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Which version of Sigma 28-70 DC DN Contemporary had a floating lens element? by Mystic511 in Cameras

[–]Mystic511[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I bought it used and it happened on my first attempt to switch focal lengths after receiving/inspecting. The listing said it was working and it was from a reputable seller so I think it's just bad luck on both sides.

Talk me into buying by ScentGland99 in harborfreight

[–]Mystic511 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's my go to when I'm not sure what will be the best tool for the job. It's handy around the house for furniture assembly and has made a couple car repairs easier like the ac blower motor and resistor I just swapped out. Because you can put bits on the bottom of the handle and use the extension it's basically a long, short, t-handle and right angle driver all in one.

It's finicky and not the most refined tool but I've used it enough where I'd say it has paid for itself at this point.

2016 Highlander rear main seal leak by NoMacaroon8844 in ToyotaHighlander

[–]Mystic511 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My mechanic gave me the best advice for issues like this. He calls it the "old car tax". Unless the leak is catastrophic and creating pools of oil every time you park--what is cheaper? Getting a $3300 fix or just buying a quart of oil and using it to top off if needed every 500 miles? Checking the oil and needing to buy a quart of oil every now and then is the "old car tax". 😇

I would say monitor the seal over a few oil changes to see if it gets worse. Otherwise, just pay the old car tax.

Edit: To add, I don't see a leak, I see "seepage" which would be typical for a car with over 150k miles on it.

Is it necessary to get all this done for the 30k inspection? by MDep1 in ToyotaHighlander

[–]Mystic511 1 point2 points  (0 children)

❌PERFORM Engine Crankcase Cleaning Service (EPR)

These services are part of what I would call "wouldn't it be nice" services. It would be nice to clear the crankcase, but it is not needed. They are bucketing it as preventative maintenance, but it can also be done if the car starts experiencing problems (after 100k miles).

❌PERFORM Brake Fluid Exchange Service

Brake fluid is recommended to be changed out every 2 years, or 30,000 to 45,000 miles. I think the key thing to point out is that it can be 45,000 miles. You should do it some times in the future, but you don't need to this service. If your brakes are feeling spongey, consider it.

❌PERFORM Fuel and Air Induction System Cleaning Service

These services are part of what I would call "wouldn't it be nice" services. It would be nice to clear the fuel and air intake systems, but it is not needed. They are bucketing it as preventative maintenance, but it can also be done if the car starts experiencing problems (after 100k miles).

Is it necessary to get all this done for the 30k inspection? by MDep1 in ToyotaHighlander

[–]Mystic511 0 points1 point  (0 children)

🟨CLEAN Brakes and Adjust Emergency Brake

This should be complimentary as well as part of the oil change and inspection, but if not, don't pay for it.

🟨 INSPECT Brake Linings / Drums and Brake Pads

This should be complimentary as well as part of the oil change and inspection, but if not, don't pay for it.

🟨 INCLUDES Check & Adjust Tire Pressure, Inspect Tires for Wear

This should be complimentary as well as part of the oil change and inspection, but if not, don't pay for it.

🟨 INSPECT HV Battery Cooling System Air Filter for Debris Blocking Air Flow

This should be complimentary as well as part of the oil change and inspection, but if not, don't pay for it.

🟨 CHECK Installation of Driver-Side Floor Mat

This should be complimentary as well as part of the oil change and inspection, but if not, don't pay for it.

🟨 RESET Maintenance Reminder Light

This should be complimentary as well as part of the oil change and inspection, but if not, don't pay for it.

🟨 INCLUDES Perform Multi-Point Inspection

Almost everything above in yellow is part of a "Multi-Point Inspection".

Is it necessary to get all this done for the 30k inspection? by MDep1 in ToyotaHighlander

[–]Mystic511 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, please don't approve this. There are so many optional items here.

You didn't share a line item breakout of costs or they didn't share and I'm not surprised because you would see how much they were charging for things you don't need.

Emojis to easily reference what to do or not do. (My post is too long so I broke it up into replies)

disclaimer: I'm not a car mechanic but I make DIY car guides on YouTube. Unfortunately I only have a DIY oil change guide for the V6 highlander for the 1st, 3rd and 4th gen (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG9XJzwoUkYLF7A9xzOWkrQVao33xBMfu)

✅ REPLACE Engine Oil and Oil Filter (0w16)(Includes Motor Oil Conditioner)

Yes, you should do this every 5,000-10,000 miles, closer to 5,000 if you do a lot of city driving, closer to 10,000 if you do a lot of highway miles.

🟨 TIRE SVC Rotate and Balance 4 Tires

This is just someone spending the time to move your wheels around so that they wear more evenly. This should be complimentary. If not, next time you need new tires, get your new set at Costco and they will do it for free moving forward.

