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Comments
Now, I haven't visited one in a couple of years. But if they've improved, then that means they've improved whatever chemical they're shooting at your car to remove the dirt. And if those chemicals really can remove all the grease and grime from your car without the assistance of a brush or cloth, can you imagine how harsh they must be?
Here's an analogy -- would you fill your hose's insecticide attachment with Cascade and take a hands-free shower, just so you don't have to use a washcloth or your hand? Methinks 'twould sting a bit ...
Meade
what I do when I use those DIY carwashes is, I only use it to soap and rinse the car, and after I finish washing, I park it on the side and dry it off with towels right away, to prevent any streaking.
the wheels will never get cleaned by these 'wands' and 'foaming brushes', so after I finish washing the body I use an extra bucket of water and a rag and give it a good ol hand wash and wipedown.
washing the car semi-clean is still better than not washing at all, isn't it?
I will be going to one of those gas station brush car washes because I want my car to be clean for get-together this Saturday, and I can't wash it myself. It does a pretty good job, and I don't have any visible scratches yet. So that's cool.
7 first-generation (1991-94)
2 second-generation (1995-98)
9 third-generation (1999-2002)
14 Protege5
8 MP3
1 Sport20
Total: 41 Proteges!
Meade
It's been a year already, and I still can't believe those things happend. I still remember driving down 495 in my Pro ES to work (I had it then), hearing that a plane hit the WTC and even saying out loud in the car, "what a terrible accident".
I was in one of those knee-flexing machines. I was shocked. Still can't think about it.
Changes so far the 03s are getting on ES trim:
1. Std. ABS w/EBD
2. Std. 16" alloys
3. Std, side blinkers like on Euro cars
4. Std. leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
5. Optional Manumatic tranny
6. New blus colour added (looks like the MP3 blue).
Get them while you can. For 2004 Ford will take care of some aspects of production apparently, so now is a good time to get one of the few TRUE 100% Japanese cars left on the market.
Dinu
These only apply to CDN models.
Apparently there are different views in Canada than in the US on the Iraq question and truth be told, the Greater Toronto Area is the 3rd largest urban centre in NA, so Torontonians are more than quite aware of the dangers that looms. I mean we have a nuclear central 50kms from downtown and that really is our main problem since if they wanna strike, we all know, no amount of security will aid, b/c it will happen. Question is not if, but rather when and where. Sad reality, but these are the times we live in.
As a last aside, I know there are people linked to terrorist organizations living in Toronto and Montreal. It must be. That's another one of my problems.
As for tomorow, I have school, so I don't know if there will be a ceremony, but I'm sure the profs will say something about it.
Dinu
Dinu
I live in the DC area and was thinking about advertising on Cars.com or CarsDirect.com.
Anyone have any experience with one or the other?
Thanks in advance.
Q: Why are you selling it?
Dinu
http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12383
Maybe I'll get to go home early today and watch some of the stuff on CNN, Fox, MSNBC, etc., etc., etc.
God Bless America!
Meade
P.S. Three years old and 42,500 miles? Wow! I'm at two years and four months with 42,800!
At least the township I live in has smaller flags mounted on light posts and have flags flown at half-staff at civic buildings today. The flags look nice.
Meade
I would put an ad in the newspaper, a sale sign in the window, and also something on cars.com about the car.
I remember people in my office, grown executives, crying like children last year. Everyone was. It was awful. But what showed through was the circle of about 20 people, all with cell phones, passing them around to each other so their calls could go through to their loved ones. My secretary telling me I could stay at her home as long as I needed to, since all the roads from DC to Baltimore were shut down and I couldn't get home. Worrying about my dad at work, because he works in a State office building. Thinking about 3 friends who worked in the towers (they are all ok).
This day just awakens all those feelings again. It also shows how strong the USA is, uniting together to be strong.
God Bless...
(I was able to get away with a "casual Wednesday" since I was out hanging flags in the wee hours this morning.)
Been watching the BBC's website all morning. They have live feeds for free, unlike CNN and MSN which have gone to subscription-only feeds since 9-11-01.
