How many flat tires do you get a year?

[Danger]

i don't remember how far they got driving it, but it was out of sight of the building

Okay. I misunderstood your original post. I thought you meant that they drove it for a few days or so before it croaked. Around the corner is a bit more believable.

 

[Moonbear]

Your tires will last longer if you rotate them about every 6,000 miles or every 6 months.

Was that general advice or directed specifically at me? I know to get tires rotated. I thought everyone knew that. And if you don't know, every time you bring the car in, they ask if you want it done. I just get it done whenever I bring the car in for any other random things it needs.

Not all brakes use the wear indicators anymore.

Yeah, apparently not. It would have been nice if they told me that when I got the car. You'd think the way they keep adding more and more idiot-proofing to cars that they wouldn't eliminate an indicator everyone expects is going to be there.

As for mileage between oil changes, my stepdad was a mechanic for 20 years and told me there's no reason to listen to that every 3000 mile advice, that's just to sell more oil changes. Depending on how you drive, 5000 to 6000 miles is about right. With so many places that will change your oil in 10 minutes, I just head to one of those places whenever I have a little time or pass one by when I'm anywhere between 3000 and 6000 after the last change (those little stickers they give you with your mileage at the oil change are the world's best idea! I used to never remember how long it had been). It's not worth doing it myself when there are places that do it so quickly...the extra cost is worth the added hour or two it would take me to spread kitty litter on the inevitable oil spill on the driveway (I can't even change the lawnmower oil without spilling some of it, and that takes less than a quart; I'd be a mess with 4 quarts), scrub the oil off of myself, the fingerprints off the car, find a container for the used oil and take it to a place to get it disposed, etc.

As for mechanics, it depends on who you go to. I've run into some who clearly were trying to get away with unnecessary parts and work, whether it was because I was female or if they would try that with anyone, I don't know, but while there's a lot I won't do myself, I at least know enough about what gets done to sniff out those who try that (I did do my own work when I lived home and near home, because my stepdad could help or talk me through it and he had all the tools). When I'm in doubt, I still just call him and tell him what my car is doing, what the shop says it needs, and have him tell me if it sounds reasonable.

When I lived in MI, you'd think being so close to the motor capitol of the world there might have been some decent mechanics, but maybe everyone who knows anything just does their own work, because I could not for the life of me find a shop that knew what they were doing or didn't try ripping me off for stuff the car didn't need, so I finally resolved the issue by diagnosing the problem via phone with my stepdad (I'd tell him what the car was doing, and he'd tell me a bunch of things to try to narrow it down, I'd call back and tell him the outcome, he'd tell me what was most likely wrong, have me check out one more thing, and that would confirm it), and then I'd just go to the shop and say, "replace this part." That's what they were good for, changing parts, not diagnosing problems.

 

[Moonbear]

hahahahaha... that's great... that's like, exactly what he sounds like they say when i go to the garage. I'm like "yep, yep ok... sure... mhmm... sounds good... mmmk..." and he just rambles on about stuff... as if i know what he means. I can change my oil, and a tire... and i know a few other small bits about cars (thanks to that good-for-nothing... though-apparently-something- EX of mine...) but really, I'm just as clueless as any other girl

You don't have to be clueless. Oh, and the quickest way to sort out whether they're making up a list of parts you don't need or if you honestly need those things is to painstakingly go through the entire list and ask them to tell you what each part does, where it goes, why it needs replacing (i.e., what exactly is wrong with it that they can see), and what happens if they don't replace it. If they're honest, they can give you answers to all your questions, you'll learn something, and they know you'll return in the future because they took the time to provide good customer service. If they are trying to rip you off, they're going to have a hard time explaining what each of those parts does or why it's needed.

Mechanics also gain my trust when they tell me that parts DON'T need replacing too. For example, every manufacturer has their list of recommended maintenance for certain mileage levels. It shows me a mechanic is honest if they check out something on that list and come back to me and tell me, "The manufacturer recommends we change this part because your car has X miles on it now, but we looked at it, and it still looks to be in good shape, you can probably get another Y miles on it before it really needs replacing." Then I'll usually just ask what happens if it fails in the meantime, and if it's nothing too serious and I'm not planning any long trips, it can wait. The old-timers are usually the best for that sort of stuff, because they've worked on enough cars to guesstimate the life remaining on a part. The young ones just out of school I avoid. They don't diagnose anything, they just try to change every part that remotely sounds like it might have something to do with the problem until they finally replace something that makes the problem go away.

