Introducing the Cheater Bar

So last time Lori introduced one of her favorite tools, the Jump Box. This time I thought I'd introduce one of mine...

<Drum roll please>

...the Cheater Bar!

"What on earth is that?" I can hear you asking yourself, I can almost see the furrowed brows and cocked heads through the computer as I write this. "It looks just like a pipe. What am I supossed to do with it?"

There are probably many things we could come up with to do with it if we got creative... not all of which am I here to endorse (at least not officially!) However, more than a nifty way to protect yourself against unwanted attention, or a handy tool for releasing your aggressions from a bad day on some poor inanimate (please) object... This simple piece of metal pipe is how little people like me get to act like we're VERY VERY strong!

Because as women our stregnth tends to be in our legs not our arms, and using our legs isn't always an option, the Cheater Bar levels the playing field. Simply slip it over the wrench your using and it instantly and dramatically multiplies your stregnth by increasing your leverage. The longer the pipe, the more everage, the stronger you 'become!'

It's simple, it's inexpesive, and it's totally underappreciated.

I have one in my tool box, one in my car and of course one at my house. The Cheater Bar is particularly handy for us ladies when changing a tire on the side of the road. Most places that put on tires use air tools, which means the bolts are *super* tight and often very difficult to get loose with just the tools that your car came with, especially if you live in a wet or snowy climate where rust makes the lugs even more difficult to get loose. One little piece of pipe could mean the difference between sitting and waiting perhaps hours for help, or getting on back on the road to safety.

There are a few companies selling fancy cheater bars online. For example check out these neat extendable lug wrenches at www.thefind.com/hardware/info-telescoping-lug-wrench Or you can always go to your local hardware store and buy a piece of pipe like I do - sometimes you can get remenant pieces for free or at least very cheap. And don't worry, no one is gonna blame you if you find another use for it as well. In fact if you do - please share!

Happy wrenching...

The Wrench Wench

No, see – we *are* the help….

I have to admit that sometimes I like to have fun with the reactions I get from people when they find out I am a mechanic… Is that a bad thing? ;)

Recently one of my customers called me to see if I could come to his rescue… his car stalled and wouldn’t start up again – it was parked at the parking lot at his work – not far from my shop and would I possibly be able to go check it out and see if I could get it fixed without having to get it towed? No problem. From the sounds of the symptoms I was pretty sure I knew what it was and if I was right it was something I could easily fix in the parking lot. He wasn’t going to be there, but the key was there and I could have at it.

I brought Christina (the other female technician that works for me) because we’d had a rough week and I had a hunch that this was gonna be fun… I thought I’d share ;)

We loaded some basic tools and testing equipment and headed on down… to the local fire house.

The guys were hanging out back when we pulled up… all eyes were on us as we got out of the car and walked over to my customers car and got the key. I went over and let them know who we were and what we were doing messing with one of their co-workers cars. They just nodded and stared with furrowed questioning brows. Christina and I got to work. Within minutes three or four more firemen appeared from within the house and made their way over to us… “Excuse us ladies – is your car stuck? You need some help?” We are both in uniform and have a spread of tools in front of us, so I thought it should be pretty obvious, but I turned and smiled – “No, thanks – we’re good. We ARE the help.” And then we watched them back pedal ;)

We went and got the part we needed, leaving them speechless, and then got on with installing it… as I worked we gathered a small crowd around us… they were really nice guys and while they weren’t at all rude or condescending – they were definitely intrigued and curious. The questions while I worked all seemed very skeptical, arms crossed - asking what I was doing… how I knew that was the problem… how long I’ve been a mechanic… how I learned to be a mechanic… where I worked…. And on and on…

When the time came for Christina to turn the key and test if we had fixed the car or not – a hush fell over the crowd. Because of the nature of the repair… it’s normal for it to take a few tries – so of course it looks like I don’t really know what I’m talking about after all. I see some smirks out of the corner of my eye just in time for the engine to right on cue start up and start purring like a kitten.

Immediately the crossed arms drop and the first voice I hear says slowly... “what did you say the name of your shop was again?” I pulled my cards out and passed them around smiling… they invited us in and gave us some freshly brewed ice tea and we all shook hands and smiled and waved as we drove off… Christina and I giggling like school girls to ourselves all the way back to the shop…

There are definitely times I wish that who I am and what I do was more “normal” and accepted… But then it's little moments like this that make all the struggle worthwhile ;)

Happy wrenching...

