Surprising stuff your OH knows about cars

[MagicalTrevor]

My Mrs drives the 172 and started noticing a knocking when on full lock and manoeuvring. She asked me what I thought it was (either knocking from the top mounts or drive shafts) and when I made my suggestion she said "That's what I thought as well. I reckon it's the driveshaft. At least it's easier if its the drive side."

My gast was flabbered as I wasn't expecting her to have researched it or correctly diagnosed the fault.

So what has your OH said about cars that's surprised you? When has their knowledge exceeded yours? When have they done you proud in front of your mates (ooh err!)?

[furrywoolyhatuk]

Ummm, I'm thinking....

Nope nothing!

She doesn't have a clue despite my best efforts!

[DKS]

My missus is pretty damn good in this department.
She decided her 1.3 Nova needed twin 40 carbs, like the rare 'Sports' did.
I got home from work one day to see her with the back of said Nova jacked up, fitting the lowering springs and Billy shocks.
She fitted the 288mm front brake conversion herself.
Then she apparently blew the valve stem seals on her next 1.2 Nova going for a Vmax test.
Her knowledge is not that brilliant on her own, but is willing to get stuck in.

[Buff Mchugelarge]

The ex knows a Supercar when she sees one, Also knows more about cars than most of the car salesmen she meets through work.

Still, I have to fill up the washer fluid and check the tyres for her.

[J4CKO]

DKS said:

My missus is pretty damn good in this department.
She decided her 1.3 Nova needed twin 40 carbs, like the rare 'Sports' did.
I got home from work one day to see her with the back of said Nova jacked up, fitting the lowering springs and Billy shocks.
She fitted the 288mm front brake conversion herself.
Then she apparently blew the valve stem seals on her next 1.2 Nova going for a Vmax test.
Her knowledge is not that brilliant on her own, but is willing to get stuck in.

I would check for a penis if I were you.

[Palms]

She knows its a peugeot and that its blue!
Thats it lol

[RWA441]

Generally mine will just turn the stereo up if there's an odd noise!!

[A900ss]

I'm glad she knows NOTHING about cars.

I've just bought a TVR Chimaera for under 2 grand......

[danjama]

Doesn't even have a license and is set on learning auto which I've forbidden...

She couldnt distinguish a rolls from a Caterham, never mind an mr2 from a 355.

Edited by danjama on Wednesday 13th March 19:24

[Playsatan]

A900ss said:

I'm glad she knows NOTHING about cars.

I've just bought a TVR Chimaera for under 2 grand......

Hmmm, sounds familiar.

General rule of thumb in our house is anything smaller than a loaf of bread (turbo etc) is £25, anything bigger (gearbox) is £50.

I'm sure she does the same to me with girlie things though.

[Baryonyx]

Tried to make the wife look silly by pointing out different things in the engine bay of her car. She knew what everything was, and if she couldn't tell me the name she could at least tell me what it does!

[B'stard Child]

Long story - brief version

I was at a car show many years ago and I had a bit of a reputation as a knowledgeable chap on C30SE engines (Senator Carlton 24V lumps)

So there were a few people trying to ask for advice and one chap at the back of the line decided the way to fill the waiting time was to chat to Mrs BC (not sure if he was aware she was Mrs BC) - he explained the problem and she said without any hesitation that it would be a dying Lambda £50 from fuel parts UK and 30 mins to fit)

Mrs BC's advice obviously wasn't good enough as he waited his turn and got to me and explained all the symptoms and I said dying Lamda - £50 from Fuel parts UK and 30 Mins to fit - he muttered that I wasn't much of an expert as a girl had earlier given the same advice!!!

[Limpet]

The best I get is a disinterested "Cars are your department".

[Marvib]

Watching fifth gear the other night they put a question up before the add break re who invented the rotary engine, she chirps up with "fritz blowjob"

Although I had to google his first name

[Dixie68]

Mine bought a brand new City Rover, so no she knows bugger all about cars

[Pints]

Mrs Pints has never referred to a car by its colour, and is pretty decent at guessing a car's value.

[MagicalTrevor]

Pints said:

...pretty decent at guessing a car's value.

My Mrs is amazingly good at guessing car values! I honestly don't know how she does it but she never far off. She's a walking Parkers Guide

[GenePoolReject13]

Mrs Reject is no expert but takes an interest. She knows enough to point out anything unusual/desirable to me when we are driving. She is quite happy for me to drive quickly and sometimes eggs me on. She also loves topgear, had a go at me for not telling her wheeler dealers was back on and enjoys watching the F1.
We have been marshalling together a few times and she always asks me to take her with me when I got to racing events just to spectate.

No a bad egg really so it perplexes me that she isn't keen to learn how to actualy drive.

[ajb85]

I buy and sell cars and often take calls for underwrites while I'm with my Mrs, usually when I'm driving so a little preoccupied. If I'm scratching my head over a value, I'll turn to her, purely to amuse myself, and say 'What's this worth?', and proceed to reel off the model/year/reg/engine/mileage/colour/doors/condition/service history/m.o.t details of the car in question, details of which seemingly mean diddly-squat to her. She looks disinterested, she might be painting her nails. And then, more often than not, and to my utter disbelief, she chips in with her valuation for said car that's nigh-on bang on the money, or - and no word of a lie - says the exact same figure I have in my head. This never ceases to amaze me, and she's genuinely good to have around for a second opinion. Mind you, she's had 8 years to get used to all this car malarky with me.

Anyway, we all have a jolly good chuckle about it. Then we go home and she puts the tea on, does the washing and runs me a bath

[Sammo123]

My mrs doesn't drive but has a surprisingly good knowledge of what cars are. She easily recognises most cars and remembers what engines they have!