Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide

by Patrice Banks

A do-it-herself guide to auto maintenance, roadside emergencies, and the real scoop on how women can get honest car service at the garage, from engineer turned auto mechanic and award-winning entrepreneur Patrice Banks.

Do you feel lost when explaining your car problems to a mechanic? Do you panic when something goes wrong with your ride? Have you felt like you were being overcharged or pressured into unnecessary add-ons at the auto shop?

Fear no more: The Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide has got your back.

So many women feel powerless, nervous, or embarrassed when taking our cars in for a repair, and yet we outnumber men both as drivers and as customers at auto repair shops. The time has come for us to grab the wheel and finally take control of our cars.

Filled with easy-to-follow illustrations and instructions, great tips, and lifesaving rules of thumb, The Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide will help take away the confusion and mystery surrounding cars, teach women what they need to know about how their cars work, and what they need to do to keep them running smoothly.

Patrice Banks was once like most of us: a self-professed “auto airhead” who was clueless about car maintenance, yet convinced that mechanics were taking advantage of her. Now she’s an auto pro devoted to empowering women to learn basic car repairs and knowing what to do in an emergency. So whether you get a flat tire when you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere, your car overheats, or a mysterious dashboard light suddenly starts blinking, help is just a reach-in-the-glove-box away.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Reference, Feminism, How To, Guides, Adult

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2017

Reviews

[Scottsdale Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your car has ever made a weird noise, you may want to check out this book. After telling a friend about my car problems, and how I didn't trust autoshops not to overcharge me, but that I didn't know enough to work on my car myself, I was recommended this book. The author takes the reader through a relatable experience of car issues she had, then breaks down all the preventative maintenance and DIY repairs you can do with a little research (checking the oil, tire pressure, changing a tire, refilling coolant, etc!) Hearing about all the ways you can make your car last was useful, but my favorite portion was the tables of repair information, *braking* down what part is likely broken, what symptoms you'll observe, and how much it should cost to repair. Other topics included: when to get a new car, how often certain parts should be replaced, and overviews of the major components of car machinery. With a sisterly tone, this author seeks to connect with women who have gone to others for car issues, and empowers them to pop the car hood themselves! And if anyone should be writing this book, it's this author, who started a women-owned and operated autoshop with a hair salon built in! This was a very informational and humorously narrated read! – Megan K.

[Ricardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be required reading for every car owner. Although Banks wrote this book towards a female audience, it applies to everyone. I'm a dude who has a very limited knowledge of automobiles and this book was awesome. It really breaks it down well and gives you tips and knowledge that you will use. Well done.

[Graeme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book without noticing it was for girls. I learned a lot and found it very useful, despite having a Y-chromosome. Patrice Banks writes clearly and simply, at just the right level of technical detail. I am going to get a copy for my daughters, but the males can sneak a look when no one is looking. Highly recommended!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOD. This is the book I've needed and wanted! ever since I heard about Patrice I have been so bummed they didn't have anything like this in Canada. I've never felt that confident about cars and as of right now I am looking to get my first car and I know for a fact I would be the kind of woman to avoid mechanics and the alerts on my car for as long as possible just because I feel like I would be getting ripped off or taken advantage of. And I want to take care of my car and have it last as long as possible

I haven't yet finished this book but even with the first half its given me a better outlook on what to expect on having my first car, and what to do and felt like no question was a dumb one.

I will FOR SURE be buying this to keep in my glove box and to go over as a refresher every once in awhile. I recommend any women young or old to check this book out. It feels really good to be able to rely on yourself for things instead of trying to pass off car issues onto a guy.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading for any girl who owns or drives a car. As someone who has always been made to feel intimidated by cars and all the maintenance and service that comes with them, I needed this book. I feel like I now have a good understanding of how my car works, when parts need maintenance, and just how to take care of my car in general. Plus, I’d feel comfortable changing a tire or jumping a dead battery. Please read this book if you feel at all intimidated by cars because it is a game-changer!

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a useful book, and also a very disappointing one. I was convinced this book was going to teach me the basics of doing my own car repairs. The only thing you'll learn about actual repairs is how to change a tire and what to do if you see smoke coming from under the hood of your car. For everything else, take it to the mechanic. Spoiler alert, 9/10 times, if there's smoke coming out from under your hood, you also take it to the mechanic.

While I acknowledge I should have adjusted my expectations of a book so obviously gimmicky in its use of social media marketing terms, it was still exhausting and very cringey. Using #shecanic and constant manicure and high heel references was irritating as all hell. It gets better after the introduction, but it leans so hard into the #femaleempowerment that it circles all the way back to being patronising. I don't need prices for car parts compared to prices for manicures. I know what $50 are. Also possibly unnecessary to tell me I might break a nail changing a tire. Considering it's the only practical repair you'll find in this book, let's not make it seem like a physically hazardous huge accomplishment.

What this book is good for is knowing the approximate prices repairs should run so you don't get overcharged, the car parts that need fixing immediately and the ones that won't kill you if you wait a bit before you repair them, when you should do maintenance on which parts, and what I found most useful of all, how to figure out which car suits you best financially by taking into account how much it takes to repair it once you own it, or whether you're better off leasing.

