Recent content by ChrisMU

2020 Toyota Avalon Limited, 50,043 mi., 5K OCI Out: Mobil 1 Euro 0w40, CarQuest oil filter In: Same.

This angle shows the dent better (and more of the mess that is my yard/projects). The dent is near the driver’s side taillight.

Yes, both cars have the 3.3 liter V6. I was planning to replace the valve cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals. I know theres at least some oil leakage. If you start it cold with the a/c on, it makes a lot of belt squeal, despite that belt being fairly new. Last recorded timing belt change...

As a huge Longhorn fan and very proud graduate of UT-Austin (for undergraduate), my wife 100% agrees. My son wants to keep the Tech emblem because his friend will be going there. My wife says his college fund cannot be used if he goes to OU or A&M.

He turns 15 in July. I know a lot of Gen Z kids don’t care about cars, but he’s definitely not one of those kids. I’m definitely not paying for professional bodywork for a teen’s car. I remember high school kid behavior… and no way he will get to take the ‘63 Cadillac to school. I’ll have to...

Since I need to use up some Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w30 I had for the Corolla, the first oil change (141K) will be that plus a quart of HPL Engine Cleaner 30. The second (through at least 5th) oil change will be Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w-30. I’m satisfied with how the Valvoline Restore and...

I have yet to post my previous new-to-me car purchase, but in the meantime, here’s the 2008 Toyota SLE V6 convertible I just bought for my son as his first car. It has its share of bumps and bruises (mostly caused by deer), but it’s a Toyota with 140K, a working top that doesn’t leak, and cold...

My mother-in-law has one of the higher trim Venues and she likes it a lot. It replaced her Scion Xa that probably has over 250K by now. It felt a bit tinny, but not any worse than its competition. If I were in a position to need a car less than $20K that would see a lot of miles in the rust...

Even with the low miles, that price seems a bit high for the age. My 2020 Avalon Limited was $30.5K when I bought it used in February of 2024 with 25K miles. You may want to check out the 2019-2022 body style if you’re thinking of getting an Avalon. I like the blind spot monitoring, but it...

My 2013 Ram 1500 owners manual recommends 89 octane, but it runs well on the (cheaper-than-87 e10) 88 octane e15, which is a blessing since ponying up the extra money for 89 on my Austin-Milwaukee trips is not fun. My pre-1980 vehicles and ope all get e0.

That is half the price my folks paid for my very similar 2004 Craftsman set I received as a birthday/leaving the nest after college gift. I guess offshoring really lowers the price. With that warranty, I’d buy that set for my son.

I had a hand-me-down 1991 Mercury Tracer Wagon (Ford Escort’s corporate twin) with that system. Never had problems with the seat belts. The seat material wore like iron, too… the automatic transmission, not so much. My 1963 Cadillac has (factory or dealer-installed) front lap belts (only) and...

Signature Care multivitamin gummies… purchased for $1.95/jar at an Old Order Mennonite-run salvage grocery store in Iowa Swanson Ashitaba capsules, 500 mg. Antioxidant supposedly good for cellular renewal, anti-obesity/diabetes, and other benefits. Purchased from iHerb (where my wife is an...

Bendix acquired Fram in 1967, then the company became Allied Signal in 1985, so it should be between those years. Judging from the logo/typography, I’d say the end of that timespan. Maybe I should use the 1992-dated Fram PH8A’s I inherited from my grandpa’s stash. The top plates aren’t nearly...

From July of 2006 to February 2007 I worked as a salesman at a Kia dealership in Waukesha, WI. From June 2011 to December 2011 I worked as an auto detailer/driver at a Ford dealership in Buda, TX. Both jobs paid basically minimum wage, and were temporary until something better/higher-paying came...