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Trained mechanic Petra Ohrt, will guide you through the fundamentals of buying, owning and maintaining a car.

With no prior knowledge or experience necessary, this workshop will demystify car engines and general operation, and introduce the important tricks and tools of the mechanics trade to encourage women and non-binary people to be more proactive in learning about, fixing and maintaining their own cars.

The workshop aims to provide a safe, supportive and encouraging environment to empower women and non-binary people to take more control over the things they use and value daily.

This workshop will run on Sat 3rd and Sat 10th August from 9.30am to 4.30pm. 
Each session combines theory, demonstration and hands-on practice. Over the two days, participants will be guided through a number of practical issues to identify common problems, with solutions that can be applied to most cars, vans and trucks. These are issues that all car owners or prospective drivers will face at some point in their driving life.

Participants will be able to:

  • Ask questions
  • Share experiences
  • Put their learning into practice in an intimate and supportive environment
Session overview

These sessions will run on consecutive Saturdays, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

DAY I: TOOLS, BASIC CAR MECHANICS AND CHECKS

1. CAR “TALK”

  • How does an engine work?
  • How does a car “work”?

2. GENERAL TOOLS AND TOOLS SPECIFICALLY FOR CAR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

  • Tools and car parts
  • Tool kit for the car (how to help yourself when something goes wrong)

3. FIND, CHECK, ADJUST AND FIX

  • Car interiors
  • Under the bonnet

DAY II: BASIC CAR MAINTENANCE AND BREAKDOWN TIPS AND TRICKS

1. CAR “TALK”

  • How does an engine work
  • How does a car “work”?

2. ASSESSING A CAR AND CAR MAINTENANCE

  • Buying and selling cars (what to look for)
  • How to determine if a car is in ‘good condition”
  • How to look after a car

3. BREAKDOWNS

  • What can go wrong?
  • What should you do when your car breaks down?
Meet your trainer

Petra Ohrt was born in a small village in Germany and grew up surrounded by mechanically minded and capable men. She learnt to drive tractors from a young age and apprenticed as a mechanic before studying mechanical engineering, coming to live in Australia in 2006. She is passionate about DIY mechanics and loves tinkering with and riding her bicycle and motorbike in her spare time. She also enjoys German books and film, crafting, yoga and furniture restoration.

Workshop Specifics

This workshop will run on Sat 3rd and Sat 10th August from 9.30am to 4.30pm. 

What will I learn?

  • How to demystify car engines and general operation

What will I take away?

  • Hands-on learning experience
  • Handouts
  • Confidence in buying and maintaining a car

What should I bring?

  • Notepad and writing materials

What should I wear?

  • Clothes you don’t mind getting dirty

Anything else I should know?

  • While it is preferred that you attend both days, limited individual day tickets are available to book by selecting the day one or day two booking tab.

Terms and conditions

See our refund policy and terms & conditions here.

Watch Petra Ohrt, trained mechanic and this workshop’s trainer, in this short video produced by ABC Australia.

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