Girls and women keen to learn basic vehicle maintenance have a great chance to do so at a fun hands-on workshop in east Auckland.
Melissa Hannan is staging two of her unique Girls ‘N’ Gasoline classes in East Tamaki next month.
They’re open to girls and women of all ages and no prior knowledge of the subject is required.
“It’s for anyone of any age who is happy to come and learn,” Hannan says.
“I’ve had girls as young as 15 who were just starting to learn and getting ready to get their driver’s licence come to these classes, and I’ve had ladies who were 65 come and enjoy the class as well.”
Everything is provided for the workshops, which are designed to allow girls and women to learn about their vehicle in a safe, fun, supportive, and judgement-free environment.
Each is limited to small groups to ensure quality and the chance to ask as many questions as participants like.
Hannan wants people to leave her class feeling comfortable, empowered and in control of their driving future.
“I think it’s pretty important to know the basics of maintaining a vehicle,” she says.
“We use these vehicles and rely on them every day to get places and to and from work.
“It’s just a bit of confidence around car maintenance as well.
“We give every lady the chance to jack up a vehicle and change a tyre, so any time they get a puncture, or something happens with a tyre, they’re confident enough to change that on the side of the road by themselves.
“They can go into a [mechanic’s] workshop with a bit of knowledge and have confidence to look under the bonnet and know what they’re looking at and what they’re checking.”
During the 2.5-hour workshop Hannan will teach people how to check their vehicle’s engine oil, coolant levels, air filter, and brake and power-steering fluid.
They’ll also learn how to jump-start a vehicle, change its light bulbs and wiper blades, how to safely jack up a vehicle, check its tyre pressures and change a wheel.
Each person will receive an essentials start-up kit filled with items valued at over $80 thanks to CRC, Repco and Car Solutions.
There will also be time trials and prizes and breaks for refreshments.
Participants will get a sticker for record-keeping of the type of oil and tyre pressures their vehicle requires and a booklet with helpful information, and there’s a Charcuterie board and refreshments to enjoy.
The Girls ‘N’ Gasoline workshops are limited to eight people per class.
They’re at 10am and 2pm on February 8 at the Motive Auto Restorers workshop at 59 Kerwyn Avenue, East Tamaki.
Participation costs $140 per person. To book or for more information, email Melissa Hannan at girlsngasoline@gmail.com or message her via social media.
