April 15, 2004

• it's a rating of viscosity , or "thickness" of the oil. The "W" is the viscosity during winter, and the other number is "normal" viscosity. I think these were standardized to be 0C and 100C at some point in time, but I'm not sure.
• so oil is less fluid in winter - okay that makes sense. I saw an ad last night for motor oil that said something to the effect of "today's engines run harder - use less viscous oil". I prefer synthetic but don't know what 'the best' choice is or how much it matters
• 10W-40 isn't oil. that's a tax return form, silly. i think 1040-EZ is oil. (well, it's going to pay for oil this year, anyway.) i tried to buy oil that was less viscous, but got less vicious oil instead. at least it doesn't try and bite me.
• Also, the more viscous the oil the more protection offered to your engine, particularly in the hot summer months. However, it causes a small decline in fuel efficiency. All that crap about "made for SUVs" and such is a load of it. Use 30 grade in the winter, 40 in the summer and you'll be fine. What's more important is how often you change your oil (and filter). Newer cars can actually get away with every 7500 miles, while older ones can need it as often as every 3500.
• Base oil has one viscosity, and it's when they add polymers to it that make it multi-viscosity, thus the two numbers. It's to prevent the oil from thinning out too much as the engine gets hot (and causing damage to your engine). The W designation is for the base oil, which is measure viscosity performance at 0 degrees F. A 5W-20 is a 5 weight oil that won't thin more than a 20 weight oil would when hot. (The numbers are arbitrary ratings.) GREAT you say, so I should get the widest range of oil, right? That's actually the opposite you want to do. Always get an oil with the narrowest range for your climate. Follow the manuals specs.
• I'm going to say it again, the BEST ADVICE anyone on the internet can give you about cars is to follow your manual. Wouldn't you trust the people who made your car more than random monkeys on the internet (grease or otherwise)? As for synthetic vs. regular... that's a long debate. Synthetic isn't what you think it is. But in general, my opinion is that synthetics don't protect your engine any better in pratice, but they will definitely last longer and you can change your oil less frequently than with "regular" oils. I'm sure someone here will offer a contrary opinion.
• Hey, what happened to petebest1? Is petebest2 the new, updated model? I feel somewhat retro by comparison, if not wholly outdated. /off topic
• well to add to this thread (unlike my previous post, sorry but couldn't resist given that it's tax day) i've been using full synthetics or synthetic blends in my car since i bought it two years ago. only thing i heard from the dealer is that once you put full synthetic in the engine, you need at least a blend afterwards, 'cause it's harder on the engine if you switch back to standard oil after using full synth. don't think he was just trying to scam us, either - we go back to the dealership for oil changes 'cause their service speed and general professionalism is better than i've ever seen at any quick lube, and they don't charge much more than a jiffy lube, etc. would. it does indeed give us a lot of leeway on scheduled oil changes, though. the synthetic comes out nearly as clean as it went in. i was of the understanding that it just didn't break down as quickly as regular oil.
• Oh, and regarding jiffy lube and similar places. Don't. Ever. If you care about your car at all, stay away. Anyone else is better. They're maroons. Unequivocally, without reservation or qualification. They will take a perfectly good car and literally ruin it. I've seen cars come out of that place and not make it a block because those guys flushed the radiator and didn't fill it back up, or when they put on the wrong filter and you dump 5qts of oil on the highway. Also note that their directive is to upsell you to at least $50 per customer. If they don't get you, they pass it onto the next guy, and so on.
• quidnunc, that was exactly my question. :) petebest2 - the one that didn't get kicked out of the Beatles!
• Why-hy petebest1?? I . . I don't know what you're talking about . . heh . . that's . . that's crazy talk. /turns_off_lights *bonk!* *bonk!* /drag_bodies_away
• I agree with Daniel that synthetic oils do last longer, so in theory you can go longer between oil changes. However, if you are under warranty you need to make sure that you are having your oil changed as outlined in the warranty whether your vehicle needs it or not. Failure to follow those conditions exactly will probably void your warranty.
• Awww crap! Now I have to google this stuff up first? Thanks for the insight everyone - that was informational.
