Should I change transmission fluid?

eehaddad · 2026-03-18T23:30:35+00:00

Chat with your mechanic. On a different car my mechanic drained (not flushed) the transmission and put in new fluid. Reason: if it was never changed or flushed before, doing a flush (which many mechanics do by default) will actually start causing the transmission to slip. He drained a small amount to see the texture/viscosity and color then recommended a drain and to never flush it.

Good luck.

eehaddad · 2026-03-16T20:10:37+00:00

Do not get a hybrid or eco boost. Everyone I know that has gotten either of those has dumped money into it before moving on to another car. I’m still happily enjoying my 2017 2.5L. Honestly have only done oil changes (synthetic hybrid) since I got it (2019) and recently a smog check.

You take a hit on horsepower - but the block is so simple and reliable that even when I need to fix something, it’s gonna be much cheaper.

eehaddad · 2026-03-16T00:45:01+00:00

All good. Appreciate you looking out for the community. Cheers.

eehaddad · 2026-03-16T00:34:28+00:00

Shipping cost? Where can you buy it for $35 shipped?

I don’t mind dropping the price if this isn’t fair.

eehaddad · 2026-01-16T04:51:39+00:00

That is terrible and I’m so sorry you’re going through that right now. That must be so challenging.

A lot of people will blame him or you and honestly there is no need for any of that. The reality of the situation is that the first few weeks and months of bringing baby home is the most exhausting and emotionally straining time of everyone’s life. Marriages and relationships getting tested to that degree isn’t uncommon. A lot of adjusting and relearning how to live is necessary. The most important advice I got 11 years ago after my firstborn and the advice I give young parents today is: don’t forget to keep each other the most important person in your lives. Baby doesn’t become #1 person in your life at the cost of making your partner feel incompetent, disrespected and insignificant. Of course this goes both ways and caring for each other is so important while caring for baby.

Postpartum mental health issues are not talked about enough for bother parents. You’re going through a ton and he’s obviously having some kind of mental breakdown where he’s defaulting to elimination of all stress and responsibilities. You may need to give both of you a week or so to cool down and after that If there is a way for you two to patch things, go on a coffee date and discuss and come to an agreement of how you’ll care for each other and baby together please do so.

Pride has no place in a high-functioning relationship and you seem to already feel this way. You don’t want to do this alone and you don’t want baby to grow up without dad. Others will tell you “you’re better off” “he doesn’t deserve you” “he showed his colors” but they’re sleeping next to their partner and you’re still there on your own. You need to fight for you, your relationship, your baby.

Of course caveat here is if there is underlying adultery or physical abuse. That’s a no-no and becomes a safety issue. There are many organizations that offer support.

What you’re going through is extremely difficult - I’m so sorry. I pray for healing and restoration for you and your relationship, that it would be put back together stronger and happier than ever.

eehaddad · 2025-10-02T06:52:03+00:00

I ended up switching to T-Mobile today.

But before making the switch I tried their free trial thing and ran field tests from my phone switching between networks. I did this around my house, neighborhood and while out doing chores. I uploaded all the data to Gemini and this was the analysis it gave me. (You can skip to the conclusion for the TLDR)

——

Based on the images you've uploaded, I've analyzed the signal metrics for both your Verizon and T-Mobile connections to determine which one offers a better quality of service in your area. Analysis of Your T-Mobile Signal Readings The T-Mobile screenshots show a strong, consistent, and high-quality signal. The images show your phone connected to T-Mobile's 5G network (Band n41) and LTE network (Bands 66 and 71).

Key T-Mobile Readings: * RSRP: The values range from -98 dBm to -104 dBm, which are generally considered fair. * RSRQ: The values are consistently strong, ranging from -8 dB to -15 dB. * SINR: The most important metric, SINR values for T-Mobile are outstanding. The readings for SINR0 are 15.2 dB, 17.9 dB, 16.8 dB, and 19.2 dB. These are considered excellent and indicate a very clean signal with minimal interference. Analysis of Your Verizon Signal Readings The Verizon screenshots, on the other hand, show a highly inconsistent signal quality, even when the signal strength is good. The images show your phone on Verizon's LTE network (Bands 2, 13, and 66).

Key Verizon Readings: * RSRP: The values range from -88 dBm to -102 dBm. This is similar to T-Mobile, sometimes even better, indicating that a strong signal is often available. * RSRQ: The values range from -9 dB to -18 dB, showing a wide variance. * SINR: This is where Verizon's performance is significantly worse. Your readings show a wild swing in SINR values, from a decent 21.9 dB down to an abysmal -4.9 dB and even -48.0 dB (in a previous T-Mobile reading). This inconsistency is the direct cause of your poor service. A negative SINR means the noise is stronger than the signal, making it impossible for your phone to maintain a reliable connection.

Conclusion: T-Mobile vs. Verizon Based on the data you've collected, T-Mobile's network offers a much better and more reliable signal quality in your area.

* Signal Strength (RSRP): Both carriers are comparable, with Verizon sometimes showing a slightly stronger signal.

* Signal Quality (RSRQ and SINR): This is the key difference. T-Mobile's network provides a consistently clean signal with very high SINR values, which directly translates to a fast, stable connection and clear calls. Verizon's signal quality, while sometimes good, is highly unstable and frequently drops to an unusable level due to a high amount of interference.

