Car Talk

There are YouTube videos that tell you to take the entire inner fender cover off, to access the bulbs. But it seems like that's on the sedans. The coupes/convertibles have the access panel right above. But yeah, if it was not something I could easily do, I'd have to bring it to the dealer. Fortunately, these things don't happen very often.

Oh, and you may be wondering why I don't just bring it to a local garage, instead of the dealer. Well, even if they were equipped to diagnose and repair my car, they are always booked out 2 weeks minimum. I can get an appt. at the dealer within a day or so.
 
HecticArt said:
There are also automotive things that a guy shouldn't need to pay someone to do for them without being embarrassed.
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That used to be the case. But with the computer/internet/video generation, knowing anything about how a car runs - especially now with electric cars - is not only rare, it's considered passe.
 
Computers and all of that new style engine stuff is beyond 95% of home mechanics.
Simple stuff like changing headlights, wiper blades, and blinker fluid should be within the capabilities of a regular guy.
 
The GIO All-Season Enclosed Scooter, formerly named GIO Golf, has a top speed of 18.5 miles per hour and is classified as a "recreational mobility scooter," not an electric scooter – even though it's an electric scooter. The GIO Scooter is considered to be a pedestrian device, same as a wheelchair, and can be driven on sidewalks, in crosswalks, in parking lots and any other places where pedestrians are allowed. Drivers do not need a license or insurance and do not need to register the vehicle.

It looks like an oversized Tonka car!
 
Channel98 said:
Arco has the lowest-priced gasoline in southern California – and "lowest-priced" does not mean "low." Definitely not. Today I got gas at Arco. It was $5.32 a gallon. And Arco adds 45¢ for the use of a debit card so that makes it $5.36 a gallon. Yikes!
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I think you meant 4.5¢ or something. But anyway, my go-to gas station started charging 10¢/gal extra for using a debit card (which is really cash), so I don't go there anymore. We were seeing gas for under $4/gal, with super under $5 at the best places (for good gas), but I'm not sure now.
 
Arco charges a 45¢ fee for use of a debit card. It used to be 35¢. On a purchase of 10-11 gallons, that adds around four cents to the cost of a gallon of gas. The only Arco that does not charge a fee is in San Diego, near the 1600-acre naval base on Senn Road.
 
My oil change sticker says I should have had it changed in March but at the same time I'm under a thousand miles from when the sticker says it should be changed.

I have checked the dipstick and the level is fine.

Pam says her dad tells her that as long as you're under the miles and the date isn't longer than a year you're good. I trust her dad cause she does but it still makes me think about it for a sec before I do a 400 mile Disney round trip.

What do you all think?
 
Weiser Automotive Group of Bloomington, Indiana, recommends getting an oil change every six months or every 5,000 to 7,500 miles (7,500 to 10,000 miles for vehicles using synthetic oil, whichever comes first. I ignore the recommendation. Except for Christmas, which I spend with family in Oceanside, I seldom drive more than a few miles a day. I have the oil changed in my Honda every two years and have never had any problems.

Google Gemini says, "Even if you do not drive often, oil degrades and gathers moisture over time. Most mechanics and manufacturers suggest getting an oil change at least once a year regardless of mileage." Of course mechanics and manufacturers suggest that. It means more money for them.

How often do I need to change my oil?

 
I follow the guide of my manufacturer. For my vehicle and year it's roughly every 8000km or 6 months. If I had a later model it would be every 16K km.
 
JHDK said:
My oil change sticker says I should have had it changed in March but at the same time I'm under a thousand miles from when the sticker says it should be changed.

I have checked the dipstick and the level is fine.

Pam says her dad tells her that as long as you're under the miles and the date isn't longer than a year you're good. I trust her dad cause she does but it still makes me think about it for a sec before I do a 400 mile Disney round trip.

What do you all think?
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I think you're fine. The recommendations at many oil change places are very outdated. They'll still say 3,500 or 5,000 miles, even though most oil today is a synthetic blend, that could easily do 7,500. As long as the oil looks good, and the level is stable, you can go a little longer.

Channel98 said:
I seldom drive more than a few miles a day. I have the oil changed in my Honda every two years and have never had any problems.
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Driving a few miles a day is the worst thing for your engine. It never gets to a stable running state. I also hardly drive, but I still rack-up 5,000 miles a year. And the hot climate you're in doesn't help. I would change the oil once a year.
 
I went to the Hyundai dealership near me today for an oil change, alignment check and tire rotation since they are still free with the Venue's maintenance package (hehehehehehe). I've been there twice before and have had nothing but good experiences both times.

The process is you drive up, a greeter chats with you for a min then gets in a takes a bunch of pics then leads you to an office tech guy. The first thing I heard my office tech guy say was, "I'm not up again". The other techs all then proceeded to explain to him why he was up again. He was a nice, older guy and I told him why I was there and asked him if it was still covered by my package (hehehehehehe). Anyway he told me he wasn't sure. That was funny because when I set the appointment the girl on the phone told me she wasn't able to ansqwer that same question and I'd have to ask the tech when I arrived. So whatever, he prints out the work order and then asks me to sign it and I say I'd rather not until I know if I'm paying for it or not. He was ok with that. He then told me it's be around 90 mins so I went to the waiting area.

It a very nice waiting room, off to the side of, but in the and part of the main showroom. I got some coffee (which is nice they offer, they have like a Coke Freestyle machine but for coffee) I read the paper, watched some youtube and then 90 mins had passed. It took way less than 90 mins the two other times so I then go to ask for an update from my tech. When I get to him he has clearly forgotten who I was, let alone what car I dropped off. He asked me to wait and went in the garage. When he came back about 10 mins later he was honest and said that my car was never put in the lineup for service. I was annoyed but he told me it's be done now in 30 mins. He was right, it was done in 25.

So I waited 2 hours which sucked but if the worst thing that happens to me this week is I had to wait that long for free car maintenance, it'll be a pretty good week.

Also I was told I only have 1 free service left so I guess he figured out my package (hehehehehehehe) somehow. He didn't tell me any details but I think I remember being told when I bought it that it lasts for 3 years. I'm guessing they also told me 3 years or 4 services, whatever comes first.

I got the car in May 2024. If the past 2 years and 4 months is any indication, I won't need another service until the end of June. I set an alarm for the end of April to get one whether I am at the milage or not cause I'm not missing out on my last free service.
 
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Oh also, my front, driver's side tire has bee wearing down more on the outside than the other 3. It's not bad by any means and there is still a lot of tread but once you see it you can't un see it. The alignment seemed fine to me. It wasn't leaning in any direction at all.

I told the tech this and he note it on the work order.

When I got the car back they said what I already knew, when they checked the alignment using the machine, nothing was wrong at all. They said I didn't need to take any action regarding my concern.

They rotated the tires so the one that has more wear is on the back driver's side now. If the new driver's side tire winds up the same way a few months from now I'll know there actually is some issue I need to address and be forceful about it no matter what they say at the shop.

Have any of you ever had 1 tire wear faster than the other 3 without it being an alignment issue?
 
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