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Things everyone should know

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

Its amazing the amount of cars I see broke down at the side of the road with steam pouring from their bonnet when the weather gets warmer.

Should all learner drivers be taught basic car maintenance before passing their test?

Things like, checking oil and coolant levels, change a flat tire, change windscreen wipers.

What other every day things should everyone know?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Its amazing the amount of cars I see broke down at the side of the road with steam pouring from their bonnet when the weather gets warmer.

Should all learner drivers be taught basic car maintenance before passing their test?

Things like, checking oil and coolant levels, change a flat tire, change windscreen wipers.

What other every day things should everyone know?"

They do it now in France but it wasn't the case few years ago until the car of Sarkozy broke down in the middle of a rough area in Marseille.

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By *ulfilthmentMan
over a year ago

Just around the corner

You can check all you want but things can still go wrong. When they do, most modern cars are so complicated there’s usually not much you can do.

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By *ust PeachyWoman
over a year ago

Prestonish

Had a flat once. Quite scary when you know you’re losing control at speed!

Pulled over, and put the hazards on (that much I can manage) consulted driver manual and tried my best. Was crap! Luckily for me I was on my way to a date - so wearing makeup and a mini dress with my hair down!

Took about three minutes for a car full of guys to stop and ‘help’ (ie take over!)

If I was in ‘Mum mode’ I’d probably still be at the side of the road!

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"You can check all you want but things can still go wrong. When they do, most modern cars are so complicated there’s usually not much you can do."

You can check all you want. But knowing how top up coolant levels will reduce the risk by a fair amount

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By *isaB45Woman
over a year ago

Fabville

First Aid.

I think that this should be taught from primary school age, until children leave secondary school.

Even four year olds can call for an ambulance, if taught...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I think you have to be able to demonstrate a knowledge of checking all those things these days, it's part of the test

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By *otSoNewWalesCoupleCouple
over a year ago

South Wales

Yes, drivers should know this basic maintenance and repair (tyres, water etc).

It's not a cultural thing these days.

Back when I was younger, dads would typically do the dad thing and show their kids how to do these things, and the importance of doing these things.

But do we pass that on to our kids? I'm not so sure we do.

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By *ango0505Woman
over a year ago

Dumfries

My twin daughters can both change tyres, check oil, tyre pressure, screen wash.

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By *uddlybear2015Man
over a year ago

BEDFORD

Modern driving test does have a certain amount of basic knowledge of where coolant oil etc goes and levels etc so instructors do go through bits,however it would be usefull to teach new drivers tyre change etc. Usa have driver Ed,maybe that that would be the way to go in our schools?

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By *lue NarwhalMan
over a year ago

Iceland, but Aldi is closer..


"You can check all you want but things can still go wrong. When they do, most modern cars are so complicated there’s usually not much you can do.

You can check all you want. But knowing how top up coolant levels will reduce the risk by a fair amount"

Modern cars don't tend not to need coolant topped up much more than at the service intervals, likewise with oil.

If you have an oil leak and ignore it then more fool you when your engine seizes, oil leaks are pretty apparent by the big black puddle where you park your car... a little oil goes a hell of a long way.

As for tyres, its no problem getting a car jacked up but trying to get the nuts undone, Im a pretty hefty guy and I have to stand on the trye spanner to crack the nuts, I cannot imagine someone a few stone lighter than me would be as successful.

That aside, most modern cars now come with a stupid can of tyre foam instead of a spare wheel to save weight so changing a tyre has also almost become an obsolete requirement.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"You can check all you want but things can still go wrong. When they do, most modern cars are so complicated there’s usually not much you can do.

You can check all you want. But knowing how top up coolant levels will reduce the risk by a fair amount

Modern cars don't tend not to need coolant topped up much more than at the service intervals, likewise with oil.

If you have an oil leak and ignore it then more fool you when your engine seizes, oil leaks are pretty apparent by the big black puddle where you park your car... a little oil goes a hell of a long way.

As for tyres, its no problem getting a car jacked up but trying to get the nuts undone, Im a pretty hefty guy and I have to stand on the trye spanner to crack the nuts, I cannot imagine someone a few stone lighter than me would be as successful.

That aside, most modern cars now come with a stupid can of tyre foam instead of a spare wheel to save weight so changing a tyre has also almost become an obsolete requirement. "

.

Next time your having your tyres done tell them to use the correct torque settings instead of just having the wrench on unlimited.

I always torque mine and use a tad of copper grease.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"You can check all you want but things can still go wrong. When they do, most modern cars are so complicated there’s usually not much you can do.

You can check all you want. But knowing how top up coolant levels will reduce the risk by a fair amount

Modern cars don't tend not to need coolant topped up much more than at the service intervals, likewise with oil.

If you have an oil leak and ignore it then more fool you when your engine seizes, oil leaks are pretty apparent by the big black puddle where you park your car... a little oil goes a hell of a long way.

As for tyres, its no problem getting a car jacked up but trying to get the nuts undone, Im a pretty hefty guy and I have to stand on the trye spanner to crack the nuts, I cannot imagine someone a few stone lighter than me would be as successful.

