Video Review

Title: The Women’s Car Care Video
Producer: David Welch
Shining Star Video Productions, Valparaiso, Indiana
Audience: Senior High, Adult
Copyright: 2004
Running Time: approx. 135 min.
219.531.6860; videomandw@att.net
Wholesale Price: $24.95 (VHS); $29.95 (DVD); Retail Price: $49.95 (VHS); $59.95 (2 DVD set).

Receiving a press release on this video for women, naturally, I was curious. Anything written about automobiles, expressly for women is of interest to Women With Wheels, whether it be a book, video or article. I called Mr. Welch and he forwarded a copy of The Woman’s Car Care Video to us.

This is a long video and Welch suggests you watch it in parts. The Woman’s Car Care Video is divided into Part I and Part II, with a total of 135 minutes of auto-know how. Available in both VHS and DVD format, we viewed the VHS video.

The video is packaged in a plastic case with full color slipcover featuring a picture of Mr. Welch himself leaning on a car engine, as well as some of the women he interviewed for the video.

A graduate of Greer Technical Institute with degrees in Auto and Diesel Mechanics, Mr. Welch is certainly qualified to teach this course on basic auto mechanics. Having been a mechanic at both Chevrolet and Mack Truck dealerships, he has worked on both gas and diesel engines; on vehicles, and aboard a naval ship.

Through words and demonstrations, Mr. Welch explains to his audience how the "average woman" can perform some D-I-Y things herself; for instance, she surely can check her vehicle’s oil level, filter and tire pressure (don’t forget that spare in the trunk!).

about the technical aspects of maintaining a motor vehicle." Because of this assumption, he has explained all unfamiliar terms during his discussions.

There aren’t any major repairs covered in the video, rather, Welch sticks to the "basics" of auto maintenance-preventive maintenance. He begins by going over his qualifications for making this instructional/informational video; he reviews the five major fluids, belts, hoses, filters, how to check each and change if needed. He also informs the viewer how to check her car’s emergency brake, lights, battery and what to do if you’ve got a "no-start."

Tires-the purchase of same, changing of them, treadwear and how to choose them are all covered. Welch even goes over some "tricks" to gain upper body strength.

Years ago, a friend (retired engineer) made a gadget for me that made changing a tire a whole lot easier. He fashioned a pedestal-type block of wood with a two-by-four cut to size. He drilled a few holes in the vertical piece of wood that would accommodate the tire wrench. This way the wrench could be held in place (when inserted in a hole) so that someone changing a tire had some leverage. It worked beautifully. Today, not many of us are forced to change a flat tire ourselves. Rather, we dial 1-800-Roadside Assistance and someone comes out.

Nevertheless, these types of things are important to know. Invariably, you’ll be out in the middle of nowhere when you need to call on basic auto maintenance 101 skills to change that flat tire.

Welch also goes into car care tools the "average woman" may want to purchase and carry in her car trunk, what to do in case of a "no-start," jumping a dead battery, and even educates the viewer on the purpose of motor oil. He uses lots of close up shots to detail the products and steps he’s taking. Such things as power tools and hydraulic lifts are not used in his demonstrations because the "average" person wouldn’t necessarily own this equipment.

While Mr. Welch demonstrates some valuable things to know about your vehicle, he tends to go on longer than is comfortable for most video viewers. The video is longer than it needs to be, can be rather dry in parts and amateurish in its presentation.

It’s clear Mr. Welch knows about automobiles, their technical aspects and care, but there must be a better way to grab the audience. And why, Mr. Welch, do you wear your sunglasses throughout the video? And wearing a watch, gold bracelet and ring isn’t always the best idea when performing maintenance under the hood of your car. At least that’s what I was told once!!

"The Woman’s Car Care Video" assumes the women watching the video" know little about the technical aspects of maintaining a motor vehicle." Because I happen to be a woman who knows more than "the average woman" about automobiles and their maintenance needs, my review might be a tad biased. A better test of the video’s validity and effectiveness might be to show it to a group of women who have signed up for a basic automotive maintenance class.

Thanks must be extended to Mr. Welch, however, for seeing the need to make a video like "The Woman’s Car Care Video." I intend to give it a mention in my Autosmarts for Women classes. It’s one more "tool" women can use when learning how to take care of their vehicles to keep them in optimum operating condition.

("The Woman’s Car Care Video" gets a 2.5 cars rating)