Airbag? Hell we had to retrofit the seat belts!

Our ‘08 Passat was recalled over a year ago and the new airbag just became available a couple weeks ago. Pitiful, really. I understand why the parts are so difficult to get, but once the proper fix was created they should have ramped up production to meet this demand. More expensive? Sure. But the right thing to do…

In addition to tread depth watch for sidewall cracking and flat out age. New tire rubber ages much faster than old rubber. I believe the recommended max age is now 5 years 10 years. Yes, I know people often drive on tires older than that, I have too... but the age thing is real. Here is how to read the date codes from…

I had an ‘84 Chevette. It was not a great car, but it was very reliable, the brakes worked well and it would never get stuck in the snow. I drove it through some pretty crazy conditions. Mine was also a 4-spd, no slushbox. I would guess that your version received very, very little maintenance...

I wonder if it’s steering wheel aimed a bit to the left (towards center) the same way the LHD/US Chevette steering wheel aimed to the right. Not turned, but angled, as in the steering wheel was not perpendicular to the cabin, and the steering column wasn’t quite in a straight ahead direction.

We are shopping for a new car right now. It’s just insane how many connected apps there are built-in.

In-car screen based systems should be related to NAV, backup camera and radio only. All other controls should be tactile buttons. Even most radio controls should be tactile buttons or knobs, but it’s okay if the big display shows what you are changing with the buttons.

Touch screens for HVAC, Radio controls, seat warmer controls, navigation systems and vehicle settings can go to hell. Especially if they expect your finger to wobble it’s way to an on-screen button to make what used to be a simple change while you are driving. I used to be able to reach for a button without looking at…

Hah. The first application isn’t the problem. It’s the first time you try to release it... then you are just stuck wherever you are!

At least take the money and throw a pizza party for your coworkers as a “bonus”

BRB, I’m going to the ATM Machine down by the Department of Reduncancy Department.

At least with Waze, you can reach out to the area’s higher level map editors and they can fix it. With other NAV programs it’s much more difficult to contact the people who can actually edit the map. Has anyone from the city tried to reach out to the Waze editors in the area?

Yup. I was going to call it a kingpin but since the trailer hitches up to it I figured that was a better description. At any rate, it’s really friggin strong to haul the tractor away like that!

I don’t think there’s an EV driver out there who doesn’t want to pay their share of road maintenance. Also, very efficient gas powered vehicles aren’t contributing their ‘fair share’ under your plan. It needs to be done fairly for all drivers, regardless of fuel type. I’m in favor of a flat ‘miles travelled per month…

What this tells me is that the trailer hitch on one of those tractors is really, really well made. I was expecting the trailer to snap away, but it dragged the cab along with it - impressive construction!

Good catch!

So there’s this silly little game called ‘pocket trains’. They did a full spoof of this video with in-game graphics and the audio from the original video:

Mid NH has really crappy electric rates though. Plus a Leaf is really, really pushing it for that distance plus using heat in the winter. 40 miles into NH puts you right in the “it’s really friggin cold” weather pattern.

I know a guy who commutes from Concord NH ish to Burlington MA every day. I put snow tires on his Prius in the fall and take them off in the spring and it’s a pretty darn good commuter car. 40 miles one way is no joke of a commute, this is not a bad idea. PHEVs are out because NH does NOT have cheap electricity.

200K is very normal. Most cars I know can easily pass 200K. Our 10 year old car is at 155K and showing no signs of trouble. Previous cars I’ve owned had 250, 300K. My ‘86 Suburban went to the junkyard at 330K due to a swiss cheese floor that wasn’t worth fixing. 200K should be easy, allowing for accidents etc cutting…