Why do these skeezy guys solicit me in public to do body work on my car?
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posted by Kylio
on Oct 29, 2010 -
31 answers
The SRS light on my 2003 Honda Civic comes on when the ignition is turned on and remains on while the car is being driven. I googled this and understand that Hondas as well as other cars have this problem. I can take it to a mechanic to have it diagnosed and repaired. Or I can turn it off myself which I'm tempted to do since it appears that Honda has a faulty system that has nothing to do with the airbag --just the light. But there is a small part of me that wonders and is concerned if something could be wrong with the airbag. Does anyone have experience with this?
posted by Tziv
on Oct 28, 2010 -
11 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
Am I stupid for buying a car in LA when I am moving to Boston in six months? Are "west coast" cars different than "east coast" cars?
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posted by Spurious
on Oct 15, 2010 -
27 answers
I drive a 2003 Manual-Transmission Honda Element, and I've gotten into the habit of shifting into neutral at every opportunity, usually when I'm at the top of a large hill. I do this under the impression that this is saving me gas, but I'm curious about the specifics.
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posted by ejfox
on Oct 13, 2010 -
24 answers
Are there any really slick sites for entering and keeping track of vehicle repairs and maintenance?
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posted by Capa
on Oct 8, 2010 -
5 answers
Which car should we replace? My husband’s grandmother is going into a nursing home and has decided to give us her car. My husband and I both have a car and both need a car for work. So, which one do we get rid of?
Her car – 2003 Honda Accord, 25K, blue book value (per edmunds) $9000
My car – 1998 Jeep Cherokee, 215K, bbv $1700
My husband’s truck – 2003 Nissan Frontier, 75K, bbv $5000.
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posted by NancyR
on Sep 28, 2010 -
16 answers
Prompted by the
recent Harlan Ellison thread I was reminded of a short story which I think was his in which a depressed and suicidal man freaks out an armed carjacker by threatening to kill him in an accident and leaves him trembling on the median. It was called something like "The More Dangerous Weapon". Google-fu is getting me to nowheresville. Can anyone help? Maybe it's not Ellison...
posted by chavenet
on Sep 25, 2010 -
13 answers
I’m looking to buy my first (used) car, but feeling kind of overwhelmed by the process. I don’t really have anyone in my life who is car-savvy. Is it a bad idea to ask my ex for advice or help?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 24, 2010 -
11 answers
It's way past time to change my timing belt - like almost 30,000 miles past! Help me find the right Honda/Acura dealership in West Central Florida (Tampa to Gainesville) to change the timing belt on my 1994 Acura Integra.
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posted by toodleydoodley
on Sep 15, 2010 -
13 answers
Looking for a Chinese painter who paints "round cars on the rural roads of America." Last name probably starts with "z".
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posted by nímwunnan
on Sep 13, 2010 -
4 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'm considering going back to the good old days, when cars were simple and could be easily repaired by a competent home mechanic with basic tools. Problem is, I'm a SAAB junkie and the particular older car I'm considering (the
1970's era 95 wagon with the V4 Ford engine) is rare & quirky. Am I crazy to be considering a rare Swedish antique for basic transportation? Do I have the right idea but the wrong car? Help me, MeFi greasemonkeys!
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posted by richyoung
on Sep 4, 2010 -
20 answers
Lots of sites have listings of locally available used cars.
Aside from Craigslist (which is spotty where I live), what site do you feel is most widely used and provides the best variety of listings, especially of cars being sold by a dealer (of any size)?
posted by anastasiav
on Aug 23, 2010 -
5 answers
What's the origin and history (first make/model, etc.) of auto ignition keys?
posted by NotMyselfRightNow
on Aug 21, 2010 -
4 answers
Carfilter: I have a 2003 Ford Explorer (2WD, 2-wheel ABS) with 98k miles whose brake pedal requires more travel and pressure to get the vehicle to stop. I've checked the fluid--as has the repair shop every time it gets its oil change--as well as the pads and booster pump compression. My gut says to change the master cylinder.
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posted by fireoyster
on Aug 19, 2010 -
5 answers
Could anyone help me find photos from an article in Wired about racing on
salt flats?
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posted by picea
on Aug 17, 2010 -
6 answers
Looking for advice on a new-to-me car. Anyone with experience of late-model Subaru Foresters, Honda Fits, and the AWD vs. FWD question? I'll be in central NJ. Loooong-winded "more inside" with a summary.
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posted by dondiego87
on Aug 10, 2010 -
26 answers
Transporting-Cars-Filter: My brother is working on the mines in Western Australia and would like to get his jeep or scooter transported from Gold Coast to Perth / Karratha. Any idea how to do this as cheaply as possible? Brother has heard that rail freight is a less expensive option.
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posted by mjao
on Aug 6, 2010 -
3 answers
My dad has a 2004 Toyota Sienna which he takes very good care of. He was picking something up very recently and a meaning-to-be-helpful person went to shut the rear door for him (the rear liftgate). This person didn't realize that it would close itself and he tried to force it. Since this happened when my dad pulls the door to engage the power door function, the door beeps like normal, comes down part way and then reverses and opens back up (as if it has hit something, engaging the safety switch). The only way you can get it to close is to turn off the power to the door and close it manually. Does anyone know of something he can do to fix it?
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posted by Original 1928 Flavor
on Aug 3, 2010 -
4 answers
If my 2001 Honda Accord's blower motor resistor goes out, should I expect the air conditioner not to come on at all, or is there something more seriously wrong with the car than just the resistor?
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posted by tybstar
on Aug 2, 2010 -
3 answers
How do you find, examine, and buy repossessed cars in Austin, TX? Other suggestions for low-priced car buying also welcome.
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posted by crookedgrin
on Jul 29, 2010 -
6 answers
My sister died without a will in California, her estate is going through probate, and I am (will be) the executor. How do I sell her car? My lawyer and the DMV are telling me different things.
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posted by pizzazz
on Jul 23, 2010 -
7 answers
Having lost my wallet three times in six months, I need to streamline the process for replacing a Driver License and dealing with the California DMV as much as possible.
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posted by slidell
on Jul 8, 2010 -
18 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
How did kids under 2 travel in cars before car seats were the norm, particularly on long trips? My mom recalls tots in the lap and something called a 'car bed' (got any pictures?). Would little ones get lap-belted in to prevent them from falling off the seat on corner-turns?
posted by xo
on Jun 23, 2010 -
56 answers
Why doesn't an auto manufacturer use more standardized body parts across the product line? I know many platforms share drivetrain components (Audi/VW etc), but wouldn't it be cheaper to extend the concept to the rest of the car? Or is it all just marketing and perceived product differentiation?
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posted by TDIpod
on Jun 16, 2010 -
11 answers
What do I need to do before driving this car? A car (2000 Toyota Corolla, previously in good shape) sat outside (in Maryland), unused, for two years.
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posted by needs more cowbell
on Jun 1, 2010 -
12 answers
