Hello Rod

 VC> I knew nothing about cars before you bought yours (I just drive mine
 VC> and put LPG gas in it) and have followed your questions and others
 VC> replies and guess what? I still know nothing about cars, I still just

 RG> LOL.  AVTECH being as informative as ever eh?

Of course. Not here for the information.

 VC> I only learnt how to open the bonnet last week (finding the latch

 RG> I'd forget it just as fast if I were you. :-)

I have.

 VC> on a trip in the country and pulled into a country service station to
 VC> have the fluid in the auto-trans checked. 

 RG> But even if you did/do know how to open the bonnet, there is pretty
 RG> well fuck all you can do about most problems anyway.

That's right. That's why I pulled into a country service station. I only
opened the bonnet to try and impress him that I wasn't completely ignorant
so he wouldn't charge me heaps.

 VC> change a tyre because I have never had a flat tyre in 24 years of
 VC> driving.

 RG> I said that after about 10 years of driving.  Over the next few
 RG> weeks I ended up with 3 different flats :-(

I am touching heaps of wood.

 VC> I do know that if I did have a flat tyre that I couldn't
 VC> change it anyway because I would NEVER be able to undo the
 VC> wheel-nuts.

 RG> You'll be surprised at the strength & resoursefulness  you'll
 RG> find when stuck in the middle of nowhere and _need_ to undo them. 

Nope, I would use the mobile phone and ring the RAA. That's why I joined the RAA.

 RG> Incidently, those puncture_kits_in_a_can can be very useful in an
 RG> emergency situation. I'd get it fixed properly ASAP afterwards
 RG> though. I've driven over 200miles on such a 'repair' when I'd
 RG> caught myself with a flat spare as well as a flat tyre :-(

Will get one.

 VC> I am in the position though at present where I will have to be
 VC> responsible for maintaining and getting fixed any problems with
 VC> either of our cars.

 RG> OTOH, At that time, you'll not need the 2 cars anyway.  I gather
 RG> you will be selling one of them?  (no, I'm not looking to buy - but
 RG> Paul Edwards might be )

No point in selling either at present. They are under lease and the
insurance co. is paying the premiums due to the disability clause we have,
so if we sell one it will have to go back to the lease company as payment
on the loan. Have lent one to my daughter while her car is off the road.

 VC> other option which hasn't been mentioned to you is to do a car
 VC> maintenance course with the local TAFE so that you find out how to do
 VC> the simple maintenance jobs yourself.

 RG> Knowing how to do them, and having the tools, ability, time &
 RG> interest to do them are entirely different things.

Exactly. That type of course wouldn't be of use to me as I am not
interested. But Paul seems to be interested so may benefit from that type
of course.

 VC> just don't want to know about how to fix/maintain a car. I

 RG> There's nothing to them. They're just like a big/heavy mechano set
 RG> :-) 

And having no brothers I never played with meccanno either.

 VC> I only towed a trailer for the first time in 24 years of
 VC> driving in the last month.

 RG> Easier than you thought, wasn't it ? :-)

Yep. Working out how to get it on the car was my main hassle. I just don't
have the strength to lift it and haul it onto the tow-ball as my husband
would have done. Remembering to remove the jockey-wheel before I drive off
with the trailer is another trap I have fallen into.

 RG> It takes a few seconds to figure out what direction to turn when
 RG> reversing though, doesn't it (assuming you did reverse)

You think I am silly????? Of course I haven't reversed!!!! Having a husband
who used to drive tow-trucks is not good for my ego if I attempt to
reverse. Haven't done it. I have made sure that I have parked in a position
that I can drive into and drive out of. Even if it meant being parked 3
streets from where I wanted to go. If I do drive into a position that I
can't drive from I have made sure that I am where I can unload the trailer
(final destination) and then unhook the trailer, turn around the car and
trailer and drive off forward again. Learning to reverse the trailer is my
after holiday-makers leave project up the end of the dead-end street I now
live on. Will wait 'til then so that no-one watches me making a fool
learning.


Vicki


---