Saw three Chevy Bolts at the Miami Lakes Auto Mall yesterday. A dark gray Bolt 2LT and a couple of the longer Bolt EUV's, one white and one dark gray, also 2LT's. Like the alloys on this model but it lacks the Bose audio system, a major faux pas, and the size of the regular Bolt is just what I'm looking for. Was surprised they had these on the floor waiting to be sold. Just wish I could pull the trigger on one of these but still not sure EV is the way to go quite yet. But, does check all the boxes for me. Should go down & test drive one eventually just to see what I'm missing here.
Spoke with some of the kids yesterday about it and they were receptive since they both drive Chevy's right now. Think it could work especially since work is so close and they have like 7 or 8 chargers on site. Enterprise was having some of their employees drive Polestar's a couple years back. They retro-fitted the front & side of their building to accommodate EV vehicles. Sadly, most are free now on a daily basis so charging would be no issue for me since I drive so little. Charge on Monday & Friday and think I'd be good for the whole week. Figure if I did do a run to Orlando or St. Augustine, would just need to top off on the way and could possibly get to St. Cloud before needing to do much topping off.
Think I'll give it another week and see if the vehicle in Miami I like is still available & inquire about how the $7500 rebate works. With my trade, I could possibly get the price down to around $20K or so, something I could wrap my head around. Or possibly check out a hybrid vehicle that would give me the increased miles/gallon I'm looking for.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
My wife did some searching and found another highly rated car insurance company, our daughter uses them, which has the same coverage for a much better rate. Naturally, it's for a 6 month policy but if the price is right, something I could live with. Considering we only have until 2/13 to do something, asked her to do some more checking this week & then we'll need to decide what company to go with. I do know that we need to do something as Safeco has just gone crazy with their current prices. We've been with them since 2016 so, maybe a change is due with insurance company's now. Especially now that I'm starting to get serious about swapping vehicles sometime in the next few months.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
My Geico policy restarted this month and I’m not seeing a significant increase, or maybe even none. Tough to keep track when you change cars so often. I know it has been over $300/mo for quite some time, and this month was $309. This is for 6 vehicles and 3 drivers, including a 17-yr-old boy. Can’t complain.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Still using our Chase Freedom card we've had since 1993. I used to do surveys, we both did, and back in 1992, did one dealing with a Shell Visa credit card. They basically were trying to figure out if folks would rather have a Visa card with the Shell name on it or continue using the current Shell gas credit card with it's limited use. Obviously, most wanted it to become a Visa card because by early 1993, we got enrolled in this new credit card program through Shell. It was a pretty good deal then and now, just o k. Bu it's now the Chase Freedom credit card. Do have others that I use at times but for me, want the one with the highest cash back reward since we charge most stuff & pay it off at months end. Never carry over any except in 2018 when I was in the hospital and unable to make the payment on time...missed it by 2 days. Now, my oldest is on all my accounts & will be able to pay any outstanding bills if need be.
Must admit, using the computer to do simple banking has been wonderful. I do certain things with my investments so glad I can go online & move/pay things when necessary. And putting our oldest on all accounts has eased my mind a bit as I know she's super honest & will do the right thing when my passing comes. I know it's a tough thing to talk about but one must be prepared for that eventual time to come as it will for all of us. I have started the process of closing some of the current credit cards in my name as feel the need to simplify my life a bit. And since the kids are the beneficiaries of it all, should be a simple transition when the time comes. A simple copy of the death certificate should do it and since she's a co-signer on everything, she just gives the others their third & keeps her share. Definitely feel the need to simplify my life at this juncture.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
I know it's a tough thing to talk about but one must be prepared for that eventual time to come as it will for all of us.
Good advice, I lost my Dad a few weeks before Christmas and my brother and I are in the process of helping Mom figure things out. He was 90, didn't care for online banking so they'd sit down and write out checks each month and keep a ledger for everything. They'd visit their favorite donut shop each time they went to mail the checks, so I think I'm seeing his thought process! We've been added to her accounts and are weeding through all the life insurance policies, he definitely made sure she'd be set upon his departure. So as SM said, not a bad idea to start thinking about a smooth transition.
