Those of you Attending Anthrocon...

[otterdoc]

I just called the Wyndam to add my Wyndam By Request number and so on, and the *name on my reservation had been changed!*. They were able to find it under my credit card number, however, so I still have the room

Comments

[srakkt]

I can show you, relatively quickly, how to change the pads. :D

[skorzy]

Hahaha! I wish I saw this post before I made mine!

Easy as changing an inkjet cartridge!

[otterdoc]

Dude, we've been over this. :) I don't have the place or the tools to do that kind of thing. It's not complicated, I know. Same with the oil changes. On top of all that, I've got no interest in doing it, really

[skorzy]

Changing disc brake pads is about as easy as changing an inkjet cartridge. Takes only a socket set, a tube of high-pressure "disc brake grease" and perhaps a flat head screwdriver as a small prybar. I was absolutely stunned how easy it was once someone showed me how to service my front brakes properly.

Get the "Haynes Manual" for your car.. I'm saving a bundle on alot of rountine maintainance and simple fixes thanks to that.

[otterdoc]

See above, and I'll add the detail here that there's no garage at my place. Just a parking lot, which isn't suitable, and I'm not supposed to be doing car maintenance on-property anyway. Part of the lease.

-M.

[skorzy]

I can sympathize. My old apartment complex didn't allow that either.

Of course..that didn't stop alot of people from working on their cars regardless, and the maintainance guys didn't care, so long as you didn't create a problem for them.

Changing brake pads only requires you to jack up the car so you can get the wheel off, and it takes about 15 minutes per wheel after that.

But.. of course, if you can afford it, the convenience of having a mechanic do it is best. The one piece of mind I get from doing it myself is knowing its been done right. I was utterly disenheartened to learn that my dealership took shortcuts in brake jobs.

Never ask me to do drum brakes.. did that once on my Tercel.. hopefully.. never ..never again.

[otterdoc]

"Done Right" for me is most likely going to happen at the dealership. Shortcuts? Dunno, never been a mechanic, never watched one, wouldn't know what was happening if I did.

Sometimes, it's a leap of faith. We don't routinely let people watch their dogs get surgery, either, but I suppose we could if they asked.

I look at the cost of maintenance as something that should be budgeted for, just like I assume people should budget for heartworm prevention, vaccines, and emergency visits.

I just bought a purebred dog, for the most part, but I feed it gasoline instead of Science Diet.

-M.