AIBU or am I just thick ?

[daffodillament]

Car journey.. 4 hr round trip on motorway the other day. My oil light starts flashing. Didn't think much of it at first but thought I'd better get it checked out at some services I happened to pass. There was a Co-Op shop with all the usual oils and car maintenance stuff outside. Me, scratching head, didn't have a clue. Popped in and asked person behind the counter which oil would be recommended for my type of car..explained make, age and model etc.. she listened then said.."sorry, I am not allowed to tell you, it's not part of policy, would be liable if anything went wrong..bla bla " FFS, comes to something if they can't help you out at a services ! Stropped out and tried to look on google..was none the wiser. Drove off, on way home found a little garage (mot/car service type place )off the beaten track, popped in and what do you know... sorted thanks to lovely helpful people ! The end. But am I a bit thick for not having a clue about oil ? (and it took me ages to find the leaver thing that opens the bonnet)

oil dipstick.car must have been running so oil is warm
pull out wipe off>put back in.levels should be stamped into stick
full>low etc.some even tell you how much to add
basic car maintenance is a" must" type of knowledge.radiator,oil,all fluids really.tyre pressure,filters,antifreeze/coolant..not fun stuck on side of road in the middle of nowhere.and saves lots of money.
in the current heat an extra jug of water and coolant is a good idea to incase radiator overheats

There's either some serious piss taking on this thread, or far too much pride being taken in being so clueless.

daffodillament What if you’d been told by your management not to give TV advice to customers as you’re not trained to do so and if you give the wrong information you’ll be getting customer complaints/sued?

YANBU to not know what oil it takes off the top of your head, YABU to not know how to find out.

It's actually something that can come up in the theory test or the show me/tell me section of your practical test, so presumably one of those things that the DVLA expect people to at least know how to find out.

YABU to expect a Co-op worker to know. It's a Co-op, not a garage or even a Halfords. It's like expecting someone who works in Asda to be able to tell you the difference between two TV models - it's not Currys where they have specific staff who are expected to be subject matter experts in certain departments.

Women want equal rights. People claiming men and women aren't different.
Yet most women have no fucking clue about the cars they have brought and drive around everyday and have to ask men to do it for them. Just educate yourself.

Don't drive a car if you don't know how to look after it properly.

I’m surprised it didn’t come up on google, that’s how I found out what sort recently,
The oil light is also called the idiot light, because people who ignore it...
So at least you didn’t do that.

givemeallyoucucumber Ouch !

Coldhands Phew !

Just thick. AND unreasonable to expect a co-op shop assistant to know how to maintain the tens of thousands of different makes of cars just because you can't be bothered to learn how to do it yourself.

Well I'm thick too, if this is the case. DH puts a bottle in my boot, I do a lot of motorway driving and have been glad he does on many occasions.

givemeallyourcucumber Not including me of course but i wouldn't say "most women have no clue about the cars they drive and rely on men for everything car related" what bollocks !

I think YABU to expect the service station people to help- I have always googled to find out what I need (I change cars quite frequently and we have 2 so don’t always remember) I would expect a garage to help as they’re experts. Service station attendants are shop assistants, they don’t know about cars

mplINsTA How very dare you !

Glintandglide Fair enough.

I have no clue but would have consulted the manual rather than a Co op person.

It will tell you in the manual - that's what they''re for.

"The manual would have been an idea ! "

So you had the manual with you but didn't think to look in it?

I do my own engine fluids. Always have because if I waited for DH to get around to it then it would never be done.

There are many different types of oil, and it really can be very confusing if you just rely on reading the blurb on the container to know what is suitable. As others have said, you need the manual or Google to be sure. Don't guess. Our local fuel station does actually have a chart up behind the counter, which is helpful.

You check oil, water, brake fluid levels, functioning lights and tyre conditions and pressures regularly surely and you definitely check them before heading out on a long journey so you would know how and where to pop the bonnet. We need to take more responsibility for the vehicles we put on the roads.

Ah racecardriver your username suggests you might be more clued up !

diddl yep I'm afraid that's right.

At least A LOT of women. It's scary how much we want to be equal and to be treated fairly yet can't do simple tasks like putting some oil in the car and have to get DH/lovely man at the garage to do it for us. It really is a simple thing to do. No wonder we don't get treated fairly. Our women brains must be too stupid for these simple tasks. Poor us.
I am no expert on cars myself but I like to think I have the basics covered. I would be to scared to drive if I didn't know how my car worked.

so you don't know what oil to put in your car, but you expect a random coop worker to know?
okkk

I don't keep my manual in my car. There is a note on it suggesting not to because it contains the code for the stereo system (which is old, and I never use it, but still). I keep it at home in my desk drawer.

So to me it would not be surprising if someone was out in their car without the manual.

haperbop Joking aside, I don't do the long journeys very often myself and (dare I say it ) dh usually checks all this maintenance stuff. I will make a point of being more clued up and prepared as it's not really funny. Should be doing these checks myself.