[linuxftw]

Ironically, many cars don't have radiator caps, only reservoirs.

Modern cars, for the most part, do not leak coolant unless there's a problem. They operate a high pressure. Most people, for their own safety, should not pop the hood of a car.

[GrzegorzWidla]

You literally cannot become a legal driver in Poland without popping the hood, showing and explaining random two refillable tanks and oil level check. It’s a part of the driver’s license exam.

[OkayPhysicist]

What the hell? There are plenty of reasons to pop your hood that literally anyone competent to drive should be able to do perfectly safely. Swapping your own battery. Pulling a fuse. Checking your oil, topping up your oil. Adding windshield wiper fluid. Jump starting a car. Replacing parts that are immediately available.

Not requiring one to pop the hood, but since I've almost finished the list of "things every driver should be able to do to their car": Place and operate a jack, change a tire, replace your windshield wiper blades, add air to tires (to appropriate pressure), and put gas in the damned thing.

These are basic skills that I can absolutely expect a competent, driving adult to be able to do (perhaps with a guide).

[linuxftw]

I mean, I don't disagree that these are basic skills that most anyone should be able to perform. But most people are not capable to do them safely. Whether that's aptitude or motivation, doesn't matter.

Ask your average person what a 'fuse' even is, they won't be able to tell you, let alone how to locate the right one and check it.

Just think about how help the average person is when it comes to doing basic tasks on a computer, like not install the Ask(TM) Toolbar. That applies to many areas of life.

[dnw]

I have had this new car for 5 months. I haven't learned to turn on the headlights yet. It just turns itself on and adjusts the beams. Every now and then I think about where that switch might be but never get to it. I should probably know.

[altern8]

Aren't radiator caps supposed to let excessive pressure escape?

You fill up the reservoir, but the cap is still there.