Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[tpl]

In the old days it was when the ashtray was full.

[Fobroader]

"Winter kit"...... Whats that, a pair of Sorels, some rye, a snowmobile suit and a toque?? Fe fi fo fum, no one on here like spam.....

[Firm]

Got up to -2 today, warmest it's been in recent memory at least. It felt good to be able to get outside in the sun, so I spent a few hours puttering around in the driveway.

Firstly, I had the last few Firebird oil changes done at Mr.Lube...I hate messy oil changes in the cold. The clowns in there always top up the washer fluid with whatever it is they have in their hose contraption - fine by me, free washer fluid. Well, apparently whatever they've been using is not very well rated for cold because the reservoir froze nearly solid this week. I warmed it up, siphoned some out and filled with some -45 stuff.

Jacked up the Trans Am and inspected the rear brakes because I don't seem to be getting much (if any) action back there. Inspection confirmed that the calipers are sorta seized up and need to be rebuilt - so I ordered some kits. I started it up, drove around a bit trying to get a feel for it as i haven't really driven it at all. Then I fixed a sticky hood release and put on new lift supports for the hood:





Last I took the Spitfire for a quick spin and spun it around in the garage so I can get better access to the driver's side to re-install some interior bits. It hadn't seen sun in months....

[ArticSteve]

That's a great green.  Long lost. 

[Firm]

Brooklands Green. Acrylic Enamel IMO is still the best paint out there; it won't shine as deep as the newer BC/CC stuff, but it's so easy to work with and way more durable.

[RunsinLight]

Removed the dealer license plates covers and put on some plastic covered ones.

[Solstice2006]

Brought the Honda in for service.  Just an oil change, rotate the tires, battery test, brake check, and fluids.  Driving it home, pulling to the left so much.  Brought back the next day, the rotated the tires back, everything fine. 

Sounds like new tires and alignment in the spring.....  

IIRC, tires weren't that old when I bought it, and low mileage.  Maybe 30-40k tops.  Some lower end Dunlops.  At least it's a cheap size. 

[quadzilla]

Crossed 145,000 kms. Not bad considering the car isn't driven to work.

[KD]

Crossed 145,000 kms. Not bad considering the car isn't driven to work.

Just curious if you are you driving the car more now that you have moved out of the city?

[mmret]

Brought the Honda in for service.  Just an oil change, rotate the tires, battery test, brake check, and fluids.  Driving it home, pulling to the left so much.  Brought back the next day, the rotated the tires back, everything fine. 

Sounds like new tires and alignment in the spring.....  

IIRC, tires weren't that old when I bought it, and low mileage.  Maybe 30-40k tops.  Some lower end Dunlops.  At least it's a cheap size.

I have always been vexed by tire rotations causing weird alignment issues.

So now I just don't rotate.

[Triple Bob]

Brought the Honda in for service.  Just an oil change, rotate the tires, battery test, brake check, and fluids.  Driving it home, pulling to the left so much.  Brought back the next day, the rotated the tires back, everything fine. 

Sounds like new tires and alignment in the spring.....  

IIRC, tires weren't that old when I bought it, and low mileage.  Maybe 30-40k tops.  Some lower end Dunlops.  At least it's a cheap size.

I have always been vexed by tire rotations causing weird alignment issues.

So now I just don't rotate.

How would rotating tires affect alignment, I don't get it?

[tpl]

I am sure that somebody, somewhere,somewhen has rotated tires on a car with different sized front and rear rims...

[Triple Bob]

I am sure that somebody, somewhere,somewhen has rotated tires on a car with different sized front and rear rims...

 

[quadzilla]

Crossed 145,000 kms. Not bad considering the car isn't driven to work.

Just curious if you are you driving the car more now that you have moved out of the city?

Yes and no.

We can still walk to the grocery/beer/lcbo/bank as they are only 1 km away. But the sidewalks have been horrible (ice soon to be replaced my melting snow/slush) or the days/night so cold so I will say we have driven a few more times than we would have normally. Plus I can't ride my bike to run errands yet but hopefully that will start to change soon.

To walk downtown (farmer's market on Saturday) its about 20-30 minutes.

I also drive to London (my family) a fair bit which is now 1/2 the distance as before (100 vs 200 kms one way) which makes for less mileage.

For hiking we don't have to drive as far as we have a nice hiking trail only 5 kms from our door where before it was a minimum of 30 kms. Now we try to squeeze in a quick hike after work and before dinner 1 or 2 times during the week.

So I'd like to think we still drive the same amount as before.

Of course the driving now is much easier due to less congestion. Since we live on the edge of the city I actually drive around on the back roads which takes me through a few roundabouts to make the drive more fun. Its slightly longer but avoids going through the center of the city which is just traffic light after traffic light.

[Firm]

I had to take photos of the T/A for insurance, so I gave it it's first wash since I bought it in January. Too cold out to do any real detailing, but I hit it with some Croftgate spray wax. Car cleaned up pretty good for what it is:

\

I also changed the oil in the Spitfire, tightened all the oil pan bolts (which were all loose) and  washed the red Firebird while I was out there.

[Triple Bob]

I had to take photos of the T/A for insurance

Why?

Looks good BTW.

[HeliDriver]

Took the winter tires off the Yukon and gave it a good cleaning inside and out. Getting ready for an 18-hour road trip to Utah next week!

And was happy to note that the winter tires are currently at 13/32" after three winters and 18,000 kms. Shouldn't have to replace those for a while yet.

[Firm]

I had to take photos of the T/A for insurance

Why?

Looks good BTW.

Thanks. I am going with a Hagerty classic policy and they asked for some pics of the car....I guess they just want to make sure it's not a POS. I think it's pretty common for insurance companies to ask for pics of older vehicles; even when I moved my "newer" cars to Bel Air they asked for photos of the 96 bird.

[Firm]

Took the winter tires off the Yukon and gave it a good cleaning inside and out. Getting ready for an 18-hour road trip to Utah next week!

And was happy to note that the winter tires are currently at 13/32" after three winters and 18,000 kms. Shouldn't have to replace those for a while yet.

I've been itching for a good road trip recently, Utah in a Yukon sounds awesome, enjoy the trip!

[Schmengie]

Wow, what a day! Officially 13C, but trust me, it was warmer than that. The Versa got washed, waxed, vacuumed and shampooed to within an inch of it's life and a couple of new door dings reared their ugly heads like they seem to do every Spring. They're minor enough that you don't notice them unless you're looking, but still...

The winter tires and steelies are coming off tomorrow if the weather holds up and the Versa goes to the dealer on Monday morning for Spring maintenance. Got to remember Daylight Slaving...