Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

ab348

driver100 said:

In Canada they made UI sound better by calling it EI....Employment Insurance....kind of puts a positive spin on it.

In my province that is the proper name for it because lots of ppl here have made a career of working just enough to qualify and then getting themselves "laid off" so they can collect UI/EI for most of the year. The worst news they can get is someone offering them a job.

fintail

I like being able to check my fuel level or last mpg remotely.

Fun thing I just noticed on the app It was crashing a lot for me lately. Now I am not at home, on a different network - and it is working perfectly. It appears my home wifi might not play well with it - so if you have issues, changing networks might solve it.

abacomike said:

I agree, jmonroe! When I open the "Me Connect" APP, here is what it displays:

But the one thing I use a lot is sending a destination to the GPS computer in the car from my iPhone or my computer. Great function!

explorerx4

@nyccarguy,
One of my wife's brothers is in the same boat, reduced hours, but hasn't figured out how to claim.
The only thing I know about is www.filectui.com

fintail

Unemployment stats are also calculated differently in every country or economic bloc. Nobody can agree on anything. and there are no apples to apples comparisons.

WA has had some hiccups too, via more people applying in a week than applied in probably the prior year and maybe less than adequate preparation by those in charge (living in a leading tech state, many here expect better)/ I know some people who had many weeks of delays, but were eventually paid with all back pay.

stickguy said:

Volume is way beyond what they ever expected. And government agencies are notorious for having lousy systems, and no particular concern for staying up to date or modernizing. So there are way more people out of work than on UI. plus not everyone qualifies.

Employment rate is also a “massaged” stat, and subject to political manipulation. And often misunderstood.

fintail

I suspect your car does not have staggered wheels. My 19" wheel 4Matic car doesn't have them anyway (but mine doesn't have the "sport" wheels, rather, the mult-spoke "luxury" wheels).

abacomike said:

When I checked the tire pressure details on the inside of the fuel filler door, it showed two different sized tires for 19" run flats. I was surprised that they showed different sizes because I thought 4MATICS (AWD) Mercedes vehicles had the same size tires on all 4 wheels. I then contacted Mercedes Concierge Services and they informed me that it would not be unusual to find different sizes for front and rear.

My back was hurting pretty bad tis morning, so I did not feel like bending over and checking tire sizes. I guess I was wrong - which is nothing new in my life! Ugh!

nyccarguy

explorerx4 said:

@nyccarguy,
One of my wife's brothers is in the same boat, reduced hours, but hasn't figured out how to claim.
The only thing I know about is www.filectui.com

Thanks. That's what I've been working with.

venture

nyccarguy said:

explorerx4 said:

@suydam,
A lot of people were unable file or did not qualify for unemployment.

It is a mess for sure. About a month ago my wife's boss told her that her patient load was about to shrink. She asked her boss how the agency would assign patients. He told her it would be by seniority and at the therapist's request. So if let's say he got 25 new patients for a week, he'd go to the therapist who has been there the longest and ask them how many patients they want to see. Assign patients and go down the totem pole (which my wife was the 2nd to last one hired). The HR woman told her that she can collect partial unemployment with her reduced patient load. It has been impossible to get. There is nobody to pick up the phone. There is no email address to ask questions.

Here in Pennsylvania, I was watching a Q&A with the Governor early this week (or late last week. Don't remember).

One of the questions was how do you get an employee to come back to work when UI is more than they were making while at their job. He said to give them a raise. I wasn't sure I heard him right, but he said it again a little while later.

imidazol97

Our governor in Ohio, bless his heart, said if someone doesn't accept offer to return to work, they're off unemployment. I.e., the gravy train ran out of tracks.

abacomike

coldinohio said:

tire sizes may be on Monroney sticker, if dealer gave it to you

abacomike said:

When I checked the tire pressure details on the inside of the fuel filler door, it showed two different sized tires for 19" run flats. I was surprised that they showed different sizes because I thought 4MATICS (AWD) Mercedes vehicles had the same size tires on all 4 wheels. I then contacted Mercedes Concierge Services and they informed me that it would not be unusual to find different sizes for front and rear.