 

[brewnog]

Golden rule:

Always ask to see the parts they say that they've replaced!

 

[Huckleberry]

One time a mechanic told me that I needed to replace the belts in my car. I decided I didn't want that work done at the time. A few weeks, maybe a month later I was driving around town and lost a belt. I think it was the timing belt, but all my belts were bad. So my car stalled while I was going 30 mph around a turn. I lost my power steering and brakes. Fortunately there wasn't much traffic, so nobody got hurt. But I spent an hour trying to get a tow truck out there.

Another time I kept having problems with my battery. It wasn't holding a charge. I would drive to school and a few hours later try to start my car to go home and it wouldn't turn over. This happened so frequently that my friends were getting tired of finding me and my car and giving me a jump. I had a bad alternator. I tried to change that myself. HAHA. I guess it wasn't that hard, but I was trying to secure it in place and it didn't want to stay. I was lifting on the wrong part. So my alternator was a little loose and the belt squeeled so bad it was embarrassing. The battery problem was gone though.

I had a problem with a lawnmower last year. It wouldn't cut the grass. The blades weren't turning. So I turned it over to look at the blades and there was gunk stuck all around the undercarriage. I removed all that, but in the process of turning it over the oil went all over the inside. I started it up and the thing was smoking so bad I thought it was on fire.

So I try not to mess with things anymore. It's too expensive in the long run. And I listen to the mechanics if they say something needs replacing. Most places show the parts without me having to ask. Those are the places I go back to. I'm also wary if I bring my car into the shop and a few weeks later another thing goes wrong with it. If that happens more than once I go to another shop.

 

[Moonbear]

I had a problem with a lawnmower last year. It wouldn't cut the grass. The blades weren't turning. So I turned it over to look at the blades and there was gunk stuck all around the undercarriage. I removed all that, but in the process of turning it over the oil went all over the inside. I started it up and the thing was smoking so bad I thought it was on fire.

Hose down the underside of the lawnmower after you use it each time to keep that crud from building up (it also keeps the crud from rotting under the lawnmower and stinking up the garage).

 

[brewnog]

One time a mechanic told me that I needed to replace the belts in my car. I decided I didn't want that work done at the time. A few weeks, maybe a month later I was driving around town and lost a belt. I think it was the timing belt...

That could have been a lot worse than it was! Often, if your timing belt snaps, your valves stay open, the piston comes back up and hits the valves. Then, you get lots of nasty nasty noises, and a bill for a new engine. Most people think of belts as being pathetic rubber bands like a fan belt (which you can notoriously replace with a pair of tights), but the timing belt is definitely something to replace when your service book tells you to.

And (now) I listen to the mechanics if they say something needs replacing.

Probably a more healthy outlook. It's just a pity so many of them are willing to rip you off.

 

[zoobyshoe]

but the timing belt is definitely something to replace when your service book tells you to.

This is true. I had a timing chain snap on me once when I was 1000 miles from home. It took them a week to fix it. I'd only meant to stay a couple nights.

The truck I have now is extremely unusual in that it has neither timing belt, noe chain. Instead it has gears.

 

[brewnog]

The truck I have now is extremely unusual in that it has neither timing belt, noe chain. Instead it has gears.

Just an old-style OHV design then?

What a dull thread this is turning out to be. I accept full responsibility!

 

[zoobyshoe]

Just an old-style OHV design then?

I don't know what that is. Maybe timing gears are common in cars over there. Not here, though.

What a dull thread this is turning out to be. I accept full responsibility!

Really? So I'm off the hook for my scintillating quetion "How many flat tires do you get in a year?" It's really a miracle the thread lasted half a page.

 

[brewnog]

I don't know what that is. Maybe timing gears are common in cars over there. Not here, though.

Definitely in the old days. Overhead cam designs, needing timing chains or belts are a relatively recent (past 15 years?) thing. Before that, most engines just had a camshaft driven by gears next to the crankshaft, and pushrods which open and close the valves.

