Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

I have one trusted mechanic. He’s so darned busy, though, and lots of projects sitting around that his wife complains about.

————————————————
I used to know a trusted mechanic like that. Complaining wife and all. Seems like the older he got the better he could handle it.

jmonroe

tjc78

@qbrozen said:
Everything is through a wireless mesh system in my house. I can stream 20gb 4k movies without a hitch while both kids are online gaming on different systems and the wife scrolls facebook videos, so I can’t complain about speed nor see what hardwiring would gain for me.

I can too, but the hardwired nodes yield more than twice the speed of the all wireless.

Here is a speed test connected to a hardwired node

Here is upstairs, same distance away from node but all wireless.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

Yesterday I had spray foam installed in my basement, air sealing the sill between the top of the basement wall and the house, along with an application of it to the uninsulated part of the concrete walls down there, about 1/4 of the total area. Up here at least you cannot stay in the house while it is being done even if you stay out of the area being worked on, and they recommend you stay out for 24 hours. That meant Lucy the cat and myself had to decamp to my brother's house for the day.

He has not been well and has not visited for a few months. He is supposedly doing OK but the treatment for his multiple myeloma seems pretty rough and comes with lots of side effects. It's tough enough being 80 without having to put up with that. I feel very badly for him as up until recently he has been very active and involved in numerous things. His wife also suffers very badly from arthritis and can barely move sometimes. It was a bit of a down day because of all that.

To add to all that, he tells me when I arrive that he just got back from the Jeep dealer where he gets his Patriot serviced. He bought it 6+ years ago and has always had it serviced at the one dealer. He went there 2 days ago for an oil/filter change. He says that when he left and got on the highway it would occasionally make a noise he hadn't heard before. He said his first thought was a tire noise of some sort. But it would come and go and apparently only did it a few times. When he got home he did an inspection and finding no tire issues, decided to pop the hood, fearing that maybe there would be oil leaks everywhere from a bad filter or whatever. He found none of that, so he pulled the dipstick and said there was only one drop of oil on the end of the stick, yikes.

By that time the service department was closed so he called them first thing yesterday and they told him to bring it in. They gave him a Grand Cherokee 4xe as a loaner and by the time I left there after dinner last night they had not called. We were speculating they might have been pulling the engine apart, at least the top end. No idea what the outcome is yet. He agreed with me that he would have a hard time being very confident about the vehicle after this.

So he goes in for an oil change and when he gets home there’s no oil in the engine? Sounds very obvious to me that somebody screwed up. Shouldn’t take more than a minute to determine what happened. Either they forgot to put oil in it or didn’t tighten the filter.

How did he get it back to the dealer? I hope he didn’t fill it back up with oil. Regardless, that engine would be toast after even a few miles of driving without oil.

qbrozen

@tjc78 said:

@qbrozen said:
Everything is through a wireless mesh system in my house. I can stream 20gb 4k movies without a hitch while both kids are online gaming on different systems and the wife scrolls facebook videos, so I can’t complain about speed nor see what hardwiring would gain for me.

I can too, but the hardwired nodes yield more than twice the speed of the all wireless.

Here is a speed test connected to a hardwired node

Here is upstairs, same distance away from node but all wireless.

Oh, I’m sure. But, like I said, what would I use the extra speed for?

ab348

oldfarmer50 said:

How did he get it back to the dealer? I hope he didn’t fill it back up with oil. Regardless, that engine would be toast after even a few miles of driving without oil.

He gingerly drove it back himself. They had it all day Thursday and until mid-afternoon Friday. They told him they did indeed open what they could to inspect, confirmed it had little/no oil, installed a new filter and refilled it, checked the old filter, ran it with the new oil for a while, drained and filtered that oil in a screen to inspect for any debris but found none, refilled and changed the filter again, then drove it for about 30 miles with no issues. They were full of apologies apparently and said they had already fired the guy responsible. I found this part odd - they told him they have everything that happens in the shop on video so there was no question who screwed up. I guess if you know that when you are hired in you have no recourse. I don't know how common that is these days.