I will say, I wasn’t expecting quite this cold in the PNW when I started daily driving the Bimmer. But it’s completely and the best daily I’ve had (exceeding the GTI).
Wow! That's quite chilly for Seattle! We were only twenty degrees colder than that here (yesterday), though now it is forty degrees colder (-22F).
This has been one wacky winter. It was neat 50 yesterday before the cold front came in and gave us the first January thunderstorm I can remember.
Colder today but all the rain washed the salt off the roads and I saw several 2005-2009 era Mustangs out on the road this morning. I set a record on my own Mustang, this being the first year that I was ever able to drive it in January. I keep topping off the fuel and putting it away for the winter only to have the weather turn nice again.
———————————————— That’s a first world problem for sure.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
It's 11 here. My doggo usually hates the cold, but wanted to dawdle on our morning walk. Go figure.
Got a private offer card from Ford that expires April 2. I'm not in the market, but I think it's useful information insofar as which models likely have a lot of inventory: $2,000 off - F-150, F-150 Lightning, Super Duty, or Expedition $1,250 off - Explorer, Bronco Sport, Mustang Mach-E, Edge, Escape $750 off - most other vehicles
———————————————— So when do you plan to expand the garage so they’ll all fit?
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
1F here right now, warming from -10F yesterday morning. Outdoor rink I skate at on weekends is closed due to wind chills. Cars are in an insulated (detached) garage, but I bet it is still around freezing in there - I don't need to go anywhere today, so I am staying in.
Might be fun to try to start the fintail, which has been idle for a few weeks, on its 2014 battery.
Weird weather today. Went out to do errands and had a couple more stops planned but we were hungry so popped into Moes. It was clear and pavement dry. While we were in there a blizzard squall moved in. By time we left (maybe 20 minutes total) visibility was nil and roads were covered and treacherous slick. Bailed on rest of stops and slipped home.
Pulled the truck in and it was snow covered up front and the sides had a solid coat of ice on them. Which is probably a puddle in my garage now.
I know it's a tough thing to talk about but one must be prepared for that eventual time to come as it will for all of us.
Good advice, I lost my Dad a few weeks before Christmas and my brother and I are in the process of helping Mom figure things out. He was 90, didn't care for online banking so they'd sit down and write out checks each month and keep a ledger for everything. They'd visit their favorite donut shop each time they went to mail the checks, so I think I'm seeing his thought process! We've been added to her accounts and are weeding through all the life insurance policies, he definitely made sure she'd be set upon his departure. So as SM said, not a bad idea to start thinking about a smooth transition.
My dad died on Dec. 21st. Which was not fun and I had a real learning curve trying to get everything into my mother’s name. When she went I was executor and I knew pretty much what to do.
We just put each other on all our bank accounts and added my oldest son as beneficiary so he can scoop up all the various monies when we check out. The house is in a trust for both kids and the investments go to the wife and after her both kids equally.
I sat down and listed each account and gave instructions on what to do and who to call when the time comes. I wish someone had done that for me.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Sorry to hear about both your losses. I guess with all us seniors here, it is bound to happen.
I get to be executor when my father passes (assuming he ever does, about to turn 95 and still chugging along). hopefully everything is organized enough that it should be straightforward.
a while back (year before my Mom passed), my sister and I made them sit down and pull out everything they had (squirreled away in various places) and my sis put it all in what she calls "the magic spreadsheet). Every account with # and contact info, a list of important contacts (insurance, lawyer, investments, friends, etc.), insurance policies and pensions. Pretty much everything needed to handle the estate stuff. Really helped immensely when she left us. I was not executor (there really wasn't an estate, Dad just got it all) but I helped contact everyone that needed to be.
Sorry to hear about those personal losses. Even when you think you've planned correctly, there is usually someone (usually, at a bank) to tell you that you didn't.
@fintail said:
1F here right now, warming from -10F yesterday morning. Outdoor rink I skate at on weekends is closed due to wind chills. Cars are in an insulated (detached) garage, but I bet it is still around freezing in there - I don't need to go anywhere today, so I am staying in.
