Mechanic-filter: AAA just fixed my car and I don't understand how. Explain it to me like I'm 5 years old.
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posted by jabes
on Oct 1, 2012 -
14 answers
I bought a new 2012 Toyota Corolla LE. I received 2 Master keys (Smart keys with buttons) and a valet key (starts the car, but doesn't open the trunk). The dealership wants crazy $ to make more keys. They're equipped with an immobilizer, so only those keys can be used to start the car.
I want a spare that will open the doors in case I lock myself out, either for a Hide-A-Key under the car or my wallet. Will a $3 duplicate from a hardware store accomplish this? If not, is there a cheap way to go about it?
posted by anonymous
on Sep 14, 2012 -
13 answers
I torqued off the heads off of the screws that fix one of my car's rotors to the hub assembly, and I had to reassemble it and leave for work before I could extract the broken remainders and find replacements.
Now that I'm thinking about it, it seems like they only serve to hold the rotor in place when the wheel isn't there. Do I need to replace them?
posted by pullayup
on Jun 14, 2012 -
25 answers
We bought our first new car of the millennium back in March, and it came with free oil changes for life. Since it hit 5000 miles this week, my wife stopped by the dealership for an oil change / tire rotation. They are telling her that the car (2011 Corolla) only needs an oil change every 10,000 miles because they are using synthetic oil.
I religiously change the oil in my cars every 5000 miles, and the idea of going 10,000 miles makes me nervous. Should it make me nervous?
posted by COD
on May 23, 2012 -
27 answers
My focus is mainly on the chrome badges that labeled models of the 1940s–’70s, as celebrated at
Chromeography.
Who was generally responsible for designing the emblem? Were they from inside the car company? Did they have lettering experience or were they more often car designers who were handed the job because there was no one better available? Has the situation changed much since then?
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posted by Typographica
on May 23, 2012 -
1 answer
How do car dealer customer reps in the repair shop get paid? Salary? Commission? Both?
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posted by teg4rvn
on May 2, 2012 -
8 answers
Power steering failure, AA guy said it was the alternator, dealership (where it's under warranty) claim they can find nothing wrong with the alternator or any aspect of the power steering. Warranty expires next month. What now.
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posted by cilantro
on May 2, 2012 -
14 answers
I am a novice photographer who would like to improve my skills at photographing vintage cars primarily outdoors in natural light. I am looking to replace my old Nikon D50 and 18-55mm lens with a Nikon D3300. What would be the must-have lenses, filters and accessories for my task? Also best camera settings? Also interested in tricks for getting compelling images. Close up? High angle? Low angle? Just experiment?
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posted by punkfloyd
on Jan 24, 2012 -
17 answers
How does a person become a mechanic, ideally, and is this line of work compatible with social anxiety?
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posted by MrFish
on Jan 16, 2012 -
27 answers
Catastrophefilter. Auto shop just called, say Subaru has seized engine. Baffling, because no warning signs. ~$5,000 for new one. Options?
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posted by Alaska Jack
on Nov 28, 2011 -
27 answers
I know very little about car tires. Having problems finding a Blizzak-type winter tire, and retailer of same, for lady friend's older car. Advice gratefully accepted!
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posted by Alaska Jack
on Nov 11, 2011 -
13 answers
I'm spending nearly $400/month on automotive-related expenses for a car I don't enjoy driving. That's about 25% of my monthly income, and when it really comes down to it, I think I'd rather be saving that money for something better, like travel. Or education. Or Scotch. Lots and lots of Scotch.
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posted by bhayes82
on Nov 7, 2011 -
34 answers
Why does the factory stereo in my 2002 Ford Escape (AM/FM stero, 4 speaker, six disk changer) randomly change stations and randomly change or eject CD's?
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posted by imjustsaying
on Aug 16, 2011 -
3 answers
In search of clearcoat or other substance that will allow vinyl wall stickers to survive the elements of Canadian spring/summer/fall.
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posted by 256
on Aug 10, 2011 -
1 answer
I need to find the best tire store in Northern Virginia. My '04 Tiburon has a wheel that's been leaking air for months and after failures by three different tire shops I'm at my wit's end.
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posted by Jamesonian
on Jul 24, 2011 -
11 answers
our 2006 honda civic EX sedan (automatic) is having occasional problems shifting into reverse. we're taking it in to be fixed, but i want to try and read up on this beforehand.
fascinating details inside.
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posted by patricking
on Apr 16, 2011 -
5 answers
Are you an automotive engineer? Do you design engine control module firmware? Do you know or love someone who does? How is that firmware actually written?
