Ask someone the last time they checked the oil and
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Originally Posted By: RiceCake
I used to have a friend in University who refused to learn anything about his car, apparently it was too hard and difficult to, and since he paid the dealer good money to do basic maintenance, they must be doing a better, more complete job then he ever could. When the battery in his key fob went dead and wouldn't unlock the doors he took it to the dealer.
We get a lot of people coming into parts and throwing their remote on the counter and say they want a new one under warranty because theirs doesn't work anymore, usually newer Mazdas with the smart keys. I calmly pull out a pocked screwdriver, open it up, and then wander back to the shelf we keep CR-XXXX batteries on and replace theirs. The look on their faces when it works again is like when a little kid discovers auto open doors. I don't even charge that much, I think $7 or so including taking the things apart, cleaning the insides and putting it all back together.
I used to have a friend in University who refused to learn anything about his car, apparently it was too hard and difficult to, and since he paid the dealer good money to do basic maintenance, they must be doing a better, more complete job then he ever could. When the battery in his key fob went dead and wouldn't unlock the doors he took it to the dealer.
We get a lot of people coming into parts and throwing their remote on the counter and say they want a new one under warranty because theirs doesn't work anymore, usually newer Mazdas with the smart keys. I calmly pull out a pocked screwdriver, open it up, and then wander back to the shelf we keep CR-XXXX batteries on and replace theirs. The look on their faces when it works again is like when a little kid discovers auto open doors. I don't even charge that much, I think $7 or so including taking the things apart, cleaning the insides and putting it all back together.
Last winter I was filling up the fuel tanks in my truck and used the opportunity (nice clean snow and slush free covered pump area) to check the air in my tires. I had a guy at the next row of pumps ask me why I didn't check the pressure during the summer when it was nice and warm. I smiled and thanked him for the suggestion and watched him drive off with his right rear tire noticeably low
When I sold my Grand Am 2 years ago, I let the buyer known what recent PM had been done to the car, which included fresh oil and filter. The buyer's friend (who came with her) then proceeded to say: "That's good to know. I bought my car 3 years ago and haven't changed the oil yet"! I then feared that my Grand Am would likely get the same poor treatment, since the buyer looked about as clueless and ignorant about cars as her friend did. Poor, poor car... I saw the car about a year later, being driven. No idea on how it's doing now though.
The upside is that it did have an oversized filter on it. The bad is that it had 5w-20 in the sump of a car that was spec'd for 5w-30, and had 175,000 miles on it and some wrist pin slap. And it burned some oil. Although that wasn't the first time I ran a 20 grade oil in that car. I had done it before, and it actually ran incredibly smooth too, and that was on PP 5w-20, one of the thinnest 20 grade oils around. The good feel the 5w-20 gave made me use it again, but then I sold the car.
The upside is that it did have an oversized filter on it. The bad is that it had 5w-20 in the sump of a car that was spec'd for 5w-30, and had 175,000 miles on it and some wrist pin slap. And it burned some oil. Although that wasn't the first time I ran a 20 grade oil in that car. I had done it before, and it actually ran incredibly smooth too, and that was on PP 5w-20, one of the thinnest 20 grade oils around. The good feel the 5w-20 gave made me use it again, but then I sold the car.
I currently work at a national parts chain.
I'm amazed on a daily basis how completely clueless and helpless people are when it comes to cars. People depend on this machine to take them tens or hundreds of miles a day and have no idea the most basic concept of how it or its systems work.
I get embarrassed for grown men who need to have me put on wiper blades because they can't figure it out. They're always amazed when it takes literally 5 seconds per blade excepting non j-hook or gm hookups.
The whole "do it for me" attitude is so pervasive that a surprising amount of people get upset when I say I won't install a bulb or a fuse or check their oil for them for free.
I'm amazed on a daily basis how completely clueless and helpless people are when it comes to cars. People depend on this machine to take them tens or hundreds of miles a day and have no idea the most basic concept of how it or its systems work.
I get embarrassed for grown men who need to have me put on wiper blades because they can't figure it out. They're always amazed when it takes literally 5 seconds per blade excepting non j-hook or gm hookups.
The whole "do it for me" attitude is so pervasive that a surprising amount of people get upset when I say I won't install a bulb or a fuse or check their oil for them for free.