• My auto dealer calls regular ol' non-synthetic dino juice "organic," which tickles me no end. /turns_off_lights *bonk!* *bonk!* /drag_bodies_away I hated, hated, hated that part of Half-Life. Almost as bad as the jumping puzzles near the end. /gaming flashbacks
• The more viscous oil should be reserved for bolder, heartier salads.
• And we haven't even talked about the API donut or the ILSAC seal...all that from melted dinosaurs.... ...as for me I'm not much of a synth guy..I mean after the early 80's I kinda had my fill, Human League, Gary Numan (and the Tubeway Army), etc. Give me a good guitar riff anyday...
• /me glances sideways at zedcaster is that a Fender?
• good eye - american strat
• does anyone know the proportions of good and bad cholesterol in the various ratings? / very health conscious here. my dh has heart issues.
• Existential Questions: Do they actually TRAIN those guys at the lube joints to strip the threads offa the plug and cross thread the filters? Why do ratchet jockeys tighten down the lug nuts twice as hard for female drivers? *I'm glad I sleep with the Mechanic Mrs. Mechanic
• livii and I await the inevitable arrival of "petebest3: return of the viscous avenger".
• Wouldn't you trust the people who made your car more than random monkeys on the internet hell no! monkey's on the internet have no interest in selling me another car, sooner rather than later. if you are in "i don't care if it falls to pieces the day after the final payment" mode then by all means, follow the manual specs for oil and change frequency.
• goetter - i'm with ya. i know i filled that room full of grenades before walking through the door - nobody could have lived through that barrage. so how the holy hell did i end up knocked out and tossed in a compacter? "shut down all the garbage mashers on the detention level!"
• this is the greatest thread since WhatchacallIT. All we need is some juggling breakdancers, a narcoleptic pyrotechnician and 2 orders of curly fries (one w/ cheese, one w/o). can someone play "Danny Boy" on the saw?
• No, but I can cause untold pain and carnage on my own body with one... Is that close?
• can someone play "Danny Boy" on the saw? I once hired a duo to play at a gig I was organising. They were called "Murray and Mary", and their instruments were electric saw and piano respectively. They could not only play "Danny Boy", they could also play "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen", "It's a Long Way to Tipperary", "Goodnight Irene", and "Knees Up Mother Brown". All night long, if necessary.
• Listen to them... they're dying, R2! Curse my metal body!
• Hereby nominate this thread for a Platinum Turnabout Award for taking the most unexpected and delightful twist from the FPP -- it just gets better! *wild applause*
• Wow, how does one electrify a saw? Was it a piezio pickup mounted on the blade? I admit I don't know "Knees Up Mother Brown" but it's certainly a provocative title . . we're all right! You did great! Yeeehaaaa!
• use of 'saws-all' for interior renovation work by female can create havoc and panic amongst man, dogs and parrots. also gives one great solititude. / she says, grinning, from direct observations.
• some juggling breakdancers, a narcoleptic pyrotechnician and 2 orders of curly fries (one w/ cheese, one w/o) Right. On that basis alone, I demand to be allowed to marry either petebest1, petebest2, or indeed petebestPRINT=RND*37. Depending on who has the most curly fries, or the best cheese/no cheese balance. (64/36 is the best ratio, on average, by my experience, but you know this shit's subjective.) I meant to say, by the way, in the beginning of this thread, and the one about petrol prices, and any other car-based threads: huh? whahhadfughhh? axaxaxas ml
• That saw's looking kind of rusty. It probably wants a clean and an oil. Any idea what viscosity would be best?
• dxlifer: You have your very OWN "saws-all?" WAY KOOL! The Toolman promised me my very own cordless drill for my birthday. I'm excited. I finally confessed that I dropped his cordless drill in the horse trough last summer. After leaving it in the sun all afternoon to dry, and giving it an application of a light viscosity oil, it's run just fine ever since. He asked me what brand I wanted, and I told him the same, and that was the reason why. Later I noticed he was sitting in the corner of the garage cradling his drill and whispering softly to it.
• I'm going to say it again: the BEST ADVICE anyone on the internet can give you about saws is to follow your manual.
• so if I get the time and inclination to change my oil, where does the used stuff go? Just pour it down the kitchen sink? i kid, i kid - but really where do you take it?