As part of the string of apologies they said that he should drive it for a while and if anything crops up, that he should bring it back and they would make it good. He seemed fairly satisfied by their response, not trying to deny anything or evade responsibility. We will see.

snakeweasel

jmonroe1 said:

qbrozen said:

I have one trusted mechanic. He’s so darned busy, though, and lots of projects sitting around that his wife complains about.

————————————————
I used to know a trusted mechanic like that. Complaining wife and all. Seems like the older he got the better he could handle it.

jmonroe

I used to know a trusted mechanic then he retired and sold his shop and after a couple of times going to the new owner I didn't have any trust in him. Found a new one nearby, so far so good but only time will tell.

sda

I have had reasonable service from the local dealers. For standard maintenance I haven’t found they charge more than others. However, when we had the front and rear brake pads and rotors replaced on the Q5 at the dealer, that was an ouchie. When the extended warrant expires next July, I will probably take the Q5 to a well respected German car specialist who is closer to us. And speaking of warranties, so far it was an expensive purchase for peace of mind as we have had only one claim for less than $1000. I was going to chance it without as the Q5 still had a decent amount of time/miles remaining on the original bumper to bumper warranty, but the wife insisted we get the additional coverage. Time will tell.. The Q5 has been a joy to own and the miles are still fairly low at 63k.

tjc78

Talking service….

When I picked up the EQE the person detailing it accidentally destroyed one of the key fobs. Dealer ordered one and overnighted it to me. Of course it needs to be programmed. I’m not driving 3 hours to get it done, so they made arrangements for the local dealer to do it for me. Earliest appointment 12/5. I hope I really don’t need service!

tjc78

@qbrozen said:

@tjc78 said:

@qbrozen said:
Everything is through a wireless mesh system in my house. I can stream 20gb 4k movies without a hitch while both kids are online gaming on different systems and the wife scrolls facebook videos, so I can’t complain about speed nor see what hardwiring would gain for me.

I can too, but the hardwired nodes yield more than twice the speed of the all wireless.

Here is a speed test connected to a hardwired node

Here is upstairs, same distance away from node but all wireless.

Oh, I’m sure. But, like I said, what would I use the extra speed for?

True anything over 100 is still very robust. I guess I’m acting like a car guy and more power is always better lol

jmonroe1

ab348 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

How did he get it back to the dealer? I hope he didn’t fill it back up with oil. Regardless, that engine would be toast after even a few miles of driving without oil.

He gingerly drove it back himself. They had it all day Thursday and until mid-afternoon Friday. They told him they did indeed open what they could to inspect, confirmed it had little/no oil, installed a new filter and refilled it, checked the old filter, ran it with the new oil for a while, drained and filtered that oil in a screen to inspect for any debris but found none, refilled and changed the filter again, then drove it for about 30 miles with no issues. They were full of apologies apparently and said they had already fired the guy responsible. I found this part odd - they told him they have everything that happens in the shop on video so there was no question who screwed up. I guess if you know that when you are hired in you have no recourse. I don't know how common that is these days.

As part of the string of apologies they said that he should drive it for a while and if anything crops up, that he should bring it back and they would make it good. He seemed fairly satisfied by their response, not trying to deny anything or evade responsibility. We will see.

————————————————
And the person that told him to “bring it back” should have gone out the door with the guy who didn’t put any oil in.

That shop is totally incompetent. Although they were honest enough to admit it was their fault. Apologies wouldn’t satisfy me. Only a crate engine would do that.

Would you trust that engine if you were going on vacation?

jmonroe

jmonroe1

tjc78 said:

Talking service….

When I picked up the EQE the person detailing it accidentally destroyed one of the key fobs. Dealer ordered one and overnighted it to me. Of course it needs to be programmed. I’m not driving 3 hours to get it done, so they made arrangements for the local dealer to do it for me. Earliest appointment 12/5. I hope I really don’t need service!

————————————————
Did the detail guy step on the fob or drop it in a bucket of water?

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

How did he get it back to the dealer? I hope he didn’t fill it back up with oil. Regardless, that engine would be toast after even a few miles of driving without oil.

