Men, We Need to Talk About Cars

[Keaira]

Unless you're talking about VW, Audi, Mercedes, BMW, Land Rover, Range Rover, etc. Those cars major components are expensive. I dont know about Mini Coopers or Fiat 500's though. Of the US brands, Ford and Chevy are cheaper. Kia Nd Hyundai have amazing warranties. Honda has a reputation of building tanks that will run forever. Mitsubishi and Toyota also make some great vehicles. A word about Toyotas though. It could apply to any vehicle that has the push to start feature, but a few weeks ago after the VJ parade, an old man and his wife were stuck because their push to start car would not work. It just died. I looked after the car while they went to walmart with their grandson to get a new keyfob battery. That didnt do it, so it was eventually hauled off.
and Nissan are too proud of their stuff.

[Eva Marie]

...Unless the used car you bought no longer has an owners' manual...or if there is one, it's in absolute mint condition.

You want the maintenance schedule that's in the owner's manual. Owner's manuals are available from other sources, such as the parts department at the dealer, or on Ebay. The maintenance schedule itself may be found in a Chilton's or a Haynes manual (I think - I haven't bought one in a long time), or on the internet.

I recently completed a multi-year frame off restoration on a late 70's sports car and I located an owner's manual for that car on ebay.

[JLT1]

while on the topic of car's can anyone recommend a good oil leak stopper that isnt gonna gunk up my engine really bad?

Use vlavoline maxlife oil.  It's got 5% oil seal sweller. 

[Jack_M]

I could try and explain why the following is my dream car with things like the Lotus racing games being a favourite of mine as a kid.  How I started with loving the Lotus Seven and just modernising as I learnt more about more present day cars.  I could go into the specs...or I could just show you this photo and simply say, "Why is this my dream car?  Look at the picture!"

This is my dream car and yes, in this colour: the Lotus Elise:

[Darkie]

I could try and explain why the following is my dream car with things like the Lotus racing games being a favourite of mine as a kid.  How I started with loving the Lotus Seven and just modernising as I learnt more about more present day cars.  I could go into the specs...or I could just show you this photo and simply say, "Why is this my dream car?  Look at the picture!"

This is my dream car and yes, in this colour: the Lotus Elise:

Oooh, I really like this one.  Although, I think I would like a dark blue for me though!

[KarynMcD]

Things like knowing what the green liquid is called, why is it mixed 50/50 usually, how does it cool the engine, and doesn't that mean it gets hotter than boiling (but doesn't boil? Whats up with that?!)

But how do I check it on my VW bug?

If the brakes are squeeky....what kind of grease should one use to stop the noise?

Learn to recognize that squeaky sound. It means your brakes should be replaced soon. If they are grinding, they are really bad and it is dangerous to drive on them.

What is the order of connecting jumper cables?

Positive to Positive, Negative to Ground. No, not the ground below your feet. A grounding spot on the car (bare metal). Oh great, now I have to learn how electronics work too!

Upon inspection, we found there was a "zero balance" in the oil department of the engine. He had no idea about checking fluids; his dad had always handled that stuff.

And that warning light for the oil has nothing to do with the level in the engine. Don't expect it to light up when you are low. It's for the oil pressure.

Tips:
If your car is over heating and you can't pull over to fix it, turn on the heat in the car. Put it on full. I had to do this once in the middle of the desert. We were melting by the time we found a gas station, but we made it ok.

Learn how to check the air pressure in your tires. It's more than simple and may prevent you from getting a flat while driving.
If it is a cold day, and you hear a thumping sound and it feels like the car is thumping as you drive away after stopping for a long time, one or more of your tires are low. Put some air in them now!
Also, learn how to change the tire on your car. I can change a tire in about ten minutes. Why wait an hour for road service to come.
Just remember, loosen the bolts BEFORE you jack up the car and finish tightening them after you put the car back down.

[Christine Eryn]

Ugg. I know how to work on cars because it was a "manly" thing to do and make me "ungay" to anyone who might suspect me being trans. It helps A LOT when you take it into a shop for diagnosis/work. I've caught "mechanics" trying to trick me, and I call them on their dishonesty.  I do a good 95% of my own work but I can't do everything. Much of what I can do is self taught, but a lot of reading manuals helps.

To be honest, I'd rather take the bus but it is a pain in the ass sometimes.

[Frank]

I'm not a car guy. I'm a truck and heavy equipment kind of guy.

I baby my darling vehicles, I'm that annoying person doing 65 on the highway...doesn't really matter though because even if I did go the speed limit or even over, people would still be consistently passing me. Apparently the speed limit is secretly 80.

Here's a few car related tips:
1.) Mind your oil!

2.) If you suck at directions, get a map(book). As long as you can find the interstate, you can at least find your way home.

3.) If you're doing a long road trip, just follow the signs to the major cities on your route.

4.) Watch where you're going, don't text or constantly fiddle with the baby in the back. Just don't. Seriously. Hey, I'm talking to you, don't do it.

