Car mechanic

In addition to being a carpenter, appliance repairman, engineer, electrician, plumber, and computer technician, home ownership requires as much of being an auto mechanic as you can. Unfortunately, this is a weak area for me but there are some things I can do.

My daughter complained her car wasn't driving correctly. It was 9:30 at night so I drove the car to a gas station. Along the way I felt a vibration. If the vibration is in the steering wheel it means a problem with the front tires. If you feel the vibration in the seat, it is coming from the back. I felt it in both, but much worse in the back.

Under the lights of the gas station, and using a tire gauge, I found the rear driver's tire to be at 10 pounds instead of 35! And both front tires were around 22. And yet she told me she checked her tires just three days ago.

When I was growing up my parents were always on me because they didn't think I spent enough time maintaining my car. They checked the oil and tires and fluids every time before they drove out of town (or so they told me, which I knew was false). I find myself increasingly sounding like my parents when I talk to my daughter about her car maintenance.

For example, I have asked her three times "Is your tire gauge in you car's glove box?" And each time she answers "No, it is still in my bedroom". Having a tire gauge in your bedroom is helpful when.... Ok, it is never helpful. It belongs in your glove box!

I try not to sound like my parents but sometimes I think it is inevitable.