My back was hurting pretty bad tis morning, so I did not feel like bending over and checking tire sizes. I guess I was wrong - which is nothing new in my life! Ugh!

Yes, it's in the glovebox - I'll check tomorrow morning. Thanks.

nyccarguy

venture said:

nyccarguy said:

explorerx4 said:

@suydam,
A lot of people were unable file or did not qualify for unemployment.

It is a mess for sure. About a month ago my wife's boss told her that her patient load was about to shrink. She asked her boss how the agency would assign patients. He told her it would be by seniority and at the therapist's request. So if let's say he got 25 new patients for a week, he'd go to the therapist who has been there the longest and ask them how many patients they want to see. Assign patients and go down the totem pole (which my wife was the 2nd to last one hired). The HR woman told her that she can collect partial unemployment with her reduced patient load. It has been impossible to get. There is nobody to pick up the phone. There is no email address to ask questions.

Here in Pennsylvania, I was watching a Q&A with the Governor early this week (or late last week. Don't remember).

One of the questions was how do you get an employee to come back to work when UI is more than they were making while at their job. He said to give them a raise. I wasn't sure I heard him right, but he said it again a little while later.

That's an upward slippery slope. If someone is making $1,100 per week on UI, what is going to be their incentive to come back to work? An extra $100 per week ($400 per month)?

abacomike

fintail said:

I suspect your car does not have staggered wheels. My 19" wheel 4Matic car doesn't have them anyway (but mine doesn't have the "sport" wheels, rather, the mult-spoke "luxury" wheels).

abacomike said:

When I checked the tire pressure details on the inside of the fuel filler door, it showed two different sized tires for 19" run flats. I was surprised that they showed different sizes because I thought 4MATICS (AWD) Mercedes vehicles had the same size tires on all 4 wheels. I then contacted Mercedes Concierge Services and they informed me that it would not be unusual to find different sizes for front and rear.

My back was hurting pretty bad tis morning, so I did not feel like bending over and checking tire sizes. I guess I was wrong - which is nothing new in my life! Ugh!

I have the 19" optional performance all season run flats. We'll find out as soon as I can read the physical tire sizes.

fintail

The extra payments expire in July, IIRC.

Once things start opening up again, it'll be good to have some extra money in the pockets of those who will spend it immediately, rather than relying on more failed trickle down theory. Actual economic stimulus rather than aid to a lot of entities who don't really need it. Especially now that apparently hope for a second wave direct stimulus package is fading, due to the whine of bunch of overprivileged politicos who have never had a real job in their lives but are afraid of "takers" and "socialism" (but don't touch my fat pension).

nyccarguy said:

That's an upward slippery slope. If someone is making $1,100 per week on UI, what is going to be their incentive to come back to work? An extra $100 per week ($400 per month)?

qbrozen

was having that same convo with a friend who owns a couple of bar/restaurants in NYC. He said his employees are making more sitting at home. I said the gov should know if they were offered to go back to work and cut them off if they refused.

fintail

This replacement wheel site actually lists different front and rear widths - maybe they are staggered.

If so, you can replace the runflats anyway, I guess that's a silver lining.

I also find this description from dealer ads:

WHEELS: 19" AMG TWIN 5-SPOKE (RTD)
Staggered width, Tires: 245/40R19 Front & 275/35R19 Rear AS, Low-Noise Performance Tires, High-Performance Tires

Kind of glad I don't have em!

abacomike said:

I have the 19" optional performance all season run flats. We'll find out as soon as I can read the physical tire sizes.

28firefighter

My ZHP has staggered tires. 225/40R18 Front, 255/35R18 back. Backs were slightly more expensive than the fronts.

stickguy

as long as the wheels are the same width, whenever it is time for tires can just switch to all one size. Those 2 sizes are basically identical.

Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
245/40-19 3.9in 13.4in 26.7in 83.9in 755 0.0%
275/35-19 3.8in 13.3in 26.6in 83.5in 759 -0.5%

28firefighter

Mine are not the same size wheels - 18x8 in the front and 18x8.5 in the rear, so need the wider tire.

houdini1

abacomike said:

cdnpinhead said:

Those appear to be some seriously high tire pressures, but then again, what do I know. I drive appliances into the ground.