Originally Posted By: RiceCake
I used to have a friend in University who refused to learn anything about his car, apparently it was too hard and difficult to, and since he paid the dealer good money to do basic maintenance, they must be doing a better, more complete job then he ever could. When the battery in his key fob went dead and wouldn't unlock the doors he took it to the dealer.
But then again, blame a generation of parents with more money then sense handing a kid a car and a pile of money to sit in University rather then actually doing anything.
University was rather common for stuff like that though in all due respect. Especially engineering, where people always seemed exceptionally confident they "know better then you" because they're in a Masters program or something. All book smart, all ignorant, no sense. I watched a guy try to pull start an automatic car because he knew engineering.
Fortunately my parents had plenty of money AND sense.
When I got my learner's permit was when I started thinking about a vehicle. I approached my dad, fully expecting to get his newish F-150 4x4 when I turned 16, and was greeted with "save your money, and when you turn 16 we will match whatever you have saved to pay for what you can afford." Long story short I saved only $1000 over the next year and, sure enough, we went car shopping with $2000. I ended up with a 1986 4x4 F-150 with the 4.9L and a manual trans- turd brown, darker turd brown pin stripe, vinyl floor and seats, no A/C, and a ton of miles - and had to haggle to get it. With only $2k my options were limited and I had to narrow it down to an older 4x4 beater or nicer and newer 2WD. I gave up a much nicer and newer Chevy with A/C just because it was 2WD. I got joked on by some of my friends because it was so ugly, but I had 4 wheel drive.
I was really mad about the situation all through high school because my parents had more than enough money to buy me something nice, other kids were driving around in nearly new Chevy and Ford trucks, and I was stuck with some old ugly piece of junk. I worked really hard to save up for the things I did to the truck - paint job, sliding glass window, suspension lift, nice wheels, and oil --- that's right, I paid for my own maintenance and repairs (for the most part, my dad would help me with expensive stuff like a clutch) and we did EVERYTHING right there in the driveway. If I broke something 4 wheeling, I had to fix it. By the time I graduated it was one of the nicest trucks in the high school parking lot and all the girls wanted to ride in it.
I sold that truck 10 years later with a ton more miles on it and it was still awesome. I was sad to see it go, and it was only then that I realized the lessons that my parents taught me. The lessons are too numerous to list. I was forced to choose between what I thought I wanted and what I could actually afford, even further I was forced to choose what comforts and extras I wanted since I couldn't afford them all. I was taught that you should work hard to save money, work hard to keep it, and appreciate the things you have earned. Mostly I was taught that the things you have don't make you, you make the things you have, and taking care of those things is important if you want more things.
I can't even fathom not checking my oil, or reading the maintenance schedule in the manual, or letting the local quick lube determine what needs to be done. Just last week I was at my dad's house helping him change his spark plugs on his 3V 5.4 (you know, the ones with the broken spark plugs) and I showed up with the removal tool and the knowledge to remove them. The Ford dealer had quoted him $1000 to change them so he called me. When we were finished he cranked up the truck and it was purring like a kitten. He was grinning from ear to ear, went back into the house, and emerged with 2 cold beers. We sat there listening to that engine idle while we drank our beer together and he told me how proud he was of me - and that I "must have had a great teacher".
I am from this "newer generation" and we are not all the same. My son is 3 years old right now and he helps me wash our cars and even change the oil, (yes, he loves to pour in the new oil) and he's a sucker for an oil deal - he wants to go to AAP tomorrow and pick up some GC which he refers to as "the black oil bottle". Guess what - when he turns 16 we'll be going car shopping with whatever he has saved - and I'll match it.
I used to have a friend in University who refused to learn anything about his car, apparently it was too hard and difficult to, and since he paid the dealer good money to do basic maintenance, they must be doing a better, more complete job then he ever could. When the battery in his key fob went dead and wouldn't unlock the doors he took it to the dealer.
But then again, blame a generation of parents with more money then sense handing a kid a car and a pile of money to sit in University rather then actually doing anything.
University was rather common for stuff like that though in all due respect. Especially engineering, where people always seemed exceptionally confident they "know better then you" because they're in a Masters program or something. All book smart, all ignorant, no sense. I watched a guy try to pull start an automatic car because he knew engineering.
Fortunately my parents had plenty of money AND sense.