Love,
The Wrench Wench

Wrench Wench Round Table Pt 2

I hate going to get my oil changed because they are always trying to sell me all sorts of stuff – like the filter for my air conditioning. They wanted to charge me $50 and I heard that is something I can do myself!

Ladies correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure she’s not alone in that feeling. *And* she is absolutely right – it is something that she (or anyone for that matter) can do on her own and save lots of money. Plus it feels pretty good to know you did it yourself.
Air filters and Cabin filters (the filters for your AC system) are generally pretty easy to change once you know how. The first time you do it you may find it a little tricky – but after that you’ll be a pro and be able to do it in less than ten or 15 minutes at the most.

The Air Filter is for the air your engine breaths. It will always be in the engine compartment and generally held in by a few clips or maybe a few screws. Most can be changed in just a few minutes once you know what you’re looking.

The Cabin Filter is for the air you breath. It is often behind your glove box, or sometimes under the hood close to the back of your engine compartment (near the windshield). Look in your owner’s manual or ask your mechanic next time you see her. If their not happy to show you, maybe its time to look for another mechanic…. But that’s just my humble opinion ;)

With both filters, I’d check them every other oil change (more if you live in a particularly dusty climate). Its just like checking a filter on your AC at home, or for your air purifier or hepa vacuum cleaner…. Sometimes it will be so filthy that it’s real obvious that it needs to be replaced. If you’re in doubt – hold it up to the light. If the light can’t get through – neither can the air!

You can often get the filters for *much* cheaper than it is being sold to you at the repair shop. The woman who asked the question was being charged over $50. I looked up her year make and model and she does have a unusually high cost filter… but not that high. List price from the dealer was $22.50, which means it would probably cost 15 – 18 at an aftermarket parts store like AutoZone of Checker. Once she gets good at doing it in five minutes or so – that’s roughly $30 she’ll be saving herself!

As a shop owner I guess I’m not really supposed to be saying all this – but than we never charge labor on filters at our shop, and we’ll always offer to show you how to do it if you want to attempt it yourself the next time. Next time you’re at the shop, ask them to show you, look it up in your owners manual or online… better yet enroll in a class with me or Lori!

Wrench Wench round table...

I’m sitting at my favorite coffee shop after a long and busy day at the shop… I spend so much time here I should be paying rent. In fact, when I tell my staff that I’ll be spending the day at my office – they know that means I’ll be here glued to my computer and buzzing from my non-stop consumption of iced tea.

Tonight, I’ve come here to write… It’s the only place I can get any writing done and I’ve had *really* bad writer’s block recently. So I set up the computer and opened a clean new file and sat…. staring at a black screen… wondering why it is that I can talk about cars for hours and yet when I sit down to write it all goes running to hide in the dark corners of my mind.

The woman next to me saves the day. She motions at my shirt and asks if I work there or if it is just a cool shirt for fun. I’m still wearing my uniform. I tell her not only do I work there, but I own the business. She is obviously excited – tells me that she used to be really interested in cars and used to think she might want to go into mechanics. I share with her that I’m stuck thinking of things to write about…see if she has any suggestions... and soon there is a group of 3 plus me having a small automotive 'round table' of sorts. Each takes their turn asking a question and than I go off… the “rambling wrench wench” teaching and explaining away. An hour later… and I’m back at staring at a black screen – stuck again. So strange!

So here are some tips from the conversation…. ;) it’s only a little bit of a cop out!

I had a chip in my windshield, washed my car and now the whole windshield is cracked!

You’re driving down the road and a rock flies at you and hits your windshield… what to do? First, once you are at your destination take a close look at it - but don't touch! If it is a chip (there are no little lines or ‘legs’ coming out of the center of it) you have a good chance that it won’t spread, but it might still be worth having a glass place repair it. They essentially fill the chip with a special material that keeps it from spreading. I’ve heard that you can fill it yourself with crazy glue – but I’ve never tried it and doubt that it will last long term… for a run in your stockings maybe – but your windshield?

On the other hand – if it’s a star (there are legs or lines coming from the center) – than it is just a mater of time before the star becomes a crack and spreads across your windshield. All it takes is hitting a bump at the wrong angle or washing your car with cold water after it’s been sitting in Arizona’s 120 degree heat!

Getting it fixed sooner rather than later is a good idea. In some states you can get a ticket or fail your state emissions inspection for a cracked windshield because it really can be dangerous.

