AIBU to think they NEED to teach car maintenance at school?

[MeMyCatsAndMyBooks]

Today my car tyre popped on a piece of metal left in the middle of the road, and I had no idea what to do.
I've been driving since I was 17 and I'm in my 30s and never had an accident touch wood or anything wrong with my tyres.
I instantly panicked as it happened in the middle of a giant hill and knew I couldn't do it there, thankfully a really kind man ran out and helped it be pushed to the side & changed my tyre for me.

I had no idea how to do it, or what a space saver tyre really was! Luckily I got it home driving very slowly & onto my drive and have my breakdown cover coming out next week to change the tyre.
But I just had no idea about any of it. Im aware I sound like a helpless woman, but im usually quite independent but this knocked me for six!

AIBU to think they need to teach car maintenance in school rather than pushing maths (which lets face it isn't anywhere as important) onto students till they turn 18?

Well this thread took an unexpected turn.

Ford tell me the brake fluid needs doing every 2 years and oil once a year, surely they should know, I just leave it all to them, they supply my breakdown cover with the service as well. I shall mention it when I have the next service. Changing brake fluid is not generally a job you do yourself though as general maintenance, it's a garage service job. DH has replaced his own when he has changed his brakes years ago but I don't think people change their own brake fluid nowadays.

@Yarrawonga which is quite hilarious and ironic as schools do teach an awful lot of sex education 😂

Even more hilarious and ironic they now teach most in reception to wipe their bums too which is certainly what some need around here.

Oh apologies @MNHQ it's gone now.
Ok everyone....back to car maintenance.
🙂

I don't have a spare wheel so there's no point. I'd call out the AA if I had a flat.

I know how to change a wheel and have in the past but I would really struggle to do it on my current car. I would either call the RAC, or my husband if not too far from home, and get them to sort it.

it's for the best that some people don't attempt to change their own tyres to be honest

No what they should bring into general education is first aid and sign language.

Don't be ridiculous op. This should all be part of passing your driving test.
There should be the theory, basic car maintenance and the practical driving test.
All paid for by the person who wants a driving license.

Yes but changing a tyre wasn't included. I paid over a thousand pounds for my lessons, and never had that.

I feel like I've missed an epic comment. 😂

I've DM you the comment! Some people are a little touchy and can't take a joke!

No, it isn't included but it should be compulsory that you take a basic car maintenance course before receiving a driving license.
Most local colleges run night courses. Some garages will even teach you for a fee.
You want to drive a car? You pay to learn how to look after it.

Yes YABU. Schools have enough to get through as it is. Not everyone will own a car. Many less will be directly involved in car maintenance. You might as well ask if they should teach driving itself, or maybe basic DIY.
One thing I would like to see though is first aid. You can learn some really useful skills in a few hours.

Emergency drills such as changing a tyre are covered in some countries. I believe the scandi countries also include first aid.

YABU. It’s not the 1950’s, and the intricacies of modern engines and cars are not maintainable without full training and diagnostics, so it’s really silly to think that there are teachers for this that can be available in every school
Changing a wheel (if your car even has one) is one of the last bastions, along with filling the fuel tank, checking the oil and coolant levels and adding screen wash, that’s possible without specialist tools, if you’re driving a modern vehicle, so it’s up to you to find out how to do this if/when you start driving. Even changing headlight bulbs, which used to be a prerequisite for being a driver, now normally requires a visit to Halfords or a garage, since they’re becoming more inaccessible than ever on newer designs.
As a driver, you should educate yourself: as PP have said, it’s all on YouTube!

Hilarious, read manual or join the AA but to expect school to teach it is ridiculous.

I reckon the basics of changing a tyre, knowing that there's stuff under the bonnet you should be topping up would make a useful addition to normal driving lessons but it shouldn't be taught in school.

That said I got a flat in the days before Google and managed to work out what I needed to do in a few tries. Think the only mistake I made was jacking it up before trying to loosen the wheel.

Can be difficult if they're on really tight though and your wrench is shit/short and you've got nothing to extend it with

Quite but even coolant is tricky as a: unless there is a fault, will never drop and b; top ups require specific coolants, some of which do not mix!!! So add water in an emergency if you don't know, colour is no longer an indication and only when engine is cold.
Heck even oils are manufacturer specific, with special cleaning agents.

Headlight bulbs? Youtube!!! but judging by the number of cars driving about with one headlight, even that doesn't get done.

I was taught at a car maintenance class - went to night school for 12 weeks, 2 hours a week.

It's generally a moot point to teach someone how to change a tyre.

In my last car that had space for a spare tyre I tried to change one myself. My mechanic had shown me along with the other basics I wanted to make sure I was doing right (paid for his time, what a novel concept!)

Except, my tyre had last been placed on by a professional using a machine to tighten the nuts. Even using my full body weight against the bar I couldn't loosen a single nut so had to call RAC/AA can't remmber which anyway. Their machine did it in seconds...after the guy tried the macho act of doing it manually and failing just as miserably as me!

All that aside, it's bonkers to suggest schools should teach it. Personal responsibility is vital and too many people want someone else to blame rather than accepting their part in their own ignorance.