When I got my learner's permit was when I started thinking about a vehicle. I approached my dad, fully expecting to get his newish F-150 4x4 when I turned 16, and was greeted with "save your money, and when you turn 16 we will match whatever you have saved to pay for what you can afford." Long story short I saved only $1000 over the next year and, sure enough, we went car shopping with $2000. I ended up with a 1986 4x4 F-150 with the 4.9L and a manual trans- turd brown, darker turd brown pin stripe, vinyl floor and seats, no A/C, and a ton of miles - and had to haggle to get it. With only $2k my options were limited and I had to narrow it down to an older 4x4 beater or nicer and newer 2WD. I gave up a much nicer and newer Chevy with A/C just because it was 2WD. I got joked on by some of my friends because it was so ugly, but I had 4 wheel drive.
I was really mad about the situation all through high school because my parents had more than enough money to buy me something nice, other kids were driving around in nearly new Chevy and Ford trucks, and I was stuck with some old ugly piece of junk. I worked really hard to save up for the things I did to the truck - paint job, sliding glass window, suspension lift, nice wheels, and oil --- that's right, I paid for my own maintenance and repairs (for the most part, my dad would help me with expensive stuff like a clutch) and we did EVERYTHING right there in the driveway. If I broke something 4 wheeling, I had to fix it. By the time I graduated it was one of the nicest trucks in the high school parking lot and all the girls wanted to ride in it.
I sold that truck 10 years later with a ton more miles on it and it was still awesome. I was sad to see it go, and it was only then that I realized the lessons that my parents taught me. The lessons are too numerous to list. I was forced to choose between what I thought I wanted and what I could actually afford, even further I was forced to choose what comforts and extras I wanted since I couldn't afford them all. I was taught that you should work hard to save money, work hard to keep it, and appreciate the things you have earned. Mostly I was taught that the things you have don't make you, you make the things you have, and taking care of those things is important if you want more things.
I can't even fathom not checking my oil, or reading the maintenance schedule in the manual, or letting the local quick lube determine what needs to be done. Just last week I was at my dad's house helping him change his spark plugs on his 3V 5.4 (you know, the ones with the broken spark plugs) and I showed up with the removal tool and the knowledge to remove them. The Ford dealer had quoted him $1000 to change them so he called me. When we were finished he cranked up the truck and it was purring like a kitten. He was grinning from ear to ear, went back into the house, and emerged with 2 cold beers. We sat there listening to that engine idle while we drank our beer together and he told me how proud he was of me - and that I "must have had a great teacher".
I am from this "newer generation" and we are not all the same. My son is 3 years old right now and he helps me wash our cars and even change the oil, (yes, he loves to pour in the new oil) and he's a sucker for an oil deal - he wants to go to AAP tomorrow and pick up some GC which he refers to as "the black oil bottle". Guess what - when he turns 16 we'll be going car shopping with whatever he has saved - and I'll match it.
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How about "but it passed inspection six months ago, shouldn't they have changed it (or checked it) then".
I have heard the "but it passed inspection" beginning attached to complaints about new tires that wore out in two months because the vehicle was soooooooo out of alignment, and it seams that people think that passing inspection means "YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING TO IT UNTIL THE NEXT INSPECTION".
I have heard the "but it passed inspection" beginning attached to complaints about new tires that wore out in two months because the vehicle was soooooooo out of alignment, and it seams that people think that passing inspection means "YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING TO IT UNTIL THE NEXT INSPECTION".
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Originally Posted By: ECUpirate
Fortunately my parents had plenty of money AND sense.
When I got my learner's permit was when I started thinking about a vehicle. I approached my dad, fully expecting to get his newish F-150 4x4 when I turned 16, and was greeted with "save your money, and when you turn 16 we will match whatever you have saved to pay for what you can afford." Long story short I saved only $1000 over the next year and, sure enough, we went car shopping with $2000. I ended up with a 1986 4x4 F-150 with the 4.9L and a manual trans- turd brown, darker turd brown pin stripe, vinyl floor and seats, no A/C, and a ton of miles - and had to haggle to get it. With only $2k my options were limited and I had to narrow it down to an older 4x4 beater or nicer and newer 2WD. I gave up a much nicer and newer Chevy with A/C just because it was 2WD. I got joked on by some of my friends because it was so ugly, but I had 4 wheel drive.
