It comes after The Daily Advertiser asked readers last week if drivers had lost the art of changing a tyre. 

Readers have had their say on our Facebook page – with some calling for basic maintenance training to be part of the education system.

Former V8 Supercar driver Mark Larkham, who grew up in Griffith, said bush drivers were miles ahead of their city cousins when it comes to changing tyres and basic vehicle maintenance.

“I find it odd people are quick to call NRMA to change a tyre,” Mr Larkham said.

“From an efficiency point of view, it would be easier to change the tyre yourself.”

The Channel 10 expert commentator said more focus needed to be on educating the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving.

“My biggest concern wouldn’t be around maintenance. My main concern is the distraction of texting while driving,” he said.

“The sooner cars have devices that disable the ability to text and drive, the better.”

Modern cars are better than ever at letting us know when something’s wrong, but many of our younger drivers are still driving older vehicles.

Wagga Rod and Custom Car Club president Alan White said his children learnt driving and maintenance skills from an early age.

“I’ve got four kids, two boys and two girls and I taught them how to maintain their vehicles,” Mr White said.

“It’s a bit hard for parents to teach their children. I have a mechanic background  – some parents wouldn’t know what to teach their kids.”

Mr White added simple tasks such as changing tyres and checking fluid levels should be taught in schools.

“I believe that schools should add these life skills to the school curriculum,” he said.

“I think students should be taught driving education from 14 years.”

Mr White said on-hands learning had advantages over written learning.

“Some children respond much better to practical learning rather than just the three Rs,” he said.

Children who grow up on farms have the opportunity to learn driving skills from and early age without the pressure of driving on a road full of impatient drivers.

“My children all learned how to drive at the family farm well before getting their licences,” he said.

A poll on the Advertiser website revealed Riverina drivers are quite capable of changing a tyre, with 83.5 per cent of the 91 respondents saying they could get themselves out of trouble.

Readers’ perspective

Years ago, in Italy, to change a tire was a part of your education so as to be able to get a driver’s licence. I don't know if it still is. But I think this would be a great idea here in Australia. One should know not only how to drive a car, but also how to operate and maintain it.