I love my car.

I drive a green 1997 Ford Explorer with a messed-up alignment. A corner of back bumper hangs off from a fender-bender that probably happened back when the only thing I was allowed to drive was a bike.

There’s a funny knocking noise when I stop at stoplights and the transmission has both good and very bad days.

The seat is so sunken from people heavier than me sitting on it that I have to sit on a pillow to see over the dashboard. I can’t safely go over 70 MPH and it’s a total gas guzzler, costing $50-60 once every 10 days to completely fill up the 21-gallon tank. But, again I’ll say it — I absolutely adore my disaster on wheels.

That car was there for those first feelings of independence after my 16th birthday, when I realized that if I wanted a pack of gum or something equally insignificant, all I had to do was grab the keys and cruise down to Stilwell Station.

It was there for the nights when I raced the clock home, trying to make curfew. It doesn’t give up on me when I forget to give it gas until the meter is well below the “E.” There have been tons of adventures, lots of laughter and a few tears in that car.

However, with winter coming up, I’m not gonna lie — I’m a little concerned. I don’t know how to jump-start the battery, change a tire or deal with any other minor problem. If I broke down on the side of the road tomorrow, I’d be stuck.

Maybe being a damsel in distress was romantic in Renaissance times, but it sure isn’t cute these days.

My guy friends get calls from me about once a week asking their opinion over the seriousness of that one wire sticking out underneath the dashboard, or if I could safely drive to Lee’s Summit and back when the ‘check engine’ light is blinking amber and the ‘check gage’ light is blinking red. (In case you were wondering, I totally could.)

Ladies, it’s time for us to take charge and learn these ‘men’ things.

Midwestern winters are famously unpredictable and often severe. It’s my goal for this winter to learn how to take care of myself and my car.

Last year, I couldn’t drive for almost two weeks during December and January because I didn’t know how to handle my big ‘ol truck in all the snow and icy conditions we had. Even though I have four-wheel drive, I didn’t know how to use it and had to get rides everywhere until the ice melted and snow disappeared.

It was not fun. Nothing kills the joy of finally having your own car faster than having to ask for a ride somewhere.

This year, that’s not going to happen. If, heaven forbid, something happens to my car, it would be really nice to know how to take care of myself; waiting, freezing cold, on the side of the road for my dad or a friend who knows what they’re doing, doesn’t sound like much fun.

Whether you drive a 1976 truck that can barely reach the speed limit or a car straight off the BMW dealer’s lot, it’s the right time of year to be thinking about basic car care. You just never know when the day will come when you turn the key over and nothing happens.

So ladies, ask your dad, your brother, your boyfriend — just ask. I’m sure they’ll be more than willing to share their expertise about all things related to cars.

Knowledge is absolutely power. Challenge yourself to learn things high school girls don’t usually know. If nothing else, you’ll always know you’re ready for whatever this winter is going to bring us.