I was really mad about the situation all through high school because my parents had more than enough money to buy me something nice, other kids were driving around in nearly new Chevy and Ford trucks, and I was stuck with some old ugly piece of junk. I worked really hard to save up for the things I did to the truck - paint job, sliding glass window, suspension lift, nice wheels, and oil --- that's right, I paid for my own maintenance and repairs (for the most part, my dad would help me with expensive stuff like a clutch) and we did EVERYTHING right there in the driveway. If I broke something 4 wheeling, I had to fix it. By the time I graduated it was one of the nicest trucks in the high school parking lot and all the girls wanted to ride in it.
I sold that truck 10 years later with a ton more miles on it and it was still awesome. I was sad to see it go, and it was only then that I realized the lessons that my parents taught me. The lessons are too numerous to list. I was forced to choose between what I thought I wanted and what I could actually afford, even further I was forced to choose what comforts and extras I wanted since I couldn't afford them all. I was taught that you should work hard to save money, work hard to keep it, and appreciate the things you have earned. Mostly I was taught that the things you have don't make you, you make the things you have, and taking care of those things is important if you want more things.
I can't even fathom not checking my oil, or reading the maintenance schedule in the manual, or letting the local quick lube determine what needs to be done. Just last week I was at my dad's house helping him change his spark plugs on his 3V 5.4 (you know, the ones with the broken spark plugs) and I showed up with the removal tool and the knowledge to remove them. The Ford dealer had quoted him $1000 to change them so he called me. When we were finished he cranked up the truck and it was purring like a kitten. He was grinning from ear to ear, went back into the house, and emerged with 2 cold beers. We sat there listening to that engine idle while we drank our beer together and he told me how proud he was of me - and that I "must have had a great teacher".
I am from this "newer generation" and we are not all the same. My son is 3 years old right now and he helps me wash our cars and even change the oil, (yes, he loves to pour in the new oil) and he's a sucker for an oil deal - he wants to go to AAP tomorrow and pick up some GC which he refers to as "the black oil bottle". Guess what - when he turns 16 we'll be going car shopping with whatever he has saved - and I'll match it.
Fantastic story
Fortunately my parents had plenty of money AND sense.
When I got my learner's permit was when I started thinking about a vehicle. I approached my dad, fully expecting to get his newish F-150 4x4 when I turned 16, and was greeted with "save your money, and when you turn 16 we will match whatever you have saved to pay for what you can afford." Long story short I saved only $1000 over the next year and, sure enough, we went car shopping with $2000. I ended up with a 1986 4x4 F-150 with the 4.9L and a manual trans- turd brown, darker turd brown pin stripe, vinyl floor and seats, no A/C, and a ton of miles - and had to haggle to get it. With only $2k my options were limited and I had to narrow it down to an older 4x4 beater or nicer and newer 2WD. I gave up a much nicer and newer Chevy with A/C just because it was 2WD. I got joked on by some of my friends because it was so ugly, but I had 4 wheel drive.
I was really mad about the situation all through high school because my parents had more than enough money to buy me something nice, other kids were driving around in nearly new Chevy and Ford trucks, and I was stuck with some old ugly piece of junk. I worked really hard to save up for the things I did to the truck - paint job, sliding glass window, suspension lift, nice wheels, and oil --- that's right, I paid for my own maintenance and repairs (for the most part, my dad would help me with expensive stuff like a clutch) and we did EVERYTHING right there in the driveway. If I broke something 4 wheeling, I had to fix it. By the time I graduated it was one of the nicest trucks in the high school parking lot and all the girls wanted to ride in it.
I sold that truck 10 years later with a ton more miles on it and it was still awesome. I was sad to see it go, and it was only then that I realized the lessons that my parents taught me. The lessons are too numerous to list. I was forced to choose between what I thought I wanted and what I could actually afford, even further I was forced to choose what comforts and extras I wanted since I couldn't afford them all. I was taught that you should work hard to save money, work hard to keep it, and appreciate the things you have earned. Mostly I was taught that the things you have don't make you, you make the things you have, and taking care of those things is important if you want more things.