Might be fun to try to start the fintail, which has been idle for a few weeks, on its 2014 battery.
I’ve been having a long text conversation with my nephew, who is at EWU. Passing along driving tips and such for the cold weather.
(He drives a 2015 Jetta with over 100k on it)
I asked him if he starts his car before he starts to scrape the windshield. He told me his car is not producing any hot air, and had an appointment yesterday to get it looked at.
Of course, he couldn’t get the car started and needed a jump. By the time he got that sorted, he missed his appointment time and had to reschedule to next Saturday.
Weird weather today. Went out to do errands and had a couple more stops planned but we were hungry so popped into Moes. It was clear and pavement dry. While we were in there a blizzard squall moved in. By time we left (maybe 20 minutes total) visibility was nil and roads were covered and treacherous slick. Bailed on rest of stops and slipped home.
Pulled the truck in and it was snow covered up front and the sides had a solid coat of ice on them. Which is probably a puddle in my garage now.
———————————————— From here that looks like frozen salt. @oldfarmer50 should be able to confirm this.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
1F here right now, warming from -10F yesterday morning. Outdoor rink I skate at on weekends is closed due to wind chills. Cars are in an insulated (detached) garage, but I bet it is still around freezing in there - I don't need to go anywhere today, so I am staying in.
Might be fun to try to start the fintail, which has been idle for a few weeks, on its 2014 battery.
I’ve been having a long text conversation with my nephew, who is at EWU. Passing along driving tips and such for the cold weather.
(He drives a 2015 Jetta with over 100k on it)
I asked him if he starts his car before he starts to scrape the windshield. He told me his car is not producing any hot air, and had an appointment yesterday to get it looked at.
Of course, he couldn’t get the car started and needed a jump. By the time he got that sorted, he missed his appointment time and had to reschedule to next Saturday.
Poor kid.
Blown head gasket could explain both problems. Poor kid indeed.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Not me. I’d much rather warm up my core than just my hands. Can always wear gloves or alternate hands with one on the wheel and one under my butt.
You, sir, have clearly never lived in a cold climate! When the ambient temperatures are in the negatives, I do that. All the time. And, my hands are just frozen more trips than not. The rest of my body appreciates a tiny bit of heat in the seat if the seat is leather/vinyl, but fabric seats warm up quickly, and I dress appropriately enough that it's not just a thin layer of jean or something between me and the surface. My hands, in contrast, cannot be bundled nearly so well.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
Drove an X7 on Friday and was amazed at the brisk acceleration when merging onto I-95 in Miami. Going from the 112 to the express line takes a steady foot on the accelerator to be able to merge into the traffic going north. But it had power to spare and looked great for a vehicle with over 63K on the clock. Sold it to a Caddy dealer in Pompano Beach and they really gave it the once over...4 guys swarmed the vehicle before the manager signed m slip & took his copy. It was black over black, a strange combo for South Florida but suspect it'll sell pretty quickly if priced right.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
1F here right now, warming from -10F yesterday morning. Outdoor rink I skate at on weekends is closed due to wind chills. Cars are in an insulated (detached) garage, but I bet it is still around freezing in there - I don't need to go anywhere today, so I am staying in.
Might be fun to try to start the fintail, which has been idle for a few weeks, on its 2014 battery.
I’ve been having a long text conversation with my nephew, who is at EWU. Passing along driving tips and such for the cold weather.
(He drives a 2015 Jetta with over 100k on it)
I asked him if he starts his car before he starts to scrape the windshield. He told me his car is not producing any hot air, and had an appointment yesterday to get it looked at.
Of course, he couldn’t get the car started and needed a jump. By the time he got that sorted, he missed his appointment time and had to reschedule to next Saturday.
Poor kid.
I guess garages are nonexistent in student housing and most apartments near campus. I've been hearing some cars are having issues in this cold (tonight's forecast low is -5 per NWS). Temps are supposed to return to normal by next weekend, but it could be messy between now and then.
He might want into invest in a jumper box, and just let the car idle for like an hour, working on the windows while it warms up to full operating temperature, to see what happens. I suspect in the temps we had yesterday, it could take a long time for some cars to put out hot air.