I agree with you - they should be 33-35 psi in each. I will double-check the recommended pressures tomorrow morning on the inside of the fuel filler door and take it over to the service drive and have the pressures corrected.

Thanks for bringing that to my attention cdnpinhead. 👍😋

Also didn't show pressure for a spare, do you not have one?

stickguy

a spare on a MB? You are living in the 1980s still?

suydam

imidazol97 said:

Our governor in Ohio, bless his heart, said if someone doesn't accept offer to return to work, they're off unemployment. I.e., the gravy train ran out of tracks.

Too bad for them if their workplace is unsafe but they are ordered to go back anyway.

houdini1

stickguy said:

imidazol97 said:

I've found the tire pressure sensors to be within 1 pound of true reading when the tire is cool. So I
trust them when i back the car out of the garage in the morn and tires are 60 deg when they update the
reading at 25 mph or so.

Same here. Mine seems very accurate.

I just glance at the tires and if none of them are flat on the bottom I am good to go.

stickguy

its a tough call. but the concept was a temporary extra to carry them over. Until the job comes back. And that is how UI is designed. If you get offered a new job they you lose UI. Not normally though a pandemic involved. I am sure that the business side will argue that the government said it was OK, so it is OK.

cdnpinhead

stickguy said:

imidazol97 said:

I've found the tire pressure sensors to be within 1 pound of true reading when the tire is cool. So I
trust them when i back the car out of the garage in the morn and tires are 60 deg when they update the
reading at 25 mph or so.

Same here. Mine seems very accurate.

Me too, with the TSX, both with the snow tire/wheels & the summer tire/wheels.

houdini1

stickguy said:

a spare on a MB? You are living in the 1980s still?

I would just never consider using run flats.

abacomike

houdini1 said:

abacomike said:

cdnpinhead said:

Those appear to be some seriously high tire pressures, but then again, what do I know. I drive appliances into the ground.

I agree with you - they should be 33-35 psi in each. I will double-check the recommended pressures tomorrow morning on the inside of the fuel filler door and take it over to the service drive and have the pressures corrected.

Thanks for bringing that to my attention cdnpinhead. 👍😋

Also didn't show pressure for a spare, do you not have one?

No spare - I have run flats.

imidazol97

fintail said:

Actual economic stimulus rather than aid to a lot of entities who don't really need it. Especially now that apparently hope for a second wave direct stimulus package is fading, due to the whine of bunch of overprivileged politicos who have never had a real job in their lives but are afraid of "takers" and "socialism" (but don't touch my fat pension).

This is sounding like politics.

fintail

Your post on the subject wasn't far off. Thicker skin, please.

imidazol97 said:

This is sounding like politics.

fintail

Unfortunately, on many cars, there's no choice until you swap out the original tires. I think runflat usage is even worse on BMWs.

3 of the 4 new E-class I've had were on runflats.

houdini1 said:

stickguy said:

a spare on a MB? You are living in the 1980s still?

I would just never consider using run flats.

Michaell

Do we need another time out?

abacomike

Michaell said:

Do we need another time out?

If we do, Michaell, it might be appropriate to give those who are ruining it for the rest of us the time out rather than those who obey the rules for posting.

imidazol97

imidazol97 said:

I usually went 2-3 lbs above the car setting. With Malibu that was 33+2 = 35. Then when driving, the tires were at 37, 38. Great on trips at speed.

But I lowered to 33 as the tires have reached 6 years and still have so much tread left. Goodyear Eagle LS2.

39 seems high. If I were closer to replacing the 6-year old Goodyears, I'd ask my Michelin dealer what the pressure recommendation is from Michelin and their store.

At 33 recommended by GM on the Goodyears, the car has a taut ride. I can imagine with 39 unless there's a dramatic difference in the tread stiffness and the air pressure adds all the lift supporting the weight.