I can't even fathom not checking my oil, or reading the maintenance schedule in the manual, or letting the local quick lube determine what needs to be done. Just last week I was at my dad's house helping him change his spark plugs on his 3V 5.4 (you know, the ones with the broken spark plugs) and I showed up with the removal tool and the knowledge to remove them. The Ford dealer had quoted him $1000 to change them so he called me. When we were finished he cranked up the truck and it was purring like a kitten. He was grinning from ear to ear, went back into the house, and emerged with 2 cold beers. We sat there listening to that engine idle while we drank our beer together and he told me how proud he was of me - and that I "must have had a great teacher".
I am from this "newer generation" and we are not all the same. My son is 3 years old right now and he helps me wash our cars and even change the oil, (yes, he loves to pour in the new oil) and he's a sucker for an oil deal - he wants to go to AAP tomorrow and pick up some GC which he refers to as "the black oil bottle". Guess what - when he turns 16 we'll be going car shopping with whatever he has saved - and I'll match it.
Fantastic story
One of the best ones (or you could call it the worst ones) was a friend of my youngest brother (a young man fresh out of highschool). My youngest brother begged me to help his friend out by selling him a car. It turns out this kid is a minor, living with his grandmother, and has a pregnant girlfriend. I tell this friend he can have the car for a certain low price but I keep the new snow tires and the rims they are on. I have rims for new tires but he has to supply the tires. He agrees and brings the tires on the rims to do the swap before he purchases the car.
I pull the car out of the garage and park it on level ground, give him the keys and tell him to change the tires. No kidding a half hour later he still does not have the first tire changed. I go to see what is taking him so long, and it is because he can't figure out how to pick up the tire and align the holes so it will go on the five lugs. I do that for him and stand by to see that he gets all the lugnuts tight.
An hour after that he still is not done so I help him finish.
Then the car would not start. So he said he does not want to buy it. He had turned on the lights because it got dark and ran the battery dead. I told him that the car has a perfectly fine battery not too old and high cranking amps. It is just that it is not ran often and he left the lights on way too long. So I jump start it and he buys it.
Here comes the punch line. I ask him what he plans to do in life and he said that he has already signed up to go into the army and he is going to be a mechanic. I think man it this country in trouble, and think of the Sargent who will scream himself horse hollering corrections at this inept recruit.
A week later he brings the car back and said he wants his money back because his father will not let him buy a car.
Never sell to a minor, even if your brother begs you to help the kid out.
I pull the car out of the garage and park it on level ground, give him the keys and tell him to change the tires. No kidding a half hour later he still does not have the first tire changed. I go to see what is taking him so long, and it is because he can't figure out how to pick up the tire and align the holes so it will go on the five lugs. I do that for him and stand by to see that he gets all the lugnuts tight.
An hour after that he still is not done so I help him finish.
Then the car would not start. So he said he does not want to buy it. He had turned on the lights because it got dark and ran the battery dead. I told him that the car has a perfectly fine battery not too old and high cranking amps. It is just that it is not ran often and he left the lights on way too long. So I jump start it and he buys it.
Here comes the punch line. I ask him what he plans to do in life and he said that he has already signed up to go into the army and he is going to be a mechanic. I think man it this country in trouble, and think of the Sargent who will scream himself horse hollering corrections at this inept recruit.
A week later he brings the car back and said he wants his money back because his father will not let him buy a car.
Never sell to a minor, even if your brother begs you to help the kid out.
@ ECUpirate
That was a great story
That was a great story
Recently out in the parking lot where I work, I saw flames coming from the engine compartment of a car with the hood up and two 20 something year old girls jumping up and down screaming. Turns out they were trying to jump start car with jumper cables and they must have crossed up wires and plastic on cables got so hot that they flammed up--it wasn't a gas fire--it was the jumper cables on fire! The one girl said she had jumped her car a "thousand" times and couldn't understand what happened. I told her she probably needed a new battery and she said: "What for?"
Originally Posted By: johnachak
Last time you checked your oil and they say either:
Its at 50 something percent
....I had asked someone about that once when he told me it was at 40% @ 5k miles with synthetic...
"Is that a percent of VOLUME or VIABILITY..." and was told viability...soooo I asked
"...What about the LEVEL?" ....He hadn't checked THAT....and he hadn't planned to and was going to change the oil after taking a 2-day thousand-mile run on his new car...he was probably okay, buuuuuuttttttt.....
I recommended he check the dipstick anyway before the trip and top it off....