Back in the old days, we stuck a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator to help it heat up. You just had to remember to remove it when the weather warned up.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
According to this video, the price for a long-range battery unit for a Ford F-150 Lightning is $45k. Couldn't find out exactly, but it looks like like a new replacement engine from Honda for a CR-V 1.5 turbo is probably around $8k. Used 1.5T engines can be found for around $3k. Anyway, it seems like repair and insurance costs are slowing EV adoptions.
I got one at Costco a year or two ago for like $50, to keep when I drive the fintail in case it gets quirky. I think it has enough juice to start the car dozens of times. Peace of mind.
those quoted battery prices don't really make sense (the Kia ones too). You can buy a brand new car for about the price of a replacement battery, and I doubt that the rest of the car barely costs anything!
Caught up with the nephew. Yes, he got his own jumper box, and they replaced the battery for good measure. Hasn’t been done since he bought the car 4 or 5 years ago.
I've thought about getting one. I've never had good luck with jumper cables, even the larger gauge ones that are supposed to work well.
———————————————— I’ve said before that the clamps are just as important, maybe even more important, than the size of the cables. I don’t even consider jumper cables that aren’t at least #6 gauge copper. I have a set of #4 gauge copper jumper cables in the Genny and while they are very good, I think the clamps should be better. Years ago I had a set of jumper cables that almost took 2 hands to open them.
I loaned those to my brother and forgot about them (I had another set), then when I remembered he said they must have been in his trunk when he traded in his car a few weeks later.
Coincidentally, the battery in Mrs. j’s 2018 Legacy just died this afternoon when I tried to start it a second time while in the garage. It sounded weak when it started. So, I shut it off and tried again, no start, barely a click. At its age I’m not at all surprised.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
those quoted battery prices don't really make sense (the Kia ones too). You can buy a brand new car for about the price of a replacement battery, and I doubt that the rest of the car barely costs anything!
Costs $60,000 to replace the battery in a Hyundau Ionic! They have a second video with another Ionic owner experiencing the same thing. See here:
Gas cars can have problems with cold weather, but perhaps there are even more problems for EV drivers in the cold? I don't know, but this 2-minute news report from Chicago today said many Tesla chargers there stopped working, and many Tesla EVs got stranded.
The cables aren't too thick, but I have had to jump the old car a couple times, and it worked fine, only using ~2% of the apparent stored juice when starting the car.
Anecdotally, I heard a lot of the Level 3 chargers (not just Tesla) went haywire in the low temperatures, refusing to charge, etc.
We got a fairly light dusting of snow (maybe 1/2") and I took the Volt out to run a few errands (I'm supposed to meet with the dealer to get the out of state inspection done tomorrow, if they don't close due to the very cold temps, so I thought I'd do a test run). It did extremely well. The gas engine turned on quite a bit due to the low temperatures. That instant torque makes it easy to make the wheels spin!
It’s 11 degrees in Louisville. I drove the 4xe to take my wife to her annual checkup. I ran it on the IC for a while to get it thoroughly warmed up in hopes of keeping the car from going into Fuel Oil Refresh Mode (FORM). We’ll see; the oil temperature never exceeded 180F- some online sources state that the oil temperature needs to be at least 190F for 20-30 minutes.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Telsa has just put the $7500 federal tax credit as a point-of-sale discount on some models, and they are still giving their own discounts on some models too. Here's an example below of a long-range AWD Model Y with the optional blue paint, optional wheels, and optional white interior. The options add up to about $5k, but Tesla is giving those extras away with a $5000 discount from msrp. The 7.5k rebate takes the price down to $40k flat plus tax and license, which is a nice deal for a practical sports car that goes 0-60 in about 5 seconds, but which has nearly as much room inside as a CR-V.
With 0 down, even with the Telsa discount and federal credit, a lease for that model Y is $567 a month plus tax.
But a Tesla Model 3 with fewer options can be leased with 0 down for just 418 a month plus taxes, which is only $68 a month away from that goal. If you drove 10k miles a year you might save $50 a month charging a 3 compared to putting gas in a Maverick hybrid, which means you'd almost be there.
