# Women as auto mechanics? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 25, 2016, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317 "2016-06-25T13:09:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/21 "2016-06-25T16:23:17Z")
For whatever reasons – and I’m sure they are many – very few women in the U.S. have an interest in learning and performing auto repair. Those who do comprise about 2% of those working as auto mechanics/technicians\*. While there’s probably some obstruction due to societal traditions and expectations, the main thing keeping their participation down is that most women simply don’t want to do it. This has been changing – 30 years ago it was closer to ½% – and will likely continue to change, although I expect rather slowly. So in general you’ll see more female mechanics, but it’s still possible to go to a hundred different shops in a metropolitan area and not see even one. \*Mechanic? Technician? Semantics. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/22 "2016-06-25T16:27:35Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Now I know doing oil changes requires much less knowledge and skill than doing full on auto mechanics. > [@MoonMoon](#): > > Oh come on. This cannot be a serious post. > [@raventhief](#): > > That was my reaction, too. I don’t get this. Why are thinking it can’t be serious? All I can think of is it’s too obvious, but then so what? > [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > The bit about oil change techs not needing as much knowledge as full on mechanics is true. My wife worked as an oil change tech before moving up. True and then some. It’s like the difference between a Candy Striper and a physician. The skill/knowledge level isn’t remotely close. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/23 "2016-06-25T16:34:31Z")
One thing I notice about the female mechanics that have worked for my company. A much higher percentage of them are willing to use the books when performing repairs. This has been an on going problem with the male mechanics for a long time. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/24 "2016-06-25T16:36:02Z")
One of the best mechanics I ever had was not only female, but a cheerleader as well. She’d come into my classroom before school, swipe my truck keys, then work on my truck during Auto Shop. The three years she did that the truck never ran better. I’d much rather have a competent female work on my car than an arrogant, doesn’t know shit but fakes it male any day. ---
**Author:** ![Daylate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/25 "2016-06-25T17:20:30Z")
Unfortunately, there are some women who aren’t really built for working on cars. (Maybe NSFW if you’re real prudish.) [http://s564.photobucket.com/user/Trygolyte/media/Mechanics.jpg.html](http://s564.photobucket.com/user/Trygolyte/media/Mechanics.jpg.html) ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/26 "2016-06-25T17:29:10Z")
Women are so silly! How can they possibly expect to do real work when they have boobs? Next thing you know, they’re going to want to run for president! ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/27 "2016-06-25T17:58:43Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > The bit about oil change techs not needing as much knowledge as full on mechanics is true. . . :dubious: Obviously **MoonMoon** wasn’t referencing that isolated sentence itself propositionally, but rather its particular placement in the extended discourse of the OP. > [@Gary\_T](#): > > I don’t get this. Why are thinking it can’t be serious? All I can think of is it’s too obvious, but then so what? > > True and then some. It’s like the difference between a Candy Striper and a physician. The skill/knowledge level isn’t remotely close. It’s so obvious that it’s gratuitous, hence **MoonMoon** ’s question. On this message board, you’re allowed to read beyond the sentence level. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/28 "2016-06-25T18:20:23Z")
Well, I got ninja’d because I was also going to point out that if it’s good enough for Queen Elizabeth it’s good enough for me. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/29 "2016-06-25T18:20:35Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > A lot of men don’t want to be nurses, but alas we are seeing increasingly [more](http://minoritynurse.com/male-nurses-becoming-more-commonplace/) of them. We could throw out a bunch of speculations for this, but I’m guessing the most parsimonious explanation has something to do with males being encouraged to go into traditional female professions plus a job market that calls for open-mindedness with ones skillset. Also, places that hire nurses are desperate, so there’s a certain amount of job security. I have worked as a mechanic. I was a power generator mechanic in the military, and I would guess that most of the mech/maintenance jobs in the military are about 30% filled by women. Except maybe tank mechanic, most of the mechanic jobs translate to auto maintenance in the civilian world. Power generators are just engines, and when I actually worked in the drill hall, I did a lot of work on the trucks that we used to haul the generators, as well as the generators themselves. I remember one drill, all we did was rotate all the tires on the trucks. Anyway, when I wanted a job with benefits, and I couldn’t find an interpreter job with a company of something, I decided to look for work as a mechanic, and did that for a couple of years, before a job as an interpreter with a public school system came along. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/30 "2016-06-25T18:41:59Z")
I see one every day. Every night as well. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/31 "2016-06-25T18:43:11Z")
