Macoy Dubs: Keep your car cool —and your head cooler
On the road, nothing grinds Macoy Averilla’s gears quite like drivers allergic to turn signals and those who think the expressway’s overtaking lane is the perfect spot for a leisurely cruise.
But as long as nothing serious happens, he usually brushes it off and just rolls along. The traffic is maddening enough; you don’t have to follow suit. With road rage incidents becoming all too frequent, you can’t just let your temper steer your actions.
Keep your cool behind the wheel—that’s Averilla’s top tip for new drivers and car owners.
“You’ve got to have patience and the right disposition when you’re driving,” said the content creator better known as Macoy Dubs, at the launch of the Shell Helix Flagship Auto Workshop in Fairview, Quezon City.
And when you load your car trunk, make sure you dump only your physical belongings—not your personal baggage. “It’s important to have presence of mind. You need to stay composed. So whatever worries or problems you may have, leave them at home,” he said.
A driver’s responsibility, however, doesn’t stop at defensive driving—you also have to ensure that your car is roadworthy. No amount of vigilance can ever compensate for a poorly maintained vehicle.
“Dapat parehong well-maintained ang driver at kotse,” quipped Averilla, a car enthusiast with a decade’s worth of driving experience.
For newbies, the first 10,000 kilometers or first year—whichever comes first—is crucial. “That’s when you will get a sense of whether your car has been properly broken in and if it will stay roadworthy in the long run,” he said.
And once the warranty period is over, it’s best to find a workshop you can really trust. Personally, Averilla prefers a place where he can see the mechanics in action—fixing problems, answering his questions. “That way, I can feel assured that I’m not being taken advantage of,” he said.
Middle ground
Still, the prospect can be daunting for those with little experience with cars and their inner workings. Stories of unsuspecting customers being overcharged or coaxed into unnecessary services are real—and they can easily discourage new drivers.
So for those unsure about which workshop to choose—without paying a premium at an authorized dealership—Shell’s workshop offers a solid middle ground. Not only does it provide a full range of services, from routine oil changes to wheel alignment and periodic maintenance, it also inspires peace of mind.
“It also offers services like diagnostic scans and other seemingly small things that are really important. The Shell branding also gives newbies a sense of security,” pointed out Averilla, who, despite his love for cars, remains aware of their contribution to congestion and emissions, and therefore advocates for carpooling and other measures to minimize carbon footprints.
The Flagship Auto Workshop—a partnership among Shell Helix and established local workshops nationwide—also has branches in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, and Bacolod City, with new ones set to open in Marikina City, Albay, Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos City, and Zamboanga.
“A car isn’t like a phone that you replace every few years—it’s a long-term investment. So you can’t take shortcuts when it comes to maintenance,” he said. “I follow what the service advisor recommends. If the mechanic says the oil is dirty and risks turning into sludge, I have it changed.”
Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to learn a thing or two about basic repairs. Yes, it’s not very “Titas of Manila” of him—a persona he often portrays in his hilarious online skits—but it definitely comes in handy when emergencies happen.
“Yes, I can check fluid levels, change filters and tires. I’ve gotten flats along SLEX, in Mandaluyong, and Laguna. It can be hard when you’re wearing pearls and long sleeves, but it’s an important skill to have,” he said, laughing.
