Car

The end of my car issues

In Business, Car, Life on 4 March 2010 tagged car alarm, maintenance, Toyota Corolla with no comments

About two weeks ago, after my oxygen sensors and spark plugs were replaced, I got my transmission fluid flushed for $130. I’ve definitely noticed an increase in gas mileage. Huzzah!

The last problem with my car: the door ajar light.

I asked the person who installed my aftermarket car alarm to look at it, but he basically ignored me — for several years.

I drove more often a few years ago, so my battery probably didn’t get drained like it did recently because it was always getting charged while driving around.

After getting my third battery (DieHard Gold) had to be replaced within three months of buying it, I was fed up.

Two days ago, I took my car to a local shop (Pro Tint) in Temple City. Their diagnostic service was $25. After waiting three hours, I was told the alarm “brain” circuitry was causing the problem. I was charged $10 more since the removal service was $35. He handed me the “brain” and I went on my way.

I hope that’s the last of my car issues.

Lessons learned:

When you get a new/used car, find the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and stick to it. (For my 2003 Toyota Corolla S, I should replace the engine oil/filter every 5,000-7,000 miles and automatic transmission fluid flushed every 30,000 miles.)
If you think you’ll need immediate support with a product or service, choose a company/person who dedicates their time for that.

The check engine light leaves me

In Business, Car on 17 February 2010 tagged Arcadia, car mechanic, Corolla, maintenance, Stop Brake Shops, Toyota with no comments

The check engine light¹ has been pestering my 2003 Toyota Corolla S since May 2009 around 96,000 miles². Over 11,000 miles later, I was able to get the oxygen sensors replaced by my mechanic.

I also had my spark plugs replaced.

Replace Iridium Spark Plugs (TOY 90080-91180) — $17.95 x 4
Replace Upstream Oxygen Sensor (DEN 234-4800) — $169.95
Replace Downstream Oxygen Sensor (DEN 234-4233) — $189.95
Labor: 1 hour for spark plugs, 2 hours for oxygen sensors — $150
Tax — $42.09
Total — $623.79

I’m also overdue for changing my transmission fluid³.

I’m not sure about the price of the parts. The other night, my uncle (former mechanic) told me it should only cost a couple hundred dollars for the oxygen sensors. After looking at these numbers, I figure that being charged labor rate of $50/hr makes up for it. Or does it?

After searching for those parts online, here’s the bad news:

Denso 234-4800 Oxygen Sensor (Air and Fuel Ratio Sensor)

Denso, Automotive, $58.33

Denso 234-4233 Oxygen Sensor (Air and Fuel Ratio Sensor)

Denso, Automotive, $51.93

I couldn’t find the spark plugs part number.

I’ve been going to this shop for almost ten years, so I didn’t question the quote for the parts. They’ve been really nice, but what’s with that price discrepancy?

If my schedule on Thursday allows it, I plan to visit the parts department at Longo Toyota to ask for the pricing on these parts. If the Amazon prices are close, I’ll reluctantly talk to my mechanic.

At the bottom of the invoice/receipt, it says:

We want you to be completely satisfied with every job we do. That’s why we back up all work with a 100% satisfaction policy. If for any reason you are not satisfied, give us a call and we will personally take care of any problems you have.

I’m not sure if this falls under that statement. I’m satisfied with the work so far, but not the price of the parts. Sure, I agreed with the stated prices beforehand. Wouldn’t you?

What would you do?

*****

Update 2010-02-18 — Ryan Duff convinced me that this is, essentially, normal. Next time, I’ll buy the parts online and bring it myself.

CEL; also known as MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) ↩
Slightly educated guess. I had it reset at 87,413 miles on August 2008, and passed a smog check February 2009, but I didn’t write down when it turned on again. ↩
I’ll get it flushed. ↩

If you like breathing dirt, change nothing

In Car, Health, Tip on 19 February 2009 tagged air filter, Corolla, Toyota with 3 comments

[View on Flickr]

This is what the cabin air filter of my 2003 Toyota Corolla looks like after ~94,000 miles. That’s way overdue!

The one on the right is a new Bosch cabin air filter. I bought it at Kragen for a little over $17 with tax, then took 5 minutes to swap it was the old, filthy cabin air filter.¹

From now on, it goes every 10,000 miles.

Whoa, I was warned back in October 2007 by Clever Dude. Unbelievable!

TYC Cabin Air Filter for TOYOTA Corolla (2003-2007), Matrix (2003-2007) A8006P

TYC, $20.00

How to Change the Cabin Air Filter in a Toyota (wikiHow) ↩

Don’t wait for help if you lock your keys in the car

In Car, Life, Time Savers, Tip on 9 October 2008 with no comments

I’ve locked my keys in my car a handful times. The first few times, I knew someone that had a “Slim Jim”. I’ve also had to call AAA – how embarrassing.

But, if you’re a AAA member, you can request a credit card key that’ll fit in your wallet¹.

Note: It can only be used to open your car door, which doesn’t matter because you’re just retrieving your locked keys inside the car.

Don’t forget to present your membership card. ↩

How to change your stop/brake lights [on a 2003 Toyota Corolla] in 2 minutes

In Car, How-to on 5 October 2007 with 18 comments

Awhile ago, my friend told me that my passenger side brake light was out. (I drive a 2003 Toyota Corolla.) This should be a simple do-it-yourself task, right?

So, I bought a set of stop light bulbs at Kragen Auto Parts. (Cost: About $6) I asked the employee how to change it, but he said he couldn’t help me because people have been suing them for instances where they messed up. (Harsh.)

Next stop: Stop Brake Shops. Fortunately, one of the mechanics was nice enough to change it out for me, and to show me how to do it. Did I need any tools? Nope.

Pop the trunk.
Look at the backside of the tail light area – it’s wide open. Turn the affected light bulb socket to the left. It’ll take some force, but you won’t break it.
Once it unlocks, you can pull the light bulb out.
Push the new bulb in.
Put the socket back into its place by pushing it in, then turning to the right. It’ll lock back into place.
Test the brake light to make sure it works.

Disclaimer: Don’t hold me responsible for any damages you cause to your car. I just documented this process to help you.

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