He gingerly drove it back himself. They had it all day Thursday and until mid-afternoon Friday. They told him they did indeed open what they could to inspect, confirmed it had little/no oil, installed a new filter and refilled it, checked the old filter, ran it with the new oil for a while, drained and filtered that oil in a screen to inspect for any debris but found none, refilled and changed the filter again, then drove it for about 30 miles with no issues. They were full of apologies apparently and said they had already fired the guy responsible. I found this part odd - they told him they have everything that happens in the shop on video so there was no question who screwed up. I guess if you know that when you are hired in you have no recourse. I don't know how common that is these days.

As part of the string of apologies they said that he should drive it for a while and if anything crops up, that he should bring it back and they would make it good. He seemed fairly satisfied by their response, not trying to deny anything or evade responsibility. We will see.

From my experience, driving 10 miles without oil will destroy an engine. You’ll either get a bearing knock or it will overheat and stall. I don’t think even driving it gingerly would stop the damage. At the very least that thing will burn oil like a power plant. Unless he got those promises in writing they are meaningless I fear.

tjc78

@jmonroe1 said:
————————————————
Did the detail guy step on the fob or drop it in a bucket of water?

jmonroe

tjc78

I’d say he stepped on it

snakeweasel

I have had reasonable service from the local dealers. For standard maintenance I haven’t found they charge more than others. However, when we had the front and rear brake pads and rotors replaced on the Q5 at the dealer, that was an ouchie. When the extended warrant expires next July, I will probably take the Q5 to a well respected German car specialist who is closer to us. And speaking of warranties, so far it was an expensive purchase for peace of mind as we have had only one claim for less than $1000. I was going to chance it without as the Q5 still had a decent amount of time/miles remaining on the original bumper to bumper warranty, but the wife insisted we get the additional coverage. Time will tell.. The Q5 has been a joy to own and the miles are still fairly low at 63k.

As far as extended warranties are concerned I think the average one pays out less than 20% of the cost of the warranty. So odds are very good that you would be better off putting the money in the bank. But if it makes you sleep better at night go for it.

snakeweasel

@qbrozen said:

@tjc78 said:

@qbrozen said:
Everything is through a wireless mesh system in my house. I can stream 20gb 4k movies without a hitch while both kids are online gaming on different systems and the wife scrolls facebook videos, so I can’t complain about speed nor see what hardwiring would gain for me.

I can too, but the hardwired nodes yield more than twice the speed of the all wireless.

Here is a speed test connected to a hardwired node

Here is upstairs, same distance away from node but all wireless.

Oh, I’m sure. But, like I said, what would I use the extra speed for?

True anything over 100 is still very robust. I guess I’m acting like a car guy and more power is always better lol

As long as you are able to get what you want (movies TV videos and music) without buffering more speed is pretty useless.

snakeweasel

How did he get it back to the dealer? I hope he didn’t fill it back up with oil. Regardless, that engine would be toast after even a few miles of driving without oil.

He gingerly drove it back himself. They had it all day Thursday and until mid-afternoon Friday. They told him they did indeed open what they could to inspect, confirmed it had little/no oil, installed a new filter and refilled it, checked the old filter, ran it with the new oil for a while, drained and filtered that oil in a screen to inspect for any debris but found none, refilled and changed the filter again, then drove it for about 30 miles with no issues. They were full of apologies apparently and said they had already fired the guy responsible. I found this part odd - they told him they have everything that happens in the shop on video so there was no question who screwed up. I guess if you know that when you are hired in you have no recourse. I don't know how common that is these days. As part of the string of apologies they said that he should drive it for a while and if anything crops up, that he should bring it back and they would make it good. He seemed fairly satisfied by their response, not trying to deny anything or evade responsibility. We will see.

From my experience, driving 10 miles without oil will destroy an engine. You’ll either get a bearing knock or it will overheat and stall. I don’t think even driving it gingerly would stop the damage. At the very least that thing will burn oil like a power plant. Unless he got those promises in writing they are meaningless I fear.

