I don't know how they do it.

[no one]

Most folks aren't gearheads. Plus, it doesn't help that modern cars don't make it any easier on the average Joe to do even routine maintenance.

[Athene]

I don't know too much about cars, tbh.

When I take my vehicle in, I run the projected labor and cost estimate by the ex-husband if I feel uneasy or skeptical about what they're telling me. He either says "It's fine. Let them do it." or "No, fuck that. They're ripping you off. I'll fix it". I give him the money to purchase whatever is needed to make repairs, cook him whatever he's got a hankering for, and he fixes it. 
If I'm dating someone I ask them, of course, because men seem to be a tad touchy about those sorts of things. Luckily, all the fellas I've dated happen to be familiar with cars.

I "fixed" a co-workers car the other day. It wouldn't start and I keep an automatic jumper in my trunk.
Took under a minute.

She was amazed--acted like I was some sort of brilliant, mechanical genius and tried to hug me afterwards. 
I bet I could've charged her 50 bucks for "labor" if I'd wanted to. 

[onlinebiker]

Most folks aren't gearheads. Plus, it doesn't help that modern cars don't make it any easier on the average Joe to do even routine maintenance.

I specialize. We own a bunch of S series Saturns. (8 running)

These things are super simple to work on. With the computer diagnostics it is actually easier than working on cars from the mid 1980s and earlier.

The computer generally tells you what needs attention.

[Divinity]

My youngest son is a mechanic.  So I have him do all maintainance on my car.

[no one]

You're not the average Joe.

[arewethereyet]

My father and both grandfathers were quite good with mechanical things. Dad and his dad were also skilled with carpentry and woodworking. Dad did renovations on our house and maintained vehicles and lawn mowers, later my brother's dirt bikes and snowmobile. I was often around and managed to pick up some things along the way. As a single mom for a time and a military wife for a time the things I learned came in quite handy.

My husband is a mechanic and isn't bad at other types of repairs around the house, though he's not the carpenter he likes to think he is - shh don't tell him I said that.

A guy I used to work with had to hire someone to do nearly anything related to vehicle and home maintenance. I really think his ability extended to replacing a burned out light bulb - in his house though certainly not his car. I remember thinking - that's gotta get expensive. I can't imagine having to hire someone every time something needed to be repaired or maintained.

[Anomalocaris]

I'm by no means a car mechanic, but I  know enough to know this:



isn't right.

Boru

That can be cured by putting a small strip of electric tape over it.

[The Grand Nudger]

I don't work on my own equipment. There's no warranty, and an hour of my time is worth more than an hour of a mechanics time.

Self reliance is a clever synonym for poverty, lol. I say do what you do best, and let the other guy handle what he does best. You'll both be better off for it.

[onlinebiker]

I don't work on my own equipment.  There's no warranty, and an hour of my time is worth more than an hour of a mechanics time.  

Self reliance is a clever synonym for poverty, lol.  I say do what you do best, and let the other guy handle what he does best.  You'll both be better off for it.

Your mechanic no doubt loves seeing you come in when his boat payment is due..........

[Anomalocaris]

I don't work on my own equipment.  There's no warranty, and an hour of my time is worth more than an hour of a mechanics time.  

Self reliance is a clever synonym for poverty, lol.  I say do what you do best, and let the other guy handle what he does best.  You'll both be better off for it.

Your mechanic no doubt loves seeing you come in when his boat payment is due..........

Yeah, but you pay for your own boat by doing what you do best, not by trying to deprive your mechanic of his boat.