The female owners of the oil change shop in the OP have made a sound decision. Not only is it the right thing to do, but there are a few men who would get oil changes just to see a nice-looking woman bent over his front fender. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/32 "2016-06-25T19:54:32Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > I see one every day. Every night as well. Does she use a torque wrench on your nuts or just go by feel? ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/33 "2016-06-25T21:07:27Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Women are so silly! How can they possibly expect to do real work when they have boobs? Next thing you know, they’re going to want to run for president! Well yes they can get in the way. Many times you have to reach into things. I remember one maintenance guy for Xerox was showing us how to fix a particular jam and it requires basically hugging the machine and reaching in from both sides and one woman who was well endowed said she wouldnt be able to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/34 "2016-06-25T21:09:34Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Also, places that hire nurses are desperate, so there’s a certain amount of job security. > > I have worked as a mechanic. I was a power generator mechanic in the military, and I would guess that most of the mech/maintenance jobs in the military are about 30% filled by women. Except maybe tank mechanic, most of the mechanic jobs translate to auto maintenance in the civilian world. Power generators are just engines, and when I actually worked in the drill hall, I did a lot of work on the trucks that we used to haul the generators, as well as the generators themselves. I remember one drill, all we did was rotate all the tires on the trucks. > > Anyway, when I wanted a job with benefits, and I couldn’t find an interpreter job with a company of something, I decided to look for work as a mechanic, and did that for a couple of years, before a job as an interpreter with a public school system came along. Question - do you have your own set of tools? Another - have you ever used[different tools because they fit a womans hands better?](http://www.charmandhammer.com/) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/35 "2016-06-25T21:24:22Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > I don’t get this. Why are thinking it can’t be serious? All I can think of is it’s too obvious, but then so what? > > True and then some. It’s like the difference between a Candy Striper and a physician. The skill/knowledge level isn’t remotely close. It’s discernable as a non-serious post BECAUSE the difference in skill level between the two jobs is so stark. The thing reeks of condescension. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/36 "2016-06-25T22:09:31Z")
The Auto teacher at my high school was a woman. I took Auto I my junior year. In 1987. I recall that she was well-respected, by students and staff alike. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/37 "2016-06-25T22:23:20Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Well yes they can get in the way. Many times you have to reach into things. I remember one maintenance guy for Xerox was showing us how to fix a particular jam and it requires basically hugging the machine and reaching in from both sides and one woman who was well endowed said she wouldnt be able to do that. Golly, that sounds terrible. Perhaps some male engineer - oh what am I saying? “Engineer” is a male profession! - could devise some garment or contraption for holding her breasts out of harm’s way whenever she had to perform difficult tasks like carrying groceries or clearing a paper jam. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/38 "2016-06-25T23:00:47Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Question - do you have your own set of tools? > > Another - have you ever used[different tools because they fit a womans hands better?](http://www.charmandhammer.com/) Yes, I have my own tools. Still have them all. No, there aren’t special tools that fit a woman’s hands better. I never had any problem using regular tools. I have average sized hands. They are fairly medium compared to other women. I have kind of short fingers, but I have slightly broad palms. I have a good idea of what my hands look like compared to other people’s, because I worked as an interpreter for such a long time. I am a very average-sized woman. I used to lift weights, and I scored very high on my military PT tests, so I am stronger than a woman off the street, but I am not stronger than a trained athlete. I am 5’5, and I am 155lbs now. I was 135 when I was working as a mechanic, so, not fat, but not skinny. Since 12-year-olds can use standard tools, I think a woman would have to be very petite before she would need special tools, and a woman that tiny probably wouldn’t have the upper body strength to handle hauling mounted tires, and transmissions, and things around. I never had any trouble, so you don’t have to be Xena, Warrior Princess, but if you are 4’9 and 85lbs., it’s probably not the job for you. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2016, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/39 "2016-06-26T01:12:08Z")
Car and motorcycle both. But I will admit at seeing them more at non-dealerships than dealerships. I don’t know if that is true in other regions though. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2016, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317/40 "2016-06-26T02:35:45Z")
Related, but my mother and aunt have had an assembly (putting together mowers, swing sets, that crappy particle board furniture, and anything else that came down the pike) _and_ a lawn care company forever. They’ve always gotten crap when they know more about zero turn mowers or the latest DeWalt tools that held up the best. I worked part time doing assembly for years and saw it on more than one occasion myself. The last time was when I wanted to buy me a new set of gear wrenches and the salesman couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact they were for me instead of my husband lingering nearby. And no, I didn’t need anything just to fit my hands, and yes, I still have all my tools (although I sold my Porter Cable drill), plus inherited a buttload when my husband died. Because I’d still like to be able to change my own oil. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-as-auto-mechanics/758317.md?page=3)