Somehow I think that they might follow through with the promise since they would lose a court case if sued over it if it is a provable fact that they didn't put the oil in.

stickguy

can't really look at an insurance policy (which is what an ESP is) in terms of the average paid out, or likelihood that you will save more than you paid. Just worst case scenario. You know that on average buyers don't get a positive ROI, but a "lucky few" with major repairs come out ahead.

so if you are OK with paying OOP for the worst case, makes no sense to get it. Same with life insurance. If whoever is left behind has plenty of money to bury you and live on, don't really need it.

caveat though, if you are buying a used Range Rover, you have to have one.

tjc78

@snakeweasel said:

@qbrozen said:

@tjc78 said:

@qbrozen said:
Everything is through a wireless mesh system in my house. I can stream 20gb 4k movies without a hitch while both kids are online gaming on different systems and the wife scrolls facebook videos, so I can’t complain about speed nor see what hardwiring would gain for me.

I can too, but the hardwired nodes yield more than twice the speed of the all wireless.

Here is a speed test connected to a hardwired node

Here is upstairs, same distance away from node but all wireless.

Oh, I’m sure. But, like I said, what would I use the extra speed for?

True anything over 100 is still very robust. I guess I’m acting like a car guy and more power is always better lol

As long as you are able to get what you want (movies TV videos and music) without buffering more speed is pretty useless.

I disagree. I work from home and often have large construction docs sets (1GB+) and without a robust connection they take a long time to DL. I noticed a huge improvement when moving to a mesh system with a hard wired node near my office

tjc78

Anyone a Chris Stapleton fan?

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/g41901842/2023-ram-2500-traveller-full-image-gallery/

kyfdx

On my iPad

kyfdx

Hard wired

tjc78

Incredible upload speeds, wow

stickguy

finally had a nice enough day to get outside and finish the air filter replacement on the Acura (too dark in the garage to see well enough, I really need one of those fancy light bars that clamp to the hood!) so I did it in the driveway.

what a poor design. had to use the push pin extractor tool I bought (along with 200 pins of various types and some trim removal tools) to pop 2 pins out (one came out, the one I broke last time had to get busted out). Then pull the air tube off, which was wedged on tight and felt like it was attached, so hard to make yourself yank it that hard! but it came off. Then had to undue for screws buried low on the airbox itself (and of course in my socket kit, could not find the 8mm so had to use a screwdriver). Then pull the top up, which was buried under some wires so had to be twisted around a bit to finally have enough space to yank the air filter out.

by this point I had tools and parts spread all over the bed cover of my truck that I was using as a workbench. All for a simple air filter replacement. Thankfully the bottom of the filter was pretty black and nasty looking. I would have really been annoyed to do all this work and have the filter look perfectly fine.

next time, a 10 minute job with many fewer tools pulled out. Or I will sell the car by then instead.

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

finally had a nice enough day to get outside and finish the air filter replacement on the Acura (too dark in the garage to see well enough, I really need one of those fancy light bars that clamp to the hood!) so I did it in the driveway.

what a poor design. had to use the push pin extractor tool I bought (along with 200 pins of various types and some trim removal tools) to pop 2 pins out (one came out, the one I broke last time had to get busted out). Then pull the air tube off, which was wedged on tight and felt like it was attached, so hard to make yourself yank it that hard! but it came off. Then had to undue for screws buried low on the airbox itself (and of course in my socket kit, could not find the 8mm so had to use a screwdriver). Then pull the top up, which was buried under some wires so had to be twisted around a bit to finally have enough space to yank the air filter out.

by this point I had tools and parts spread all over the bed cover of my truck that I was using as a workbench. All for a simple air filter replacement. Thankfully the bottom of the filter was pretty black and nasty looking. I would have really been annoyed to do all this work and have the filter look perfectly fine.

next time, a 10 minute job with many fewer tools pulled out. Or I will sell the car by then instead.

————————————————
Geeez, all that finagling for an air filter. How much would you have been willingly to pay “a guy” to do that?

