Sure, I know lots about cars! Now, which one's the engine? Oh. The big one.

[Andrew]

We should have an automotive forum in the FTM section. Just a thought.

Today, I was out with my mom at a Costco when she left the lights on and the battery died. We debated calling Auto Club, and decided it would be cheaper to go into Costco and buy a battery and some tools to install it. So we went into the auto department, and my mom starts telling the guy what she wants, and I notice he's directing most of his instructions toward me, even though I've barely said anything. I guess I have a big sign on me that says, "I have great mechanical skills!" We bought the battery and the tools (my mom scolded me when I jokingly called the tool set the "120 piece lesbian special"). "At last," I told her, "I'm getting the recognition I deserve for my automotive repair skills." (Joke.) But I figured it out and installed the battery! My mother provided the useful service of wailing, "Don't shock yourself! Be careful! Careful! No! No!" until I told her to get in the car. I guess I'm finally in the men's club.

[J.T.]

that's exciting.  I would have just jumped it :p

[mavieenrose]

I notice he's directing most of his instructions toward me, even though I've barely said anything. I guess I have a big sign on me that says, "I have great mechanical skills!"

Yep, you're definitely one of the guys now! Congrats Andrew

As a trans-woman I have the opposite problem, the salesman/mechanic never looks at me, but only at any male friend I'm with... 

That said, it doesn't bother me that much as I know very little about cars (I can get in the same car 10 times and at the end still not even remember what make it is...)  Nice colour?  Good radio?  That's all I need to know...  

MVER XXX

[Andrew]

that's exciting.  I would have just jumped it :p

My mom didn't want to ask someone for a jump, and we figured out that it would cost more to have a guy come out to do it than to change it ourselves. It was a three-year-old battery, anyway, and we needed some tools for that truck. Good learning experience, too!

[Jay]

Thats kool but I would have jumped it too! But hey at least you learned something!

[J.T.]

yes, good experience.

[LostInTime]

LOL.

Back in my boy days a GF of mine was trying to find a muffler for her car. for some reason no one had it so we ended up driving around for an entire day trying to find a place that did. Every time the guys would turn to me even though 1) it was her car and 2) I knew nothing about cars and 3) she knew quite a bit about cars. She finally gets fed up and I am told that I will stay in the car at the next place.

So we pull up to the next place. Not only do I stay in the car but she parks quite a distance from the door. Next thing I know it the mechanic is walking out the door and headed towards the car. Sure enough he walks up to my side and starts talking to me about the muffler. It was really funny but had I laughed I really do believe she would have gone on a murder spree. Talk about being ticked off. She was ex-Navy and as we drove away she rattled off a number of words and word combinations I do not think I had ever heard of before or have since that day.

[BeverlyAnn]

The engine is the big thingie in front with the plastic piece that says 710 on it.

Beverly

[Melissa]

As a trans-woman I have the opposite problem, the salesman/mechanic never looks at me, but only at any male friend I'm with...

The trick is to not bring any male friends.   I have been going to the auto parts store quite a bit recently due to my car needing a number of new parts.  Since I'm poor right now and I had previously studied fixing cars, I decided to do it myself.  Anyways, the sales guys still treat me like I know what I'm doing, which is cool.  Perhaps using the right terms helps. 

The only exception was last night when I was getting a new water pump and I grabbed some sealant.  The lady who was the cashier told me I had the wrong one and grabbed the right one for me.  Well, any help I can get like that is good to me.  I don't think that would have happened prior to transition, since people know how fragile a guy's ego can be. >

For about $160, I got: a power steering pump, power steering fluid, serpentine belt, lower radiator hose, water pump, sealant, coolant, spark plugs (good ones), spark plug wires, anti-seize compound, dielectric boot grease, and an air filter. 

Everything has been replaced except the spark plugs and wires.  It was due for a tuneup, so I decided to just go and do that at the same time.  I also need to do an oil change, but lacking a jack and an oil pan, I'll just take it in to a place to get that done.  It's amazing how much money you can save by doing the work yourself though.

The engine is the big thingie in front with the plastic piece that says 710 on it.

My intake manifold is metal and says 3100 SFI on it.

[ssindysmith]

Gawd I don't miss that, every time any little thing messed up who would they call to fix it yep you guessed it little ole' me, I hated it now it my turn

[BeverlyAnn]

My intake manifold is metal and says 3100 SFI on it.

