Auto Estrogen

Buying and maintaining a car is, in my opinion more of a chore than anything for the average woman. For instance keeping up with maintenance records, maintenance logs, and just reviewing the owner’s manual is far more than most of us want to do. Putting all things aside, like our independence, we-can-do-it-attitudes, and gender-equility stance, I’d almost be willing to bet we’d just assume leave the car stuff to a man (yes, I said it).

But when those times come, particular that of maintenance, I have found it slightly simpler to dedicate a little time to take care of those minor things that have to be done to keep your car running smoothly and comfortably over the long haul— like your tune-ups and oil changes as an example. It’s kind of like the week I take off to celebrate my birthday, only I spend it with my car.

So here I am right in the middle of car-bonding week and I’m taking care of those “little” things. At the top of the list — the ever-refreshing oil change — that oh so simple, extremely affordable process that aids gas mileage and adds life to your engine.

A standard oil change (not your premium or synthetic) will run you upwards of $25 dollars, but have you ever wondered why, like most visits to the auto shop, when you go in for something as simple as an oil change, you come out with a laundry list of other needed services? Well, today I found out and I got it right from the shop owners mouth.

It’s because the oil change is the hook, the let’s-get-them-in-the-door-see-whatelse-we-can-charge-them for service. That’s the interesting little tidbit I learned today as I sat in the auto repair shop talking with the owner. And by the way, I wasn’t getting this information inconspicuously, this gentleman knows what I do and has supported our automotive educational efforts for women. The truth is he was just telling it like it is — straightforward and honest. The oil change, as he put it “doesn’t make us any money. We use that to get folks in and then find other things wrong with the car”.

Now before you get in an uproar, he quickly assured me that “they don’t look for things that aren’t wrong, just the things that are” in the hopes that once they identify the problem, then you’ll be back to see them. And the truth is, by the time we get around to doing those little things, there probably are a few other things going wrong or on it’s way to going wrong, hence my bonding week — “let’s take some time to see about that little noise I’ve been hearing” — you know how we do.

The trick is knowing what you really need and what you don’t. Often times the unsuspecting (females particularly) customer comes in the door pretty sure she needs something, but not so sure of what. So the next time you go in for an oil change, don’t be surprised when you come out needing something else.