Maybe next time just let the car pass out from air starvation before changing the filter.

jmonroe

kyfdx

tjc78 said:

Incredible upload speeds, wow

1 Gig

roadburner

I have been extremely happy with my BMW and MB dealers, I can usually get an appointment in under a week and the jobs are usually completed in a day or less.

sda

I bought this a few years ago on Ebay. It wasn’t very expensive and it works really well. I generally add air at our local gas station but recently it has been out of order. The wife is traveling to her parents tomorrow. I did a quick car inspection, check oil, tires, etc. The tires were uniformly down about 2 lbs, so I added air. This tire inflator is nice to have when needed.

oldfarmer50

jmonroe1 said:

stickguy said:

finally had a nice enough day to get outside and finish the air filter replacement on the Acura (too dark in the garage to see well enough, I really need one of those fancy light bars that clamp to the hood!) so I did it in the driveway.

what a poor design. had to use the push pin extractor tool I bought (along with 200 pins of various types and some trim removal tools) to pop 2 pins out (one came out, the one I broke last time had to get busted out). Then pull the air tube off, which was wedged on tight and felt like it was attached, so hard to make yourself yank it that hard! but it came off. Then had to undue for screws buried low on the airbox itself (and of course in my socket kit, could not find the 8mm so had to use a screwdriver). Then pull the top up, which was buried under some wires so had to be twisted around a bit to finally have enough space to yank the air filter out.

by this point I had tools and parts spread all over the bed cover of my truck that I was using as a workbench. All for a simple air filter replacement. Thankfully the bottom of the filter was pretty black and nasty looking. I would have really been annoyed to do all this work and have the filter look perfectly fine.

next time, a 10 minute job with many fewer tools pulled out. Or I will sell the car by then instead.

————————————————
Geeez, all that finagling for an air filter. How much would you have been willingly to pay “a guy” to do that?

Maybe next time just let the car pass out from air starvation before changing the filter.

jmonroe

The first time I changed the air filter on my Chrysler I found the entire box filled with mouse nests. I’m surprised it still ran.

sda

Take two..

oldfarmer50

sda said:

Take two..

Is that a schematic of the Millennium Falcon?

ab348

jmonroe1 said:

Would you trust that engine if you were going on vacation?

He is very sick. He isn’t going on any vacations any time soon.

Before he became ill he likely would have been much more insistent.

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

jmonroe1 said:

stickguy said:

finally had a nice enough day to get outside and finish the air filter replacement on the Acura (too dark in the garage to see well enough, I really need one of those fancy light bars that clamp to the hood!) so I did it in the driveway.

what a poor design. had to use the push pin extractor tool I bought (along with 200 pins of various types and some trim removal tools) to pop 2 pins out (one came out, the one I broke last time had to get busted out). Then pull the air tube off, which was wedged on tight and felt like it was attached, so hard to make yourself yank it that hard! but it came off. Then had to undue for screws buried low on the airbox itself (and of course in my socket kit, could not find the 8mm so had to use a screwdriver). Then pull the top up, which was buried under some wires so had to be twisted around a bit to finally have enough space to yank the air filter out.

by this point I had tools and parts spread all over the bed cover of my truck that I was using as a workbench. All for a simple air filter replacement. Thankfully the bottom of the filter was pretty black and nasty looking. I would have really been annoyed to do all this work and have the filter look perfectly fine.

next time, a 10 minute job with many fewer tools pulled out. Or I will sell the car by then instead.

————————————————
Geeez, all that finagling for an air filter. How much would you have been willingly to pay “a guy” to do that?

Maybe next time just let the car pass out from air starvation before changing the filter.

jmonroe

The first time I changed the air filter on my Chrysler I found the entire box filled with mouse nests. I’m surprised it still ran.

————————————————
I never thought about the consequences of snuffing out a few mice.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

ab348 said:

jmonroe1 said:

Would you trust that engine if you were going on vacation?

He is very sick. He isn’t going on any vacations any time soon.

Before he became ill he likely would have been much more insistent.

————————————————
I was directing that question to you but I’ll take that as a NO.

jmonroe

stickguy

@jmonroe1 said:
————————————————
Geeez, all that finagling for an air filter. How much would you have been willingly to pay “a guy” to do that?

Maybe next time just let the car pass out from air starvation before changing the filter.

jmonroe

@jmonroe1 said:
————————————————
Geeez, all that finagling for an air filter. How much would you have been willingly to pay “a guy” to do that?

Maybe next time just let the car pass out from air starvation before changing the filter.