5.) If you lack context for what a 4.3 engine is, the smaller the number, the smaller the truck is apt to be. The bigger the number, the bigger the truck. Example: A Ford Ranger with a 2.3 vs a Chevrolet 1500 with a 5.3 vs a semi tractor with a 12.0

6.) The only relevance engine size has to me is in getting the correct parts and smaller engine sizes getting me better mpg. I'm not such a nut as to rant about engine size, torque and horse power.

7.) Don't drive a Pontiac Aztec or a Chevy Avalanche or Avalanche lookalikes, I'm seriously considering smashing your car and setting it on fire.

8.) Also, check your lights every once in a while. Not only is seeing a light out annoying to me, it can get you a ticket.

That's all I can think of for now, if I think of anything else I'll give you a call. Oh yeah and give big rigs or car haulers space. It can be much harder to stop those, and if they hit you you'll definitely be sorry.

[Roxanne]

Funny thing is I actually got into cars AFTER transition, I think because I was more comfortable with myself - like I'm ok being a girl grease monkey but not a guy one.

Some things I've picked up in the years since then: if your A/C does not work, it does not "need a recharge". The A/C is a closed system and the "freon" does not run out. If your A/C is blowing hot air, it is because you have a leak or your compressor is seized up. There are two types of leaks: in the high pressure side and the low pressure side of the system. If your leak is in the high pressure side, adding "freon" will leak out very quickly. If you have a very slow leak in the low pressure side you might go a few months or even a couple years in rare cases by adding freon, but ultimately the reason you don't have any is because it leaked out, not because you ran out.

If your car won't start:

If it turns over and does not start, you are not getting fuel or spark most likely.

If it does not turn over (or turns over weakly, or just clicks) and you have power, it is probably your starter. If it does not turn over and you have no power, it is likely your battery or alternator.

The most common causes of engine damage is lack of heating or lack of oil. Change your oil regularly and do not run it low. Make sure you have plenty of water too and if you are leaking water you may have a dying water pump. Most will leak before dying completely. If the water pump dies you can get stuck on the side of the road with the "hottest car in town".

A car that starts, makes a lot of noise, then dies it probably has a vacuum leak.

Squeaky brakes means it is time to change your brakes.

[DriftingCrow]

Great tips ladies! I never knew that about the AC Roxane, is it cheaper to get more freon added or fix the leak?

[big kim]

Great tips ladies! I never knew that about the AC Roxane, is it cheaper to get more freon added or fix the leak?

Beware buying a car with a broken A/C.It can be very expensive, a guy I worked with bought a used 15 year old Chrysler Neon in good order and with straight body work from an old lady who gave up driving for safety reasons.The A/C had broken,not really a problem in the UK but it is nice to have,the cheapest repair quote he go twas £475 more than the price of the car!
Same goes for anything else,if you know something is broken check out the cost of repair/replacement before that cheap car turns into an expensive one.Avoid cheap high end cars,a cheap BMW,Mercedes,Jaguar, Cadillac etc. will very soon become an expensive one!Buy a decent straight Ford,Vauxhall,Chevy.Toyota etc instead

[Keaira]

IThis is my pride and joy. I built it from the ground up. It's very economical to drive too. It runs on Energon.

[Exus]

I learned to change a cars oil, does that count? I prefer motorcycles btw.

[Chloe]

This is my pride and joy. I built it from the ground up. It's very economical to drive too. It runs on Energon.

Is that a "Pete"? Drive a Classic Freightliner lately, not first choice but hey, Home Every Night!

Saw a beautiful two toned white/red '56 Chevy Belair convertible with cushy seats the other day . . .

Anyone here know where the gas fill is?

[big kim]

Under the tail light,it swings to one side and the filler is revealed.I had a 1970 Vauxhall Cresta were the filler was under the flip up number plate.I had an angry crowd behind me at the garage as I couldn't find it,neither could the guy who worked there.The guy I bought it from was out of town,I had to park it up til he got back and showed me.

[Roxanne]

Great tips ladies! I never knew that about the AC Roxane, is it cheaper to get more freon added or fix the leak?

A/C is super expensive to fix at shops. Like $800-$2000! When I've had broken A/C, I've taken it in and ask to see why the A/C is broken (playing dumb). They will tell me where it is leaking, I replace the part myself (always also replace the dryer if you have to replace other stuff, and it's cheap/easy on most cars), then take it back to get it recharged - in my state you can't charge A/C yourself - some states you can though. Not sure about other countries.

It's almost always better to just fix the A/C or deal without it. If the leak is in the high pressure side, your freon will be gone in less than a day.

[A]

I thought freon was a prohibited substance in fridges and all cooling devices since, like, 1990, because it pollutes really badly. Is it different in the US?

[Roxanne]

I thought freon was a prohibited substance in fridges and all cooling devices since, like, 1990, because it pollutes really badly. Is it different in the US?

That's why I put it in quotes. It's like calling photocopying xeroxing or calling a tissue a kleenex.

[A]

I see. I honestly thought freon was the name of a molecule/chemical product rather than a brand name.

(Also, I honestly thought they used something like water in those. xD)