Comments
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Spoke with some of the kids yesterday about it and they were receptive since they both drive Chevy's right now. Think it could work especially since work is so close and they have like 7 or 8 chargers on site. Enterprise was having some of their employees drive Polestar's a couple years back. They retro-fitted the front & side of their building to accommodate EV vehicles. Sadly, most are free now on a daily basis so charging would be no issue for me since I drive so little. Charge on Monday & Friday and think I'd be good for the whole week. Figure if I did do a run to Orlando or St. Augustine, would just need to top off on the way and could possibly get to St. Cloud before needing to do much topping off.
Think I'll give it another week and see if the vehicle in Miami I like is still available & inquire about how the $7500 rebate works. With my trade, I could possibly get the price down to around $20K or so, something I could wrap my head around. Or possibly check out a hybrid vehicle that would give me the increased miles/gallon I'm looking for.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Heatwave on its way though!
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Garage: 50 F... 2 degrees higher than yesterday, when the outdoor temperature was 24 F.
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My Geico policy restarted this month and I’m not seeing a significant increase, or maybe even none. Tough to keep track when you change cars so often. I know it has been over $300/mo for quite some time, and this month was $309. This is for 6 vehicles and 3 drivers, including a 17-yr-old boy. Can’t complain.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Must admit, using the computer to do simple banking has been wonderful. I do certain things with my investments so glad I can go online & move/pay things when necessary. And putting our oldest on all accounts has eased my mind a bit as I know she's super honest & will do the right thing when my passing comes. I know it's a tough thing to talk about but one must be prepared for that eventual time to come as it will for all of us. I have started the process of closing some of the current credit cards in my name as feel the need to simplify my life a bit. And since the kids are the beneficiaries of it all, should be a simple transition when the time comes. A simple copy of the death certificate should do it and since she's a co-signer on everything, she just gives the others their third & keeps her share. Definitely feel the need to simplify my life at this juncture.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
That’s a first world problem for sure.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
So when do you plan to expand the garage so they’ll all fit?
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Post your comments here.
I've already added my .02, but I haven't leased in quite a while. Would love for some of you chronic leasers to weigh in.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Put in my $.02. Expecting change.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Put in my $.02. Expecting change.
Saw your comment - thanks!
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Might be fun to try to start the fintail, which has been idle for a few weeks, on its 2014 battery.
Weird weather today. Went out to do errands and had a couple more stops planned but we were hungry so popped into Moes. It was clear and pavement dry. While we were in there a blizzard squall moved in. By time we left (maybe 20 minutes total) visibility was nil and roads were covered and treacherous slick. Bailed on rest of stops and slipped home.
Pulled the truck in and it was snow covered up front and the sides had a solid coat of ice on them. Which is probably a puddle in my garage now.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
And yes it is getting a wash tomorrow.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
We just put each other on all our bank accounts and added my oldest son as beneficiary so he can scoop up all the various monies when we check out. The house is in a trust for both kids and the investments go to the wife and after her both kids equally.
I sat down and listed each account and gave instructions on what to do and who to call when the time comes. I wish someone had done that for me.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I get to be executor when my father passes (assuming he ever does, about to turn 95 and still chugging along). hopefully everything is organized enough that it should be straightforward.
a while back (year before my Mom passed), my sister and I made them sit down and pull out everything they had (squirreled away in various places) and my sis put it all in what she calls "the magic spreadsheet). Every account with # and contact info, a list of important contacts (insurance, lawyer, investments, friends, etc.), insurance policies and pensions. Pretty much everything needed to handle the estate stuff. Really helped immensely when she left us. I was not executor (there really wasn't an estate, Dad just got it all) but I helped contact everyone that needed to be.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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I’ve been having a long text conversation with my nephew, who is at EWU. Passing along driving tips and such for the cold weather.
(He drives a 2015 Jetta with over 100k on it)
I asked him if he starts his car before he starts to scrape the windshield. He told me his car is not producing any hot air, and had an appointment yesterday to get it looked at.
