Techie, Wrench-head, or Both?

An Anonymous Coward throws this spanner into the works by asking: "OK, a response to another Slashdot question has made me wonder... Can techies fix cars? I know computers very well, I can fix VCRs, and I can wire home theater systems but I don't know the slightest thing about my car. I am not sure I even want to but I thought some other Slashdoters might want to way in on that. Could it be the whole "getting dirty" thing with cars? What do you think? How well do you know the inner workings of that thing that sits in the driveway?" I used to think I liked taking anything apart, not just computers, but after spending a few frustrating afternoons maintaining my car, I figured such things were best left to the professionals. However, I may be a minority in this, based on the responses from the last auto-related question.

Comments

Cars??? SURE!!!!!

[jismay]

I enjoy working on both cars and computers. I work as an admin fixing stupid student and professor problems, and then I go and fix the car 1966 Mustang. Last week I had the engine stripped halfway down to fix a head problem. Not the easiest thing in the world, but as long as you don't mind getting dirty, and can follow instructions it's pretty easy. A lot cheaper too :-)

Cleaning Your Hands

[Anonymous Coward]

Nylon bristle brush, especially one designed to get up at the cuticles (check the women's section of the store)

Good soap. Lava is OK, but "Work Soap" (that's the brand name) by the makers of SoftSoap, is good. There are other, better soaps, usually with lanolin in them. Most decent auto shops sell them.

Finally, there's these prophylactic hand cremes you apply before you get dirty. Makes taking dirt off easier. Gloves would be great, but latex breaks down right away, leaving you with nitrile (they're blue) gloves as about the only choice. However, given the number of sharp corners and surfaces, don't expect the gloves to last long. Other rubber gloves don't provide enough tactile feedback to be of help.

engineering beauty & analytical exercise

[obtuse]

I fix my own cars. Probably beyond the point of sense, occasionally beyond my own ability, for example breaking something else in the process.

Being comfortable working with your hands & getting messy is probably the main difference.

It took me years to be truly comfortable with cars, just as with computers. I had lots of cars that were so crappy that it was unlikely I could make things worse.

They both share:

I take pleasure in their design & execution. Who doesn't like a good hack?

I like understanding how things work, and using that understanding. The question of "why doesn't it work?" is a way to further understanding of how it does work. I also enjoy working with my hands and my mind at the same time.

I have on rare occasion made trivial parts that I needed, and on other occasions used hideous hacks. I have also irreparably broken things.

It's fun looking at something and figuring out "why the hell did they do _that_?" whether the answer is finally money, or a fit of perverse originality.

It's a secure feeling knowing that if you don't understand a problem, it is very unlikely that the professionals will be able to do any better.

Not true of software:

Physical stuff if fun to play with.

Break things. Perhaps only things that can't be used otherwise. They break in interesting ways, if you're paying attention. Besides, they make a great noise.