I meant to ask at the last
Oil change but forgot. Surprisingly they did
Not come out to upsell. If they told me $50 I likely would have said do it. Filter was in the $20 range I think.

ab348

jmonroe1 said:

ab348 said:

jmonroe1 said:

Would you trust that engine if you were going on vacation?

He is very sick. He isn’t going on any vacations any time soon.

Before he became ill he likely would have been much more insistent.

————————————————
I was directing that question to you but I’ll take that as a NO.

jmonroe

Fine, Monroe, you win. I hope you don’t have a similar situation when you’re dying. Geezus.

jmonroe1

ab348 said:

jmonroe1 said:

ab348 said:

jmonroe1 said:

Would you trust that engine if you were going on vacation?

He is very sick. He isn’t going on any vacations any time soon.

Before he became ill he likely would have been much more insistent.

————————————————
I was directing that question to you but I’ll take that as a NO.

jmonroe

Fine, Monroe, you win. I hope you don’t have a similar situation when you’re dying. Geezus.

————————————————
What brought that on? I was talking to you.

jmonroe

venture

oldfarmer50 said:

ab348 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

How did he get it back to the dealer? I hope he didn’t fill it back up with oil. Regardless, that engine would be toast after even a few miles of driving without oil.

He gingerly drove it back himself. They had it all day Thursday and until mid-afternoon Friday. They told him they did indeed open what they could to inspect, confirmed it had little/no oil, installed a new filter and refilled it, checked the old filter, ran it with the new oil for a while, drained and filtered that oil in a screen to inspect for any debris but found none, refilled and changed the filter again, then drove it for about 30 miles with no issues. They were full of apologies apparently and said they had already fired the guy responsible. I found this part odd - they told him they have everything that happens in the shop on video so there was no question who screwed up. I guess if you know that when you are hired in you have no recourse. I don't know how common that is these days.

As part of the string of apologies they said that he should drive it for a while and if anything crops up, that he should bring it back and they would make it good. He seemed fairly satisfied by their response, not trying to deny anything or evade responsibility. We will see.

From my experience, driving 10 miles without oil will destroy an engine. You’ll either get a bearing knock or it will overheat and stall. I don’t think even driving it gingerly would stop the damage. At the very least that thing will burn oil like a power plant. Unless he got those promises in writing they are meaningless I fear.

The less than a year-old John Deere X730 lawn tractor started clanking so I shut it off immediately. I took it to the garage when it started raining; about 200 feet away.

They had to replace the engine. It didn't make it.

And, yes. I knew better.

driver100

@ab348

RE: As part of the string of apologies they said that he should drive it for a while and if anything crops up, that he should bring it back and they would make it good. He seemed fairly satisfied by their response, not trying to deny anything or evade responsibility. We will see.

Your friend probably doesn't feel up to it but I'd be concerned about their verbal assurances. On Judge Judy verbal agreements are hard to enforce unless their is some proof. As time goes by it will be harder for him to prove if he does have a problem. I'd want it in writing and it would have been nice to have a copy of the video. The dealer seems to be honest and is trying.....but I have heard of engines seizing pretty quickly when their is no oil in them. Sometimes, by the time the light comes on it is too late.

stickguy

have the dealer pay for an extended warranty then there is no question.

with seizing, if it did not happen already, probably safe. Especially if they checked the oil filter and no metal pieces in there.

I thought your initial post said there was oil on the dipstick but maybe just a little? So it was low but not empty. If it really had no oil he would not have made it home.

oldfarmer50

venture said:

oldfarmer50 said:

ab348 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

How did he get it back to the dealer? I hope he didn’t fill it back up with oil. Regardless, that engine would be toast after even a few miles of driving without oil.

He gingerly drove it back himself. They had it all day Thursday and until mid-afternoon Friday. They told him they did indeed open what they could to inspect, confirmed it had little/no oil, installed a new filter and refilled it, checked the old filter, ran it with the new oil for a while, drained and filtered that oil in a screen to inspect for any debris but found none, refilled and changed the filter again, then drove it for about 30 miles with no issues. They were full of apologies apparently and said they had already fired the guy responsible. I found this part odd - they told him they have everything that happens in the shop on video so there was no question who screwed up. I guess if you know that when you are hired in you have no recourse. I don't know how common that is these days.

