"HoneyThat @#$% check engine light is on again!"
Aug 30 '00 (Updated Nov 26 '00)
I had an opportunity to eavesdrop on a car owner, forced to ride the bus, whose car wouldn't start.
"its been so cold up heya that even tha old Mopah wouldn't staht!"
(This was my cue to test this man's gasoline knowledge.) Me, Being an "outastatah", and Jimmy, being the son of the local mechanic, had some fun. My first query was about Premium or regular. He, emphatically, replied "premium's tha only thing ta use. My Dad, Jimmy........." I half listened to the twisted reasoning and as Jimmy Jr. ran out of things to say I told him to fill the tank with regular, clean the plugs or replace them, and get a good jump for cranking speed and if he wanted me to talk with his Dad I'd do that as well.
Here is an example of perception. The reason there are different grades of gas is because there are different types of engines, climates, and uses.
Refer to the title and in my world this statement is reality quite often.
Several weeks ago, in the middle of summer, a car came to the shop and the wife and her beaten husband reluctantly at her side proceeded to verbally accost our lone service writer. This car had made multiple trips to our shop (factory authorized) and two other dealers. The complaint was the same each visit and we and the other dealers had sold this couple approximately $1,200.00 worth of useless repair.
I was given the assignment of remedying their car. On the cars previous visits it was serviced by factory trained and certified Masters, one of these guys placed 4th in this year’s National competition and was an alternate to the international event in an unmentioned foreign land. I reviewed carefully the history of their troubles and started in on the diagnosing.
All previous dealers as well as our staff missed two things. Number 1. Ask the question "what are you burning for fuel?" Number 2 "What is your driving style?"
I performed a few basic tests and cleared the codes out of the computer, misfire codes. After reassembling the car and adding a bottle of Techron, to clean up carbon deposits, I went to the gas station and filled the tank with REGULAR fuel. After filling the tank I gave their car the 'rental car tune-up'; this essentially is performed best on a highway keep the vehicle in the lowest gear possible short of redline and drive at normal highway speed for about ten minutes. What is happening is the higher octane fuel flashes or ignites at a higher engine temperature and with the slow driving style of this consumer deposits on the valves and piston tops absorb the fuel and reduce the mixture to an unburnable or poor combustion state.
If you really want to burn premium then ask you manufacturer what spark plug to use and by all means don't be afraid to heat up the motor or you won't gain any boost from higher octane just higher repair bills and greater embarrassment, because after all is said and done you don’t want to see me on the bus.
P.S. Why was I on the bus? I left my lights on all day in -15 F temps and no merciful passerby with a set of cables when I needed some.
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Epinions.com ID:
twoturn
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Member: Gene
Location: Cowhamsha
Reviews written: 54
Trusted by: 10 members
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