Wow, I'm surprised. I've been thinking about trying to work on my car myself too. I have a repair manuel and some of the tools. I'm still sort of intimidated, though... I've never done anything like this before, but I'm a recently single woman whose afraid of getting ripped off (it happened before I met my ex and I don't want it to happen again) - Besides, I can't afford the crazy prices they charge even if they are honest! I thought I was too old to get started and too out of shape, but if a 46 year old woman can handle the job physically and mentally, I can too despite a few extra pounds and a pack a day. This article has encouraged me to go ahead and perform my first tune up next weekend (been thinking about trying it but was still on the fence before this article). Anyway, this probably wasn't your intention to get folks geared up and feeling confident, but for what it's worth, thanks.
Women work on their cars more than ever
By: Jack Nerad for Driving Today
Date: Sunday, 23. March 2008
Women are working harder than ever before, so it should come as no surprise that women are getting more involved in maintaining their own vehicles. While males still dominate the do-it-yourself (DIY) segment of the automotive aftermarket, the percentage of female DIY vehicle maintainers is growing. Females are now responsible for performing maintenance in one-third of all DIY households, according to a market research study by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).
The Aftermarket Consumer: Do-it-Yourself or Do-it-for-Me study reveals that from 1994 to 2000, the percentage of total U.S. households with individuals who performed light, medium, or heavy-duty maintenance has remained constant, despite perceptions that the DIY market is shrinking. Since 1994, the percentage of DIY households with female DIYers has increased from 27 percent to 34 percent. Males comprise the remaining 66 percent of the DIY market.
According to the report, the typical female auto do-it-yourselfer is 46 years old, married, attended college, is employed full time and covered with grease. (Whoops, we made that last part up.) Her household income is $52,100, and the household maintains two family vehicles. She typically works on the vehicles about once every two to three months, primarily to save money. She is older, more educated, and has a higher household income than her 1994 counterpart, but aren't we all?
Most female DIYers (62 percent) do light maintenance, which includes changing the oil, rotating tires, checking and refilling fluids and changing or replacing wipers and batteries. One fourth of female DIYers tackle medium maintenance jobs such as installing new brakes; draining, flushing and refilling the cooling system; replacing ignition parts; installing mufflers or exhaust systems; and replacing shock absorbers. And you have to wonder what they're thinking about.
There is a common misperception that modern automobiles are too complicated and high-tech for consumers to work on themselves," said Alfred L. Gaspar, AAIA president and CEO. "The reality is that numerous maintenance and repair tasks can be easily performed in the driveway or garage at home. Families are saving valuable time and money and having a lot of fun doing it themselves."
Hey, picnic, shmicknic; what's more fun than spending a sunny Sunday afternoon replacing a battery or overhauling a transmission? Please excuse us; we're going to balance our tires now.
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28 year old female,
