Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

driver100

PF_Flyer said:

driver100 said:

fintail said:

Turn signal use is also evaporating.

Sadly, I suspect all of those are a national disease rather than localized outbreaks.

carnaught said:

Tailgating, cutting you off, then going slow, LLC’s and turning left into the center or far right lane - these are a few of my unfavorite things.

Turn signals....I am surprised when someone here actually uses them. Do you know how many times I could have made my turn or got into traffic, if drivers used their turn signal?

I barely trust turn signals any longer. Seen too many folks go right through an intersection with a blinker on. Even if they're slowing up to make the turn, I tend to stay put until the vehicle actually changes direction.

It's getting tiring being on alert ALL the time, but it's the best chance at survival

The turn signal could give you some indication what the other driver is going to do, but, you do have to think defensively. I have been in situations where the signal light was on, and if I believed him and moved out....I would get hit. Can't trust other drives...makes you feel paranoid.

omarman

Dear Playboy Advisor,
I said to myself....I can't do this any more!
Cancel my subscription!

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

snakeweasel" Wait, what? That magazine had articles?

The articles were so you could tell people you were just buying it for the articles.

So, when you go up to pay for your copy, you can say I am looking forward to reading this article this month.

driver100 said:

snakeweasel" Wait, what? That magazine had articles?

The articles were so you could tell people you were just buying it for the articles.

So, when you go up to pay for your copy, you can say I am looking forward to reading this article this month.

If I didn't know better, I'd say you were the guy behind me a couple of times.

jmonroe

explorerx4

Came back from our Thanksgiving/Baptism trip to Ohio yesterday.
Left about 2:45 AM to try to beat the bad weather.
Made great time the first 4 1/2 hours, 325 miles.
A while after that, things took a turn for the worse with freezing rain.
Saw a couple of dozen accidents on I-86, some looking pretty dire.
We went for a pretty big slide while my wife was driving, when we hit some invisible ice on a grooved concrete section of the highway.
Used more that the whole width of the 2 driving lanes and the shoulders, but didn't hit anything.
Got my reintroduction to the snowblower and snow shovel today.
Gonna be sore tomorrow.
Still catching up on posts.
I'm putting money on Driver cutting up 'most' of the magazine he confiscated from his students.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

Brady is some sort of cyborg it seems.

He definitely made some bad throws last night.

I completely expected the Ravens to beat them, and I believe the Ravens are taking the whole thing this year, unless something happens to Jackson. But a loss to the Texans? Good god. I lost $10 on that one.

driver100

Hopefully, we are getting near to the end of my backup camera story. I called an indie shop today, they get 5 stars. I asked the guy about a wireless camera and using a monitor that would be the rear view mirror. He said he would advise hard wiring in, more reliable. Takes 4 or 5 hours, estimated cost $600!

Decided to check Best Buy, they seem to have the best choices and they do the installation. They had 3 to choose from, they are wireless, the monitor is a rear view mirror, when they install it no wires will be visible.

The one I chose was regular $129, and was on sale for $80. The nice lady didn't tell me it also has a dashcam built in. Dashcam will stop if it is jarred in an accident and record if bumped from the rear even if car is parked.
Installation is $160, 2 hours work. Here is a short video of what it does;
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/rexing-m1-front-and-rear-camera-dash-cam/6342103.p?skuId=6342103


The other 2 backup cameras were $199, did not have a dashcam. The Metra and the Echomaster were $199, the Echmaster did not have lines on the backup camera.

It sounds too good a deal to be true....hope this story has a happy ending. Installation is a week from Thursday.

snakeweasel

Oh the saga continues. Just got a call from the dealership and it turns out that the dealership gave us the wrong plates. The plates they gave us are one digit off of what the registration has. So we are driving around with the wrong plates and someone else is driving around with ours. I need to go back and have them swipe out the plates.

stickguy

Better than the Acura dealer that just gave me the wrong car.

oldfarmer50

20 inches of snow...and it’s still snowing!



Went to Burlington VT today and they only have a few inches. It’s not fair.

ab348

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

Brady is some sort of cyborg it seems.

He definitely made some bad throws last night.

