Everything I've learned about cars, I've learned through car failure.
For example, if your voltage regulator fails, your battery can explode on the New York Thruway at 10 PM on a Sunday night. If you're lucky, it'll happen right before an exit to a service station (what are the odds?) and a nice state trooper will drive you and your friends 30 miles back to your college, which will cause a little stir when you're dropped off at your dorm in a police car.
The axle isn't simply the big piece of metal that goes across between the wheels. It's more complicated than that. If you have some parts replaced down by the wheel, almost always they will be refurbished. You'll find this out when the new axle breaks, piercing the tire and leaving your wife and three hiking children (fortunately only) 20 miles from home. They'll tow your car 30 more miles away to repair it, but your mechanic will successfully bill the people who sold him the refurbished axle for the whole cost of repair, towing included.
The oil needs to be changed (presumably to other oil) every 5,000 miles. This can be done at home if you're a friggin' car genius, but now that an oil change is cheaper than a tank of gas, it seems like a good deal to have someone else do it.
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