Every day somebody crosses the great divide of auto repair and emerges a bona fide do-it-yourselfer. Kendra is no newbie, but she continues to explore new territory in performing her own repairs and maintenance:

I just wanted to send a brief note. I needed to replace the fuel filter in my '88 Subaru and knew that it would PROBABLY be a piece of cake. I read the bit in my manual -- which of course was dry and tiny print -- and just didn't feel ready to dive under the hood.
I checked out your directions and felt completely ready. You said the same things, pretty much, but in a human, accessible way. As a woman, I often worry about asking the men I know about how to fix my car because most of them who know how to work on cars are better at DOING it rather than TALKING about it. Your pictures and step by step directions were really helpful. (Also the idea to have the car on when determining which fuse is the one for the fuel pump... priceless. I would have been in the driveway all day turning on lights and things!)
Thanks for your site! Keep up the good work, Kendra

Now that's what we like to hear around here! Ok, it doesn't hurt that she's making us feel so good about the site. But she's right, you know. Follow our easy directions and you can do your own repairs and maintenance, too!

Got an auto repair success story? Send it in to autorepair.guide@about.com and let us know!