I completely expected the Ravens to beat them, and I believe the Ravens are taking the whole thing this year, unless something happens to Jackson. But a loss to the Texans? Good god. I lost $10 on that one.

I don’t bet, but I had a strong inkling that they would lose to Houston yesterday. They haven’t been able to score their previous 2 games and I figured they would have the same trouble dealing with Watson that they had with Jackson.

I remember hoping they would draft Jackson in 2018.

driver100

snakeweasel said:

Oh the saga continues. Just got a call from the dealership and it turns out that the dealership gave us the wrong plates. The plates they gave us are one digit off of what the registration has. So we are driving around with the wrong plates and someone else is driving around with ours. I need to go back and have them swipe out the plates.

If the other guy gets fewer speeding tickets you may want to leave it the way it is.

explorerx4

In catching up, I see Fintail and Tjc78 have been separated from their employers.
Tough in the short term, but I'm sure other, hopefully better, opportunities will open up.
Don't really understand the timing.
To me, it just puts stress on to either not say anything, or put a bit of a damper on the holidays if you do tell others.
HR was never my gig.

explorerx4

CT is directing the bulk of their VW Dieselgate money to buy guess what?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/environmental-group-slams-decision-to-earmark-volkswagen-settlement-money-for-purchase-of-diesel-buses/ar-BBXFtlc

abacomike

driver100 said:

Hopefully, we are getting near to the end of my backup camera story. I called an indie shop today, they get 5 stars. I asked the guy about a wireless camera and using a monitor that would be the rear view mirror. He said he would advise hard wiring in, more reliable. Takes 4 or 5 hours, estimated cost $600!

Decided to check Best Buy, they seem to have the best choices and they do the installation. They had 3 to choose from, they are wireless, the monitor is a rear view mirror, when they install it no wires will be visible.

The one I chose was regular $129, and was on sale for $80. The nice lady didn't tell me it also has a dashcam built in. Dashcam will stop if it is jarred in an accident and record if bumped from the rear even if car is parked.
Installation is $160, 2 hours work. Here is a short video of what it does;
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/rexing-m1-front-and-rear-camera-dash-cam/6342103.p?skuId=6342103


The other 2 backup cameras were $199, did not have a dashcam. The Metra and the Echomaster were $199, the Echmaster did not have lines on the backup camera.

It sounds too good a deal to be true....hope this story has a happy ending. Installation is a week from Thursday.

Driver, why not just trade that old car in for a new model with all the nanny-tech goodies. It would save you time and at the same time, save the rest of us from going through this agonizing process as you add a backup camera to you old C class. 🤪😜😛

explorerx4

@driver100,
here is my cheap solution. Buy 3 orange cones and put the in your trunk.
When you want to back out, open the trunk, position the cones where you need them and close trunk.
After you back up, open the trunk and put the cones back in and drive away.

stickguy

Farmer, my BIL to the west of you sent a picture. Using his new John Deere tractor, and the snow blower attachment he got with it, and the erector set temporary cab cover. Looks way better than walking behind the beast of a snow blower he used before getting the Deere. Big honking snowblower too.

fintail

I have my cameras hardwired in, I figure you get what you pay for. I've been doing it that way since I started running a dashcam setup ~5 years ago, and have had virtually no technical issues.

I still think going after an OEM rear camera might be safer, as I distrust a lot of these chineseium gadgets, but maybe they are simple enough to the point of being low risk. I bought a cheapo (~$50) camera on Amazon to run in my old car, and within seconds of plugging it into the cigarette lighter, it died. From then, I abandoned the idea, at least for the time being.

driver100 said:

Hopefully, we are getting near to the end of my backup camera story. I called an indie shop today, they get 5 stars. I asked the guy about a wireless camera and using a monitor that would be the rear view mirror. He said he would advise hard wiring in, more reliable. Takes 4 or 5 hours, estimated cost $600!
It sounds too good a deal to be true....hope this story has a happy ending. Installation is a week from Thursday.

imidazol97

Carvana comes to Walmart



At bottom you scan you phone's upc code for the order. If it's small, a 2x2x1.5 box above
the glass screen opens to deliver the package. The tv at the top shows the package being
picked from the stored packages in the tower.

