As cars have continued to evolve with advanced technology, more people are relying on mechanics for simple automotive fixes. However, many Baby Boomers grew up working on their own cars or having someone in their immediate family who would help with mechanical things. These are skills that many Millennials have never acquired. While they might have more knowledge about the latest gadgets and software updates, a lot of basic knowledge about cars has fallen by the wayside. Here are eight car repairs that Boomers can easily do, but many Millennials never learned.
1. Changing the Oil
Changing the oil is one of the fundamental car repairs everyone should know how to do. Most Boomers could do this without a second thought. It was a common practice to change your own oil at home to save money. They know how get under the car, drain the oil, swap out the oil filter, and fill it back up with fresh oil.
Millennials, on the other hand, are accustomed to dropping off their car for a quick oil change. They likely don’t even think about doing it for themselves. Additionally, the more modern vehicles make oil changes more complex. So, this skill has become practically obsolete.
2. Replacing a Flat Tire
Almost every Boomer you meet knows how to replace a flat tire. Learning how to do this was almost a rite of passage when learning to drive. In all honesty, the process is pretty simple. You use a jack to lift the car, remove the lug nuts, swap the tire, and secure it back in place.
Many Millennials choose to rely on roadside assistance or, in some cases, have never had to change a tire. This is because many cars today are equipped with run-flat tires or a state-of-the-art tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Technology has made car maintenance more hands-off.
3. Jump-Starting a Car
Jump-starting a car is another essential automotive skill that Boomers know how to do. For the most part, they needed to learn this out of necessity. Their own battery might have died or maybe a friend needed help. Whatever the reason was, Boomers became pros at hooking up jumper cables correctly.
Not surprisingly, most Millennials haven’t ever jump-started a car. They often rely on AAA or other roadside assistance for help. Also, many newer cars have advanced battery monitoring systems. Not to mention, as hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) become more prevalent, knowing how to jumpstart a car may become unnecessary.
4. Checking and Replacing Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are critical for a car’s ignition system. Boomers generally know how to check and replace spark plugs in a car, and they’ll often suggest that’s the problem. All you have to do is remove the old spark plugs and clean or replace them.
For most Millennials, spark plugs tend to be an afterthought. Newer cars can often go a longer time before they need to be replaced. Typically, Millennials would rather a mechanic take on the job. Overall, fewer people in this generation are popping the hood for any reason. So, this basic car maintenance skill is becoming a thing of the past.
5. Fixing a Broken Belt or Hose
Baby Boomers used to know how to diagnose and fix a broken belt or hose on the spot. If a serpentine belt suddenly snapped or a coolant host began to leak, they could locate the problem and either make a temporary fix or replace it altogether.
As mentioned before, cars are more complex today. Many Millennials might not be able to locate the belt or hose to check it, let alone make repairs. Instead, they’ll call a tow truck and bring it to the closest mechanic.
6. Replacing Worn Brake Pads
Brake pads have a lot of wear and tear on them. Eventually, they wear out completely. Boomers tend to have the know-how to replace them without making a trip to the shop. While it can be an intimidating task, this is something the Boomer generation learned how to do early on. With the right tools, it can be a straightforward job.
Due to a lack of experience and confidence, many Millennials won’t even attempt to change their own brake pads. Additionally, many modern vehicles have advanced braking systems that make it seem like it can’t be a DIY task.
7. Adjusting Carburetors
This piece of equipment isn’t normally found in more modern cars. However, Boomers grew up with vehicles that occasionally required carburetor adjustments. This job involves tweaking the air-fuel mixture in order to keep the engine running at its best.
Most cars today have electronic fuel injection systems, so Millennials don’t typically need to be concerned about carburetors. It is a necessary skill to have for young car enthusiasts though. Restoring old vehicles requires some knowledge of carburetors.
8. Manually Rolling Down Windows
Most Millennials only have vague memories of cars with windows that are manually rolled down. Knowing how these windows worked made it possible for Boomers to fix them if they got jammed or broke for any reason. When today’s electric windows fail, many people in this generation are equipped to fix the problem.
Millennials, on the other hand, likely grew up with electric windows. The concept of manually rolling down a window might seem crazy to them and, without the knowledge of the inner workings of the door, they’re lost when it comes to repairing any issues.
Times Change
Cars are becoming more high-tech and there are many automotive fixes that were once seen as essential fading into the past. Oftentimes, Millennials rely on professional help for tasks that were once commonplace for older generations. Even though today’s cars require less hands-on maintenance, Baby Boomers still have valuable knowledge of the inner workings of a car that can be practical. Knowing these basic fixes not only saves time and money but also provides a sense of independence that many Millennials could benefit from if they take the time to learn.