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[BiscuitintheBasket]

C'mon people - let's stay on topic here. This is a car/auto question thread.



While we're at it - does anyone here buy the mid-grade or high octane fuel? I used to in my early 20s thinking it helped the engine - dumb. Now I only buy the cheap stuff.

Depends on the car. My 4 banger 5 mile a day car gets the low end. All the other cars are mid-grade or higher. The carbon cleaners in the higher octane fuel do help as I noticed with the 4 banger getting the crap fuel and needing more help there. Also, the cars I have with a specific octane rating or higher do perform better with the higher octane fuel.

 

[bri]

Technically your right. Do you perhaps need a couple gallons of Sean power? I can top off your tank for you?

I'm going to the store soon and will get gas on the way, but thanks for the offer. I don't think your hose will stretch a 1000 miles.





Just to keep this thread on track. Sometimes my key doesn't want to turn in the ignition and I have to fiddle with it. Does anyone know what causes that?

 

[supraman]

I'm going to the store soon and will get gas on the way, but thanks for the offer. I don't think your hose will stretch a 1000 miles.





Just to keep this thread on track. Sometimes my key doesn't want to turn in the ignition and I have to fiddle with it. Does anyone know what causes that?

what kind of car is it? My car got recalled for that exact problem (I never experienced but had it fixed anyway)

 

[MassHavoc]

what kind of car is it? My car got recalled for that exact problem (I never experienced but had it fixed anyway)

In my experience it has to do with the wheel lock and and you move the steering wheel around some the key usually goes in easier... yes I said if you move it around some it usually goes in easier.

 

[Pez68]

Unfortunately I don't know how to do it and I'm a big guy so squeezing under the car on the driveway and trying to figure out what to do wouldn't really work. I can just see myself getting covered in oil.



If I had to do it all over again I would have taken some auto classes in high school. Those would have been much more valuable later in life than the marching band I was always in instead.

Well, that's why they created these wonderful things called ramps, jacks, and jackstands.

I can fit underneath my Trailblazer without a problem, as it is quite high off the ground. However, I don't squeeze my ass underneath my GTO. I raise the car to change the oil....

 

[Kerfuffle]

Well, that's why they created these wonderful things called ramps, jacks, and jackstands.

I can fit underneath my Trailblazer without a problem, as it is quite high off the ground. However, I don't squeeze my ass underneath my GTO. I raise the car to change the oil....

Seems like a lot of expense and more hassle to go buy a ramp. I think I'd be worried about the jack failing with me under it. I remember as a kid changing the spare tire with my dad on the '75 Impala station wagon in the driveway. The car was swaying and eventually tipped off the jack and crashed down. No one was under it and no one was hurt but it scared the crap out of me. Still remember it to this day. So jacking up my car and sliding under it? Nope, nada, nunca.

 

[supraman]

Seems like a lot of expense and more hassle to go buy a ramp. I think I'd be worried about the jack failing with me under it. I remember as a kid changing the spare tire with my dad on the '75 Impala station wagon in the driveway. The car was swaying and eventually tipped off the jack and crashed down. No one was under it and no one was hurt but it scared the crap out of me. Still remember it to this day. So jacking up my car and sliding under it? Nope, nada, nunca.

Did he forget to chock the back the back wheels? That's how my dad broke his collar bone but he admitted he made the mistake

 

[Pez68]

Seems like a lot of expense and more hassle to go buy a ramp. I think I'd be worried about the jack failing with me under it. I remember as a kid changing the spare tire with my dad on the '75 Impala station wagon in the driveway. The car was swaying and eventually tipped off the jack and crashed down. No one was under it and no one was hurt but it scared the crap out of me. Still remember it to this day. So jacking up my car and sliding under it? Nope, nada, nunca.

See, that's what jack stands are for. You jack the car up, then you put the jack stands underneath in two different spots on the frame. Lower the jack, and the car rests on the stands. You also engage the parking brake, or put blocks behind the wheels so it doesn't roll anywhere. Somebody would need to run into the car with another car to knock it down at that point.



Btw, I run nothing but 93 octane in my GTO, but it is tuned to run on 93. Putting 87 octane in, it would run like shit. Out of the factory, cars are actually tuned to run on all octanes of gas. If you run nothing but 93 octane in the car, the computer will adjust the amount of fuel being sprayed, and you will get better gas mileage. It also has better ingredients which eliminate a lot of carbon buildup. Not a myth, actually.

 

[chasman]

I burn 93 octane in my Vette, Camaro and bike. But I use 89 in the S10 and the Equinox.

