Anti freeze

[bishop]

We had minus 10 here last night, had a phone call frommy friend, his car started ran for a few minutes then a lot of smoke and cut out, so i went and had a look, vw passat petrol, weak mixture of anti freeze in radiater, cracked the engine block, aruond £2500, to repair, could have been avoided for £5, his car car is 10 years old and worth about £1500, so he now has no car, cant get to work, 4 days before xmass,dont let this happen to you, change it every year yourself, or get it done at a garage might cost you £30 but money well spent

[Bigmallly]

I had the same problem last month, the engine warning light came on followed by no heater & temp gauge stuck @ zero. I was lucky in that I got it to the garage to be told the same but they only had to thaw it all out before re-filling with antifreeze & resetting the computer......phew!!

[Jeanied]

Well I know my antifreeze is OK - I had to refill it myself after getting rid of the window washing fluid I poured in there by mistake. At know I made it up to winter strength!

[Snadger]

Well I know my antifreeze is OK - I had to refill it myself after getting rid of the window washing fluid I poured in there by mistake. At know I made it up to winter strength!

Jeanie........you're the only one I know that likes to keep the INSIDE of the engine sparkling clean!

[Dottie]

I just automatically think about topping up anti-freeze or summer coolant with the change of season. But it's funny how some folk automatically assume it means you have an engine problem, rather than your keeping on top of things.

When I was putting in anti-freeze into my car about a month ago, while my car was in it's usual parking space outside my place, I was asked what was wrong. Sometimes I put it down to a male wanting to feel good about helping a damson in distress, but this time it was another woman.

I've hardly ever being able to just check my oil level and other bits and bobs without someone asking what wrong, don't folk know these things should be done on a regular basis?

I also wipe down the inside of my car bonnet at least once a year, the idea been that if anything like oil or something appears on it, I'm highlighted to a potential problem.

[Jeanied]

I love that Dottie - I am going to emulate your good example!

I also love the damson in distress.

[Dottie]

I love that Dottie - I am going to emulate your good example!

I also love the damson in distress.

Ha, I can only do the basic's as mentioned though. I'm not strong enough to be able to change a tyre, so that's when I'm happy to find a knight in shining armour. But then when it's real work that's needed, I wonder how many will suddenly be interested?

[Jeanied]

Well, I always left that side of things to my late OH - who always forgot to do things.
Now I need to be a bit more self- sufficient if I can.
I have just discovered the joys of a 50p tyre pressure machine that bleeps when the right tyre pressure is reached!

[Dottie]

I have just discovered the joys of a 50p tyre pressure machine that bleeps when the right tyre pressure is reached!

The tyre pressure machines are free in my area. But good on you for taking things in hand and doing it yourself.

If you have a poundland or similar in the area, it will be worth getting a pack (20?) of latex disposable gloves for the car and for other dirty type of jobs. Even just taking off the tyre valve cap can leave your hands filthy if not wearing gloves.

Modern cars are nice and easy for doing the basic's, as there are so few things we need to do. So whenever I open up my bonnet for doing 1 thing, I then automatically check the few other items at the same time, like oil, brake fluid etc. Although it's usual just water, oil and anti-freeze/summer coolant that is needed.

Although I've recently being thinking as my car is now 7 years old, I might need to call down to somewhere like Halford's and see if they do a free meter check on the car battery. Not that I've had any problems starting or anything, but it will be worth knowing if it's on it's last legs, so I can change it before it lets me down.

If your concerned about garages taking advantage at MOT time, then it's worth looking up the local council MOT service. They are not allowed/able to do repairs etc, so you can feel safe that if they say the brakes need fixing, it's because they do and not for them to make profit.

[Alison]

Although I've recently being thinking as my car is now 7 years old, I might need to call down to somewhere like Halford's and see if they do a free meter check on the car battery. Not that I've had any problems starting or anything, but it will be worth knowing if it's on it's last legs, so I can change it before it lets me down.

I'd suggest that you don't use Halfords, I know of three people who have taken cars to totally different Halfords branches and all had subsequent problems with their cars. You're best off cultivating a good relationship with a local garage with old school mechanics who you can trust.

[Dottie]

I'd suggest that you don't use Halfords, I know of three people who have taken cars to totally different Halfords branches and all had subsequent problems with their cars. You're best off cultivating a good relationship with a local garage with old school mechanics who you can trust.

I was really thinking of Halfords to do the job of changing my battery, just to use the meter thingy, so I could see myself what the strenght was. I feel that if I call in somewhere like Halfords, I don't have to feel guilty for then just saying thanks and walking away. But if I called into a garage, I tend to feel they are providing a proper service, so feel less inclined to just ask to use their meter reader.

[chris]

I do that Dottie (popped in to halfrauds and asked to check my battery on my old car). Probably should have done it on my new one, as went out last night to find it was completely flat. Boo!