However, this is the 97H version of the Michelin. There is a 97V version, if I've got the right letter. That would be a higher speed rated, stiffer tire.

venture

fintail said:

The extra payments expire in July, IIRC.

Once things start opening up again, it'll be good to have some extra money in the pockets of those who will spend it immediately, rather than relying on more failed trickle down theory. Actual economic stimulus rather than aid to a lot of entities who don't really need it. Especially now that apparently hope for a second wave direct stimulus package is fading, due to the whine of bunch of overprivileged politicos who have never had a real job in their lives but are afraid of "takers" and "socialism" (but don't touch my fat pension).

nyccarguy said:

That's an upward slippery slope. If someone is making $1,100 per week on UI, what is going to be their incentive to come back to work? An extra $100 per week ($400 per month)?

What's funny is if you listen to the "financial experts" they are telling everyone to invest it, pay off existing credit, etc. Nothing that *stimulates* anything. That wan't the real intent.

We didn't need the $2400 we got. We spent it all. Most of it locally.

venture

abacomike said:

Michaell said:

Do we need another time out?

If we do, Michaell, it might be appropriate to give those who are ruining it for the rest of us the time out rather than those who obey the rules for posting.

Agree 100%

qbrozen

If they had given us any money, we would have passed it along to those who really need it. We did not qualify, though. As it is, we have helped 3 relatives pay their rent last month and sent them supplies through amazon. Hopefully they can survive this month. My wife’s sister and brother took the handouts, but my nephew at least “sold” me some collectibles. He had stuff on ebay and I told him just send it all to me, and I paid him 5 times what it was worth. Just wanted to make him feel better, as he probably wouldn’t accept the money otherwise.

fintail

No doubt many "experts" want it used in ways that will generate fees which directly or indirectly fund their own meal tickets.

I don't have hard numbers, but most people I know spent it all on consumer goods, or used it to pay recurring bills while income wasn't coming in. A lot of money went back into the economy, which indeed was the intent, and is the best way to do it. Not to be political (as nothing political is being said, not agreeing with a viewpoint doesn't make something political), but this was supported by most of sound mind on both sides of the aisle, and. was likely the biggest gift given to actual normal working people in my lifetime. IMO another is going to be needed.

venture said:

What's funny is if you listen to the "financial experts" they are telling everyone to invest it, pay off existing credit, etc. Nothing that *stimulates* anything. That wan't the real intent.

We didn't need the $2400 we got. We spent it all. Most of it locally.

venture

qbrozen said:

If they had given us any money, we would have passed it along to those who really need it. We did not qualify, though. As it is, we have helped 3 relatives pay their rent last month and sent them supplies through amazon. Hopefully they can survive this month. My wife’s sister and brother took the handouts, but my nephew at least “sold” me some collectibles. He had stuff on ebay and I told him just send it all to me, and I paid him 5 times what it was worth. Just wanted to make him feel better, as he probably wouldn’t accept the money otherwise.

Good for you. You're a good guy. I gave some to my wifes sister. She needs it. My wifes brother, who needs it too - we don't know where he is. That happens occasionally.

It's been said that every family has a black sheep. I swear my wife is the only white sheep in that family.

stickguy

with the financial advice, it is usually what is the best for an individual to do. But they know that most people won't do that. My guess is a lot of that money made it back into the economy, but on essentials. So pretty much just replaced charging on a card? I doubt though that many people went out and splurged on something they weren't going to buy anyway. Which is pretty much what anyone that got it as a "windfall" (because they still had their normal income) probably should have done (or like Q, supported people in bad straights).

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

If they had given us any money, we would have passed it along to those who really need it. We did not qualify, though. As it is, we have helped 3 relatives pay their rent last month and sent them supplies through amazon. Hopefully they can survive this month. My wife’s sister and brother took the handouts, but my nephew at least “sold” me some collectibles. He had stuff on ebay and I told him just send it all to me, and I paid him 5 times what it was worth. Just wanted to make him feel better, as he probably wouldn’t accept the money otherwise.

