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.
 
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