As part of the string of apologies they said that he should drive it for a while and if anything crops up, that he should bring it back and they would make it good. He seemed fairly satisfied by their response, not trying to deny anything or evade responsibility. We will see.

From my experience, driving 10 miles without oil will destroy an engine. You’ll either get a bearing knock or it will overheat and stall. I don’t think even driving it gingerly would stop the damage. At the very least that thing will burn oil like a power plant. Unless he got those promises in writing they are meaningless I fear.

The less than a year-old John Deere X730 lawn tractor started clanking so I shut it off immediately. I took it to the garage when it started raining; about 200 feet away.

They had to replace the engine. It didn't make it.

And, yes. I knew better.

By the time it started clanking it was probably already too late.

roadburner

The first year I had my Dixon ZTR a motor mount broke and a hole was punched in the oil filter. Long story short, by the time I noticed it I had a rod knock. B&S denied coverage (I didn't blame them). However, Dixon stepped up and offered to replace the 17 hp single cylinder with a 21 hp twin. Their explanation was that the single cylinder was prone to breaking its mounts and they were no longer using a single cylinder in that model. The shop owner was extremely apologetic because Dixon wanted me to pay for an upgraded blade clutch, which cost all of $100.00. Needless to say, I was not about to complain about paying $100 to replace a trashed motor with a new more powerful (and much smoother) engine.
24 years later it's still running great.

laurasdada

Yesterday, the wife was leaving to take 94 y.o. aunt to lunch, an ~80 mile round trip. Do you have gas? Plenty, 100 miles per the DTE! Umm, you will fill up before your Tuesday morning dental appointment, ~100 mile round trip? Yes, after my lunch with Aunt Bea (really).
How was lunch? Lovely. Did you get gas? No, too tired. And, I'm going to the gym Monday morning, ~30 mile round trip. How much gas do you have left? Ummm...
She'll go to the gym tonight, I'll get her gas at noon time.
The struggle is real.

roadburner

My wife will fill up the X1 herself or else let me know when the range drops below 100 miles.

laurasdada

I continually ask her, especially now that winter approaches, to think about filling the tank once it reaches 50%.

jmonroe1

laurasdada said:

I continually ask her, especially now that winter approaches, to think about filling the tank once it reaches 50%.

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That’s why folks need more than one EV in the garage. I always try to have a back up. Kinda explains why I have 4 battery powered drills each with 2 batteries.

jmonroe

stickguy

I was lucky if my wife remembered to tell me the light came on. Back when she drove a lot more. Then I would lecture about giving earlier notice. At least she never ran out. Now she barely drives so I always know where the gauge is.

Even in Jersey she just told me she needed gas and I got it. And that was where they only have full service. Up here in self serve land zero chance she is stopping for gas if she has to put it in. Would have to be a real emergency.

laurasdada

Crisis averted, with 32 miles DTE showing, I filled 'er up good.
BJs PUG with my discount, $3.71/gal. Good to be sub $4 again.

Gave the A7 a long charge, showing 29 miles of range. Which is the furthest I've noted going on electrons only. Doubt highly I'd get that, unless going downhill, coasting with a tailwind for a good portion of the travels. But, still think it's cool.

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

I was lucky if my wife remembered to tell me the light came on. Back when she drove a lot more. Then I would lecture about giving earlier notice. At least she never ran out. Now she barely drives so I always know where the gauge is.

Even in Jersey she just told me she needed gas and I got it. And that was where they only have full service. Up here in self serve land zero chance she is stopping for gas if she has to put it in. Would have to be a real emergency.

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Somehow Mrs. j never had a problem putting in gas but she could never figure out how to pop the hood to refill the washer fluid. I guess you could say her mechanical acumen topped out with the gas cap removal/replacement, squeezing the pump nozzle and not forgetting to take out the CC.

jmonroe

stickguy

I suppose in an emergency she could get the hood open. Maybe. Probably not on the ford since that works oddly. But if she did would have no clue what anything was and would be afraid to touch it.