My dad provided numerous and sometimes amusing examples of
"how-not-to" automobile maintenance. My mother's Oldsmobile station wagon burned to the ground a block from our house because of an improperly installed fuel filter! Much of the colorful language I know comes from my days as a youngster handing tools to my dad while he was underneath one of the family vehicles.

My 14-year old son is very interested and helps out a great deal with the restoration on the 2002 and my 8-year old daughter is a real trooper (it was pretty amazing watching her lift the 5-series brake rotors...).

I think it helps develop a healthy respect for the machine and what it takes to maintain it properly and it also better equips them to help themselves in a roadside situation. If they know something about the system that failed, it's a good thing.

__________________
David

His:
2003 Dodge Durango SLT
2002 BMW E39 530i Sport
1988 Mercedes 300TE
Hers:
2003 Chevrolet Suburban
1999 E430