Or it gives you a key or opens a box to the right of the tower under the tv showing the
orders being delivered.

I couldn't believe this when I picked up an online order the other evening.

But it can't read a upc that's been printed on paper. AND
it has a keypad that's really difficult to use to enter the order number.
Took me 5 tries.

Larger packages are kept in a room down the front exit hallway
and I would think in the rear of the store.

fintail

I'm still feeling a gigantic decrease in stress and improved well-being. Escaping from what was at least a borderline toxic work environment isn't all a bad thing - those discreetly located emergency call boxes aren't for intruders, but because of employees who may become disgruntled. Speaks volumes.

Being on "hiatus" is nice. Weekday mid-day hockey practice, don't need to get up til 8, go the gym or store earlier than normal. I suspect it'll be this way through December, as it isn't a big hiring month, and I am fine with that. I needed the break, and between my rainy day fund and the parting gift from my ex-employer, I can go a little while before I am in dire straits. With the economy here, I suspect I'll find something before that. I'm even taking an online SQL course just for the hell of it.

I doubt most big employers care about the season of their actions, or much for their employees in general - wage gains vs productivity gains over the past few decades say a lot to me. HR is also there to help the firm first, not the worker, sometimes people forget that. Wouldn't be my gig either.

explorerx4 said:

In catching up, I see Fintail and Tjc78 have been separated from their employers.
Tough in the short term, but I'm sure other, hopefully better, opportunities will open up.
Don't really understand the timing.
To me, it just puts stress on to either not say anything, or put a bit of a damper on the holidays if you do tell others.
HR was never my gig.

imidazol97

I'm hoping both of you find a suitable next step surprisingly fast. I always found the good one seemed to come at the time I didn't expect it.

sda

We drove to the suburbs of Detroit over the Thanksgiving Holiday to visit a dear friend of my daughter, about 700 miles each way. The weather was questionable, high winds, rain, thankfully spared of snow and ice. The Q5 was stuffed to the max and was a great long distance vehicle. Very stable, smooth, quiet at speed, 26-28 mpg in somewhat demanding conditions. Too easy to speed, cruise control a must, and a very good unit that maintained speed well. My only complaint, and it seems it was just me, is the seat felt hard to my bottom, yet my back stayed comfortable. Toasted buns on seat heater level 3, whew. I posted some pics of our visit to the Packard Proving Grounds in the Postwar Studebaker forum. Here are some neat pics from The Henry Ford museum. Good memories of staying at a Holiday Inn like this mock up. We frequently stayed in similar Holiday Inns when we travelled in the 60s-70s.

fintail

Thanks for the positive wishes, @imidazol97 . I am optimistic better things will come of it.

Cool pics of Henry Ford, I visited there last year, easy way to spend a day and feel like you still probably missed something. Amazing place.

driver100

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

Hopefully, we are getting near to the end of my backup camera story. I called an indie shop today, they get 5 stars. I asked the guy about a wireless camera and using a monitor that would be the rear view mirror. He said he would advise hard wiring in, more reliable. Takes 4 or 5 hours, estimated cost $600!

Decided to check Best Buy, they seem to have the best choices and they do the installation. They had 3 to choose from, they are wireless, the monitor is a rear view mirror, when they install it no wires will be visible.

The one I chose was regular $129, and was on sale for $80. The nice lady didn't tell me it also has a dashcam built in. Dashcam will stop if it is jarred in an accident and record if bumped from the rear even if car is parked.
Installation is $160, 2 hours work. Here is a short video of what it does;
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/rexing-m1-front-and-rear-camera-dash-cam/6342103.p?skuId=6342103


The other 2 backup cameras were $199, did not have a dashcam. The Metra and the Echomaster were $199, the Echmaster did not have lines on the backup camera.

It sounds too good a deal to be true....hope this story has a happy ending. Installation is a week from Thursday.