You mean you don't have a 710 cap on your engine?   >

Beverly

[Andrew]

You mean you don't have a 710 cap on your engine?

Ooh. That's a problem. That's a very important part. You're going to have to come in for a tuneup. Don't forget to ask for the undercoating. (Trust me. I'm a guy. I know what I'm doing.)

[Melissa]

You mean you don't have a 710 cap on your engine?

Ooh. That's a problem. That's a very important part. You're going to have to come in for a tuneup. Don't forget to ask for the undercoating. (Trust me. I'm a guy. I know what I'm doing.)

I've been giving my car a tuneup myself.  I just haven't gotten around to doing the sparkplugs or oil change because I've been busy working on a sewing project for the past few days.

Melissa

[mavieenrose]

As a trans-woman I have the opposite problem, the salesman/mechanic never looks at me, but only at any male friend I'm with...

The trick is to not bring any male friends.  .

Nice idea, that would certainly force them to look at me
But the only problem is I'm sure I'd just get ripped off for the bill... I really don't have the slightest clue about cars!

My intake manifold is metal and says 3100 SFI on it.

You mean you don't have a 710 cap on your engine?   >

Beverly

Help!  Anyone out there speak Martian and could translate?

MVER XXX

[BeverlyAnn]

My intake manifold is metal and says 3100 SFI on it.

You mean you don't have a 710 cap on your engine?   >
Beverly

Help!  Anyone out there speak Martian and could translate?

MVER XXX

Oh goodie, somebody finally took the bait.  It's from the old joke about the blond that comes into the parts department and needs a 710 cap for her engine.  The parts manager tells her there is no such thing and she says her engine had one.  He takes her over to a car identical to hers and asks her to point out the cap and she does.  The parts manager simply turns the cap around so that instead of 710 it reads OIL.

Evil giggle  >

Beverly

[Melissa]

Oh goodie, somebody finally took the bait.  It's from the old joke about the blond that comes into the parts department and needs a 710 cap for her engine.  The parts manager tells her there is no such thing and she says her engine had one.  He takes her over to a car identical to hers and asks her to point out the cap and she does.  The parts manager simply turns the cap around so that instead of 710 it reads OIL.

Evil giggle  >

Beverly

I hadn't heard that one before, but I can read upside down equally as well as rightside up.  Plus mine has a picture and I think it says "Engine Oil" on it.

By the way, do you get those at a 77345 station?

[TG-Bobbi]

 I kind of hate to do this, because a girl can be a car guy too. Yesterday I just sold my oldest friend a 1960 MGA roadster, I have had this car since I was a senior in High school 44 years ago, I was going to wait until I had my SRS and than paint it PINK, and make it my daily driver. But alas my friend had to go , but it was for a good cause, for now I have enough for the SRS in the U.S. or Canada

But about the dead battery any Auto part store carries a jumper kit basicly it is a spare battery that you can carry in your trunk if your battery is dead you just plug it in to the accessory plug, or if its an older car the cigetette lighter and it will provide enough to start the engine. I have carried one for about 10 years have never had to use it on my car but have helped many other people in thier time of need.


bobbi

[BeverlyAnn]

Bobbi, you'll find that a lot of us have quite a bit of experience with autos.  Both from the street and racing points of view.  One of our late members here was a NHRA National Record Holder at one time.

Beverly

[Rashelle]

Hey Sweety if you remind me I have a couple of jacks, an oil pan, and stands to put the vehicle on.
Rashelle

[mavieenrose]

My intake manifold is metal and says 3100 SFI on it.

You mean you don't have a 710 cap on your engine?   >
Beverly

Help!  Anyone out there speak Martian and could translate?

MVER XXX

Oh goodie, somebody finally took the bait.  It's from the old joke about the blond that comes into the parts department and needs a 710 cap for her engine.  The parts manager tells her there is no such thing and she says her engine had one.  He takes her over to a car identical to hers and asks her to point out the cap and she does.  The parts manager simply turns the cap around so that instead of 710 it reads OIL.

Evil giggle  >

Beverly

Oooh! Did I really fall into the trap??!
Am going to have to think up some kind of revenge...

MVER XXX

By the way, do you get those at a 77345 station?

Yes!  I got the joke!
There's hope for me after all...

MVER XXX