Last time you checked your oil and they say either:
Its at 50 something percent
....I had asked someone about that once when he told me it was at 40% @ 5k miles with synthetic...
"Is that a percent of VOLUME or VIABILITY..." and was told viability...soooo I asked
"...What about the LEVEL?" ....He hadn't checked THAT....and he hadn't planned to and was going to change the oil after taking a 2-day thousand-mile run on his new car...he was probably okay, buuuuuuttttttt.....
I recommended he check the dipstick anyway before the trip and top it off....
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Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: ECUpirate
Originally Posted By: RiceCake
I used to have a friend in University who refused to learn anything about his car, apparently it was too hard and difficult to, and since he paid the dealer good money to do basic maintenance, they must be doing a better, more complete job then he ever could. When the battery in his key fob went dead and wouldn't unlock the doors he took it to the dealer.
But then again, blame a generation of parents with more money then sense handing a kid a car and a pile of money to sit in University rather then actually doing anything.
University was rather common for stuff like that though in all due respect. Especially engineering, where people always seemed exceptionally confident they "know better then you" because they're in a Masters program or something. All book smart, all ignorant, no sense. I watched a guy try to pull start an automatic car because he knew engineering.
Fortunately my parents had plenty of money AND sense.
When I got my learner's permit was when I started thinking about a vehicle. I approached my dad, fully expecting to get his newish F-150 4x4 when I turned 16, and was greeted with "save your money, and when you turn 16 we will match whatever you have saved to pay for what you can afford." Long story short I saved only $1000 over the next year and, sure enough, we went car shopping with $2000. I ended up with a 1986 4x4 F-150 with the 4.9L and a manual trans- turd brown, darker turd brown pin stripe, vinyl floor and seats, no A/C, and a ton of miles - and had to haggle to get it. With only $2k my options were limited and I had to narrow it down to an older 4x4 beater or nicer and newer 2WD. I gave up a much nicer and newer Chevy with A/C just because it was 2WD. I got joked on by some of my friends because it was so ugly, but I had 4 wheel drive.
I was really mad about the situation all through high school because my parents had more than enough money to buy me something nice, other kids were driving around in nearly new Chevy and Ford trucks, and I was stuck with some old ugly piece of junk. I worked really hard to save up for the things I did to the truck - paint job, sliding glass window, suspension lift, nice wheels, and oil --- that's right, I paid for my own maintenance and repairs (for the most part, my dad would help me with expensive stuff like a clutch) and we did EVERYTHING right there in the driveway. If I broke something 4 wheeling, I had to fix it. By the time I graduated it was one of the nicest trucks in the high school parking lot and all the girls wanted to ride in it.
I sold that truck 10 years later with a ton more miles on it and it was still awesome. I was sad to see it go, and it was only then that I realized the lessons that my parents taught me. The lessons are too numerous to list. I was forced to choose between what I thought I wanted and what I could actually afford, even further I was forced to choose what comforts and extras I wanted since I couldn't afford them all. I was taught that you should work hard to save money, work hard to keep it, and appreciate the things you have earned. Mostly I was taught that the things you have don't make you, you make the things you have, and taking care of those things is important if you want more things.
I can't even fathom not checking my oil, or reading the maintenance schedule in the manual, or letting the local quick lube determine what needs to be done. Just last week I was at my dad's house helping him change his spark plugs on his 3V 5.4 (you know, the ones with the broken spark plugs) and I showed up with the removal tool and the knowledge to remove them. The Ford dealer had quoted him $1000 to change them so he called me. When we were finished he cranked up the truck and it was purring like a kitten. He was grinning from ear to ear, went back into the house, and emerged with 2 cold beers. We sat there listening to that engine idle while we drank our beer together and he told me how proud he was of me - and that I "must have had a great teacher".
I am from this "newer generation" and we are not all the same. My son is 3 years old right now and he helps me wash our cars and even change the oil, (yes, he loves to pour in the new oil) and he's a sucker for an oil deal - he wants to go to AAP tomorrow and pick up some GC which he refers to as "the black oil bottle". Guess what - when he turns 16 we'll be going car shopping with whatever he has saved - and I'll match it.
