Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[Arthur Dent]

The Elantra turned over Pi kms - 314,159 

[valuator]

The Elantra turned over Pi kms - 314,159 

Nice one.  I might not have caught that one!

[draghon]

Was at the Lexus dealer today picking up some replacement rubbers for the wiper blades on the GS-350 and they had no cars in the showroom and lot was empty.  Mentioned this to the parts guy and he said they don't expect anything in until well into 2023.  Felt like a morgue in there. 

Oth, this was the first time I've replaced the rubbers and likely the first time they've ever been replaced.  I noticed a few months ago that the driver's side was starting to tear toward the end but kept forgetting to pick up new ones.  Car has well over 160k on it now so got good life out of them if they're original.  Car had only 42k when I bought it and I highly doubt the dealer changed them out before putting it for sale.

From what I understand that's a really good thing to do with Lexus products (maybe Toyota too), going to the dealer for wiper refills. I changed the blades themselves on the RX, and from the Costco Michelins being slightly too long and binding on the pillar to half the ones I tried at CT not fitting the mount, changing out the refill on the stock blades would have been a nice simple fix

First time for me but it's a no brainer imo.  The refills were only $30.  The wiper blade assemblies are nice beefy things too and articulated to allow a nice tight fit to the windshield.  Really impressed with the quality components Lexus uses.

Honda/Acura also has wiper refills. It’s a great idea.

Agreed, I've replaced the rubber on my civic's wiper blades numerous times. Less cost, less waste and less hassle than replacing the whole assembly.

[ktm525]

The Michelin X-Ice North4 tires for the RX arrived from Blackcircles.ca arrived yesterday. Ordered late on the 10th just before Remembrance day, came all the way from Quebec to Alberta. Free shipping too, can't complain

Ouch. I wonder if they have been rebuilt with a new title. 

[Fobroader]

The Michelin X-Ice North4 tires for the RX arrived from Blackcircles.ca arrived yesterday. Ordered late on the 10th just before Remembrance day, came all the way from Quebec to Alberta. Free shipping too, can't complain

Ouch. I wonder if they have been rebuilt with a new title. 

At least stolen 

[PJungnitsch]

 

We'll see if all the lettering comes off in a few miles

[draghon]

Replaced another broken wheel stud on the Acadia, this time on the front wheel. I managed to do it without taking out the hub by slightly grinding down one side of the stud. I know its not the proper way but saved at least an hour of extra work. Also replaced the right front control arm as I noticed there was some play in the ball joint when I did the seasonal tire change a couple weeks ago.

[TheHire]

The Elantra turned over Pi kms - 314,159 

Nice! I caught 80,085 on the M5 - Mrs. Hire wasn't as pleased as I was.

[pi314]

The Elantra turned over Pi kms - 314,159 

hmm seems like a good goal for my golf considering my handle

[Dante]

Took the Outlander in for an oil change (switched to ENEOS for a change). It turned out it also needed a new left outer tie rod end and the associated alignment.

While I was waiting, I did a build for a new X3 and Discovery Sport... No surprise that spending few hundred bucks here and there to keep the Outlander going for a bit longer is a no brainer 

Damn, the interest alone over a 48 months lease would be almost $13,000...

[valuator]

Took the Outlander in for an oil change (switched to ENEOS for a change). It turned out it also needed a new left outer tie rod end and the associated alignment.

While I was waiting, I did a build for a new X3 and Discovery Sport... No surprise that spending few hundred bucks here and there to keep the Outlander going for a bit longer is a no brainer 

Damn, the interest alone over a 48 months lease would be almost $13,000...

Similar experience today.  Outback went in for a tire changeover, oil change, and safety inspection.  Turns out it needed a lower ball joint.  Still got out the door for $487 for everything.  Wife was annoyed at the extra cost when she picked it up, but beats car payments.

[Firm]

Yesterday I was in the 'training shop' at work - did a brake job on a colleagues car (2016-ish Accord Coupe) with an audience of new recruits to the automotive office team, helps if the support folks can at least visualize what a brake rotor is.

While I was there and had access to a warm shop, lift, etc I did an oil change on the DTS....Only 3000km on it in the last year (thanks WFH), oil monitor was still showing 84% life, but I've been keeping it on an annual change schedule anyway. Been running Penzoil Ultra Synthetic for the last few changes, which goes on sale for about $45 a jug (DTS takes 2 jugs)....Another $15 for a filter and you're over $100 for an oil change, and doing the work yourself.

[Dante]

Yesterday I was in the 'training shop' at work - did a brake job on a colleagues car (2016-ish Accord Coupe) with an audience of new recruits to the automotive office team, helps if the support folks can at least visualize what a brake rotor is.

While I was there and had access to a warm shop, lift, etc I did an oil change on the DTS....Only 3000km on it in the last year (thanks WFH), oil monitor was still showing 84% life, but I've been keeping it on an annual change schedule anyway. Been running Penzoil Ultra Synthetic for the last few changes, which goes on sale for about $45 a jug (DTS takes 2 jugs)....Another $15 for a filter and you're over $100 for an oil change, and doing the work yourself.

Man, for $20-$30 in labor, this is one job I will probably never do on my driveway.... Not even for fun. Only the effort to dispose of the old oil makes it unworthy to me.

[Firm]

Yesterday I was in the 'training shop' at work - did a brake job on a colleagues car (2016-ish Accord Coupe) with an audience of new recruits to the automotive office team, helps if the support folks can at least visualize what a brake rotor is.

