I think a lot of the same thing happens with men now ---men of my father's generation were more inclined to fix their own cars and knew more than to change a flat tire but today you see men calling for a mechanic to come rescue them as often as you see women do that.
I used to have an arrangement with a gal who knew an awful lot about repairing cars. She had a problem: when she took her vehicle to the shop the mechanics were patronizing and wouldn't listen to her when she told them what was wrong. They also tried to take advantage of her by trying to sell her on things she didn't need. She'd come away from the shop spitting nails.
I, on the other hand, know little about fixing cars. So we would go to the shop together and act like a couple. I would tell the mechanics what was wrong with her car (based on what she had told me) and when they suggested a course of action I would watch her for cues about whether to say yes or no.
When my car needed repairs, we would do the same thing. I'd take her along for advice.