How much does the average PHer really know about cars?

[Captain Muppet]

Hello.

Recent threads have made me wonder what level of automotive knowledge the average PHer has.

I joined this site assuming it was a haven for the automotive elite - people who know cars, people who spend their time learning about them and spend their money buying them. And PH has loads of members like this, people whose technical knowledge I trust and respect.

But I'm wrong, obviously. PH is a site that is mostly about cars and has no elitist membership criteria. Anyone interested enough about a car to google find a link to PH, and can sign up to learn more. This is a very good thing.

So we have a range from expert technical knowledge all the way to people who don't even know where the fuel filler flap is on their own car. But what is the average level of knowledge?




Assume in the poll that all options start with the word "average". I ran out of letters.

Also assume I meant whatever definition of average you initially thought of when you saw the word, so hopefully this won't turn in to a ridiculous argument about which definition of average is best. This isn't a maths question.

Edited to correct splings - thanks Ben

Edited by Captain Muppet on Friday 27th April 10:25

[GravelBen]

Captain Muppet said:

Also assume I meant whatever definition of average you initially thought of when you saw the word, so hopefully this won't turn in to a rediculous ridiculous arguement argument about which definition of average is best. This is n't a maths grammar question.

[nonuts]

I would like to think I understand how 'most' cars work, but I would guess the average is 'own car' or worse based on the huge number of people that now use PH.

[LuS1fer]

I have a fundamental understanding about how mechanical things work without necessarily having the ability to strip down an engine - I could but wouldn't. I do not understand electronics in any way but do understand basic electrical circuits that we had in the old days.

I am happy to tackle most things that won't render the car immobile if I do it wrong as the cost of having it towed in outweighs any gain.

[lazyitus]

I can't speak for the average PH'er, I can just speak for myself.

I declare, I know little about mechanics, about fiddly bits, about detailing and about shiny engine bays.

But I do know that I love my TVR, I love exotic cars, I love to look and stare and watch and listen, particularly at a race circuit. I love to drive and I adore my annual trip to Le Mans and I can quite happily sit for hours with my nose stuck in the latest Octane magazine.

So I reckon I'm mad about cars, I know alot about some things and very little about others.

I don't know if this is average or not.

[RobCrezz]

I would say im a fairly average PHer, good idea of how cars work, can do basic maintenance and work on the car.

Although im sure there are many people who dont know much about how the cars work but have a good interest, and also quite a few people who are extremely good and can perform very good engineering like bizarre engine swaps etc.

[Vladimir]

To cure any gaps in knowledge - buy a Defender and run it for a while. You'll soon be an expert car mechanic!!

My knowledge is more "good at maintenance" but when it comes to servicing, a garage does it.

Near Aspergers syndrome knowledge of car facts and figures and good at helping mates and relatives buy wisely.

[StottyZr]

Vladimir said:

Near Aspergers syndrome knowledge of car facts and figures

pretty much this for me.

[PumpkinSteve]

doogz said:

The square root of fk all.

Weren't there a couple of threads along the lines of "How do I change windscreen wipers?" and "Which screenwash should I use?"

[Shaw Tarse]

Nice to see you've given MBU his own option.

[Ari]

You forgot the most important option!

Pistonheaders know which cars will most impress the neighbours, what every car's projected image says about the driver, which Z list celeb drives what, and what every footballer drives.

Everything else is of secondary value.

[Hudson]

I am a mechanically inept retard and subsequently am jealous of anyone capable of anything further than changing a wheel/air filter

[DanDC5]

Mechanical knowledge I'm far from great, generally things end up more broken when I go near them. Geek factswise I know a lot about the cars I like most. Not so much about stuff I don't.

[Vladimir]

To cure any gaps in knowledge - buy a Defender and run it for a while. You'll soon be an expert car mechanic!!

My knowledge is more "good at maintenance" but when it comes to servicing, a garage does it.

Near Aspergers syndrome knowledge of car facts and figures and good at helping mates and relatives buy wisely.

[vixen1700]

No mechanical knowledge at all, when a car goes wrong I'll take it to the garage.

But if a 1973 MGB has '67 or '70 grille on it or a MKII Jag has 240/340 bumpers on it, I can let you know.

Sad, I know.

[Decky_Q]

I enjoy tinkering on cars and bikes, but I tend to replace servicable systems like gearbox, engine, suspension etc rather than get bogged down in complex repairs/servicing like changing bearings/valves/seals/fiddly bits etc. I think Im very very good at diagnosing and tracing faults, but I have almost no idea how to work on a diesel engine or home heating system. I do however have excellent electrical knowledge and cant imagine a problem I couldnt overcome (bar regenerative brakes and stuff like that, that I have yet to experience).

My theoretical knowledge is good and Ive done plenty of jobs that were out of reach of the average hobbiest but Ive also taken half finished jobs to my friendly mechanic when Ive given up or dont know how to proceed or Ive broken something, so definitely not 'practically a mechanic' as Ive had friends describe me just because they know nothing lol.

[angusc43]

I know a LOT. For example an Audi A3 should always be ordered in S Line trim. The colour should be matt white and it must be fitted with concrete dampers. The wheels must be the largest available and have to be finished in Brake Dust Black. The car should be fitted with the smallest (and noisiest) diesel engine available because the range is extremely important. And it MUST be financed.

HTH

[deltashad]

Pretty much been into cars in a big way since the age of 3. That's when I was first introduced to washing them and steering the car sitting on my dads knee, my father was car obsessed so that didn't help. Every year from the age on 7 on my birthday I received an observers book of automobiles, this was the present I most looked forward to. Whenever one of my dads colleagues was looking for a new car, I was consulted, I'd narrow down all the cars and pick the best one. Usually they'd go for my choice. I like to think i have a very good general knowledge and if I had to I think I could do most of the mechanical work. Totally crap with electronics though....

[EDLT]

I voted for PH believe everything on the internet, but it isn't just limited to cars look at some of the rubbish that turns up in the SP&L and NP&E forums.

[Ozzie Osmond]

LuS1fer said:

I am happy to tackle most things that won't render the car immobile if I do it wrong as the cost of having it towed in outweighs any gain.

Very wise IMO. So many of those "sounded like a DIY" jobs can go horribly wrong!!

I realise a lot of people like taking their car to bits and putting it back together again but it's well known in the industry that a car will never be as good again as the day it left the factory. The manufacturers like "extended service interval" and "inspect only, plus fluids" because they keep people with tools away from your car! Hence the much longer warranties on new cars than used to be the case.