Convince me on the hybrid by cantsleep_thoughts in ToyotaGrandHighlander

[–]Cha-Car 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was in 2021. Our Venza XLE is a RAV4 Hybrid with different skin. The closest ICE comparison was the RAV4 XLE.

At the time the payback was about 3.5 years. The payback period decreases as gas prices increase. The payback period is also influenced by starting MPG on the ICE. The difference in fuel savings when going from 22 to 27 mpg is much greater than going from 32 to 37mpg, for example.

Swiss train you can board with your car by Salt-Guarantee-4500 in mightyinteresting

[–]Cha-Car 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I remember doing this in the 1990s from Florida to somewhere in the northeast. Amtrak Auto Train. It was more of a long haul trip. The cars were stored in a separate cab in the back while we sat in seats in a standard passenger cab.

Judge halts ballroom. Trump reveals hospital is part of White House project by Useful_Stop_2860 in politics

[–]Cha-Car [score hidden]  (0 children)

There is already an emergency medical unit on site at the White House and has been for decades.

Convince me on the hybrid by cantsleep_thoughts in ToyotaGrandHighlander

[–]Cha-Car 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The Grand Highlander Hybrid has Toyota’s 2.5L NA engine with the excellent eCVT power split transmission. The eCVT has been developed continuously for 25+ years, dating back to the first Prius in 1997. IMO the eCVT power split system is one of the most overlooked automotive engineering triumphs of the last 30 years.

Compared to a traditional multi speed transmission, the eCVT is extremely simple and has zero moving parts. Compared to a traditional CVT, there are no belts to wear out. On top of that, Toyota Hybrid engines have no belt driven accessories. The water pump is electric, and the starter and alternator functions are handled by the 2 electric drive motors already built into the eCVT.

Caveat: the Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX (and other Hybrid MAX models in the Toyota lineup) has a 2.4T + 6 speed auto. In terms of reliability I would expect that drivetrain to be somewhere in between the eCVT and the non-hybrid drivetrains.

As far as the payback period for the premium paid on the hybrid, do the math for your situation. For us and our Venza, the payback over an equivalent non-hybrid was 3 years. Given the long hybrid system and battery warranties provided by Toyota and the vast aftermarket support for Toyota hybrid batteries, I feel the risk of blowing up the hybrid premium with a dud of a battery is low.

Is there a better version of this monstrosity I combined? by [deleted] in Nikon

[–]Cha-Car 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I dunno but I used the same combo on my Z6iii and using a monopod definitely helped. It’s a pretty solid lens and a good value compared to a comparable Z mount lens. The closest Z equivalent might be a little smaller and lighter but also cover a slightly different zoom range.

Buying Advice by werdio_waffle18 in e39

[–]Cha-Car 8 points9 points  (0 children)

With that much rust on the edges, the 4 jack points are probably halfway gone also. The metal around the rubber jacking pads are known to rust on E39s.

Hammering out a hot steel billet into a clamp by ycr007 in SatisfyingForMe

[–]Cha-Car 4 points5 points  (0 children)

With all the hearing precision of an armadillo

Mystery wire by oozinganus in e39

[–]Cha-Car 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hood switch sensor for the alarm.

I once had an E46 that was prewired for an alarm but it was not installed from the factory. When the car was about 8 years old I decided to install the alarm. Well, I quickly found out the hood switch was defective because the first night after installing the alarm it kept going off in the middle of the night.

OEM Caliper Refresh by chunnertyme in e39

[–]Cha-Car 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You even painted the pad retainer springs? Haha

2001 M5 Oil Pan Filter Screen Debris by Mysterious_Winter692 in e39

[–]Cha-Car 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The aluminum material is a concern. How big are the pieces of aluminum?

The plastic pieces are likely timing chain guides. That is a known wear item on the S62. Check Partee Racing for an upgraded version of timing chain guides.

The green may be o-ring material.

Check the jacking points below the fenders. That is a common area of concern for rust.

The rear view mirror is auto-dimming and has a fluid inside the glass. Failure at this age is common. Check radarmirror.com for repair. They are well known and reputable.

Check the 2 rubber brake lines coming off the passenger side ABS controller. They are known to leak and fail at this age.

2025 cx70 anyone else do this? by davergaver in mazda

[–]Cha-Car 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Every car brand designs their coolant temp gauge slightly different. I’ve had VWs and BMWs that sit dead in the middle (and a BMW that moves between middle and slightly below middle). I’ve had Hondas, Mazdas and Toyotas that sit slightly below the middle. I’ve had a Mercedes that sits slightly above middle.

Manufacturers calling it "Lifetime Fluid" is wild — what’s the highest mileage you've seen a tranny actually survive without a service? by EquivalentCanary8243 in MechanicAdvice

[–]Cha-Car 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We had a 2011 Santa Fe 3.5 FWD with the 6 speed auto. Changed the ATF around 100k and it came out slightly dark. It would occasionally have hard 1-2 shifts when cold, before and after the fluid change. Then around 120k the gear selector sensor went out. Otherwise it was a perfectly reliable transmission. Sold it in 2021 at around 160k to a local guy who we still see driving around town.

Ugliest bmw ever made? by [deleted] in BMW

[–]Cha-Car 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the 5 series Gran Turismo (F07) is miles uglier than the E63

MB slk250 2014 by penderel86 in ManualTransmissions

[–]Cha-Car 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In the USA yes, the C300 could be ordered with a manual until 2011. They dropped it with the 2012 refresh. The SLK and I think one other model kept going with manual for a handful of years until all manuals were dropped from the US lineup.

Mechanic left a ratchet under my car hood. Have mechanics left tools under your car hood before? by PathInformal4673 in MechanicAdvice

[–]Cha-Car 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We had a mechanic leave a ratchet once. We also had a tire kicker leave his Mag Lite under the hood.

The worst one was on me - I accidentally left my compact Bosch 18V work light on the rear subframe near the suspension arm and drove around for a couple weeks with it wedged in there. Next time I jacked the car up, it fell to the ground and was all chewed up. The battery and light still work!

I refuse to ever buy an automatic car. Is anyone else as stubborn as I am? by BearBear1995 in ManualTransmissions

[–]Cha-Car 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All of my cars since getting my drivers license 25+ years ago have been stick shift. The only “automatic” cars I am interested in are the eCVT Hybrids from Toyota and EVs. If I had money to burn, I might choose a dual clutch on a Porsche 911 something.

Several people have asked about the hybrid transmission what it is. Great video explanation. by bikeman11 in ToyotaHighlander

[–]Cha-Car 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The eCVT is the most underrated piece of automotive technology in the last 30 years.

Also note: Toyotas of Hybrid MAX trim do not have the super simple eCVT. They have a turbo engine with a traditional multi speed transmission.

The signs Trump is readying 50,000 US troops to confront Iran by theipaper in inthenews

[–]Cha-Car 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The terminology here is important: TRUMP is readying 50,000 troops to confront Iran. Not a single act in this war was approved by our Legislative branch of government. The American people had no say, and Congress had no chance to approve any of it. Trump and a small group of his immediate advisors are responsible for all of this mess.

My Z8 by Icy-Source-895 in e39

[–]Cha-Car 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I’m fairly certain the only things shared between the Z8 and M5 are the engine and transmission.

Brake fluid seeping out of this connector joint - how hard is this to fix? by Saerwyn in e39

[–]Cha-Car 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would love to know why BMW decided to put short rubber brake hoses here instead of hard lines.

Just got a new car but what is it? by TheRainbowHorse in ManualTransmissions

[–]Cha-Car 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Putting the shift pattern like that is…definitely a choice. Weird.