SONofaBitch!

[stardruummer]

So I'd been meaning to take my car into the shop lately, because it hit 100,000 miles recently and i want to be a good responsible car owner. So today when I'm on my courier route for work, the check engine light comes on (side note: I hate the check engine light. It is the most vague instruction in the world, and can be triggered by seemingly

Comments

[valid]

What kind of car did you buy again?

Also, the check engine light is way annoying, that's true, but if you want to save a few bucks, the next time it comes on (hopefully it doesn't lol) take the car to AutoZone and have them check out what the code means. Sometimes it's something really simple, like your gas cap isn't on all the way (or wasn't recently), or you need new spark plugs. If it's something more complicated, then at least you know what the shop has to do and they don't have to waste time (and your money) diagnosing it, they can just verify the code and be on their merry way.

Some shops will let you buy the part and bring the car and the part to them, and they will replace it for you. I don't know if that's how your shop works, but more often than not if they'll let you do it that way it's a helluva lot cheaper than them ordering it and you having to pay for the part and shipping and for your car to be there overnight, blah blah.

Just a couple suggestions to help save you money :) Congrats on hitting 100k!

[stardruummer]

2000 mazda protege, bought her November 1st. i don't have a regular mechanic right now, so i took it to a place i haven't been before. and i would be slower about it normally, but like i said i need my car to drive to arizona and back this weekend, so i was in a time crunch.

[valid]

Yeah, I understand, I would have done the same thing if I were in your position. Just for future reference :) Have a safe trip!

[cthulhulives]

bah,. go to super muffler, freakin $500 bucks installed. Or use my old bronco cat, shit I'll look it up and see if it's OBD II compatible.

[underwaterdream]

I don't know a good mechanic for Mazdas, but if you ever have a Honda go to Landis. They are super awesome, totally honest, know people are on a budget, don't treat you like you're dumb because you're a girl, etc. Hell, you might even call them and ask them what cars they service, it might not just be Hondas

[stardruummer]

yah, i love Hondas they are amazing. however, everyone else knows that they are awesome, so a honda of the same year as other cars costs at least $1,000 more. so for a girl on a budget, its kind of a trade off. but I would love to get one some day. But in general, my car is pretty good. and yes, Landis anly does hondas

[underwaterdream]

I just saw you lurking around Erika Moens marshmallow pictures, and it made me happy. Just sayin'. :)