Wow! You’re a good man Charlie Brown. God bless you!

stickguy

I am thankful that no one in our immediate families lost their jobs during this mess. Knock on wood that doesn't change but it does make us feel lucky.

imidazol97

Still waiting for any stimulus check. Don't use bank account for tax refunds, so will have to be a check. Probably will use it to take a trip to visit folks, and put the other 2k in an aggressive mutual fund.

abacomike

qbrozen said:

If they had given us any money, we would have passed it along to those who really need it. We did not qualify, though. As it is, we have helped 3 relatives pay their rent last month and sent them supplies through amazon. Hopefully they can survive this month. My wife’s sister and brother took the handouts, but my nephew at least “sold” me some collectibles. He had stuff on ebay and I told him just send it all to me, and I paid him 5 times what it was worth. Just wanted to make him feel better, as he probably wouldn’t accept the money otherwise.

That is super magnanimous of you and your family. My hat's off to you, "q"!

imidazol97

Gas prices have skyrocketed. Last week had jumped to $139 from 119. I filled up on Saturday night for $129 in the Malibu.
Yesterday went from $159 to $1.79 and today $1.89.

imidazol97

Should be good deals on used cars/new cars coming. Rental companies have huge parking lots of stored rentals and have cut orders to companies like GM and Hyundai. so those manufacturers will need to push product when they start the factories here. AND Enterprise may need to dump some slightly used vehicles. Hertz almost filed bankruptcy and is studying per article. Here are pictures from another
https://www.inquirer.com/news/rental-cars-parked-at-south-philly-stadium-complex-coronavirus-20200505.html?utm_campaign=Philly.com+Sports+Twitter+Account&cid=Philly.com+Sports+Twitter+Account&utm_medium=social&utm_source=t.co

stickguy

there is a lot of parking at that complex. and they aren't using it for anything else these days!

stickguy

I assume that the pain will be on the new car side. And that the rental places will just keep their units longer (time wise) to get to the usual mileage.

qbrozen

venture said:

Good for you. You're a good guy. I gave some to my wifes sister. She needs it. My wifes brother, who needs it too - we don't know where he is. That happens occasionally.

It's been said that every family has a black sheep. I swear my wife is the only white sheep in that family.

funny that it is the wife's siblings in both our cases. We haven't heard from her brother in a very very long time. I think he may have met my kids once. Apparently he has severe mental issues. He called her out of nowhere a few weeks ago and they've been talking regularly since. But the stories he is telling her are ... out there. Anyway, we talked it through and chose to send his landlord the rent directly because we couldn't be sure it would make it into the proper hands otherwise. As for her sister, we've been helping her for quite a while, especially for the holidays. We supply her little girl with Xmas each year. We've offered about half a dozen times for them to move in with us, but her sis keeps changing her mind when the time comes to make the move. I've prepped our spare room for them about 4 times over only to find out the day before she changed her mind again. What can ya do?

imidazol97

stickguy said:

I assume that the pain will be on the new car side. And that the rental places will just keep their units longer (time wise) to get to the usual mileage.

But another article made it sound like they have far too many vehicles even as airline travel may pick up again. I know my son's place of work likely won't have air travel other than emergency trips. Even then there might be auto travel. They cut air travel in Feb or Jan IIRC. Lots of video conferencing.

My point is it may take a while to get reasonable mileage on the vehicles to justify selling them based on mileage.

Because Hertz is looking at bankruptcy, could they sell lots of auto holdings that they don't need currently and in the foreseeable future to get operating cash?

stickguy

no matter what it is going to be messy. I certainly believe that air travel is going to be way down for a long time. But on the flip side, people will still be looking to go places. One thing I see as likely is that people will drive longer distances instead of short hop flights. My rule is normally 5 hours. That or less, drive. I think a lot of people had a shorter threshold. But that could go up, and a logical option for many people is renting.

so instead of flying from Philly to Pittsburgh, rent a car and drive!

roadburner

I am so glad that I am an only child.

driver100

houdini1 said:

stickguy said:

a spare on a MB? You are living in the 1980s still?

I would just never consider using run flats.

What if you buy a car that has run flats? Are you going to leave a spare lying in the trunk or in the back of an SUV?