I've always encouraged women to become as involved in auto maintenance and repair as the stereotype of their male counterparts. The more you know about your car's inner workings -- male or female -- the more control you have over repair decisions and the bills that come with them.

Katy Younglove of Warren, Michigan has never needed any convincing. She's been handling wrenches and screwdrivers since the age of 6 and has no plans to slow down. In fact, she set out to prove her repair prowess in this year's Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition. The contest, now in its 14th year, gives Michigan high school students a chance to show off their speed and skills in auto repair by correctly diagnosing and repairing identical automotive ailments. Younglove, paired with teammate Craig Suydam, came in third.

You don't have to reach Katy's level of expertise to be handy under the hood. Whether you're a man or woman, it's never to late to start working on your own vehicle. The money you save is real, and the empowerment you feel when you know what your auto mechanic is talking about is priceless. This spring is a good time to start. Begin with summer auto maintenance and you'll be a pro wrench handler in no time.

Read more about the Student Auto Skills Competition in The Detroit News.

photo courtesy The Detroit News