It would be helpful to keep this book handy to check on any issues your car runs into so you know what to expect when taking it in for repairs, but there are so many videos on YouTube about this very topic that I think I'll pass on the nail salon references.

[Takesha Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything! It breaks down the very basics of a vehicle for those like me, who are completely clueless. Patrice is amazing and an inspiration to every woman, especially women who are interested in cars but are constantly told that because of their gender, they are not "supposed" to enjoy any parts of a vehicle. Although this book is beneficial to more than just women. It is simply an awesome book for anyone who wants to know more about their cars but has been too nervous to find out.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be adding this book to my permanent collection and buying copies for my sisters. So much useful info about the parts of the car, what they do, symptoms and problems, true cost of ownership, maintenance schedule, expected cost to fix problems, and which tasks you can do and which to leave for the professionals.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was definitely put off by the fact that this was geared toward “girls” and has irritating #shecanic hashtags and pictures of high heels throughout it. BUT this was a very good very basic book to read first to get a little knowledge about cars for those of us who know absolutely nothing. I wish there were a lot more diagrams and even photos to explain how things work.

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

dare I say a must read for all women with a car

[Kayla]

I learned a lot from this book and the thing I learned most is that it is a miracle that cars work at all. Can't believe that they figured out how to make those things work. Very helpful information and would recommend to all aspiring #sheCANics

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super-accessible guide to car ownership (for everyone, not just women). It's valuable both as a book to read cover-to-cover and as a reference guide to keep in your car. Banks earned my confidence early on when she said that she didn't recommend most people do their own oil changes; this isn't a book on how to avoid mechanics, but how to incorporate regular visits to one into your general care of your car. She walks through every part of the car and provides a table of what problems you're likely to see when in the life of the car and what the typical cost is for fixing it. There's guidance on how to change a tire, of course, but also how to know when it's time to trade in your vehicle for a new one. I would definitely recommend this for everyone who drives and/or owns a car. (It's geared toward readers in the United States, but much of the advice is universal.)

[Lauren Sonnier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative. I knew pretty much nothing about cars at the start and it’s intimidating as a woman to try to get into it. Easy to understand. Full breakdown. Going to gift one to every female friend I know. Honestly heck every friend. It’s breaks down cars so well and makes it completely understandable for anyone. I feel like I know what to do, what to listen for, and how to properly care for my car. Recommend to anyone and everyone especially those with a learners permit. Set your kids up for success. Worth the read!!!! Get this book, read it, do it!

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can get past the pretty cringey intro that must mention manipedis 8 times, this book is actually a nice easy to understand general primer on the basics of car ownership & maintenance. It's written in a nice narrative tone and I could hear the author speaking to me in my head. I came away knowing a lot more about my car! I wish I had read this 15 years ago. I'd recommend this book to anyone learning to drive, whether they are a woman with very breakable nails or otherwise.

[Gord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! Even though the target audience is women, I loved it! It goes over most aspects of a car. Describes different systems and what they are needed for and how to maintain each. Very informative, easy language and very useful for one who is thinking to buy or sell a car. What kind of issue is expected to arise at certain mileage, how much would it cost and so on.
I as an anxious person benefited from reading this book a lot! 👍

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me. I was admittedly a bit skeptical of the girly tone, the red high heels. But I am a member of the target audience for this book and it does the job. I was nearly clueless about auto maintenance and ownership. I do feel more empowered now. I do recommend this for anyone, men or women, who feel overwhelmed and undereducated about this stuff.

[Dinesh Cherupalla · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book is written for women, I think that everyone needs to read it.

I had the most basic understanding of how a car worked: Insert key in ignition, power on engine, press gas, car moves. When I went to the mechanic to get repairs done, I found myself angry at having to shell out money for parts and labor that I didn't understand. To summarize, I had a bad relationship with my car and the care I needed to maintain it because I wasn't educated.

The author has written a no-nonsense guide on how to have a better relationship with your car. No more having to flip through your convoluted vehicle owner's manual in frustration trying to diagnose a problem.

What this book does well is it breaks down the fundamentals of each system in the car. The reader becomes educated on the major parts in each system as well as when and how the parts will fail. The best part is at the end of each chapter, there is a summary table that lists each part, what issues it may cause and when to replace it. Rather than waiting for a problem to arise in my car, I can now be proactive and point it out to my mechanic during my routine maintenance.

On top of the education that this book provides, it's also empowered me with the confidence to get under the hood and figure out what is going wrong. This feeds into my confidence when talking with my mechanic and prepares me for what to expect for the bill. No more getting angry because I know what to expect

I think the most comforting aspect of this book is that it's written by a mechanic and provides clear direction on when something can be done by yourself and when to bring it to a professional. I know that I am going to be keeping a copy of this book handy in my glove compartment to reference and as a reminder to always have a better relationship with my car.

[Coleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me first say that it's pretty unusual for me to rate a book 5 stars, let alone a nonfiction, self-help type of book. I have had some 5-star reads, but they're somewhat few and far between. I chanced upon a review of this book on Goodreads and I thought it sounded like it might be worthwhile to give it a go. When I saw that I could read it on audio via Hoopla, I went ahead and said 'why not?" and jumped in.