That aside, most modern cars now come with a stupid can of tyre foam instead of a spare wheel to save weight so changing a tyre has also almost become an obsolete requirement. .

Next time your having your tyres done tell them to use the correct torque settings instead of just having the wrench on unlimited.

I always torque mine and use a tad of copper grease."

Don't get me wrong, you don't need to check coolant and oil levels as much as usual. But they should still be checked, especially with hot weather coming and the driver should know what to replace it with.

The tire in a can is a complete waste of time, I'll agree with you there

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"First Aid.

I think that this should be taught from primary school age, until children leave secondary school.

Even four year olds can call for an ambulance, if taught..."

I agree. My oldest knows how to ring 999 if there is an emergency and who to speak to and what address he lives at. I taught him that at a very early age.

I also think cooking should be common knowledge. How some people can't cook baffles me

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By *hispers-40Woman
over a year ago

up the garden path


"Its amazing the amount of cars I see broke down at the side of the road with steam pouring from their bonnet when the weather gets warmer.

Should all learner drivers be taught basic car maintenance before passing their test?

Things like, checking oil and coolant levels, change a flat tire, change windscreen wipers.

What other every day things should everyone know?"

How to use an island and their indicators so mar

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod

over a year ago

East Sussex

People should know how to cook simple, inexpensive meals from scratch, which side of a letter a stamp goes, how to avoid scammers, what a sensible portion size is, how to budget, how to treat other people respectfully.

Whose responsibility it is to teach these things is another matter.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

How to parallel park!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

You are taught how to fill up fluids and that.

It's a requirement now. Teaching how to change a tire would be good though as they teach you everything else when it comes to driving.

Dorian showed me how to change a tire that's the only reason I know how.

~Mia

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"How to parallel park!"

That's already taught now as well.

~Mia

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Cooking

Fire safety

First aid

Ironing

Laundry

Sewing

Basic plumbing (how to turn the mains off, change a tap washer etc)

Budgeting, paying bills etc etc

Basic DIY

Painting and decorating

Half of this stuff would have been way more useful than learning about crop rotation or the Normon conquest or how to throw a rugby ball

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"People should know how to cook simple, inexpensive meals from scratch, which side of a letter a stamp goes, how to avoid scammers, what a sensible portion size is, how to budget, how to treat other people respectfully.

Whose responsibility it is to teach these things is another matter."

Peoples parents would be a good start

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The difference between English and Spanish bluebells.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I also think boys should be taught the meaning of consent.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I also think boys should be taught the meaning of consent. "

Good one.

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By *uxom redCouple
over a year ago

Shrewsbury

How to swim

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod

over a year ago

East Sussex


"People should know how to cook simple, inexpensive meals from scratch, which side of a letter a stamp goes, how to avoid scammers, what a sensible portion size is, how to budget, how to treat other people respectfully.

Whose responsibility it is to teach these things is another matter.

Peoples parents would be a good start"

They would indeed, but what if their parents didn't teach them?

I say that because during the course of my life I've come across people I've had to show or at least give an idea about all the things I've mentioned. They were all young and they all said their parents hadn't shown them. Should we all take responsibility for educating where we can?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"First Aid.

I think that this should be taught from primary school age, until children leave secondary school.

Even four year olds can call for an ambulance, if taught..."

That reminds me, I want to do a refresher.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I also think boys should be taught the meaning of consent. "

And girls too.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Its amazing the amount of cars I see broke down at the side of the road with steam pouring from their bonnet when the weather gets warmer.

Should all learner drivers be taught basic car maintenance before passing their test?

Things like, checking oil and coolant levels, change a flat tire, change windscreen wipers.

What other every day things should everyone know?"

The difference between your and you’re

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"People should know how to cook simple, inexpensive meals from scratch, which side of a letter a stamp goes, how to avoid scammers, what a sensible portion size is, how to budget, how to treat other people respectfully.

Whose responsibility it is to teach these things is another matter.

Peoples parents would be a good start

They would indeed, but what if their parents didn't teach them?

I say that because during the course of my life I've come across people I've had to show or at least give an idea about all the things I've mentioned. They were all young and they all said their parents hadn't shown them. Should we all take responsibility for educating where we can?"

Yes

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Its amazing the amount of cars I see broke down at the side of the road with steam pouring from their bonnet when the weather gets warmer.

Should all learner drivers be taught basic car maintenance before passing their test?

Things like, checking oil and coolant levels, change a flat tire, change windscreen wipers.

What other every day things should everyone know?"

Fuck that, if I get a puncture at the side of a motorway someone else is changing it. That’s what the RAC is for

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Its amazing the amount of cars I see broke down at the side of the road with steam pouring from their bonnet when the weather gets warmer.

Should all learner drivers be taught basic car maintenance before passing their test?

Things like, checking oil and coolant levels, change a flat tire, change windscreen wipers.

What other every day things should everyone know?

Fuck that, if I get a puncture at the side of a motorway someone else is changing it. That’s what the RAC is for"

It takes the nice RAC man 10 minutes to change my tyre and I know it's safe. It would take me an hour or more just to get the nuts off.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I was taught how to wash and iron a shirt,cook a full English breakfast, wire up a plug and maje a skirt,in my first 3 years of Secondary school.

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