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posted by TheNewWazoo
on Apr 9, 2011 -
17 answers
I have a 2004 Hyundai Tiburon GT V6 Special Edition (http://autos.yahoo.com/2004_hyundai_tiburon_gt_v6_special_edition/) with 53k miles. Recently I noticed an odd sound when I press the clutch pedal. The best way to describe the sound is that it's very much like the rushing air sound you hear when a window is opened. The sound does vary just a bit in pitch depending on how far the clutch is pressed, and the sound stops when the clutch pedal is let back out. I'd swear it sounds like a hole being opened and closed. The sound is very subtle and can't be heard when the radio is up, so I don't know how long it's been there. I first noticed it several months ago and it hasn't changed since then, neither getting worse nor better. As best as I can determine, the sound is coming from the area underneath the pedal.
The transmission seems to be working perfectly and I don't abuse the clutch in any way. Someone suggested that it could be the throwout bearing, but I've watched clips of that sound on-line and it doesn't quite match what I'm hearing.
Any ideas or suggestions?
posted by Jamesonian
on Mar 18, 2011 -
7 answers
How would I track down someone who holds the most or at least multiple licenses for driving? Ideally someone who's legally cleared to drive anything from a motorcycle to a locomotive.
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posted by rileyray3000
on Feb 25, 2011 -
12 answers
I'm interested in a used car I saw on the side of the road, and I have a test drive scheduled this afternoon. If I decide to go through with it, this will be my first time buying a used car from a private seller that wasn't a friend or family member. What should I know, ask, or do to protect myself and get the information I need?
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posted by Willie0248
on Feb 22, 2011 -
13 answers
First my check engine light went on. After checking the oil I saw it was getting low, refilled it. I took it to jiffy lube cause it was time for all that. Then, a few days later, the light came on again. I'm going to take it to a repair shop, but I want to know what to expect.
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posted by The Devil Tesla
on Feb 19, 2011 -
16 answers
I love cars, particularly European classics, but modern and US cars too (though not the Japanese tuning scene). I'm in Los Angeles until January 22nd; is there an event or place that is a 'must see' while I'm here?
posted by wildatheart
on Jan 4, 2011 -
9 answers
My radiator fan won't kick on when the car gets hot. I replaced the fusible link and let the car idle for awhile. After 15 minutes or so, the fusible link blew... Need specific advice on how to find the short circuit.
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posted by Slothrop
on Dec 11, 2010 -
3 answers
Switching from comp sci to automotive. Is it worth it? Also, work ethics and discipline dilemmas are abound.
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posted by RaDeuX
on Oct 18, 2010 -
6 answers
I ran my 2000 diesel VW Beetle out of gas. Before taking it to the mechanic, I want to see if I can fix the problem. I'm pretty sure nothing I do will screw it up worse than it already is.
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posted by cereselle
on Sep 19, 2010 -
9 answers
How should I clean my EGR port? The check engine code says "inadequate flow through the EGR valve."
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posted by noonknight
on Sep 9, 2010 -
3 answers
I spent 4 hours circuit-testing my motorcycle's starter system. Everything seems normal. I suspect the junction (fuse) box is faulty ... right?
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posted by fracas
on Aug 26, 2010 -
8 answers
I took off my motorcycle's starter solenoid. Now I can't remember the correct way to reattach the wiring! What do these letters "M" and "B" stand for?
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posted by fracas
on Jul 18, 2010 -
5 answers
I have a 1999 Toyota Avalon. I noticed the small plastic grille below my left headlight missing and there's a dangling plug inside. I can't figure out what used to be in there. The car still runs fine. Inside the passenger-side grille is a grey plastic box, probably connected to a similar plug.
posted by boognish
on Jun 27, 2010 -
4 answers
Does leaving my phone's car charger plugged in to the car at all times significantly drain my car's battery?
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posted by Vorteks
on May 20, 2010 -
22 answers
A few days ago, I traded in two cars at a Toyota dealership. I signed contracts detailing trade-in, down payments, and monthly payments.
Today, the dealership called and said that Toyota Financial wants a bigger down payment, and to remedy the situation, they will issue me a credit card for XX dollars, but my monthly payments will be reduced by XX dollars, so in the end I will be paying the same amount.
Is this a scam? Or is the dealer just trying to maximize their profit? Is this a common practice? Can the dealer nullify the contracts and force me to return these cars?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
posted by redbed
on Feb 4, 2010 -
27 answers
shopping for used BMW's for my girlfriend and found one we are interested in. need tips for the haggling process.
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posted by austere
on Jan 23, 2010 -
17 answers
My diesel-powered car doesn't want to start but once it does, it runs fine. What's up with that?
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posted by esereth
on Dec 8, 2009 -
15 answers