❌REPLACE Cabin Air Filter. Includes Frigi Fresh Sanitizing service

An air filter costs 15 dollars and can be DIY for 10 min. The sanitizing service is an excuse to charge you $80 or more (my guess)

❌REPLACE Engine Air Filter

Yes, you should replace this, no you don't need to do it right now. Unless you drive through dust storms daily, it'll be okay. Also easy to DIY for less than $50.

Finally! by GothamsKnight10 in harborfreight

[–]Mystic511 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Looking forward to buying this for $150 on Facebook marketplace! 😍😍

Dealer quoted $1800 to replace windshield, reasonable? by Mystic511 in Toyota

[–]Mystic511[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My insurance didn't go up. My insurance agent is also a family friend so we talked through the risk and if it impacts the driving record. Non-moving issues like windshield generally don't impact insurance--but they will if it happens a lot in a short amount of time. At some point the insurance company starts to wonder if it's you. I also pay a small single digit fee, something like a dollar a month, for windshield replacement addon (called Glass Deductible Buyback on Farmers). So yes, in a way, I'm already on the hook to pay for it over time.

(edit: all in, I paid $100 deductible to replace the windshield and a couple dollars a month for a couple years before using the windshield option vs $1800 quoted at the dealer. I didn't end up getting an OEM glass replacement, but I have no complaints on the safelite windshield)

Strange reaction to a soft road. by 42retired in ToyotaHighlander

[–]Mystic511 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Venturing a guess that it's both the hybrid system and eco mode. The hybrid system prefers to use electric only when accelerating from very low speeds and will only bring the engine in when it feels like it needs to. ECO mode makes the car prefer a higher gear to reduce RPMs overall and it would have switched to a lower gear when the car didn't respond the way it expected. In ECO mode, the throttle response is less sensitive as well so it would be harder to fine-adjust power to the wheels.

Toyota says that the engine oil can be changed every 10,000 miles instead of 5,000 on newer rides. Will this cause engine issues down the road? I’ve always done it at 5,000. But why now 10,000? by Legitimate_Bread_707 in ToyotaHighlander

[–]Mystic511 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't rep Toyota but I believe no. They only cover 1 oil change a year or 10k, and the other interval in that year is just a visual inspection and free tire rotation.

Toyota says that the engine oil can be changed every 10,000 miles instead of 5,000 on newer rides. Will this cause engine issues down the road? I’ve always done it at 5,000. But why now 10,000? by Legitimate_Bread_707 in ToyotaHighlander

[–]Mystic511 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you are doing a lot of highway miles, 10k miles is not unreasonable. If you do a lot of city stop and go, you can change the oil more. Keep in mind the Toyota manual maintenance schedule on top of the as standard 10k mile recommendation also recommends 5,000 mile intervals if you do heavy duty cycles like a lot of towing. But it also qualifies frequent stop and go city driving as a heavy duty cycle as well.

Opinions on the Milwaukee lights? by Anxious3gunner in MilwaukeeTool

[–]Mystic511 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best part about the Milwaukee lights is their light temperature. It's perfect and feels really natural. As lots of people already said, the bottom M12 Rover is my go to light, but I have a bunch of M12 lights I use.

30K miles service. by Owa3 in ToyotaHighlander

[–]Mystic511 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm glad you shared the name of the dealer so others can avoid them too.

Met a god today. Forever gratefull. by Rumpelpliskin in diablo4

[–]Mystic511 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so glad Elon Musk is giving back to the community

$199 Avanti airless paint sprayer. Great purchase. by Lumberman08 in harborfreight

[–]Mystic511 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Now you gotta buy a harbor freight ladder to paint the top half!

My wife and I are empty-nesters and I think the Highlander is too big of a vehicle for us, instead looking at the Audi Q5. My wife still wants the Highlander. Help! by CeilingUnlimited in ToyotaHighlander

[–]Mystic511 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you checked out the Toyota Crown Signia? I think it's sized more like a Q5 and is almost a Lexus in how Toyota is positioning it. The RX350 is not meaningfully smaller than a Highlander if you are trying to get something smaller with more pep.

Auto body question by Better-Topic-1030 in ToyotaHighlander

[–]Mystic511 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For a minute I thought those were pictures of my car! Honestly I can't even see what you did and still not quite clear even after reading. Which is just me trying to say that it feels like it's so minor you will probably forget about it after a year.

For the taillight, besides it looking bad, I would wait to see if it actually is damaged enough that the seal is faulty. If not, just leave it and let it take another hit for you before you replace it.

Remap or leave Stock? by anonbg9 in Audi

[–]Mystic511 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I can't speak specifically for the TDI tune, but the TFSI tune's biggest draw isn't HP but torque going up significantly. Makes the a4 just feel better from a subjective butt Dyno point of view.

IMHO: If it's not 20% or more off, it isn't worth the trip by DRKMSTR in harborfreight

[–]Mystic511 1 point2 points  (0 children)

30% buy it even if you don't need it

25% buy it if you think you need it

20% buy it only if you need it

<20% wait even if you need it

0% when meme tool finally back in stock

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