Meade
Now, back to Proteges before Pat's wick burns too short ... ;-)
I had an interesting experience over the last week. Many of you know I traveled from my hometown (Richmond, VA) to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a vacation last week.
While there, I had to fill up my 2000 ES. I filled up with Texaco regular unleaded, 87 octane -- the same octane I use regularly and the recommended octane for my car.
On the way home Saturday, I found the need (or is that "urge") for a high-speed takeover of a moron hogging the left lane in a less roadworthy vehicle. I dropped it into fourth and accelerated, and was astonished to hear my engine PINGING!!! (Keep in mind that my '00 is an ES whose engine was not included in the recall of the MAF sensor that caused pinging in the 1.6-liter models.)
I heard several more instances of pinging -- not at part-throttle but at full-throttle -- over the last few days. Until, that is, I filled up again last night with my usual Citgo 87 here in Richmond.
After doing a little research, I think I might have discovered what was up. Because of the EPA and their so-called pollution concerns, Richmond, like most of eastern and northern Virginia, uses RFG (ReFormulated Gasoline) -- the stuff with either MBFE or ethanol in it. North Carolina does not. I read yesterday that ethanol-enhanced gasoline has a slightly higher octane rating than what's on the label. This begs a theory -- and I'm awaiting responses from people like maltb, but don't worry, my finger's off the "ban" key now ;-) -- is it possible that my car's computer, which has become "used" to digesting information based on the RFG here in Richmond, could have had a slight case of octane "hiccups" from its probably first-ever tankful of non-RFG, slightly lower-octane-rated gasoline?
Like I said, the problem seems to be gone now that I've got Zoomster back on his normal diet of RFG again. Just for fun at 3:45 this morning, I got up to about 80 on the expressway and floored it. No pinging. Weird huh? What do you guys think of this?
Interesting sidebar -- the car got the best gas mileage it's ever gotten using the non-RFG. A flat 30 mpg of mixed highway (with a lot of high revs) and city driving, all of it using the a/c and with the car packed to the ceiling -- literally -- plus 270-pound me, my wife, and my son. This noticeable increase in gas mileage supports the fact that RFG is supposed to cause MPG to drop 3 to 5 percent. Never realized the few extra miles I was missing! (Hmmm, of course, I did switch to synthetic motor oil just before this trip too ...)
So when we all compare gas mileages the next time that interesting topic comes up, those of us living in RFG localities need to take the EPA-caused reduction into account! (The list of cities using RFG is available on the EPA's website. I saw it somewhere during my research, but unfortunately didn't copy the URL.)
Sorry for the long post. But oh, was it on-topic!!!
Meade
(I think you realized that, but I'm just trying to clarify my point before someone else takes off on a which-brand-is-best tangent.)
Meade
Now the Texaco gas station does not do so. The regualar 87 works great and zooms great into 80mph with little effort and lots of pep.
go figure
I find that my 2001 Pro ES feels a little more powerful with RFG vs. BJ's generic 87, but it is barely perceivable. However, I did notice a slight increase in fuel economy with generic gas.
Of all I've tried down here in RFG-land, Citgo regular unleaded makes Zoomster happiest. And to think I used to think Citgo was second-rate -- hey, Citgo is one of the most used -- if not THE most used -- jet fuel provider to commercial and military aircraft! I did some research and discovered that the Citgo gas at your neighborhood 7-11 is just as premo as your Amocos and Chevrons! And it's sometimes cheaper too! So Zoomster's happy, and I'm happy! Life is good!
Meade
Time to saddle up Zoomster and go find some twisties!!!
Meade
In any case, I now use Exxon/Mobil, 'only' 3% rebate, but I can use the ultra-convenient Speedpass (Shell will come out with something similar soon)
Although I loved my 323 sedan and my Protege, it's time to move on...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3433-2002Sep11.html
Meade
;-)
For those who use windows, you could probably rig something up, like your scheduler or winamp to launch a music file at your wake-up time.
Just came across it today. Check it out.