What's going on here?  Are these cars possessed by demons?  According to the New York Times, "Federal regulators said Wednesday that they had received 10 reports of Toyota vehicles accelerating unexpectedly after they were repaired at dealerships." It seems that Toyota has an even longer road ahead of them if reports like these keep coming out.  See the full article here.

If you are wondering if your Toyota vehicle is listed under all the new recalls try the Toyota recall finder tool.  It uses your VIN to do an official lookup.  Also check out the official statement from the COO of Toyota USA.

ALRIGHT STOP!!!  Collaborate and listen: If you plan on buying a used Landrover Discovery, think twice!  One word: Fail.  You might look cool driving one (as I most certainly do), but you will waste more money than betting on a one legged man in a butt kicking contest.  I have had it in the shop for the following reasons:

1.  to replace the rear air suspension system with regular shocks

2.  to fix the mysterious rattling that still hasn't gone away

3.  to fix the automatic windows that have petered out

4.  to fix the air conditioner

5.  to find out what in the h*** that piece of metal that dropped from the bottom of the vehicle was

...and more odds and ends.  Not to mention the lights that flash onto the dash board at random times that no one but a trained Landrover mechanic can figure out. 

I payed 6k for the vehicle, and have put another 2k into it.  

In addition, it guzzles PREMIUM gas like a college girl does wine coolers on new years eve.  

The funny thing is, I knew all of this had more than a decent chance of happening, and I bought it anyway.  For the record, I love driving it.  It is a fun vehicle to own.  I look like a cool yuppie driving it, but I don't make yuppie dough.  This is not a good thing.  Shame on me.  Don't let it be shame on you! 

I realize that not all Landrovers will have these issues, but mine is from 2000, and while they sell low due to high depreciation, they are a real potential money pit.  Imported parts, systems that don't make sense to Texas mechanics, and more add to the frustration.  I'll say it once more, think before you buy!  

With all the gadgetry and complex computer systems, cars are becoming more high maintenance.  Its nice to have robots do everything for you, but what happens when the robots break down?  Check out this article on how to troubleshoot your tire-pressure monitoring system.  

Here is a good article on Emission Control Systems, which are designed to monitor, well, emissions.  In laymans terms, these are the things that are responsible for the check engine light coming on and costing you a hundred bones to get turned off.  Anyways, the article is helpful in understanding the different types of Emission Control Systems, and what each one does.  Its always nice to get to know ones car, right?  

If you are at all like me (and I realize that you very well may not be),  you are intimidated by anything to do with an automobile other than driving it.  This is especially the case when it comes to fixing things in a car.  My dad never fixed anything.  He just took it to the shop, bought a new one, or had somebody out to fix whatever it was that wasn't working correctly.  Add to that the fact that the last time I messed with a spark plug my fingers were burned pretty good, though it was on a lawnmower and not a car.  Add to that the fact that called a "spark plug" just doesn't sound pleasant, and my lack of desire in fixing spark plugs in an automobile is off the charts.  If you are one of these mechanically challenged and cowardly people, try looking at this video and the summary steps below it.  

My windshield wipers never seem to work.  Streaks abound across my windshield, and visibility is often poor.  Of course the reason behind this is my mangled windshield wipers.  For some reason I've always assumed it was unnecessarily difficult to change them out with new ones, until I stumbled across this article.  Enjoy the view! 

Check out this video for some gas saving tips, some of which may surprise you. 

Well, I would be impressed if my wife could change the oil on her vehicle.  But I would be even more impressed if I could do it myself.  Check out this helpful video on how to change your own oil with a manicure.  If you don't have a manicure, the principles still apply.  

 

 

 

 

Jeff Foxworthy shows us how to change a car battery.