This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerCarCare #CollectiveBias
Ten years ago, I moved in with my husband and that was the point in our relationship that I began to “drive” him crazy. This weekend I resigned myself and ate my pride to create a car care safety kit that would ease his struggle.
I will be the first to admit that I am usually 100% prepared and so good about organizing. However, the one area that gets the least amount of attention in my life is my vehicles. Up until this weekend my truck storage was empty. My gas light was on, my oil gauge was low and I can’t even remember the last time that I washed the truck or put in window wash fluid. The husband and I have an agreement. He takes care of the outside of our home and I take care of the inside. It is an unspoken agreement on my end that the outside includes all the vehicles and garage.
This unspoken agreement absolutely drives my husband insane. He is consistently telling me that I am not prepared for an emergency or that I do not take care of my truck. He harasses me on a weekly basis to check my fluids and take care of the truck. I always say “I keep the inside clean, your job is the outside”. This little conversation has always been in good fun, however, a few weeks ago we did have a car breakdown and luckily my husband had a safety kit in that particular car. We were able to get him home safely and with minimal damage to our old little car. This inspired me to create a car care safety kit for our family vehicle.
I ran to my local Walmart and grabbed a few items for our vehicle and also gathered some supplies from around the house. The big items that I purchased were a car package that had a tow strap, flashlight and jumper cables in it, also a FRAM Extra Guard Air Filter, a container of oil, window wash fluid, some snacks and water, some baby wipes, a first aid kit, blankets, cash, antibacterial hand cleaner and a tote to put everything into conserve space.
I packed everything into the tote and stored it in the back of the truck. My husband was pretty happy that I took the initiative to put this together and was impressed that everything fit into the plastic tote. He was also impressed that I purchased the right air filter for my truck (pshhh, #momskills). However, I actually used the online FRAM Filter Catalog from Walmart before heading into the store. It was easy to punch in all my vehicles information, write down the item number and then grab it in store.
My husband commented on the fact that I chose a good air filter and that an air filter is the cars first line of defense against debris. He went on about how it improves airflow, increases acceleration, as well as overall vehicle performance. The man’s excitement for my correct air filter choice was pretty funny.
It was during all this air filter discussion that my husband then asked me if I knew how to change my own air filter. With all my mad confidence in purchasing the right filter I obviously responded “yes”. He popped the hood and told me to show him…this is where things got a little tricky.
I had a difficult time figuring out where the air filter chamber was and actually had to get my vehicle manual out. Once I located it, the next question was how to open it.
First I tried to pull it open and then I realized that there were screws in it. This was the point that I realized putting a mini tool kit into the safety kit would be a great idea. So I added that. I also used those tools to remove the screws from the air filter housing.
Once I removed the screws, the top of the air filter housing was simple to open and then my horribly dirty old air filter was revealed.
I simply reached in and removed it. Then I compared it to my new FRAM Extra Guard Air Filter. You can see very clearly that I needed to change my air filter.
I replaced the old air filter with the new FRAM Extra Guard Air Filter, in about 3 seconds. It fit perfectly and I was proud that I had actually picked up the correct filter for my vehicle.
I replaced the air filter lid housing and then screwed it together with my little tool set.
I closed that vehicle lid and turned to my husband with a little smirk. I was darn proud that I was able to figure this out. He gave no directions and although the manual came in handy, I did the work. I also ended up checking all my fluids to show the husband that I am perfectly capable of handling the vehicle responsibilities.
I then kissed the man and told him that although I can do it “the outside is his and the inside is mine”. I handed him the keys and asked him to get a car wash and fill up the gas tank. He smiled, laughed and jumped in the truck and left.I am very happy that not only did a create a car care safety kit, but I also learned how to change my air filter. I highly recommend checking out the online FRAM catalog as you prepare your own car care safety kit.
Are you inspired to get your mechanic on and prepare your car for summer yet?