Driver, why not just trade that old car in for a new model with all the nanny-tech goodies. It would save you time and at the same time, save the rest of us from going through this agonizing process as you add a backup camera to you old C class. 🤪😜😛

I love this car....it just needed the backup camera. Looks better than the new ones, 30k miles on it, put 6000 a year on it....why trade it in and spend $15000 to trade up when a $250 camera will make me happy?

driver100

explorerx4 said:

@driver100,
here is my cheap solution. Buy 3 orange cones and put the in your trunk.
When you want to back out, open the trunk, position the cones where you need them and close trunk.
After you back up, open the trunk and put the cones back in and drive away.

Not a bad idea. Open the trunk, put the back seat down, I would have a clear view behind me. Mrs D isn't going to be happy jumping out every time I back up.

driver100

fintail said:

I have my cameras hardwired in, I figure you get what you pay for. I've been doing it that way since I started running a dashcam setup ~5 years ago, and have had virtually no technical issues.

I still think going after an OEM rear camera might be safer, as I distrust a lot of these chineseium gadgets, but maybe they are simple enough to the point of being low risk. I bought a cheapo (~$50) camera on Amazon to run in my old car, and within seconds of plugging it into the cigarette lighter, it died. From then, I abandoned the idea, at least for the time being.

driver100 said:

Hopefully, we are getting near to the end of my backup camera story. I called an indie shop today, they get 5 stars. I asked the guy about a wireless camera and using a monitor that would be the rear view mirror. He said he would advise hard wiring in, more reliable. Takes 4 or 5 hours, estimated cost $600!
It sounds too good a deal to be true....hope this story has a happy ending. Installation is a week from Thursday.

Roadrunner advised against using the media screen, and I think it was a good point, why mess up the infotainment system if not done properly. There won't be any wires showing, it will be hardwired into electrical system. I don't see spending $600 on a 2014 car, for a backup camera. The car is like new, BUT, if I have one or two major problems the car gets traded in.....losing $250 doesn't bother me....OEM at $1000 would really bother me, rather put that money into a newer one.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

Carvana comes to Walmart



At bottom you scan you phone's upc code for the order. If it's small, a 2x2x1.5 box above
the glass screen opens to deliver the package. The tv at the top shows the package being
picked from the stored packages in the tower.

Or it gives you a key or opens a box to the right of the tower under the tv showing the
orders being delivered.

I couldn't believe this when I picked up an online order the other evening.

But it can't read a upc that's been printed on paper. AND
it has a keypad that's really difficult to use to enter the order number.
Took me 5 tries.

Larger packages are kept in a room down the front exit hallway
and I would think in the rear of the store.

What happens if you don’t own a smart phone?

sb55

oldfarmer50 said:

20 inches of snow...and it’s still snowing!



Went to Burlington VT today and they only have a few inches. It’s not fair.

How bad(or good) were the roads? Once you got off of the Northway it's pretty narrow 2 lane roads.

snakeweasel

driver100 said:

snakeweasel said:

Oh the saga continues. Just got a call from the dealership and it turns out that the dealership gave us the wrong plates. The plates they gave us are one digit off of what the registration has. So we are driving around with the wrong plates and someone else is driving around with ours. I need to go back and have them swipe out the plates.

If the other guy gets fewer speeding tickets you may want to leave it the way it is.

The real question is tolls. I used the registration info when I added this car to my IPass account not the number on the plate. So the times I went through the toll booth without the transponder the other guy got dinged. I should check my account to see if i am are getting charged for their tolls.

driver100

snakeweasel said:

driver100 said:

snakeweasel said:

Oh the saga continues. Just got a call from the dealership and it turns out that the dealership gave us the wrong plates. The plates they gave us are one digit off of what the registration has. So we are driving around with the wrong plates and someone else is driving around with ours. I need to go back and have them swipe out the plates.

If the other guy gets fewer speeding tickets you may want to leave it the way it is.

The real question is tolls. I used the registration info when I added this car to my IPass account not the number on the plate. So the times I went through the toll booth without the transponder the other guy got dinged. I should check my account to see if i am are getting charged for their tolls.

You would think they would be extra careful when doing the paperwork to make sure the license information is all correct. That could be a serious mistake, and it isn't easy to fix. If one of you got in an accident....could be a mess to straighten out.

oldfarmer50

sb55 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

20 inches of snow...and it’s still snowing!



