Automotive Articles - Car Basics…Attitude

The cost of living rises without our consent. Many feel helplessly bound in the chain of living paycheck to paycheck. That is why we must do as much as we can to minimize the “surprise” expenses that sometimes catch us unawares. This is especially true with vehicles; something that drivers depend upon greatly; if it breaks, we loose time, transportation and cash.

Many drive their car without regarding the simple basics that could minimize those surprise attacks on their checkbook…and I do mean checkbook. Today the cost of professional car repair could take a good chunk of change from that discretionary budget account that was supposed to pay for ______. I think you get it.

So what do you do? DIY (Do It Yourself). That is, take the steps to attain the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary for preventive vehicle maintenance and/or real live car repairs. I think one should key in on that word ATTITUDE. This is where it all begins. Gaining the skills and knowledge begins with a “can-do” attitude.

Unless you have a chauffeur to drive you around and take care of the basics of car maintenance for you (and if you did, this article is moot), you must employ the same basic techniques that drivers have been using for decades to help minimize surprise vehicle failures. The techniques are simple and very easy to learn. They just take, well, how should I put this? They take initiative and good ole’ fashioned elbow grease!

There are drivers that think because the “stuff” that makes their car go is hidden from view “the stuff” will work as long as there is gas in it. While that might seem true for a new vehicle, this writer wouldn’t dare go there, even for a new vehicle. To really save money long term, the reader should become a willing learner and doer. Many remain willfully ignorant and would rather pay someone to do the work for them. Some can afford this luxury; some could use that money for something else.

Some drivers detest getting their pretty hands dirty, so their poor vehicles get neglected, or they have to set aside a nice chuck of their budgets for vehicle maintenance. All that one needs is a change in attitude.
*Acquire the attitude that believes what someone else can do you can also do.
*Assume that there is nothing about your vehicle that you cannot learn.
*Acquire the knowledge to perform basic maintenance preventive maintenance tasks on your vehicle, which will empower you to ward off those surprise vehicle failures that are destined to appear in the life of your vehicle.
*Adjust your attitude to one of a self-starting, motivated person, who will open that hood and check the engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, windshield washer fluid; one who will check the tire condition and maintain proper tire pressures; one that will study how to choose a technician that is reputable and not abusive.

There are great resources on the web for your education. There is no reason, in today’s information-rich society, that a driver should remain ignorant of the things that could help them keep their vehicle healthy and safe. Sometimes it’s just our attitude.

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