Father took the 2001 Corolla to Top Tech (now only open on weekdays) sometime in October for an oil change. Mechanic said to change its transmission fluid next oil change and the rear brake shoe or pad has about 25% left.
Mid-November 2008: Started to notice some extra noise from engine? while idle or driving. No change in performance.
Fuel efficiency equally poor as 1998 but also not trying hard to drive efficiently.
Acceleration is still great. 2002 acceleration feels really sluggish and transmission unsmooth compared to 2001. May let 2002 go before 2001.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
2002 to 1998
I changed my mind. Gas is cheap now; because it's going to cost a lot more in the future as in $10-$40/gallon possibly sometime in the 1998's life, I will be driving the less-fuel-efficient 1998 Corolla instead of the 2001 when the November elections are over. I will take a small hit now and prolong the life of the two more-fuel-efficient ones for the future.
I really wish I could get the 2010 Prius, but the battery price is probably going to turn me off again.
I really wish I could get the 2010 Prius, but the battery price is probably going to turn me off again.
Monday, September 1, 2008
1998 Corolla Front Right Tire Slow Leak?
09/01/2008: The 1998 Corolla's front right tire was 17 psi while all the others were 27 psi. They were all pumped at the same time a few months ago.
2001 Corolla tires were all pumped up to 32 psi. All deflated evenly to roughly 26-27 psi from the last pumping a few months ago.
2002 Corolla tires were all pumped to 32 psi, but that's nothing special since I make Austin-Houston trips every other week so its tires are frequently monitored.
The 2001 Corolla steering wheel no longer shakes at 60+ mph since the wheel was changed. I will start driving it to Austin after the November elections when I remove the McCain bumper stickers from the 2002 Corolla.
2001 Corolla tires were all pumped up to 32 psi. All deflated evenly to roughly 26-27 psi from the last pumping a few months ago.
2002 Corolla tires were all pumped to 32 psi, but that's nothing special since I make Austin-Houston trips every other week so its tires are frequently monitored.
The 2001 Corolla steering wheel no longer shakes at 60+ mph since the wheel was changed. I will start driving it to Austin after the November elections when I remove the McCain bumper stickers from the 2002 Corolla.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
2002 AC and 2001 Bent Wheel
08/13/08: Took the '02 to Top Tech to check the AC because my coworker and parents were complaining it wasn't cold enough. The mechanic added 2 containers worth of freon (at $20 each) and it runs cold now. Total bill: $69.64
08/14/08: Took the '01 to Discount Tire to check the wheels, in particular the front right one that is obviously bent that might cause the high speed steering wheel vibration. They ordered a wheel from California and called Dad today. Total bill: $72.10
Need to rotate the '02 tires since diagnosing that uneven tire wear will be time-consuming and expensive. It's also had an alignment a couple of years ago and that is what the mechanic said our first step was. Back then, the alignment showed one problem which couldn't be fixed so I won't chase this.
Spent almost $400 on these young Corollas last month and the parents think I should replace the 2002--overreacting! (The only remotely-possible car in my future is the 2010 Prius or whichever year has the solar panels on the roof and 85 mpg.)
08/14/08: Took the '01 to Discount Tire to check the wheels, in particular the front right one that is obviously bent that might cause the high speed steering wheel vibration. They ordered a wheel from California and called Dad today. Total bill: $72.10
Need to rotate the '02 tires since diagnosing that uneven tire wear will be time-consuming and expensive. It's also had an alignment a couple of years ago and that is what the mechanic said our first step was. Back then, the alignment showed one problem which couldn't be fixed so I won't chase this.
Spent almost $400 on these young Corollas last month and the parents think I should replace the 2002--overreacting! (The only remotely-possible car in my future is the 2010 Prius or whichever year has the solar panels on the roof and 85 mpg.)
Saturday, August 2, 2008
2002 Corolla Wheel and Tire Replacement
Coworker noted one of my tires might have a bubble in it. I had always attributed the vibration to road imperfections. Took the '02 Corolla to Discount Tire in Austin off 183. They discovered three bent wheels (potholes) and the right front wheel was bent more than the others, even creating the start of a bubble in that tire. They also discovered one tire, the Left Rear, had a flat part in the center of the tire, causing stress on the sides of the tire. The flat part could be due to a suspension problem, according to the guy. That tire was replaced and I will ask our trusted mechanic in Houston about the possible suspension problem causing the uneven tire wear.
Total cost: $257
Initially, I'd gotten 3 aluminum wheels. However, when my car was ready, they made my little econobox look like it was some wannabe race car so I asked them to switch to steel wheels. They were really patient and nice about it, not even charging me for the labor. :) I knew nothing about wheels before and assumed the aluminum wheels would've had hubcaps over them.
Total cost: $257
Initially, I'd gotten 3 aluminum wheels. However, when my car was ready, they made my little econobox look like it was some wannabe race car so I asked them to switch to steel wheels. They were really patient and nice about it, not even charging me for the labor. :) I knew nothing about wheels before and assumed the aluminum wheels would've had hubcaps over them.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)