Before you run and call your insurance though, check with your agent. Sometimes it will increase your deductible and make it not worth it over the long run to go through insurance. And generally I advise staying away from the glass repair folks that approach you at the car wash. I’m sure many of them are wonderful and reputable – but there have been lots of insurance scams uncovered with less than honest glass companies. Instead ask your family and friends or your favorite mechanic for a recommendation, or check consumer reviews online. Most places will come right to your work or home and will take care of billing it to your insurance for you making it really convenient so you have no excuse! If you choose not to use insurance expect to pay between $150 and $450 depending on the year make and model of your car.

So much for writer’s block! Since I’m so long winded…. I’ll save the other tips for another day.

Stay tuned! ;)

Wrenching in heels?....Not a good idea!

So Friday I had a filming scheduled for Channel 3 in Phoenix – “Your Life A-Z” I do a short segment with them every few weeks sharing basic car care tips and simple things that everyone should know about their cars. Its lots of fun for a few reasons… the fact that I love teaching and empowering people through knowledge is the obvious one. The less obvious is that it’s one of the few times I get to dress up these days, and despite the fact that I’m a mechanic and love getting dirty… I also really do love being ‘girly’ and dressing up nice once and awhile ;)

The day started out nice and smoothly, woke up early picked out a nice shirt and clean nice jeans, did my hair (translate: wash, brush and leave down instead of pulling back), threw on some make up (translate: mascara, lip gloss) and slipped on some cute retro heels. Yeah, yeah, yeah – I know you’re all thinking “that’s *all dressed up*?” I know – but for me… that’s a big deal!

I rolled into the shop to make sure my team was all set for the few hours I’d be gone, picked up my props and headed to the studio. The filming went great – I get less nervous every time… still takes about half an hour for my heart rate to return to normal though!
I got back to the shop which was busier than I have ever seen it, realizing I’m gonna have to hit the tools I grab my uniform shirt and pants and go change… only to find out that I *completely* forgot to bring a pair of shoes! So what’s a girl to do? I throw the heels back on and head into the shop….

Let me tell you – it was quite the look…

I told my staff it was our new uniform. Interestingly Matt responded without hesitation “just wait – I’ll show up like that on Monday,” while Christina on the other hand looked at me stunned…. “But –“she stammered “I don’t even know how to *walk* in heels!”
I worked for three hours that way… fixing coolant leaks, doing brakes and running around managing the shop and chatting with customers (who all got a good laugh out of it) till my lifesaver of a mother showed up out of the blue and offered to go to my house to pick up my work shoes!

While I often joke that I’d make a fortune (and go completely against everything I believe in) if I opened up an female only shop where the women wore bikinis and high heels, after a partial trial run – the idea is officially off the table. I don’t know how women wear heels all day long… I was miserable!

My tip for the day? Heels and car repair definitely do *not* go together.
I tell my students this, but I’m apparently better at giving advice than taking it: Keep a pair of old sneakers in your trunk just in case you ever need to change a tire… or (note to self) run a repair shop!

Bogi

The rambling wrench wench......

Yesterday I spent the morning learning how to use a weed eater and than figuring out how to rewire the ballasts for all the fluorescent lights in the office… Not what I would normally expect to be doing as a mechanic in my own auto shop – but it reminded me of an important lesson… A few customers came in while I balanced at the top of a ladder, various electrical tools in hand, each of them commented with something along the lines of – ‘wow – you’re an electrician too?!’

If there is one thing I learned from my long journey of becoming an auto mechanic and a shop owner it is this – the *only* thing that ever holds me back is my own fear. Once I got myself out of my own way, got over my fear of all things mechanical and unknown – not only did I excel at automotive work but nothing scared me anymore. (Ok – that’s a lie, I still don’t like swimming in the ocean *grin*) I’m not an electrician, not a roofer or a plumber – but I’ve tried my hand at all these things and when something needs to be done, I figure out how to do it. It was the fear that always stopped me in the past. Fear of doing it wrong, or breaking something, or getting hurt, or looking foolish. Sometimes that fear still tries to stop me, but I recognize it for what it is and do my best to push through.

This above all – is why I teach the classes I teach. Because shaking or working through the fear was so liberating and empowering for me. I want more than anything to share that with other women. Even if you never want to change your own tire, or learn to diagnose your car or even check your own fluids… there’s something powerful about knowing you could if you wanted to.

We've got a class coming up on the 16th at the shop... maybe you'll think about signing up? What could be more fun than a bunch of cool chicks hanging out and talking cars? Plus, you may just surprise yourself with what you find you are capable of!

Bogi