Another dumb car maintenance question - Page 3

Urbane Guerrilla · 06-09-2008, 09:02 PM

Bald spot = tire gone. Getting out of balance too. Don't try and push it, particularly if you expect rain. The tread pattern is there to help keep your car from hydroplaning; it gives water on the road someplace to go as your tires pass over it. If you hydroplane, you have no directional control. You're a hockey puck until your speed drops enough for the water under your tires to escape again and let your rubber touch the road.

Cloud · 06-09-2008, 09:50 PM

Fortunately, not much rain in my part of the country. I'm going to do my research, locate a good tire I want, and buy 4 new. fuck it.

xoxoxoBruce · 06-09-2008, 10:29 PM

Don't dally, I heard tires are going to jump 35% soon.

Cloud · 06-09-2008, 10:48 PM

good to know

BigV · 06-10-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

Another dumb car maintenance question

My turn.

Why is the check engine light on and what can I do to correct the situation?

I'll preemptively ignore all the black tape and pull the plug suggestions; just trying to save you some time.

TIA.

HungLikeJesus · 06-10-2008, 10:02 AM

Open the hood and see if the engine is still there.

In some cars the check engine light comes on at specific mileage intervals.

Shawnee123 · 06-10-2008, 10:03 AM

It takes 8 gallons of oil to make a tire. Or the human head weighs 8 pounds. Something about 8...

BigV · 06-10-2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus

Open the hood and see if the engine is still there.--snip

Check!

glatt · 06-10-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigV

My turn.

Why is the check engine light on and what can I do to correct the situation?

I'll preemptively ignore all the black tape and pull the plug suggestions; just trying to save you some time.

TIA.

The most common reason for the check engine light to come on is that the gas cap isn't tightened all the way. But that's not necessarily why yours is on. The only way to know why the light is on is to take it in and have them hook it up to the computer. That alone will cost $70 in many places. I see ads for the code readers in places like Harbor Freight Tools, but I think you still need to be able to look up the codes after you read them.

BigV · 06-10-2008, 10:58 AM

*sigh*

Yeah. I know. I have two diagnostic readers, for cars we no longer own. I don't have one for the Discovery (yet). I know how they work, I know what they can reveal. I also know that a low urgency warning like this (compared to the 710 light or the temp gauge) probably means that some sensor has failed to check in within the expected tolerances.

Which sensor? Who knows. It recently passed the emissions test. I checked the fluids, which needed topping off, but were not in the danger zone. I'm just weary that something else needs fixing. And this something is important, since it's our wheels to work.

As for looking up the codes after I read them, I expect either the manual with the reader, or the factory shop manual (2 inches thick, ~$75) or the intarwebz will provide that tidbit. Then, after all that, I'll need to get the widget and install it. Or them. Or, break my second best screwdriver prying out the old one, smash my knuckles, cuss and smack my head and cuss some more. Then get another specialized tool, hope I haven't marred the socket for the thingy, install it at last, and find out the light remains illuminated.

Then take my box of parts, and my bruised vehicle down to the local Land Rover mechanic (to whom I still owe money), leaving behind the scorched and smoking ruins of my mechanical pride and throw myself on the mercy of the garage. "Yeah, I need it by Monday. No, I don't have any more hundred dollar bills, why? Yes, I know where the bus stop is." I'm not looking forward to that conversation.

Bitter much? Not really. I'm just not recharged after my recent doubleheader with the fridge and the dryer. Shit, the washer was supposed to be next anyway.

BigV · 06-10-2008, 10:59 AM

Well I'll be dipped.

Free Diagnostic checks at Auto Zone

Cloud · 06-10-2008, 11:00 AM

is this meant to be a dig at me because I asked for help?

you big meanie!

classicman · 06-10-2008, 11:01 AM

If you car didn't just pass 30,000 or 60,000 or whatever miles as HLJ was saying, You can access the "on-board computer" yourself. All you need is a regular screwdriver and you can get the code. It will be a series of short and long flashes like morse code. If you have the Haynes manual for the car it explains what the code is and means. Actually, that info is probably online now too - I'm just too lazy to look it up. I've did it a lot with my previous car. Saved a lot of money when it turned out to be something really simple to fix.

