Ask a Mechanic - Page 3

salty · #41 06-02-2010, 06:15 AM

Going to have to repack those muffler bearings too, what a headache. Headlight fluid will work for brakelight fluid in a pinch.

lexilou, did you pull the dipstick to smell for gas? Gas from stuck injectors will wind up in the oil. Engine fumes vented to charcoal canister, where it may intermittently be smelled. Gasoline in the oil does not make the bearings happy.

lexilou · #42 06-02-2010, 06:43 AM

Will try today, if I remember. One of the kids was late for the bus and I had to rush out of here yesterday to get him to school on time.

copperpot · #43 06-02-2010, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salty

Going to have to repack those muffler bearings too, what a headache. Headlight fluid will work for brakelight fluid in a pinch.

Love headlight fluid. (my dad got me with that when I was a kid)

olivia-munn-complex-covershoot-022008-6.jpg

Summerrain · #44 06-02-2010, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flashback

Downshifting better than braking. Used to love doing it in the big truck, hit the jake brake, and let her rip. Oh man, forgot, it's 3am. Wonder why all those lights are coming on in people's bedrooms.
Seriously, using the engine to slow a vehicle is a much better way to slow down than braking. Don't forget to just touch the brakes to make sure, they're still there. Also, light (think feather) pressure on the brake pedal for a few seconds, a few times, will help dry brakes after a run in deep water.

Edit: using the engine to slow yourself can also promote better mpg. If you concentrate on doing it you'll wind up starting to slow down long before the sign or light instead of rushing right up to it. If done right you can get away from stopping at all in a lot of situations.

Exactly what I was trying to say... But I speak female....

No - I don't slam on brakes, the only time I come to a hard stop is if someone in front of me does... and that is a rare occurrence because I leave plenty of space in front of me and I am looking far enough ahead to be prepared

...and my husband and I have been working on cars together for years - we know how to change tires.

Flashback · #45 06-02-2010, 06:36 PM

Once made it from Falls Church, VA, to Pedro's place at South of the Border without touching the brakes. It's called defensive driving.