While I was there and had access to a warm shop, lift, etc I did an oil change on the DTS....Only 3000km on it in the last year (thanks WFH), oil monitor was still showing 84% life, but I've been keeping it on an annual change schedule anyway. Been running Penzoil Ultra Synthetic for the last few changes, which goes on sale for about $45 a jug (DTS takes 2 jugs)....Another $15 for a filter and you're over $100 for an oil change, and doing the work yourself.

Man, for $20-$30 in labor, this is one job I will probably never do on my driveway.... Not even for fun. Only the effort to dispose of the old oil makes it unworthy to me.

Well, in this case, I was on a lift.....and I have a lift in my garage at home. Yet, at home, I tend it just do it in the driveway anyway....Much quicker for me to jack it up in the driveway and slide under than it is to jockey all the cars around to get the one I need on the lift.

It's not bad once you're used to it, I can do a driveway oil change in maybe 20 minutes, start to finish. Plus, I know that it's done to my standards, and I can see the oil coming out as sort of a 'health check' on the motor. Most of my cars have drain plugs with the magnet tip, so I also like to inspect that for anything suspect.

[ArticSteve]

Yesterday I was in the 'training shop' at work - did a brake job on a colleagues car (2016-ish Accord Coupe) with an audience of new recruits to the automotive office team, helps if the support folks can at least visualize what a brake rotor is.

While I was there and had access to a warm shop, lift, etc I did an oil change on the DTS....Only 3000km on it in the last year (thanks WFH), oil monitor was still showing 84% life, but I've been keeping it on an annual change schedule anyway. Been running Penzoil Ultra Synthetic for the last few changes, which goes on sale for about $45 a jug (DTS takes 2 jugs)....Another $15 for a filter and you're over $100 for an oil change, and doing the work yourself.

Man, for $20-$30 in labor, this is one job I will probably never do on my driveway.... Not even for fun. Only the effort to dispose of the old oil makes it unworthy to me.

Once you get setup it's not an effort.  Like switching tires, it takes more time to drive to the service center and wait.  Fast lube places I would never take my vehicle there.  Always up selling and using unskilled labour.  If for instance they screw up the drain plug it will cost a fortune to fix and it won't be them paying. 

For cars under warranty I use the Dealer.  The Tremor will be close to $200 a change.  Tough pill.  At least that gets me 15k km (highway).

[ArticSteve]

The Michelin X-Ice North4 tires for the RX arrived from Blackcircles.ca arrived yesterday. Ordered late on the 10th just before Remembrance day, came all the way from Quebec to Alberta. Free shipping too, can't complain

Sorry I missed this.  What's the approximate difference in price between those tires factory studded or none studded providing you price each out separately?

[Dante]

Yesterday I was in the 'training shop' at work - did a brake job on a colleagues car (2016-ish Accord Coupe) with an audience of new recruits to the automotive office team, helps if the support folks can at least visualize what a brake rotor is.

While I was there and had access to a warm shop, lift, etc I did an oil change on the DTS....Only 3000km on it in the last year (thanks WFH), oil monitor was still showing 84% life, but I've been keeping it on an annual change schedule anyway. Been running Penzoil Ultra Synthetic for the last few changes, which goes on sale for about $45 a jug (DTS takes 2 jugs)....Another $15 for a filter and you're over $100 for an oil change, and doing the work yourself.

Man, for $20-$30 in labor, this is one job I will probably never do on my driveway.... Not even for fun. Only the effort to dispose of the old oil makes it unworthy to me.

Well, in this case, I was on a lift.....and I have a lift in my garage at home. Yet, at home, I tend it just do it in the driveway anyway....Much quicker for me to jack it up in the driveway and slide under than it is to jockey all the cars around to get the one I need on the lift.

It's not bad once you're used to it, I can do a driveway oil change in maybe 20 minutes, start to finish. Plus, I know that it's done to my standards, and I can see the oil coming out as sort of a 'health check' on the motor. Most of my cars have drain plugs with the magnet tip, so I also like to inspect that for anything suspect.

Oh, no doubt about the fact that you and some others are equipped and skilled to do it and for good reasons. Just saying that for me in particular, at this cost, it's not worth the aggravation.
Honestly this is one job that I think it's under-charged by some shops.
Today I paid $20.50+tax labor, at the dealership, for an oil change.
At this price, why bother even putting on the work clothes....
Few weeks ago, I replaced ALL fluids (7 of them) plus the steering fluid reservoir in my buddy's BMW for the grand total of $100 in labor....

[ArticSteve]

What did you do to your car today?

Nothing, but Nissan is replacing all 4 rotors and pads due to major warping and uneven wear.  Parts are on order.

My take is the that the brakes are undersized for a 6000 lb vehicle.  Plus the steel they use doesn't hold up to road salt.

The pic below is crap so you can't see how rusty the connection is on the hydraulic leveling system which works great.

Pics of the new brakes pending. I betya it's over a grand. 

Hasn't the Patrol/QX56/QX80 based bones of this Armada been around for over ten years now? Seems odd the brakes have not been sorted out

Pretty sure that the material in use can't stand up to road salt.  The new Maxima I had, thinking 2015 (new version) seized a caliper at 20k km after one winter.   

As Blueprint mentioned, Nissan has a terrible reputation for lousy brakes in the industry.

[ArticSteve]

Few weeks ago, I replaced ALL fluids (7 of them) plus the steering fluid reservoir in my buddy's BMW for the grand total of $100 in labor....

You live in El Salvador, yes? 

[Dante]

Few weeks ago, I replaced ALL fluids (7 of them) plus the steering fluid reservoir in my buddy's BMW for the grand total of $100 in labor....

You live in El Salvador, yes? 

LOL...     Nope.... The infamous GTA ...