 

[jakobeast]

My 09 Mini Cooper Clubman is a zippy sob. We use mid grade gas, and really, any car nowadays can compensate to get the most out of any grade of gas. The higher octane does seem to improve the zippyness of my Mini. The carbon build up in lower grades has messed with the engine, causing us take it back to get it cleaned. I am actually going to throw it in sport mode on the weekend and ride that engine hard. That should help burn off the carbon.

 

[JOVE23]

Does anyone want to come to Marietta, GA and help me trace wires on my '57 Chevy? I've had the generator rebuilt and for some reason it still won't charge the battery.



Also, does anyone want to come to Marietta, GA and jury rig a new gasket seal for my '95 Stratus so it will stop having a menstruation of oil?

 

[Kerfuffle]

Did he forget to chock the back the back wheels? That's how my dad broke his collar bone but he admitted he made the mistake

Nope - dad just jacked it up and started changing the wheel. This was the mid 70s too but I just remember how uneasy we all felt seeing the car tilt back and forth on the jack. It's possible he jacked it in the wrong place too.

 

[bri]

Does anyone want to come to Marietta, GA and help me trace wires on my '57 Chevy? I've had the generator rebuilt and for some reason it still won't charge the battery.



Also, does anyone want to come to Marietta, GA and jury rig a new gasket seal for my '95 Stratus so it will stop having a menstruation of oil?

That sounds like a job for the PEZ Dispenser of car advice. He seems pretty smart about that stuff.

 

[BiscuitintheBasket]

Seems like a lot of expense and more hassle to go buy a ramp. I think I'd be worried about the jack failing with me under it. I remember as a kid changing the spare tire with my dad on the '75 Impala station wagon in the driveway. The car was swaying and eventually tipped off the jack and crashed down. No one was under it and no one was hurt but it scared the crap out of me. Still remember it to this day. So jacking up my car and sliding under it? Nope, nada, nunca.

Ramps are the best for oil changes and Underneathe work. A creeper is a must.



For tire work I learned, while working at an auto dealership in HS, that cracking the nuts before jacking and not over torqueing the nuts while still jacked keeps the rocking at bay. 20+ years later I still follow that advice while rotating tires or brake work.

 

[bri]

Ramps are the best for oil changes and Underneathe work. A creeper is a must.



For tire work I learned, while working at an auto dealership in HS, that cracking the nuts before jacking and not over torqueing the nuts while still jacked keeps the rocking at bay. 20+ years later I still follow that advice while rotating tires or brake work.

You know how to fix cars and computers, If you kill bugs and snakes and all creepy things too, you would be the perfect man.

 

[Pez68]

You know how to fix cars and computers, If you kill bugs and snakes and all creepy things too, you would be the perfect man.

I thought most of those things were a prerequisite for attaining a man card?

 

[Pez68]

Does anyone want to come to Marietta, GA and help me trace wires on my '57 Chevy? I've had the generator rebuilt and for some reason it still won't charge the battery.



Also, does anyone want to come to Marietta, GA and jury rig a new gasket seal for my '95 Stratus so it will stop having a menstruation of oil?

http://www.57classicchevy.com/1957-chevrolet-wiring-diagram.html



Should make things a bit easier huh?



Looks like you're looking for a black cable that runs from the positive battery terminal, to the voltage regulator. Maybe the voltage regulator is what's bad? Worst case, you're only dealing with a few wires. Black, dark blue, and brown.



As far as the '95 Stratus, where is it leaking?

 

[supraman]

Does anyone want to come to Marietta, GA and help me trace wires on my '57 Chevy? I've had the generator rebuilt and for some reason it still won't charge the battery.



Also, does anyone want to come to Marietta, GA and jury rig a new gasket seal for my '95 Stratus so it will stop having a menstruation of oil?

Do not tempt me dammit and I would be willing as long as you let me drive it around the block (at least) the 57 not the pos stratus.



Is it a 57 Bel Air? If so what color? Pics?

 

[bubbleheadchief]

Does anyone want to come to Marietta, GA and help me trace wires on my '57 Chevy? I've had the generator rebuilt and for some reason it still won't charge the battery.



Also, does anyone want to come to Marietta, GA and jury rig a new gasket seal for my '95 Stratus so it will stop having a menstruation of oil?

I would love to help with the '57, **** the stratus though.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

Ramps are the best for oil changes and Underneathe work. A creeper is a must.



For tire work I learned, while working at an auto dealership in HS, that cracking the nuts before jacking and not over torqueing the nuts while still jacked keeps the rocking at bay. 20+ years later I still follow that advice while rotating tires or brake work.

I was going to say this, but I made the ASSumption, that's what he/they did. Guess not, huh.