Of course, he couldn’t get the car started and needed a jump. By the time he got that sorted, he missed his appointment time and had to reschedule to next Saturday.
Poor kid.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
From here that looks like frozen salt.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
I’ve been having a long text conversation with my nephew, who is at EWU. Passing along driving tips and such for the cold weather.
(He drives a 2015 Jetta with over 100k on it)
I asked him if he starts his car before he starts to scrape the windshield. He told me his car is not producing any hot air, and had an appointment yesterday to get it looked at.
Of course, he couldn’t get the car started and needed a jump. By the time he got that sorted, he missed his appointment time and had to reschedule to next Saturday.
Poor kid.
Blown head gasket could explain both problems. Poor kid indeed.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
I don’t think he’s having any other symptoms of that. I know they had the car thoroughly checked out before he went north, last August.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
I’ve been having a long text conversation with my nephew, who is at EWU. Passing along driving tips and such for the cold weather.
(He drives a 2015 Jetta with over 100k on it)
I asked him if he starts his car before he starts to scrape the windshield. He told me his car is not producing any hot air, and had an appointment yesterday to get it looked at.
Of course, he couldn’t get the car started and needed a jump. By the time he got that sorted, he missed his appointment time and had to reschedule to next Saturday.
Poor kid.
I guess garages are nonexistent in student housing and most apartments near campus. I've been hearing some cars are having issues in this cold (tonight's forecast low is -5 per NWS). Temps are supposed to return to normal by next weekend, but it could be messy between now and then.
He might want into invest in a jumper box, and just let the car idle for like an hour, working on the windows while it warms up to full operating temperature, to see what happens. I suspect in the temps we had yesterday, it could take a long time for some cars to put out hot air.
You just had to remember to remove it when the weather warned up.
I’ll pass along the jumper box suggestion.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
actually an advantage to an EV. It is generally a lot simpler to swap out the battery pack than it would be to remove and replace an engine.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Caught up with the nephew. Yes, he got his own jumper box, and they replaced the battery for good measure. Hasn’t been done since he bought the car 4 or 5 years ago.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I’ve said before that the clamps are just as important, maybe even more important, than the size of the cables. I don’t even consider jumper cables that aren’t at least #6 gauge copper. I have a set of #4 gauge copper jumper cables in the Genny and while they are very good, I think the clamps should be better. Years ago I had a set of jumper cables that almost took 2 hands to open them.
I loaned those to my brother and forgot about them (I had another set), then when I remembered he said they must have been in his trunk when he traded in his car a few weeks later.
Coincidentally, the battery in Mrs. j’s 2018 Legacy just died this afternoon when I tried to start it a second time while in the garage. It sounded weak when it started. So, I shut it off and tried again, no start, barely a click. At its age I’m not at all surprised.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
https://www.costco.com/type-s-portable-jump-starter-%26-power-bank-with-emergency-multimode-floodlight.product.4000036606.html
The cables aren't too thick, but I have had to jump the old car a couple times, and it worked fine, only using ~2% of the apparent stored juice when starting the car.
We got a fairly light dusting of snow (maybe 1/2") and I took the Volt out to run a few errands (I'm supposed to meet with the dealer to get the out of state inspection done tomorrow, if they don't close due to the very cold temps, so I thought I'd do a test run). It did extremely well. The gas engine turned on quite a bit due to the low temperatures. That instant torque makes it easy to make the wheels spin!
At BMW when the diagnostics picked up a bad cell only that cell was replaced.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
It’s 11 degrees in Louisville. I drove the 4xe to take my wife to her annual checkup. I ran it on the IC for a while to get it thoroughly warmed up in hopes of keeping the car from going into Fuel Oil Refresh Mode (FORM). We’ll see; the oil temperature never exceeded 180F- some online sources state that the oil temperature needs to be at least 190F for 20-30 minutes.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
But a Tesla Model 3 with fewer options can be leased with 0 down for just 418 a month plus taxes, which is only $68 a month away from that goal. If you drove 10k miles a year you might save $50 a month charging a 3 compared to putting gas in a Maverick hybrid, which means you'd almost be there.