Ok so just had something on my mind. I just recently replaced the car battery in my girlfriend's car, and saved her at least a little money. It was one of the easiest things I have done and yet people keep saying how they would never know how to replace a car battery and that I am smart to know how to do it.

I know how to fix/do a few things actually (on a car)-

Disc Brakes- Drum Brakes are my next challenge... bluh...
Changing Oil- Way easier then you think
Change a car battery
Refill Oil
Refill Brake fluid
Edit- Also forgot to say that I know how to change spark plugs... I have a few friends that don't even know what spark plugs are... really?

I thought all of this was super easy, but come to find out some people I have run into don't even know how to refill their oil... Which is very sad and stupid if they run into a tight situation.

What are different things you find easy to fix that others might not think are easy? I might learn a thing or two From your responses.

Computers. I get roped in by all my Mum's middle-aged friends. They think I'm some sort of god after fixing the most minor of problems. I just shrug and take their money.

When I had my '66 Dodge, I had to work on it quite often as it was obviously old, but the 225 slant 6 was notorious for high maintenance. So about every 10,000 to 12,000 miles;

Valve adjustment
Cleaning/setting gap/replacing plugs
Adjusting throttle/idle
Replacing various gaskets, vacuum lines, wires, etc.

The upside was I learned the fundamentals on what exactly an engine is without worrying about damaging sensors and "computer modules" that can cost more than a high-end laptop.

The car's battery is something we also learnt how to do ourselves: my girlfriend's last car used to eat one about every six months. Next lesson was learning how to use a desulphating(? Whatever it is that recovers dead batteries) battery charger. I'm surprised at how inept some people are, in spite of my own lack of expertise: a friend didn't even know how to open her car bonnet. Not knowing how to change the wheel when you get a flat tyre is something I'm also inclined to think is a bit sad and I know people who call out the breakdown van, though a couple of times I've done it myself I've really struggled to get the bolts off: seems the tyre replacement shops have a habit of over-tightening them and I've ended up having to do a merry little jig by the roadside as I stamp on the spanner trying to loosen the buggers.

I can also assemble flat-pack furniture and I'm somewhat mystified by people who say they're mystified: it alwaysusually seems pretty straightforward.

Then again, things other people might find straightforward, I undoubtedly don't. I'm rubbish at DIY in general and absolutely hopeless at things like putting shelves up. No amount of trying to use a spirit level and other mysterious things found in the toolbox will help me: they'll be wonky and likely to fall down.

I can't do any of the things you mentioned, wouldn't even know where to start. People only ask for my help to move heavy objects and to fix their computers. Then, occasionally, I'll post on this forum to ask for help so I can help people fix their computers.

Computers, and most electrical or plumbing issues that come up in a home (up to full replacement).

The thing non-computer people don't realise is that when they ask us for help, whether it be just a friend or family member, or in a professional capacity, 9/10 times the extent of our work is simply googling the problem.

I hope they never catch on

Pretty much the same stuff as the rest of the thread. Computers and cars. Stuff I find to be very basic and essential, I find most people have no idea about.

Another thing is video games. Doesn't really fit, but shows a very practical example. You see, all my friends who don't game think I'm really good at games, when in reality, I'm painfully average.

I learned that kicking and/or punching things fixes about 78.346% of all problems in the world.
I've became particularly interested in the mechanics of cars and since my dads a mechanic I've learned quite a bit about how to fix them - primarily fire engines since he works for the fire brigade. Though I know how to fix the disc brakes, change the brake fluid and remove the engine and battery without breaking stuff

Computers....Yeah that's it.

The 3.7 was a good engine. It was eventually replaced by the 3.9 v6.

I've done it all when it comes to cars. Suspension, tires, heads, pistons, rods, pumps, valves, springs, transmission, turbos. I've even made custom parts for my car.

I'm a Jack of all trades from automotive, to electrical, to plumbing, to construction. I've mastered none of them. But I'm pretty good. I've even redone the service to my house.

Changing Oil without making a mess, on the other hand...

"They're these things that make stuff go bang. These other things over *here* catch the bangs and use them to make the wheels turn."


I'll have to get back to you about what I'm good for .

They do, I've told my parents for instance countless times to google their own damn problems. The thing is, they even svck at using google.

I'm suddenly reminded of The Days Before Electronic Ignition. Back in the '70s I'd be woken up by the daily dawn chorus of straining starter motors and coughing and spluttering engines that really didn't want to have such an early start. Not something you hear any more. The demise of British Leyland is probably a major factor.

Cooking.

Many people say they dont have time to cook every day, or that they wouldnt know how to cook something like, say, monkfish.

I however find it very easy to set a good meal on the table, and making things like a souffle in the end is a lot like high school chemistry.
Work cleanly, be secure in measurements and follow the recipe, it cant really fail.

On the other hand, Im hopeless at pc's.
I used to call my router: the little black box with the flashy lights that makes my internet go.

I suppose its a logical consequence of the modern age.
There is just so much to specialise in, its quite impossible to be a renaissance man today.

I guess you could say not a lot of people fix their F-15E Strike Eagles....

Makes sense, I can't think of anyone who privately owns a F-15.

Before I read any more of the thread and see if someone else has said this..you forgot a few other things you know how to do. Change an oil filter, not that you'd have to do it outside of an oil change usually and change spark plug wires, because you have to remove them to be able to get to the spark plugs.

I know how to do that, haven't ever changed my oil yet but I'm sure it's not that hard. Changing a battery is easy, not in my car though, though I know how to do it now. Changing an air filter is also simple and I'm sure you know how to do that as well, depends on the car though usually. Same with the headlight. And if I ever stop being lazy, I'll also know how to change a blower motor resistor.

Oh yeah and wiper blades.

As for me, most people can't understand how I know computers...even though I don't know them that well at all. But I guess compared to the rest of my family I'm a tech genius (my immediate family at least).

I have always wanted to be able to fix electrical, plumbing and automotive problems, but I don't know how to learn how to

Google is my friend, when a little typing, the good coding at Google can be your friend too!

I would say caulking a joint/seam is probably the easiest thing I had to do, and yet it seems like people wouldn't have an idea on how to do it. Same thing goes for patching a piece of broken drywall *stupid rat*, and re-hanging a gate on a fence. Took me like 10min to fix that dang gate and would have cost me $400 to pay someone to do it.

Even if they do catch on, they probably don't know how to use Google properly.

I'm mainly good for computers, reaching tall places, and opening jars when the lid is really tight.

I've built multiple porches and shed structures that isn't prefab stuff. Not too hard just time consuming. Also paved a lot of driveways and parking lots. If you want to get in shape get a summer job at a paving company. The weight will fly off. Professional looking lawn care is pretty easy as well. Computer repair goes without saying on the internet

The hardest thing I did was run 220v line for my washer & dryer.

You'll only learn by doing. You not going to learn anything sitting on your laurels saying, 'I really want to learn....'.

I did that. Plus an entire generator for my house. When the inspector came he asked who did the electric, I said "Me." he was rather impressed that a home owner followed code to T. It helps that I'm in the business of code enforcement as well.