Went to Burlington VT today and they only have a few inches. It’s not fair.

How bad(or good) were the roads? Once you got off of the Northway it's pretty narrow 2 lane roads.

22A was fine all the way to 7 except for a small section south of Addision where the plow guy took the day off to go buy bread and milk. The real problem was near home where I had to have the “guy” plow my driveway for the third time. That’s a first in the 37 years I’ve been here.

oldfarmer50

snakeweasel said:

driver100 said:

snakeweasel said:

Oh the saga continues. Just got a call from the dealership and it turns out that the dealership gave us the wrong plates. The plates they gave us are one digit off of what the registration has. So we are driving around with the wrong plates and someone else is driving around with ours. I need to go back and have them swipe out the plates.

If the other guy gets fewer speeding tickets you may want to leave it the way it is.

The real question is tolls. I used the registration info when I added this car to my IPass account not the number on the plate. So the times I went through the toll booth without the transponder the other guy got dinged. I should check my account to see if i am are getting charged for their tolls.

You both should send the bill to the dealer.

abacomike

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

Hopefully, we are getting near to the end of my backup camera story. I called an indie shop today, they get 5 stars. I asked the guy about a wireless camera and using a monitor that would be the rear view mirror. He said he would advise hard wiring in, more reliable. Takes 4 or 5 hours, estimated cost $600!

Decided to check Best Buy, they seem to have the best choices and they do the installation. They had 3 to choose from, they are wireless, the monitor is a rear view mirror, when they install it no wires will be visible.

The one I chose was regular $129, and was on sale for $80. The nice lady didn't tell me it also has a dashcam built in. Dashcam will stop if it is jarred in an accident and record if bumped from the rear even if car is parked.
Installation is $160, 2 hours work. Here is a short video of what it does;
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/rexing-m1-front-and-rear-camera-dash-cam/6342103.p?skuId=6342103


The other 2 backup cameras were $199, did not have a dashcam. The Metra and the Echomaster were $199, the Echmaster did not have lines on the backup camera.

It sounds too good a deal to be true....hope this story has a happy ending. Installation is a week from Thursday.

Driver, why not just trade that old car in for a new model with all the nanny-tech goodies. It would save you time and at the same time, save the rest of us from going through this agonizing process as you add a backup camera to you old C class. 🤪😜😛

I love this car....it just needed the backup camera. Looks better than the new ones, 30k miles on it, put 6000 a year on it....why trade it in and spend $15000 to trade up when a $250 camera will make me happy?

To save us all from shopping with you for a backup camera! 😜🤪😛

tjc78

imidazol97 said:

I'm hoping both of you find a suitable next step surprisingly fast. I always found the good one seemed to come at the time I didn't expect it.

Thank you. I'm actually still "working"... Our layoff is WARN applicable so just waiting to see when that notice comes out in writing formally.

I've got two applications in, spoken to a recruiter at another retailer and given out my resume to some of my contacts and my wife is doing the same for me.

I expect to be let go in the next week or so as what I do (and my team) is not needed any longer. Like @fintail mentioned December is not a big hiring month...

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

imidazol97 said:

Carvana comes to Walmart



At bottom you scan you phone's upc code for the order. If it's small, a 2x2x1.5 box above
the glass screen opens to deliver the package. The tv at the top shows the package being
picked from the stored packages in the tower.

Or it gives you a key or opens a box to the right of the tower under the tv showing the
orders being delivered.

I couldn't believe this when I picked up an online order the other evening.

But it can't read a upc that's been printed on paper. AND
it has a keypad that's really difficult to use to enter the order number.
Took me 5 tries.

Larger packages are kept in a room down the front exit hallway
and I would think in the rear of the store.

What happens if you don’t own a smart phone?

The scanner is supposed to be able to read a paper copy of the upc. That's sent to you
on purchase email as well as email telling you pickup is ready. But this particular unit
wouldn't read the upc.

So I had to punch in the 12 digits or so of the order number. The touch sensitive
keypad in the glass keyboard was not good. It was like the worst cellphone key
pad for texting I've seen. But I got the numbers in.