Really? So I'm off the hook for my scintillating quetion "How many flat tires do you get in a year?" It's really a miracle the thread lasted half a page.

I was only apologising out of politeness. If you were a gentleman, you'd excuse me, own up to it yourself, and possibly bake me a cake as an "I'm sorry" present.

 

[Evo]

One time a mechanic told me that I needed to replace the belts in my car. I decided I didn't want that work done at the time. A few weeks, maybe a month later I was driving around town and lost a belt. I think it was the timing belt, but all my belts were bad. So my car stalled while I was going 30 mph around a turn. I lost my power steering and brakes. Fortunately there wasn't much traffic, so nobody got hurt. But I spent an hour trying to get a tow truck out there.

Another time I kept having problems with my battery. It wasn't holding a charge. I would drive to school and a few hours later try to start my car to go home and it wouldn't turn over. This happened so frequently that my friends were getting tired of finding me and my car and giving me a jump. I had a bad alternator. I tried to change that myself. HAHA. I guess it wasn't that hard, but I was trying to secure it in place and it didn't want to stay. I was lifting on the wrong part. So my alternator was a little loose and the belt squeeled so bad it was embarrassing. The battery problem was gone though.

I had a problem with a lawnmower last year. It wouldn't cut the grass. The blades weren't turning. So I turned it over to look at the blades and there was gunk stuck all around the undercarriage. I removed all that, but in the process of turning it over the oil went all over the inside. I started it up and the thing was smoking so bad I thought it was on fire.

Note to self - never let huckleberry near anything mechanical.

Most places show the parts without me having to ask. Those are the places I go back to.

How do you know that the part came from your car and not someone elses?

 

[brewnog]

How do you know that the part came from your car and not someone elses?

Because those of us with any nous dismantle their cars before they take them to the garage, and, using a permanent UV marker, mark every component which is likely to need replacing, before reassembling your car. Then, when they show you the worn out parts, you whip out a black light, and examine all the parts to find your little purple mark!

Easy!

 

[Huckleberry]

Note to self - never let huckleberry near anything mechanical.

Just figguring that out?

How do you know that the part came from your car and not someone elses?

I could always keep it. It is my part after all. I suppose if I don't see them take the part off and bring it to me then I can't be sure that it was from my car. But I know that they often send these parts away to be restored. I think it is more likely that they wouldn't keep old parts around for every model of car that comes through their shop.

 

[zoobyshoe]

I was only apologising out of politeness. If you were a gentleman, you'd excuse me, own up to it yourself, and possibly bake me a cake as an "I'm sorry" present.

I could do that, yes, but I'd much prefer to leave responsibility for this thread to you. Perhaps, though, it's all Evo's fault. She is the moderator. Could even be Greg Bernhardts doing, somehow.

 

[brewnog]

I could do that, yes, but I'd much prefer to leave responsibility for this thread to you. Perhaps, though, it's all Evo's fault. She is the moderator. Could even be Greg Bernhardts doing, somehow.

Ok, I'll let you off not apologising. We'll say it's all Evo's fault, she's more likely to give an amusing reaction than Greg.

I still want my cake, by the way...

 

[Evo]

I could always keep it. It is my part after all. I suppose if I don't see them take the part off and bring it to me then I can't be sure that it was from my car. But I know that they often send these parts away to be restored. I think it is more likely that they wouldn't keep old parts around for every model of car that comes through their shop.

I'm just teasing you and zoobie. A lot of people wouldn't know if it was even a part that was for their particular model, I wouldn't. "Maam, you've got a festering grommwidget, you were lucky you made it in here." They could show me a part from an old washing machine and I'd just nod my head and ask how much it's going to cost to replace it.

 

[zoobyshoe]

Ok, I'll let you off not apologising. We'll say it's all Evo's fault, she's more likely to give an amusing reaction than Greg.

Maybe Chroot. Almost certainly, Ivan Seeking is to blame somehow. Could also be Hypnagogue.

I still want my cake, by the way...

What kind do you like?

 

[brewnog]

Maybe Chroot. Almost certainly, Ivan Seeking is to blame somehow. Could also be Hypnagogue.

Come to think of it, I reckon Danger, Trib, Russ, Astronuc and Doc Al have all got their fingers in the blame pie too!