And now I want to buy hard copies and give them to all my female friends. I did, in fact, order a couple paperback copies and they are on their way to me as I write this. I know that not all females are as ignorant as I am when it comes to cars, but I would also tend to think that a fairly good number are. This was a great beginner's guide, so to speak, about all the parts of a car, what their purpose is, where they're located, what to do when one acts up, etc. Some of the content is basic and seemingly obvious, but the author doesn't present it in a way to make the reader feel dumb. And I learned a lot. It's written for a female audience, but it could easily be a basic "how-to" for any males who aren't naturally born knowing a lot about cars. There's advice on how to pick a new or used car, how to choose a mechanic, and how much you should expect to pay for a large variety of parts and repairs. And lots more to boot. I am a little geeked out by how much I liked this book and am surprised it hasn't gotten a little more attention. Do yourself a favor and go get a copy, and then keep it on hand for reference.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great to read straight through or as a reference to review periodically. Before reading, I considered myself somewhat knowledgable about maintenance and repairs, but I eventually got tired of not knowing if recommended maintenance was truly necessary. I also wanted to be able to budget for upcoming car expenses and had no idea what needs would arise or how much they would cost. This book is so great for that! Patrice includes charts in each section about when to expect maintenance or repairs, what they'll feel like, sound like, or smell like, and about how much they'll cost.

Also as I read, I came to realize that the skills we use to maintain our cars--organization, attention to detail, and perception--are skills that women have sharpened and applied in other areas of our lives like school, work, and household management. Very easy to apply those skills to car ownership. I spent one weekend learning the basics to feel more prepared for my next trip to the auto shop. Totally worth it.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was going to frustrate me. I thought it was going to be the book equivalent of the pink car kit from Target that comes with a "HELP" sign (while the black kit does not). But instead, this book is empowering AF. It is a tool against the patriarchal, male dominant world of cars (even though there are more female drivers than males), helping to equip females with knowledge that many either A) don't teach them or B) assume they don't have or need. I read this because I was tired of the car salesmen saying "Here are the spare tires. Your husband can show you show you how to change them". So thankful for this book. Would buy, would gift, would read again.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful overview of basic car maintenance. I found the sections breaking up types of maintenance by name, symptoms, how often to expect to get it repaired, and how much it will typically cost to be very helpful. In combination with the recommended maintenance schedule it helped me really figure out what to expect over time with my car and when to expect to look into replacing certain parts.

Banks provides lots of useful tips and makes owning and caring for a car seem manageable. Most of all it made me VERY thankful I have a mechanic shop I try to always go to and trust.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I may know how to change a car tire, jump a battery and understand how to change an oil filter...but I can always learn more. This book helps a layman learn how their car works, why maintenance is important and how to buy a car.
I think this book should be read by any kid learning to drive. I will definitely keep my copy to look up terms. BUT- I found the "ditzy" comments and red heel references annoying and demeaning. She could do better- it wasn't cute or funny.

Read if you drive a car (gender isn't important).

PopSugar Reading Challenge 2023: A book with "Girl" in the title.

[Somerset County Library]

STAFF PICK 📚🙂

Lorna Crockett is a Marketing Associate at the Crisfield Library. She highly recommends "Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide" by Patrice Banks.

"If you drive you should read this book, it has great advice on what do if your car has a problem, how to avoid getting overcharged, and how to maintain your vehicle." -Lorna

We do have this title in our system! Request it here: https://eshore.polarislibrary.com/.........

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful and very detailed. Sometimes too detailed and sometimes not enough. I'm going to use it to create a spreadsheet for my particular car - of all the parts - when I last replaced them and when I think I'm going to need to replace them and how much they'll cost. Having that in the book would be helpful.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to know the basics of how your car works, what to do if something goes wrong with your car, and/or want to walk into the dealership or mechanic garage with an understanding of your car and what needs to be done. This is your book! I loved it! Every car owner should have this book in their glove box.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fantastic book should be required reading for high school drivers education! Why just learn about road rules and driving when you can also learn some basic mechanics, what costs to consider when purchasing, and how to maintain your ride. There is so much digestible knowledge in this book appropriate for women and men.

[Linds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great straightforward, but easy to read, book for anyone looking to learn the basics about car maintenance, repair, and purchase. I feel like anyone buying their first car should really check out this book. There's a lot of information but it's easy to digest and navigate when you need something specific.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. She writes about different parts of a car. She talks about how to check oil, wiper fluid, coolant. She also wrote about what to think about when buying a car. The pros and cons of different repair shops. I though that was interesting.

[Kathy Woolner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great guide to understanding more about owning and maintaining a car. Perfect gift for young drivers! Our book club discussed it, along with sharing our own car stories. We had prizes like tire pressure gauge and wiper fluid. Recommend!

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. My dad taught me this stuff already. I was hoping for something more in depth. I think it's a good resource for women of any age to learn the basics. But if you know things like how to check fluid levels then there's not a lot of new information.