Fantastic story
+1
I think that most of the ignorance comes from parents. Stories like the above are vary rare and most parents will buy a brand new car or a fairly new for their kids. The reasoning is usually that they want something reliable so that little Johnny or Jane can concentrate on their studies, but the real reason is that most of the kids will have new rides, so their precious cannot appear to have less than others.
I also drove old beaters in high school and college. Sure, the experience was not great at times, but looking back it thought me many valuable lessons, including taking care of my stuff.
Originally Posted By: ECUpirate
Originally Posted By: RiceCake
I used to have a friend in University who refused to learn anything about his car, apparently it was too hard and difficult to, and since he paid the dealer good money to do basic maintenance, they must be doing a better, more complete job then he ever could. When the battery in his key fob went dead and wouldn't unlock the doors he took it to the dealer.
But then again, blame a generation of parents with more money then sense handing a kid a car and a pile of money to sit in University rather then actually doing anything.
University was rather common for stuff like that though in all due respect. Especially engineering, where people always seemed exceptionally confident they "know better then you" because they're in a Masters program or something. All book smart, all ignorant, no sense. I watched a guy try to pull start an automatic car because he knew engineering.
Fortunately my parents had plenty of money AND sense.
When I got my learner's permit was when I started thinking about a vehicle. I approached my dad, fully expecting to get his newish F-150 4x4 when I turned 16, and was greeted with "save your money, and when you turn 16 we will match whatever you have saved to pay for what you can afford." Long story short I saved only $1000 over the next year and, sure enough, we went car shopping with $2000. I ended up with a 1986 4x4 F-150 with the 4.9L and a manual trans- turd brown, darker turd brown pin stripe, vinyl floor and seats, no A/C, and a ton of miles - and had to haggle to get it. With only $2k my options were limited and I had to narrow it down to an older 4x4 beater or nicer and newer 2WD. I gave up a much nicer and newer Chevy with A/C just because it was 2WD. I got joked on by some of my friends because it was so ugly, but I had 4 wheel drive.
I was really mad about the situation all through high school because my parents had more than enough money to buy me something nice, other kids were driving around in nearly new Chevy and Ford trucks, and I was stuck with some old ugly piece of junk. I worked really hard to save up for the things I did to the truck - paint job, sliding glass window, suspension lift, nice wheels, and oil --- that's right, I paid for my own maintenance and repairs (for the most part, my dad would help me with expensive stuff like a clutch) and we did EVERYTHING right there in the driveway. If I broke something 4 wheeling, I had to fix it. By the time I graduated it was one of the nicest trucks in the high school parking lot and all the girls wanted to ride in it.
I sold that truck 10 years later with a ton more miles on it and it was still awesome. I was sad to see it go, and it was only then that I realized the lessons that my parents taught me. The lessons are too numerous to list. I was forced to choose between what I thought I wanted and what I could actually afford, even further I was forced to choose what comforts and extras I wanted since I couldn't afford them all. I was taught that you should work hard to save money, work hard to keep it, and appreciate the things you have earned. Mostly I was taught that the things you have don't make you, you make the things you have, and taking care of those things is important if you want more things.
I can't even fathom not checking my oil, or reading the maintenance schedule in the manual, or letting the local quick lube determine what needs to be done. Just last week I was at my dad's house helping him change his spark plugs on his 3V 5.4 (you know, the ones with the broken spark plugs) and I showed up with the removal tool and the knowledge to remove them. The Ford dealer had quoted him $1000 to change them so he called me. When we were finished he cranked up the truck and it was purring like a kitten. He was grinning from ear to ear, went back into the house, and emerged with 2 cold beers. We sat there listening to that engine idle while we drank our beer together and he told me how proud he was of me - and that I "must have had a great teacher".
I am from this "newer generation" and we are not all the same. My son is 3 years old right now and he helps me wash our cars and even change the oil, (yes, he loves to pour in the new oil) and he's a sucker for an oil deal - he wants to go to AAP tomorrow and pick up some GC which he refers to as "the black oil bottle". Guess what - when he turns 16 we'll be going car shopping with whatever he has saved - and I'll match it.
Fantastic story
+1
I think that most of the ignorance comes from parents. Stories like the above are vary rare and most parents will buy a brand new car or a fairly new for their kids. The reasoning is usually that they want something reliable so that little Johnny or Jane can concentrate on their studies, but the real reason is that most of the kids will have new rides, so their precious cannot appear to have less than others.