IF that hadn't worked there is a real person in a gold vest there to help and they
have a hand reader for scanning where you also sign with your fingertip
when they hand you the merchandise if the item is not delivered from the
elevator in the tower.

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

sb55 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

20 inches of snow...and it’s still snowing!



Went to Burlington VT today and they only have a few inches. It’s not fair.

How bad(or good) were the roads? Once you got off of the Northway it's pretty narrow 2 lane roads.

22A was fine all the way to 7 except for a small section south of Addision where the plow guy took the day off to go buy bread and milk. The real problem was near home where I had to have the “guy” plow my driveway for the third time. That’s a first in the 37 years I’ve been here.

Long ago in grad school I sat on the stone retaining wall in front of the large house where I rented a room and watched the girls and world go by--it was across from main campus. Next door was a fraternity house. One of the guys there was from upstate New York. Somewhere in the area where names like Gillette or similar lived. He brought out photos of the road which was like a ditch between walls of snow like 8 feet tall. There was a cut in the wall which apparently was a driveway to someone's home. More than I'd seen in the worst snow storm in eastern Indiana.

My hat is off to those in those high snow areas. Lake effect snow?

abacomike

tjc78 said:

imidazol97 said:

I'm hoping both of you find a suitable next step surprisingly fast. I always found the good one seemed to come at the time I didn't expect it.

Thank you. I'm actually still "working"... Our layoff is WARN applicable so just waiting to see when that notice comes out in writing formally.

I've got two applications in, spoken to a recruiter at another retailer and given out my resume to some of my contacts and my wife is doing the same for me.

I expect to be let go in the next week or so as what I do (and my team) is not needed any longer. Like @fintail mentioned December is not a big hiring month...

I always despise companies who lay-off employees around Christmas time. The negative impact it has on the entire family is grotesque and unnecessary. Corporate America is well-aware of this negative impact and should provide a minimum of 2-months of salary and benefits in order for the employee and the family to adjust as best they can.

Only once have I been let go because my position was eliminated (RIF), but I received a 6-month salary package along with benefits. I was lucky that the private school was sensitive my financial needs. I got a job 2 weeks after leaving which was also lucky.

I pray you guys get better jobs quickly for the sake of you and your families.

tjc78

Thanks Mike... yes it couldn't come at a worse time!

snakeweasel

imidazol97 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

sb55 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

20 inches of snow...and it’s still snowing!



Went to Burlington VT today and they only have a few inches. It’s not fair.

How bad(or good) were the roads? Once you got off of the Northway it's pretty narrow 2 lane roads.

22A was fine all the way to 7 except for a small section south of Addision where the plow guy took the day off to go buy bread and milk. The real problem was near home where I had to have the “guy” plow my driveway for the third time. That’s a first in the 37 years I’ve been here.

Long ago in grad school I sat on the stone retaining wall in front of the large house where I rented a room and watched the girls and world go by--it was across from main campus. Next door was a fraternity house. One of the guys there was from upstate New York. Somewhere in the area where names like Gillette or similar lived. He brought out photos of the road which was like a ditch between walls of snow like 8 feet tall. There was a cut in the wall which apparently was a driveway to someone's home. More than I'd seen in the worst snow storm in eastern Indiana.

My hat is off to those in those high snow areas. Lake effect snow?

Back in 79 we had a series of snow storms one right after another so there was no melr between snowfalls. So while each snowstorm wasn't to bad they added up. Many areas had snow walls that were that high. It got to the point where there was no place to move snow to. It actually caused the mayor to lose the next election.

imidazol97

The walls on the side of the road were vertical, much like the snow blower type plow on the railroads used.
I was appalled by that much snow because I've remembered those pictures.

stickguy

Sending out the Bradd signal with a plumbing question (and anyone else that has an opinion!).

Been having an intermittent water issue, that recently has been more frequent. Master bath sinks, you put the cold water on but it starts running hot instead. Takes some time (30=seconds maybe) before starts running cold again.

We have a 50 gallon Power vented tank water heater (Bradford white). Checking back, a bit older than I thought at 12+ years. Looks fine visually.

From a quick google, seems that a likely culprit is bad thermostat. The other options (water lines too close to each other or a HVAC run) don’t make sense, especially after so many years.

