Thread by @MightyCasey

I don't know who needs to hear this, but if you're raising a daughter, and there's any chance that daughter might be driving cars in her lifetime? Teach that daughter how to do basic car maintenance stuff.
🧵/1

My own dad, despite being Top Gun Navy jet-jock, was notoriously not Mr. FixIt, at all, so he bought me a AAA membership when I turned 18yo. I went on to self teach, b4 the web (looong b4), how to do lotsa stuff re car maintenance.
/2

Hell, even lived on a boat for 12 yrs, during 25+ yrs I spent as broadcast engineer/field producer, but I digress.
Minimum, teach daughters:
- how to check/fill engine oil
- how to check/fill tires
- how to read tire size/PSI (on driver/port side door edge in sticker form)
/3

More:
- tire size also on tire itself, in raised printed letters on sidewall nr rim
- how to change a tire, including how to use the jacking system
- how to check/fill transmission fluid (if automatic transmission vehicle)
- how to check/fill brake fluid
/4

More:
- how to check/fill windshield washer fluid
- how to replace headlight bulbs
- how to replace wiper blades
- how to put in a new battery

I know, I know, "all she has to do is call a garage/AAA/her boyfriend/her husband
WHAT IF SHE HAS A GIRLFRIEND. Or a wife.
/5

Women need to know how to do this stuff if they're going to be driving cars.
Don't just teach sons this.
Teach daughters too.
Buy them a basic toolkit to keep in their car, if they buy/own one.
Include seatbelt cutter for their keychain.
Kits for sale *everywhere* online.
/6

"Gee, Casey, what made you say all this on a Sunday morning?"
Yesterday, I spent an hour working on my headlights (lens cleaning) in my apt parking lot.
Used my cordless drill, and a 3M purpose-built kit I bought from a DIY auto place (Advance Auto).
/7

The *stares* I drew were hilarious.
No one said anything.
Even tho they waved back at me, I sensed their utter confoundment at seeing me out there w/my cordless drill, sanding disks, compounding paste, and microfiber cloth.
What, old ladies can't ...
/8

Use their rollators as working stools for car care?
Why TF not?
I suppose I coulda paid some garage human to do this for me.
But I'm someone who resurfaced the hull of her 32ft sailboat - TWICE - over the 12 years she lived on it.
Also DIYed replugging her teak deck.
/9

People need to know how to do things.
Including girl people.
Boys need to be taught how to cook, how to clean, how to do basic sewing.
Girls need to be taught basic electric/mechanical repair, including automotive style (if they'll be driving cars).
/10

And don't stare open-mouthed at old ladies working on our cars.
We're not *that* weird.
Just XX humans who like to DIY.
/11 fin