Daimee Rosales, a car mechanic turned viral sensation, first captured attention with an eye-catching video. In the clip, she seamlessly transitioned from performing an oil change to executing leg raises while hanging from the chassis of a raised vehicle, effortlessly blending her fitness passion with her mechanical expertise.
At just 25 years old, Rosales has not only become a TikTok star with a following of over half a million but has also garnered admiration for her insightful automotive guidance. Her content showcases a unique fusion of fitness and mechanical knowledge, all while maintaining her enviable six-pack abs and honing her craft in the garage.
Most of Rosales’ videos are set against the backdrop of her father’s auto repair shop in Toronto. Here, she shares practical car tips, often adding a humorous twist by lip-syncing and playfully engaging with mechanic culture. Her approach isn’t merely for entertainment; it’s a strategic effort to educate a broader, younger audience about automotive maintenance. This includes empowering women who frequently encounter gender biases in the industry.
Rosales’ success in this traditionally male-dominated field serves as an inspiration to many, particularly aspiring female mechanics. She has become a beacon of empowerment, demonstrating that women can excel in any domain they choose.
Despite her rising fame, Rosales remains dedicated to her craft. Her passion for mechanics is evident as she continually refines her skills in the garage, taking on complex tasks like dismantling and rebuilding intricate Nissan CVT transmissions. Her hands-on approach and commitment to her work highlight her true love for the trade.
As for her main goal, it’s all about getting her hands dirty. She has been fine-tuning her work in the garage, including stripping several finicky Nissan CVT transmissions down to parts and rebuilding them.
Such skills are in high demand in the auto industry and can earn masterful mechanics a hefty income. But Rosales insists on charging customers fairly, especially her female clients.
‘My dad and I get a lot of women that come into our shop,’ she told the Daily Mail. ‘We will never overcharge them. I want to do my work and make sure it’s done for a fair price.’
Daimee Rosales, 25, spoke to the Daily Mail about which cars she would avoid to save money
Her experience gives her a wealth of information about the most dependable cars in North America — and how much maintenance they’ll require in the long term.
And, because she’s a neighbor to the North, she knows just which vehicles can stand the test of inclement weather, salty roads, and constant construction.
For drivers who want to avoid the shop beyond routine oil changes and tire rotations, Rosales doesn’t mince words when asked what cars she would never recommend.
‘Ford, Volkswagen, and Chevy,’ she told the Daily Mail flatly.
Her recommendation might be bad news to millions of Americans: Ford perennially takes the best-selling vehicle crown with its $40,000 to $85,000 F-150 pickup.
GM, Chevy’s parent company, is America’s most popular automaker. Its best-seller, the Silverado pickup, is the US’s second-favorite car.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen is the world’s second most popular manufacturer. But beyond entry- and mid-level vehicles, Rosales says drivers should avoid European luxury cars to optimize reliability.
‘BMWs are fun to drive, but to own one? Not a good idea,’ she said. ‘They’re expensive to fix, and they don’t last.’
Join the debate
What car brands do you think are most overrated or unreliable, and why?
Behind her viral persona, Rosales putting in serious work. She has been honing her skills by tearing down tricky Nissan CVT engines and rebuilding them, part of a push to master the craft
Breaking through in a traditionally male-dominated field has helped Rosales accomplish her goal of becoming a role model to other women
She also said that the least dependable brands are imported luxury vehicles, such as Jaguar, Audi, Mercedes, and Land Rover.
Drivers, she added, should avoid purchasing electric vehicles due to the potentially high price of battery replacements, which could easily cost owners thousands of dollars – especially in cold-weather regions.
Instead, Rosales spoke highly of longtime, well-regarded car companies like Toyota and Honda.
‘Those are super easy to work on,’ she said.
Much of her expertise lines up with what other mechanics have told the Daily Mail.
In July, Scotty Kilmer, a frequently viral YouTube mechanic with 50 years of car-fixing experience, said drivers should avoid Ford and Chevy trucks.
Jon Ling, a mechanic with 30 years of experience, offered similar advice, though he gave Chevy trucks higher marks.
But for those already behind the wheel of these vehicles, Rosales says many drivers doom themselves to expensive engine and transmission fixes simply by neglecting basic upkeep.
Rosales advised drivers to avoid America’s best-selling brands, including Fords and Chevys
Rosales also said drivers should avoid buying EVs because the battery replacement costs are too high
‘A lot of people, especially women, don’t keep up with their oil changes,’ she said.
‘It’s a simple suggestion, but it goes a long way. Over time, it will cause major issues with the transmission or the engine.’
She advised drivers to keep to a standard 5,000-mile scheduled check-in.
Rosales suggested drivers in sedans and SUVs should only pay between $70 and $90 for their oil changes. A heftier bill might indicate that the shop is overcharging.
But truck owners should expect to pay more. She said a $120 oil change charge is standard for anyone driving a V8-powered vehicle.