So, given that, is it even something that’s fixable, and does it make no sense at this age? Needs a plumber anyway so should I just proactively have it replaced? I can live with the issue but really don’t want to deal with a catastrophic failure!

Or is there some other simple thing to try, not that I plan to mess with it!

Also, would anyone recommend a tankless instead, and any idea how much more expensive that is these days?

ab348

Here's an interesting piece from the CBC (so it may or may not be totally accurate) about a theft ring targeting Toyota and Lexus SUVs:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/toyota-lexus-relay-attack-1.5380947

I suspect the technology they are exploiting is not unique to Toyota so other makes could be vulnerable, but they are stealing Toyotas due to demand for them in their target market.

imidazol97

I thought of @driver100 and his Mercedes with NO backup camera! This morning a lady backed her
Cheverolet Spark into the space next to me at the local quick market/coffee store. I could see her backup camera come on each time as she pulled forward and then moved her car into the space straighter and in the middle.

A Spark has a backup camera even though that car has windows all around and visibility of 100% in my opinion.

I wish @driver100 a good result from the installation of the aftermarket camera.


The only way I'd do the one tapping into the car's systems would be if the Mercedes store can add one because the car originally has the wiring or connections and the software ability for the camera to be in it. They would have the computers to activate the software and even to update to the version which had backup camera ability if that's what is needed.

tjc78

If it's only the master bath sink I'm thinking the O-rings in the faucet are bad and causing the hot water side to bleed into the cold.

What kind of faucet? Single lever?

stickguy

Separate handles. And it’s doing it on both sinks. Those faucets are 8 years old.

ab348

If it is not doing it elsewhere in the house I would likely rule out the water heater. I would suspect something in the routing of the water lines to that sink.

Years ago I had a similar issue in my first apartment. Occasionally the kitchen sink cold water faucet would be scalding hot for a minute or so, hotter than the hot water side was in fact. Only did it now and then and never did figure it out, but there was a restaurant and commercial space downstairs and I always suspected it was related to something they were doing. Obviously not the case in your house though!

abacomike

stickguy said:

Sending out the Bradd signal with a plumbing question (and anyone else that has an opinion!).

Been having an intermittent water issue, that recently has been more frequent. Master bath sinks, you put the cold water on but it starts running hot instead. Takes some time (30=seconds maybe) before starts running cold again.

We have a 50 gallon Power vented tank water heater (Bradford white). Checking back, a bit older than I thought at 12+ years. Looks fine visually.

From a quick google, seems that a likely culprit is bad thermostat. The other options (water lines too close to each other or a HVAC run) don’t make sense, especially after so many years.

So, given that, is it even something that’s fixable, and does it make no sense at this age? Needs a plumber anyway so should I just proactively have it replaced? I can live with the issue but really don’t want to deal with a catastrophic failure!

Or is there some other simple thing to try, not that I plan to mess with it!

Also, would anyone recommend a tankless instead, and any idea how much more expensive that is these days?

I have a tankless water heater - electric. It is now 15 years old and still working. Saves me a lot of money when compared to a tank. Water is hot and remains hot. You can increase or decrease the temperature of the hot water. I recommend it!

Smitty_7

explorerx4 said:

I'm ok with the Mach E name, but a Mustang model and styling(lights), not so sure.
Maybe it looks better in person.

There's been some photos of the Mach-E out in the public that have come out and it really stands out.

oldfarmer50

26”



Anybody got a couch in Florida I can sleep on?

ab348

I have long believed that Canada needs a warm-weather province, territory or principality to which Canadians can flee during winter while still retaining the rights of citizens. At least you guys in the US already have such places. We have nowhere to go.

snakeweasel

ab348 said:

Here's an interesting piece from the CBC (so it may or may not be totally accurate) about a theft ring targeting Toyota and Lexus SUVs:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/toyota-lexus-relay-attack-1.5380947

I suspect the technology they are exploiting is not unique to Toyota so other makes could be vulnerable, but they are stealing Toyotas due to demand for them in their target market.

I have heard about this and that any car with a keyless system is at risk. Best defense is keeping the car in the garage and/or a faraday bag for the fobs.