25 years ago I interview kids ( from the very same high schools ) and would ask them ‘do you work on cars’ in a effort to determine how mechanical they were. Typical answers:
‘Not really, my brother and I rebuilt his 351 small block last summer...’
“Just a little, I rebuilt the rear axle of my 20 year old beater to change the drive ratio it’s a easy weekend job”
“Not at all, I sometimes help my Dad out in the garage. He loves restoring old cars. We just finished a rebuild of a 54’ Olds from ground up that took 3 years, He made me tear apart the tranny and rebuild it. “
Today the answers are;
‘Yes, I love working on cars and do it all the time. Last week I washed and waxed my Mom’s Car”
“Sure do, I can check the oil and tire pressure at least twice a year”
“Sorta, my grandfather lets me watch”
That’s like the Liberty Mutual Insurance commercial with the teens boys not knowing what a lug wrench is. But, hey, the insurance company is there to help. Sure, let your kids hang out on some dark deserted road hoping the repair guy shows up before the thugs instead of teaching your kid how to change a flat.
We had a young friend living with us the summer after she graduated from HS who’s car was falling apart. Her parents sent her out into the world with zero skills. Mr. b got tired of waiting for her parents to step up so he had to teach her to do the basics.
So true. Guys my age (and older) grew up doing most (if not all) of the work on their cars. I remember how they always talked about cars back then.
Nowadays, most young guys show very little interest in cars, engines, etc.
But, according to what I've heard from older guys, the cars nowadays are more difficult to work on because you need special equipment. The older model cars were more straightforward.
With that said, still, it's good to know how to do the simple things, at the very least, like checking the oil.