What kind do you like?

Well I've OD'd on chocolate birthday cake today. Time for some Carrot Cake, I believe. Make it a big one.

 

[zoobyshoe]

Come to think of it, I reckon Danger, Trib, Russ, Astronuc and Doc Al have all got their fingers in the blame pie too!

I'll have them rounded up and start the "interviews".

Well I've OD'd on chocolate birthday cake today. Time for some Carrot Cake, I believe. Make it a big one.

Good choice!

 

[zoobyshoe]

I'm just teasing you and zoobie. A lot of people wouldn't know if it was even a part that was for their particular model, I wouldn't.

That's true, but what you're looking for is some kind of disapointment on their face when you grab it and take it with you. If they looked bummed out you know they've lost their bumwidget decoy.

 

[Huckleberry]

That's true, but what you're looking for is some kind of disapointment on their face when you grab it and take it with you. If they looked bummed out you know they've lost their bumwidget decoy.

Yeah, I probably wouldn't know what it was either. I would just take the junk home with me. It would end up in danger's backyard with all my other old auto parts.

 

[Moonbear]

That's true, but what you're looking for is some kind of disapointment on their face when you grab it and take it with you. If they looked bummed out you know they've lost their bumwidget decoy.

That's not a bumwidget, it's a grommwidget!

Seriously, that's why if I'm really unsure and don't have time to call my stepfather, I ask them to explain exactly what the part is and what it does. You look for the hesitation as they try to make up something. Seriously, I grill the mechanics if they name some part I've never heard of. If they can't answer my questions, then at best, they're guessing what parts to replace to fix something and at worst, they're trying to swindle me. Either way, it gives me reason to go for a second opinion.

 

[Danger]

Time for some Carrot Cake, I believe. Make it a big one.

I get very concerned whenever you order a big carrot, even if it does come with a cake.

 

[brewnog]

I get very concerned whenever you order a big carrot, even if it does come with a cake.

Hey, I've got to feed the reindeer something!

 

[Mk]

Jellyfied coke!

 

[BobG]

Was that general advice or directed specifically at me? I know to get tires rotated. I thought everyone knew that. And if you don't know, every time you bring the car in, they ask if you want it done. I just get it done whenever I bring the car in for any other random things it needs.

In general ... and not everyone does know. If you're buying tires on the budget plan, you're only buying the cheapest tires available and two at a time at that. Move the old to the back and mount the new on the front. There should be a rotation or two in there someplace, but not everyone worries about it. I didn't on my first cars - I only bought used tires. No sense in buying tires that will outlive your car.

I was just surprised they wouldn't notice the pads were getting a little thin. You can get a really good view of them when you're changing the tires. I guess that wouldn't really be fail safe in any event, unless the person rotating your tires had enough experience to estimate how much longer the pads would last - and they don't last the same amount of time.

 

[brewnog]

In general ... and not everyone does know. If you're buying tires on the budget plan, you're only buying the cheapest tires available and two at a time at that. Move the old to the back and mount the new on the front. There should be a rotation or two in there someplace, but not everyone worries about it. I didn't on my first cars - I only bought used tires. No sense in buying tires that will outlive your car.

Lots of garages won't do this any more, especially main dealers. I asked a garage to do this a few months ago, and they wouldn't let me. They said they had to put the newest tyres on the rear.

The reason for having the more worn tyres on the front is that the car is more likely to understeer than oversteer, and in their opinion understeer is more dangerous than oversteer.

 

[Moonbear]

Lots of garages won't do this any more, especially main dealers. I asked a garage to do this a few months ago, and they wouldn't let me. They said they had to put the newest tyres on the rear.

The reason for having the more worn tyres on the front is that the car is more likely to understeer than oversteer, and in their opinion understeer is more dangerous than oversteer.

They tried telling me that last time I had just two new tires put on. I told them "nonsense, just do it the way I requested." I think they were going to protest some more, but seemed to have judged correctly that I'd have either taken the car somewhere else for tires instead, or come back in an hour for my first tire rotation. I can be a real pain in the butt sometimes.

 

[brewnog]

They tried telling me that last time I had just two new tires put on. I told them "nonsense, just do it the way I requested."

You just be careful on those wet roundabouts, Ms Bear!