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Maybe you don't need to know how to repair your car, but it's easily arguable that every car driver should recognize the things happening in their cars, otherwi

Maybe you don't need to know how to repair your car, but it's easily arguable that every car driver should recognize the things happening in their cars, otherwise, they are an unsafe driver. On the simple side of things, is your check engine light on, are you dragging your air dams, are your lights on, do your tires have any tread. Slightly more complex, recognizing that your car is over heating, recognizing burning oil, brakes on the wear pad. More complex, is the suspension connected to the body? What's scary is the number of ride share drivers (and taxi cabs) that continue (are allowed to?) drive with some of these serious issues happening. even in states like California with vehicle inspections.

scarface74 7y ago
If my check engine light is on, it shows up right on the panel, I take it to the car mechanic. How much do you have to “know” to see a light? Most problems with cars (except maybe tread), you get some combination of an indicator light, something smells funny, sounds funny, or your car drives differently. In either case, you either take it to a mechanic or if it can’t be driven, you get it towed.
- asdff 7y ago
  Take a look at the top posts on /r/justrolledintotheshop and you will see plenty of examples of people who drive with their fingers in their ears and the dashboard lit up like a christmas tree. And those are only the cars that people begrugingly have brought in, probably 10 more like that on the road for every one in the shop.
  - scarface74 7y ago
    These people know something is wrong with their car and probably couldn’t afford to get it fixed. No one chooses to not get their car fixed if they have money in the bank to take it to the car dealership.
    - smileysteve 7y ago
      > These people know something is wrong with their car and probably couldn’t afford to get it fixed. But, without cursory knowledge of car issues, that decision is unwise, negligent at worst. A car breaking down in the center of traffic has negative externalities. A car fire (152k/year) has negative externalities. A tire or brake failure resulting in an accident has negative externalities. Even the seemingly innocuous check engine light being on from emissions equipment has negative externalities.
      - scarface74 7y ago
        I’m not saying it is a wise decision. No one would say not paying your rent and being evicted is wise either. Poverty forces you to make bad choices sometimes.
        smileysteve 7y ago
        So this is where the analogy works; It's wise that the average person be able to perform moderate computer skills; similar to it's wise for anybody with a car to be able to accurately assess risk by knowing enough about cars.
- smileysteve 7y ago
  To see a light and to take appropriate action when you see a light are 2 different things. Where a single light can mean everything from you're losing 10% fuel efficiency to your car will seize and light on fire if you keep driving for 10 minutes. Relevant fact: there were on average 152,000 car fires each year in the U.S.A and most crashes do not result in fire.

scarface74 7y ago

If my check engine light is on, it shows up right on the panel, I take it to the car mechanic. How much do you have to “know” to see a light? Most problems with cars (except maybe tread), you get some combination of an indicator light, something smells funny, sounds funny, or your car drives differently. In either case, you either take it to a mechanic or if it can’t be driven, you get it towed.

asdff 7y ago
Take a look at the top posts on /r/justrolledintotheshop and you will see plenty of examples of people who drive with their fingers in their ears and the dashboard lit up like a christmas tree. And those are only the cars that people begrugingly have brought in, probably 10 more like that on the road for every one in the shop.
- scarface74 7y ago
  These people know something is wrong with their car and probably couldn’t afford to get it fixed. No one chooses to not get their car fixed if they have money in the bank to take it to the car dealership.
  - smileysteve 7y ago
    > These people know something is wrong with their car and probably couldn’t afford to get it fixed. But, without cursory knowledge of car issues, that decision is unwise, negligent at worst. A car breaking down in the center of traffic has negative externalities. A car fire (152k/year) has negative externalities. A tire or brake failure resulting in an accident has negative externalities. Even the seemingly innocuous check engine light being on from emissions equipment has negative externalities.
    - scarface74 7y ago
      I’m not saying it is a wise decision. No one would say not paying your rent and being evicted is wise either. Poverty forces you to make bad choices sometimes.
      - smileysteve 7y ago
        So this is where the analogy works; It's wise that the average person be able to perform moderate computer skills; similar to it's wise for anybody with a car to be able to accurately assess risk by knowing enough about cars.
smileysteve 7y ago
To see a light and to take appropriate action when you see a light are 2 different things. Where a single light can mean everything from you're losing 10% fuel efficiency to your car will seize and light on fire if you keep driving for 10 minutes. Relevant fact: there were on average 152,000 car fires each year in the U.S.A and most crashes do not result in fire.