• Recycle it.
• beautiful. Thanks cap'n!
• ah...i had lost this thread. yup, bluehorse..i have all my own tools as HE doesn't want me to touch his. he gave me a power drill for valentine's. (after i kept asking to use his) the saws-all is awesome and a great multipurpose tool. acts as a chainsaw or good for home demolitions! but my favourite tool of all time is my fencing pliers, even though i now live in the city, i would never be without those most resourceful implements.
• How sweet, a guy that KNOWS what a woman wants for Valentine's Day. Yes, the fencing pliers! Every woman should have 'em. Along with duct tape, baling twine, WD40, electrical wire ties, superglue, kleenex and that last, prized piece of baling wire. If you've got this in your purse, you can probably handle most any crisis. ;) Do you know there are women out there that don't even carry a pocketknife? *shudders* Dxlifer, I do believe you're a gal I'd like to meet.
• duct tape? i buy mine in flashy colours so he won't use it. and we each have our own wd40. fencing wire is the greatest stuff for emergencies and of course those plastic ties that snap together, that we bring home in containers of a hundred. ( i get the coloured ones, again). a sharp little utility knife on my keychain and quick tools in my glove compartment. a woman must be prepared for all emergencies. hence the kleenex. i also keep a cheap container of those moist baby-wipes in the car for similar purposes. he also gave me for xmas a pair of black and decker rechargeable scissors that cut almost anything. i had to buy my own sledge hammer though, but now he's been borrowing it even though i put my name on it. then there's all the strange and unnameable hand-made tools i pick up at garage sales etc that perform unusual tasks. my most recent favourite is a '9 in 1' painters tool that i've used for jobs from ranging from gunk stuck on floor or counter-tops to when i was doing the windows. check it out...it has sharp points, staight blade edges, curves and a nail puller. it hangs on my bulletin board so it's always in sight. have you noticed how the males of the species are often more preoccupied with having tools rather than using them? or think they should be used only for the specific designated purpose? poor things, lacking so much in creativity and ability to improvise. i kept the gear shift on my car attached with fencing wired for months before finally getting it fixed. good for broken tie rod ends as well, for short distances. yes, we must get together and compare how to make best use of these silly 'male-oriented' tools that women make much better use of.
• I can't find the "on" switch on these hedge trimmers . . .
• do we turn pete_best off?
• Dear God!! Pete_best: NO THOSE AREN'T THE HEDGE TRIMMERS!
• oh dear, did he grab a saws-all? brace yourself, pete_best, they pack quite a punch if you do find the on button.
• *finds 'on' button, is dragged around yard hilariously, looney-tunes style* WaaaAAAaaaAAAaaaaaahhhhh!!!!
• did you get the hedge trimmed in the process?
• What are all these tufts of hair doing in my yard?? Answer me now, Pete_best. Quit hedging.
• actually after only a few hedges and a near-miss at a squirrel (must be the tuft of hair) the trimmers shook me loose and headed west. Dangdest thing i ever did see. Hope I have better luck with the 'lectric toothbrush . . .
• watch out bluehorse, loose teeth will be showing up next in your yard. /hopes pete_best flosses or is he going to use the toothbrush on the hedge? or the squirrel? when pete_best comes over to play, make sure all power tools are hidden away.
• I want a sawzall so badly that I can taste the ozone. It represents... freedom. Freedom from the oppressive togetherness of things.
• Dang it, pete_best! First the hedge clippers, now a toothbrush. Leave scuirus ALONE now. Dx--make him stop. What's next????
• but bluehorse...how else will he learn? fancy words alone will never bring tidy hedges or good dental hygiene. can you sweet-talk that hay into the barn on it's own? men can only learn from their mistakes. they are genetically hard-wired that way, i suspect. the first saws-all i used had crooked blades and i still managed to cut out a doorway with it and knew i just had to have one. it was a quite transcendental experience. goetter, i agree...i have found an almost orgasmic thrill in destroying things since i started renovating my house. i consider it very therapeutic after a lifetime of being the caretaker in so many ways. i now understand why men like to punch holes in the walls when angry. maybe instead of a cd swap there should be a power tool swap. no, no! i can't let that saws-all across the border. homeland security might seize it as a wmd! /now, where is that sledge hammer?