HungLikeJesus · 06-10-2008, 11:07 AM

In my Honda, the light came on at 30,000 miles, and it's coming on now at 45,000 miles. It begins with just a few seconds of flashing when the car is started, then stays on longer as the mileage approaches the landmark.

BigV · 06-10-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

is this meant to be a dig at me because I asked for help?

you big meanie!

Good grief. What are you talking about? Are you seriously asking if I'm

you because you asked for help? Ok, straight question, straight answer: no.

Big meanie indeed. Quotha!*

* Look it up.

06-09-2008, 09:02 PM	#31
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	Bald spot = tire gone. Getting out of balance too. Don't try and push it, particularly if you expect rain. The tread pattern is there to help keep your car from hydroplaning; it gives water on the road someplace to go as your tires pass over it. If you hydroplane, you have no directional control. You're a hockey puck until your speed drops enough for the water under your tires to escape again and let your rubber touch the road. __________________ Wanna stop school shootings? End Gun-Free Zones, of course.

06-09-2008, 09:50 PM	#32
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Fortunately, not much rain in my part of the country. I'm going to do my research, locate a good tire I want, and buy 4 new. fuck it. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

06-09-2008, 10:29 PM	#33
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Don't dally, I heard tires are going to jump 35% soon. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-09-2008, 10:48 PM	#34
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	good to know __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

06-10-2008, 10:02 AM	#36
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	Open the hood and see if the engine is still there. In some cars the check engine light comes on at specific mileage intervals. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

06-10-2008, 10:03 AM	#37
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	It takes 8 gallons of oil to make a tire. Or the human head weighs 8 pounds. Something about 8... __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

06-10-2008, 10:58 AM	#40
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	sigh Yeah. I know. I have two diagnostic readers, for cars we no longer own. I don't have one for the Discovery (yet). I know how they work, I know what they can reveal. I also know that a low urgency warning like this (compared to the 710 light or the temp gauge) probably means that some sensor has failed to check in within the expected tolerances. Which sensor? Who knows. It recently passed the emissions test. I checked the fluids, which needed topping off, but were not in the danger zone. I'm just weary that something else needs fixing. And this something is important, since it's our wheels to work. As for looking up the codes after I read them, I expect either the manual with the reader, or the factory shop manual (2 inches thick, ~$75) or the intarwebz will provide that tidbit. Then, after all that, I'll need to get the widget and install it. Or them. Or, break my second best screwdriver prying out the old one, smash my knuckles, cuss and smack my head and cuss some more. Then get another specialized tool, hope I haven't marred the socket for the thingy, install it at last, and find out the light remains illuminated. Then take my box of parts, and my bruised vehicle down to the local Land Rover mechanic (to whom I still owe money), leaving behind the scorched and smoking ruins of my mechanical pride and throw myself on the mercy of the garage. "Yeah, I need it by Monday. No, I don't have any more hundred dollar bills, why? Yes, I know where the bus stop is." I'm not looking forward to that conversation. Bitter much? Not really. I'm just not recharged after my recent doubleheader with the fridge and the dryer. Shit, the washer was supposed to be next anyway. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-10-2008, 10:59 AM	#41
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	Well I'll be dipped. Free Diagnostic checks at Auto Zone __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-10-2008, 11:00 AM	#42
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	is this meant to be a dig at me because I asked for help? you big meanie! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

06-10-2008, 11:01 AM	#43
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	If you car didn't just pass 30,000 or 60,000 or whatever miles as HLJ was saying, You can access the "on-board computer" yourself. All you need is a regular screwdriver and you can get the code. It will be a series of short and long flashes like morse code. If you have the Haynes manual for the car it explains what the code is and means. Actually, that info is probably online now too - I'm just too lazy to look it up. I've did it a lot with my previous car. Saved a lot of money when it turned out to be something really simple to fix. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

06-10-2008, 11:07 AM	#44
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	In my Honda, the light came on at 30,000 miles, and it's coming on now at 45,000 miles. It begins with just a few seconds of flashing when the car is started, then stays on longer as the mileage approaches the landmark. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

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