I also drove old beaters in high school and college. Sure, the experience was not great at times, but looking back it thought me many valuable lessons, including taking care of my stuff.
Oh yes, I've known people who are unaware oil needs changing and are clueless on car maintenance. I knew a guy who I helped change the oil a few times, but he wouldn't lift a finger to do anything else to it, like checking the oil between the times I changed it. I took a ride with him in one of his fine vehicles, and heard the CV joint making a horrible noise going around corners. Told him he'd better get that fixed before it breaks and leaves him stranded. Months later he's telling me how his driveshaft broke and left him stranded on the road "with no warning".
Guess it depends on how your raised. When I was a kid all of my family's cars were older. Just part of getting gas was checking the oil. And if you were old enough to drive you were old enough to change a motor when you blew it up or a water pump or whatever. It taught responsibility and made me learn to pull over when the there was a problem because I didnt want it getting any worse
Things are different now because kids get new cars and when they blow em up mom and dad buy them another new car. I used to envy rich kids when I was young but not im glad I grew up poor. It gave me tools many dont have.
Things are different now because kids get new cars and when they blow em up mom and dad buy them another new car. I used to envy rich kids when I was young but not im glad I grew up poor. It gave me tools many dont have.
I grew up watching our dad change the oil in our cars, and whatever other maintenance was needed, air filters, spark plugs, brake pads and drums. When I was fifteen, I started taking over the maintenance of our vehicles. I began with oil changes, and as time went by, I started doing more and more, changing the coolant, gear lubes, transmission fluids, power steering fluids, and flushing the brake lines to have fresh brake fluid in the systems.
I did/do all that, not just to make our vehicles last longer, but I found myself enjoying working on the cars. I still look at myself as being young (barely thirty) but I'm thankful I know how to do the maintenance like I do.
It's kind of sad to see and hear about people who don't know about cars and how to take care of them. It's kind of sad because it ends up hurting them more in the long run.
I did/do all that, not just to make our vehicles last longer, but I found myself enjoying working on the cars. I still look at myself as being young (barely thirty) but I'm thankful I know how to do the maintenance like I do.
It's kind of sad to see and hear about people who don't know about cars and how to take care of them. It's kind of sad because it ends up hurting them more in the long run.
Originally Posted By: cmorr
@ ECUpirate
That was a great story
Agreed!!!
My first car was similar story, but I paid for it 100%... Was only $100 but in '66 making $.50 hr after school(worked my way up $1.00 before I quit just after graduation) it was a lot of money...
I had that first one painted('57 Ford), but really was more interested in high performance, so by the time I graduated in '68 was on vehicle #2, and soon sold it to get something with even more power... Problem was all three were well worn, so under the stresses of a 16/17/18 year old, they didn't fare to well... Finally in the fall of '68 with a better job I bought a nice '64 Galaxie 500 from a neighbor, and with a still better job(that I eventually retired from), began the Hi-Perf routine all over again... 46 years later, I still have a couple Hot Rods around, and of course do ALL my own maintenance... Admittedly I've slowed down a bit, but am planning another engine swap for more power in the spring(no not in the Marauder, it's soon going up for sale)...
@ ECUpirate
That was a great story
Agreed!!!
My first car was similar story, but I paid for it 100%... Was only $100 but in '66 making $.50 hr after school(worked my way up $1.00 before I quit just after graduation) it was a lot of money...
I had that first one painted('57 Ford), but really was more interested in high performance, so by the time I graduated in '68 was on vehicle #2, and soon sold it to get something with even more power... Problem was all three were well worn, so under the stresses of a 16/17/18 year old, they didn't fare to well... Finally in the fall of '68 with a better job I bought a nice '64 Galaxie 500 from a neighbor, and with a still better job(that I eventually retired from), began the Hi-Perf routine all over again... 46 years later, I still have a couple Hot Rods around, and of course do ALL my own maintenance... Admittedly I've slowed down a bit, but am planning another engine swap for more power in the spring(no not in the Marauder, it's soon going up for sale)...
Originally Posted By: RiceCake
But then again, blame a generation of parents with more money then sense handing a kid a car and a pile of money to sit in University rather then actually doing anything.
jackpot
But then again, blame a generation of parents with more money then sense handing a kid a car and a pile of money to sit in University rather then actually doing anything.
jackpot
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