If you believe that all car technicians do is change tires and tell you that your engine oil is nearly non-existent, think again. Mechanics stumble upon all sorts of crazy way more often than you’d think. As the moderators write in the about section, this group is dedicated “for those absolutely stupid things that you see people bring, roll, or toss into your place of business and the people that bring them in.”

Since 2012, the community has become a powerhouse with more than 1.5M confused mechanics and enthusiasts sharing what they stumble upon while fixing cars. From having to deal with trashy interiors to finding possums under the hoods, these car technicians encounter some pretty wild stuff on a daily basis. 

Statista reports that in the third quarter of 2021, there were just under 284M vehicles operating on roads throughout the United States. Also, the vehicle fleet has gotten progressively older over the past decade, with an average age of over 12 years in 2021, as people now tend to hold on to their cars longer.

With so many cars on the roads, it’s no surprise that there’s a great need for talented mechanics. Another major reason why vehicle repair shops are often full—not everyone knows how to spot an issue or fix their ride. A study involving 2K American car owners revealed that many drivers, a quarter of them to be exact, know they take a risk driving their cars already in need of repair.

The respondents were asked about the state of their vehicles and what they know about car care basics. Results found that 68 percent knew there was at least one thing wrong with the car. However, more than a third did not know how to fix a flat tire and a half were not confident about changing oils. Some people weren’t even sure what kind of oil their vehicle needed. 

“A quarter wouldn’t know how to jump-start a car should the situation arise. One in five think that using an air pressure gauge to check tire pressure is too much for them.” 

Most importantly, 41 percent could not identify a car’s engine after being presented with an image. That only shows that people don’t really know much about automobile maintenance and probably won’t bring their car for repair in a timely manner. And let’s not forget that sometimes we get so busy with our fast-paced lives that booking an appointment with a car technician seems like a burden. And it can be quite expensive, too. 

“Consumers that forget or ignore recommended maintenance ultimately pay higher repair costs,” John Nielsen, American Automobile Association’s (AAA) managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair, said. “These repair facilities estimate drivers can save an average of one hundred dollars per visit simply by properly maintaining their vehicle.” 

So if you want to be safe on the road and avoid being stuck with a huge bill, you should know how to look after your car. Especially when there are a few simple ways you can keep your ride in good condition. 

First, don’t forget the regular oil changes. You should do it every 5K miles or four months, or take a look at the manufacturer’s recommendations for your vehicle. Another thing important for your safety is keeping the tires properly inflated and routinely checking their tread depth: “AAA found that 60 percent of Americans do not check tire pressures regularly. Tire pressures, including the spare tire, should be checked at least once a month.”

Also, you should perform brake inspection at least once a year to notice if it’s starting to wear down and avoid costly replacements along the way. When it comes to batteries, they typically last between three and five years. Since many don’t check them before their car is failing to start, “AAA recommends drivers to have their vehicle’s battery tested when it reaches three years of age and on an annual basis thereafter.”

Needless to say, you don’t have to become an expert to drive a car but taking care of your ride is always a good idea. And if you don’t want your four-wheeler to end up in the Just Rolled Into The Shop subreddit, make sure to do a thorough check before bringing it in.