• I've always had a thing for rotory tools. Especially handy for a college student, without a full house to worry about. Hmmm...now, if I weren't a typical broke college student, I might be able to get one...and then the fun would begin!
• oh...my darlin' has two of them and lots of attachments. but i'm not allowed to touch them. / it's that guy thing again. so i simply pass all suitable dremel work to his hands. probably for the best as my fine motor control is rather poor.
• mmmmmmm, attachments I LIKE attachments. I grew up with tools and a dad that could do most repairs and odd jobs. But I married a guy that can do ANYTHING with just the basic tools. He will tackle everything from repairing a camera, rebuilding a VW or a GMC truck engine, machining a part for a 22 rifle, wiring new construction, plumbing a toilet, laying concrete, and building trusses or a computer desk. He can pull a steering wheel without a steering wheel puller, put on shocks without the tool to compress them, and redo pistons with a home-made micro-measuring device. I was always amazed and astounded that he could put an engine together and have 6 or 7 bolts left over, but the dang thing would run better for it. He's not afraid to take stuff apart--Got a nuclear weapon that needs rewired--no problem*. He's the only guy I know that has grease under his fingernails and oil paint on his knuckles. (Did I mention he does oils, acrylics, water colors and develops his own landscape photography?) He's got this collection of tools, nuts, bolt, screws, odds and ends of lumber, parts and pieces that I don't know how anybody can live without. Drives me nuts not to be able to walk out and grab what I need to work on a project, rather than running to the hardware store every five minutes. Lest ya'll think he's perfect (an oxymoron--the perfect husband)I will tell you that he is the ultimate procrastinator. For 12 years we agreed we wanted a window in the bathroom. One fine June day I took the skill saw in, sawed out a 8x12 hole in the wall and slapped on a screened grill we happened to have lying around. Sometime in mid-October he did a lovely job putting in a 12x16 window--was getting a tad chilly showering by then. See what comes of letting a wife use power tools? Now I know the basics on how to frame in, too. (Hmmmm, a window in the laundry room would be nice.) This weekend I went over to a friend's to replace four dinky wobbly eyebolts that hold her portable corral to her horse trailer. Somebody did a crap job to begin with, and I wanted to put in 1/2 inchers with large washers (technical term: warshers) on either side to prevent tear-through. Dang bit broke on the fourth hole, wouldnchaknowit, and her husband didn't even OWN a bit set. I finished it out with a round file. Smacked on a lock-washer, double-nutted it and peened the threads against the last nut. Overkill maybe, but that puppy AIN'T goin' anywhar'z when horses lean on it. She looked at me like I was speakin' some furrin language when I explained why it was so much more sturdy than the original. dx: When we moved onto this place, there was a second ancient falling-apart house that we tore down. WHOO-HOO! Talk about an orgasmic AND cathartic experience!
• *Anybody need 5 bolts and a radioactive thingy?
• Oh, almost. I'm in the market for 7 bolts, a radioactive thingy, and whatchamacallit. If you've got an extra couple of those laying around, we might have a deal. ;-D
• you got to tear a whole house down? /whimpers with envy.. bluehorse...are we with the same man? "i need to get this done", she says. "i can do that", he says. "i know you can do it, dear, but i need it done this year", she says. "but it has to be done right", he says. "well then, i'll just do this until you can do it right", she says. "be careful", he says! thingamabobs and doo-hickeys and whatchamacallits...got lots of them. he has all these official-type names for them. and never knows what i'm asking to use. screwdrivers are straight, stars and square. everyone knows that. men have so much to learn. (nothing personal bevos, you can't help it.)
• heheh. you said "peened"
• didn't pete_best get wonked out the other day?
• Everyone knows the best way to get a job done around the house is to start doing it yourself, then a man will come in (it may be your husband, boyfriend, mailman, or a complete stranger) and tell you you're doing it all wrong before taking over and finishing the job.
• where do you live, tracicle? i've got to move there quickly. i hear how the "you're doing it wrong' part, but there's no one stepping in to do it for me. /maybe the saws-all is scaring 'em away
• or that thingamajimmy.
• body odour? halitosis?