An automotive facility in New York recently held a workshop specifically tailored to teaching women in their community about basic auto maintenance, according to Eagle News Online. 

Emily DelFavero, a Subaru service technician who helped lead the workshop, told the newspaper that car maintenance doesn’t have to be reserved for men. 

“The purpose of the evening event was to help make women feel less intimidated and more comfortable within the traditionally ‘male-dominated’ field of auto repair and also more confident and less overwhelmed in the event a problem arises with their vehicle at an inconvenient time, such as their car not starting,” the newspaper says. 

Women who attended the workshop on Aug. 12 at Scott’s Automotive in Minoa, New York learned about jumpstarting a vehicle, checking a vehicle’s oil and tire pressure, changing a tire, and replacing windshield wiper blades. The women also received tips on tools that could help such as a digital gauge and a torque wrench. 

Lance Scott, manager of the repair shop, told the newspaper that the workshop generated a lot of interest from women in the community. He said the shop would hold more informative workshops in the future. These could include workshops on snow tires, teenage driver safety tips, and what to look for in a used car. 

“DelFavero said she’s happy to impart her automobile knowledge to anyone and everyone because people put hefty sums of money into their vehicles and we rely on our cars to get us home, get us to work, and get us from point A to point B,” the article said. 

Lisa Ferguson, I-CAR MSO Business Development and Women’s Industry Network (WIN) board member, did a similar breakout session for women in the collision industry at WIN’s National Conference in May. 

The session was for women who work in the industry but their roles aren’t on the shop floor. It included a beginner’s guide to understanding vehicle structure, function, and basic maintenance. 

Attendees learned that on average there are 12 different kinds of metals found in vehicles and that yellow fire extinguishers are used for combustible metal fires. 

Ferguson said it can sometimes be easier for women unfamiliar with vehicle repair to learn about it from other women. 

“They feel it is a safer place to talk,” Ferguson said. “No question is stupid.”

WIN is also always looking for ways to expose the next generation of women to the industry, Ferguson said. 

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