Comments on: Mechanic Update and a Lesson Learned

By: Blogging Away Debt » Blog Archive » As Promised - Here’s Where My Money Goes

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 01:05:17 +0000

[...] The first thing that grabs my attention is the $55 that was spent for fuel in April. We didn’t really travel much more than normal. I am inclined to wonder if it is related to the problem with my car â€“ which ended up being just the gas cap not tightened properly (doh!). Or, it could just be how the fill-ups were timed (there are two fill-ups there). I will be curious to see the numbers for May. [...]

By: Todd D.

Todd D. — Tue, 09 May 2006 08:43:00 +0000

My wife triggered the check engine light in her old college car. It had a locking gas cap that, to save time, she didn’t fasten all the way. Oh, the discussions we had about the relative value of time saved versus the chance of OMG FIERY DEATH.

The light can also be a sign that you have a bad oxygen sensor, which could result in “bad burn” of your gas, which will mess up your engine at some point, and give you poor gas mileage from the start. So eeh, not always a bad thing to see it.

By: Tricia

Tricia — Sun, 07 May 2006 04:25:00 +0000

Sean – it’s funny because I have something engrained in my brain that the check engine light means that I can’t drive my car at all and need to get to a mechanic immediately (I think it states that in the owners manuals that I have read).

As a result – I dread that darn light. I remember the first time my mechanic just turned it off and said to drive normally (he figured it was a fluke occurance that tripped it). I was so scared – but everything turned out alright.

I guess it’s not as useful for major mechanical malfunction as the owners manual states?

By: sean

sean — Thu, 04 May 2006 09:19:00 +0000

The check engine light is next to useless. I’ve got one on my Saturn that seems to get triggered just about every time we have a very humid day. First and second time it happened it freaked me out and got it checked. Third and fourth time, it really annoyed me. Fifth through hundredth, eh, essentially ignored. It’s now a pointless feature, because if it does come on warning of an imminent problem, it’s not going to do any good because I ignore the thing anymore.

By: Tricia

Tricia — Thu, 04 May 2006 05:56:00 +0000

Actually, it’s a Toyota Echo. Similar, though, to Honda with their repuation for reliable cars.

I just thought of something else – thank goodness I have an honest mechanic!! I could have easily been taken for a loop by a dishonest one.

By: Gay Finance Blogger

Gay Finance Blogger — Thu, 04 May 2006 04:05:00 +0000

Just speculation, but you must have a Honda. My Acura/”Honda in an Evening Gown” has gotten me with this issue. I have never heard of such a thing until I purchased this car.

Anyway, whatever you drive, it is good to hear! Happy motoring.