by Lorraine Messineo

Created on: December 30, 2008   Last Updated: January 14, 2010

There was a time when I was treated with disrespect when I tried to buy or repair a vehicle. Those days are long gone. When I was married my husband took care of the cars. Once divorced, I found myself dealing with men who thought they could put one over on me. Who could blame them? Not only did I look like a marshmallow ripe for roasting, I spoke like one, too!

These unscrupulous and totally condescending males can't really be blamed for their efforts. Heck, if someone came to me and wanted "that little thing that looks like a old fashioned waterpump handle" to stop making a clicking noise, or to find out why "something in the back of the car is making a ker-dunk sound," I would start seeing diagnostic dollars in the customer's eyes!

However, dealing with me is not as easy as it looks. While I don't know all the names of the parts of my engine, I know what they do. Additionally, I am proof positive that one should not be judged by her appearance-I am not as naive as I look, and third, I do my research and homework before I seek any professional service.

If you can afford the approximate $30 a Chilton's Manual for your vehicle costs, buy it (If you can find it used, that's even better). Don't worry if you don't understand a word in it beyond the title page-you don't really have to use it! Next, check your oil and while you have a little bit of that oil still on your fingers, open the book at random and get your prints on a few of the pages. Then take the manual and kick it around with your feet a few times. When it has been adequately battered and smudged, put in in your trunk.

Now go to a flea market, thrift, or pawn shop and buy a beat up tool box and any kind of wrenches and screwdrivers you can find. Put the tools in the toolbox and put that in your trunk next to the Chilton's Manual. (Note: your toolbox should have enough tools to make an impressive noise when shifted, but still be light enough for you to handle.)

Then sign on to one of those on-line auto advice forums where you can view FAQs that describe problems by sound, smell and feel. These sites also grant access to online guides and instructions for doing the repairs yourself, but you don't have to go as far as really using your toolbox, you just need the information.

Get familiar with your local auto parts stores and find one that will do a free diagnostic (for engine problems). Next, size up the personnel. If they are macho, mention a boyfriend or husband when you seek help, and make certain

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