DAN DeBraga, owner of Redline Automotive at 720 Nairn Ave., could hardly have imagined the floodgates of inquiries he unleashed when he decided to conduct a series of free women's automotive workshops this September.
"I didn't know quite what to expect, but I was really surprised by the response when we received over one hundred inquiries," said DeBraga.
At that point, DeBraga realized that he had hit the mother lode of pent-up motivation that women drivers have to take matters into their own hands when dealing with unexpected vehicle breakdowns, not to mention the lamb-to-the-slaughter feeling they experience when entering automotive shops looking for relief, repairs and that most precious of commodities, respect.
As the six of us did our introductions early last Saturday morning, we recounted our reasons for wanting to learn more about the seemingly mysterious happenings under our car hoods. We all told, in our own way, a story of the "moment"; that being the moment when the motor died late at night, with no means of contacting a trusted friend (applying to the pre-cellphone generation) and the sinking feeling of helplessness that takes over within the space of a heartbeat.
So amply motivated, our group plunged into the process with DeBraga and technician Brad Ford, there to provide the necessary knowledge and guidance. We were separated into two separate groups and got down to business getting our hands dirty as we tackled a tire change (some of us for the first time ever) and become familiar with the forest of fluid caps, hoses and shiny things that reside under the hood.
Tires, as obvious as it may sound, deserve our attention on a regular basis. Visual inspection is usually enough, just to make sure that there's no suspicious bulging or "eggs" appearing on the sides.
Brad reminded us to inspect the back of the tire, too. "Simply turn your steering wheel sharply to see what's happening on the opposite side of the front tire. As for back wheels, position yourself strategically and do a quick scan," he instructed. And if you do find any nasty bulges or punctures, get thee to your nearest tire repair shop, pronto!
Tire pressure is another indicator that can explain uneven tire wear and that left untended can ultimately hit you in the pocketbook. Brad showed us how to use a simple tire gauge to make sure that all four tires are inflated to recommended levels, usually between 32 to 35 psi. (Hint: consult the label inside the door frame for specifics pertinent to your own vehicle).
Brad recommended a useful tool well worth buying: a tire compression unit that runs off your cigarette lighter outlet. This economical device gives you a tire pressure read-out and also generates air pressure to inflate your sagging tire to its optimum level, a simple one-two operation.
We changed instructors. DeBraga took us through a tour of the various fluids that constitute the lifeblood of our vehicle's operations. DeBraga stressed the importance of tending to fluids like oil, transmission fluid, coolants and brake fluids that are critical in determining the longevity of your vehicle.
"Once you know where the fluids are located and how to read and interpret the results, it's basic maintenance after that," he said.
DeBraga scared us silly as he related some of the real-life vehicular horror stories he's encountered that ultimately can be traced back to fluid neglect and have resulted in major engine repairs in the thousands of dollars. Again, prevention is all important.
Next, we checked the hoses, looking for evidence of wear, pinholes and cracks. And it turns out that Red Green is right -- duct tape is not only the handyman's secret weapon, but also comes to the rescue if a hose springs a leak. It's strictly a temporary measure meant to get you to the auto repair shop, but useful knowledge when the chips are down and you've got a mini-Vesuvius giving you grief.
About halfway through our session, there's a noticeable shift in attitude that we're starting to recognize in each other. A woman pulls up looking for help with a back tail light on her Cavalier that's not functioning and DeBraga excuses himself from our group to tend to her question, and we follow in his wake like imprinted goslings to eavesdrop.
Having just covered a mini-session on signal lights with DeBraga, we burst forth with helpful advice and tips fresh with new-found knowledge and realize that we are definitely not the same people who crossed the threshold a couple of hours earlier.
Whatever great divide of learned automotive helplessness we have just crossed feels exhilarating and we realize that car care is not some indecipherable code known only to men. It's learnable and we are teachable and the rewards of knowing are almost immediate. It's a good day!
An hour later, our Car Clinic 101 session has ended as we happily consumed doughnuts and coffee and listened to DeBraga's parting advice. "Choose your mechanic like you'd choose your doctor," he said.
"Look to develop rapport with the people there; let them get to know you and your vehicle. Our cars cost us about $35 of every $100 we earn, so it just makes sense to take care of them."
By this time, he's talking to the converted.
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