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FCP Euro Service Kits

FCP Euro Kits

The two biggest reasons that people don't work on their own vehicle is knowledge and time. Knowledge is pretty easy to acquire these days, as a blog like this or a DIY video will walk you through almost any task. That said, time isn't so easy to come by, especially when you have children.

And for those of you that do have kids, you want to spend time with them. Traditionally, that's what the weekends are for, but that's also when most DIY repairs can be completed.

So, how do you find the time to work on your own car?

1) Slow Down

First, slow down. We often set expectations on a repair; for instance an oil change (30 minutes), front rotors and pads (1 hour), etc. Don't do this. Instead, focus on teaching your child the benefits of being self reliant and/or the basic engineering principles that cars are built on.

Oliver and a BMW X3

 

2) Put Them To Work

Find the right job and let them participate. They will get bored watching you. Pick a task that's dependent on their age, whether it be fetching a 13mm socket, or loosening the bolts on the valve cover. When looking to involve your kids, I'd suggest staying away from jobs that require removing the wheels and or dealing with lots of fuel, antifreeze, or oil. 

Oliver and a BMW X3 (2)

 

3) Let Them Explore...Carefully

A three-year old may find the ratchet far more exciting than the car, and that's ok! You're still spending time together while simultaneously checking a vehicle repair off your to-do list. You're also allowing your child to explore new experiences, tools, and machines. All of this is good, but be cautious. Gravity doesn't mess around, so lifting the car with little kids running around isn't the best idea. Remember, kids don't have the same experiences we've have as adults. They don't know that hitting the wrench against the side of the car will scratch and dent it, but they definitely want to find out. Trust me, they'll do it. 

Oliver and a BMW X3 (3)

 

4) Enjoy The Time And They Will Too

Some of my earliest and most memorable experiences were helping my father restore old British motorcycles—whether it was just sorting through hardware or helping rebuild an engine. It gave me mechanical and problem solving aptitude that I have leveraged throughout my entire adult life. Not sharing this experience with your children is as much a disservice as it is to not spend time with them in the first place.

I hope you feel encouraged the next time you jump into a weekend project to budget more time and grab a little helper. The memories you make will certainly outlast the car.

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Written by :
Nate Vincent

Professional automotive enthusiast, engineer, race driver, rally enthusiast, fabricator/builder, aficionado of European cars, husband of patient wife, and father of twins


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