If several women are standing around by their cars Saturday with the hoods up in the Arena parking lot, do not stop to ask if they are having car trouble. Auto technician Karen Greenberg will be giving her expertise to women, breaking the stereotype that only men know about cars.

Women’s Services offers an auto care clinic for women interested in learning the basics to keep their car running and Greenberg is the woman behind all of the teaching.

Greenberg said at one of the past clinics when someone saw all the hoods up in the air they thought they would stop and be helpful.

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There were about ten cars with their hoods up and someone stopped and asked if we had car trouble, Greenberg said.

Coming from a white collar family, with a stockbroker for a father, some would say it is unusual that Greenberg, who has a degree in biology, would end up becoming a car technician and co-owner of a body shop.

When I was growing up, I had a history of rebelling, maybe that has something to do with it, Greenberg said with a laugh.

Despite her knowledge of them, Greenberg said cars were never a hobby for her and still are not. She said she was first introduced to the car scene when she met her husband, George Williams, who operated a small car shop in Murphysboro.

I started working in the front office, and in order to explain everything right to the customer, I had to know first-hand what was going on, Greenberg said. I started with oil changing like everyone else and ended up in my specialty electrical systems and engine performance.

Greenberg said she never had a love of cars like some people might expect.

I didn’t even have a car for a long time, Greenberg said. I rode a bicycle everywhere.

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Greenberg said she has her certification in electrical systems and engine performance.

I got into (cars) right about the same time most went to being computer controlled, in 81 and 82, Greenberg said. (Electrical and electronic systems and engine performance) is what really grabbed my interest.

Greenberg said in the past she wanted to be a field biologist, but what she learned from her biology degree applies in a lot of ways to what she is doing now.

Either way, Greenberg said, she could never have an office job.

I really need to move and work with my hands, Greenberg said.

Greenberg said she has been involved with the women’s auto care clinic for the past couple of years.

She said she would like the clinic to be open to men.

A lot of men feel very uncomfortable about their cars and would like to know more, Greenberg said. It depends on the individual, but in some ways both men and women find it easier talking with a woman.

As times changing things, the stereotypes are breaking down, Greenberg said.

The stereotype that men need to know more about cars than women is dissolving, Greenberg said.