25 Skills Every Man Should Know

I read an article By The Editors of Popular Mechanics on msn.com http://men.msn.com/articlepm.aspx?cp-documentid=5741230. The article lists 25 skills every man should know. IMO, there are some skills every man don't really need to know. I like to mention two of the 25 skills I learned which are car related.

1. Patch a Radiator Hose

Steam hissing from a ruptured radiator hose? Here's a relatively easy, temporary fix with duct tape.

Wait for the engine to cool off. Open the hood and locate the source of the steam — i.e., the rupture. Clean and dry the area around the fissure; the tape won't stick as well on a damp, dirty surface.

Wrap 2 to 3 in. of duct tape around the hose over the hole; press firmly.

Overwrap the patch (the hose will be under intense pressure) from 2 to 3 in. above the original piece to about 2 or 3 in. below, then work your way back. Check your radiator level before cranking the engine. "If it's seriously low and you don't have a can of coolant, use water or, in an emergency, diet soda," says Tony Molla of the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence and former pro wrench jockey. "Avoid using fruit juice or anything with sugar or acids in it. It'll corrode the radiator and hoses."

15. Get a Car Unstuck

When you're stuck, don't gun the engine to get out — the tires will only dig in deeper. Instead, straighten the steering wheel, then dig out as much sand, snow or mud from around the front or rear of the tires as you can, depending on the direction you want to go. Place a floor mat snugly under a portion of each drive wheel (if your vehicle is 4wd, position a mat under each wheel). Ease the vehicle onto the mats. If there's a passenger, have him push the vehicle in the direction you want to go. Repeat the procedure as needed, slowly progressing in the direction of travel until the vehicle is free.

TIP: "To maximize traction, lower the tires' air pressure by 10 to 15 psi or until the sidewall begins to bulge. This spreads out the footprint of the tire, helping the vehicle float over terrain. Drive slowly and air the tires back up as soon as possible." —Ben Stewart, PM auto editor

Other skills every man should know IMO include protecting a computer from viruses (number 2), perform CPR (12), maneuver a car out of a skid (14), and backup computer data (16).