A simple check under the bonnet can prevent a costly repair, but many drivers are not sure where to start.
Some women say they do not feel confident taking their cars to a mechanic, while some fear they are being misled.
That concern is what led Jade to start a hands-on car maintenance workshop in Welshpool.
Jade, who runs a mechanical business with her husband, said the idea grew from repeated conversations she was seeing online and in her day-to-day work.
“My husband and I run a mechanical business that specialises in trucks. We have seen a huge number of comments in the women’s only pages about going to mechanics they can trust, how do they know the mechanic isn’t lying and how do they do basic checks,” she said.
“We have seen a massive amount of new truck drivers like courier drivers with lack of confidence and knowledge,” she added.
Jade said those concerns are not unfounded. She recalled her own experience despite working in the industry.
“That women don’t feel comfortable and confident taking their cars to mechanics. They often feel like the mechanics are pulling the wool over their eyes and to be honest that does happen,” she said.
“Even as a mechanic myself, with a mechanic husband I have had mechanics try to tell me things in my vehicles need doing when they don’t.”
From her experience, many women are unsure about identifying problems or carrying out simple tasks like changing a tyre, and that uncertainty can be made worse by how they are treated.
“Noises they hear, changing a tyre and trusting that what you say is a problem is actually a problem,” she said.
“Women are often talked down by mechanics, even in this day and age. Especially if they don’t have basic understanding,” she said.
Her workshop, ‘Her Car Confidence’, will be held at 62 Dowd Street, Welshpool on Saturday, May 9. It will focus on giving participants practical skills they can use on their own vehicles.
Jade noted the decision to make the session hands-on was deliberate because she believes confidence comes from doing rather than watching.
“Hands on is important to me because we can show you, but real confidence is built through doing things,” Jade said.
Participants will learn on their own vehicles. They will learn how to check oil, coolant, tyre pressure, and how to locate their spare tyres and jack, and practice changing a tyre themselves.
“We will show participants on their own cars where to find their jacks, how to change a battery and how to do the basics,” she said.
According to Jade, many of these checks are simple but can prevent more serious problems if picked up early.
“Low oil or low coolant can be the death of an engine,” she said.
The workshop has already drawn interest from the community, though she said some women are still hesitant to take part.
“Lots of interest from the community. I do think women are a little nervous and feel like they won’t be empowered,” she said.
She hopes to help women leave with knowledge they can rely on.
“These are life skills and even if you never need to change your own tyre you can check it to make sure it’s done properly,” she said.
More sessions are planned, including workshops for new drivers and courier drivers.
