rural Australia I'd make sure I could do it.

adaline · 06/06/2018 08:36

Yeah I don't think changing a car tyre is hugely important for most people but living rurally I am glad I know how to do it.

A lot of my commute home is through a mobile black spot and on roads with no houses for several miles. I wouldn't want to be stuck on my own trying to find signal or something in the dark in the middle of winter.

wizzywig · 06/06/2018 08:37

I dont know how to check air pressure, change tyres, screenwash. I know it needs doing because the lights flash up on my dashboard

tenaciousD · 06/06/2018 08:45

Or not know how to use apostrophes.

Rufustheyawningreindeer · 06/06/2018 08:48

The air is checked regularly

The screen wash is filled when it needs it

DailyMailClickbait · 06/06/2018 08:55

I once worked with a woman who refused to use cash machines - as in she'd never used one and didn't know how to and had no interest in starting. She used to give her husband her bank card and he'd withdraw it for her.

Sirzy · 06/06/2018 08:57

For it to get to the point of a light flashing on that would generally indicate it is at problem point which for tyres in particular is very dangerous

UghAgh · 06/06/2018 09:14

EggysMum

I'm prepared to do most things with the help of Google and Youtube!

I agree with this sooo much. My first thought if I have a problem with the house or car is to get googling and to find YouTube help videos. There are ones on everything! I've replaced computer hard drives, plumbed in dishwashers and washing machines and done all sorts of car repairs. Etc etc
You can do almost anything with YouTube videos.

Steeley113 · 06/06/2018 09:23

I don’t do these things if I can help it but if I needed to and wasn’t sure, I’m sure google would help. I wouldn’t pay someone! I pumped my tyres up yesterday because they were looking really flat and DH wasn’t around. I hated it, but I did it

adaline · 06/06/2018 10:09

But @wizzywig normally by the time the lights flash up, there's a more serious problem that can ruin the engine or cause a serious accident.

Checking your levels even once a month can avoid a seriously expensive garage bill!

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