You don't need to be a mechanic to change oil, but a small amount of mechanical knowledge helps quite a bit. I am talking about knowledge such as what is a drain plug, what is oil, what is an oil filter. Most people have at least a rudimentary knowledge of how a car works. Computing is still magic to many people, and it should not be.
Most people don't have a clue about cars either. These are not the 80's, where most cars shared a common oil filter, used 10w-40 oil, and where very alike.
Nowdays the complexity of car has turned it into "magic", too. Choosing the wrong oil weight for a modern turbocharged car will wreck the turbo and the engine. Another example is the new style of oil filters. They are cartridge style with very delicate torque specs. an over torqued oil filter housing cover will create a significant drop in oil pressure due to to a leak.
Heck, even changing a tire is now a mess due to the recently implanted tire pressure systems.
Trust me I wish that it wasn't magic to people either. I need lots of hands to count the number of times I've explained some pretty basic (in my eyes) things about computers. Computer literacy is very important, but people don't seem to see it that way.
They are taught to trust the computer. To let it do its magic. Why then, should they go and learn how it works? For what purpose?
Imagine a world where people actually knew how to code. That means they would have enough skills to do basic math, and science. They would ask questions, rather than accept the answers given. They would challenge authority, rather than sit down and take orders.