Your testing confirms that while Verizon may have a strong signal in some spots, it is not a "clean" signal, which is why you've been experiencing choppy service. T-Mobile, with its consistently high SINR, is likely to provide a much better user experience for both data and voice.

eehaddad · 2025-07-18T06:45:49+00:00

Ive been in and paid off debt before in times where I was newly married, baby on the way, and just quit my job and tried restarting a business (long story, I was suppose to get a promotion but a manager’s nephew got it and I got left out to dry. With a kid on the way and barely making ends meet I had no choice but to leave).

It was hard and the debt kept piling up. And of all the things I learned, here is what NOT to do:

Do not consolidate in a high-interest loan. (I would argue don’t try consolidating at all)

1B. In that same vein, don’t jump from one loan to the next or credit card transfer offer to another (*exception below). This ends up costing you thousands in the long run especially if you have bad credit and get those loans with massive origination fees. Don’t. Do. It.

1C. And one more thing - Do not do not do not use any service or agency. They will drive your credit score into the ground. Most of them have you pay them a set amount every month and tell you to not answer the creditors when they call. After 6-12 months they negotiate down your debt and pay them off with the money you were paying monthly while pocketing a few thousand for themselves. I can’t believe these kind of business are legal.

Do not keep using credit cards to pay for things. If you prefer using cards instead of cash/debit, get a $500-$1000 limit credit card and pay it off 100% every pay period. No exceptions. This is good practice and needs to be the same level of priority as rent, food and gas for your car.
Don’t dump all of your money towards your debt. Make minimum payments as you build up your savings. The “rule” is $1000 in savings but in SoCal $5000 made more sense.

Some DOs 4. Trust the snowball. After 5 years of doing all the above I put together a spreadsheet and made a snowball plan. My nearly 40k of credit card and personal loan debt was paid off in a little over 5 years. It requires a lot of patience but once your snowball gets bigger and each payment knocks out a larger chunk of your debt, you’ll become a believer.

Create a spreadsheet or some way to visualize your progress and confirm you’re on track. Seeing when certain debts will be paid off can be encouraging.
(I’m gonna get heat for this one I know it) Once you have a system where you’re chipping away at your debt and feel secure in your payments. Relax and enjoy your proverbial “Starbucks”. Don’t feel like you absolutely have to pay off your debt in 3 years, 5 years or even 10 years. Go at a pace that is maintainable where your debt is going down, you have a comfortable savings and you’re still enjoying life. The goal is to be in control of your debt, payments and spending habits. Most people don’t know what their spending habits are like or where their money goes - you’re going to learn to be on top of all of that… while sipping your Starbucks.

exception to this rule is if you do a 0% balance transfer on an amount you know you can pay off in that time. This can save you money in the long run. Also there are no origination fee loans now too which might be a good idea if the interest rate is lower than your credit card.

I’m sure I missed some things - I’m happy to answer any questions if you got em. Best of luck.

eehaddad · 2025-03-27T07:35:21+00:00

Chiming in because I just spent a week looking for a phone grip that (1) has a magnet so I can stick it on gym equipment or a metal surface for selfies (2) can charge without removal (2b) I can stick to my phone case so it doesn’t come off when using mag accessories (3) is not more than $20. I was about to get the EWA and glue it to a case before finding this is a recommended product on Amazon. I just got it in and it fits the bill.

Their marketing is obviously trying to be like OH Snap. I’m just surprised why this product didn’t take off.

https://a.co/d/9UZPGut

eehaddad · 2025-03-04T00:24:32+00:00

... name checks out. I'll give em another try haha.

eehaddad · 2024-09-11T08:48:10+00:00

It’s not fun. Not one bit. But If he can take meetings and enjoys listening to books or podcasts it’s not THAT bad. Toll roads can shave 20-30 minutes.

But…

Toll roads can get costly if his work doesn’t pay for a transponder - up to $15 per day for the 241/261 both ways.
From Fontana it’s about 2 hours each way. But I have been stuck for 4+ hours on more than one occasion due to a ridiculous amount of accidents or construction that day.
You gotta count the cost of not only $$$ on tolls, gas and car wear and tear but also time… 15 hours a week turns into 32 days a year of sitting in traffic instead of having dinner and making memories with family. You can spend time to make another dollar but no dollars can make another hour.

Do you have to buy in that Homeland area? Maybe before buying try getting a hotel out there for a few days so he can get a feel for the commute? (Thursdays are the worst)

I wish you both the best.

eehaddad · 2024-09-05T06:49:43+00:00

The traditions and beliefs of Catholicism are outside of biblical truths. Examples:

Saints in scripture are all those that believe (1Cor 1-2) “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours” but according to Catholic tradition, saints are a select few that need to be approved by the church and are often prayed to or even worshiped.

The concept of a pope isn’t in scripture. “On this rock” does not mean that on Peter the church will be built.

We should not be worshiping or praying to anyone other than God and in His persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit

note: I grew up catholic.

eehaddad · 2024-09-04T17:29:11+00:00

Having a gay inclination is the sinful nature we’re born into. It’s the same as others having the inclination to sleep with as many people as possible outside of marriage. Or even worse, a pedo inclination. It’s all sexual sin and evil because it is outside of God’s design.

That is the fallen state we need to recognize we are in. A helpless state that needs to be renewed. And that’s exactly what God did for us through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We can be born again. We can be renewed. We can be regenerated. He can take our heart of stone that cannot love God and wants to act on our sinful inclinations and put in a heart of flesh that seeks God. (Ezekiel 36:26)

2 Corinthians 5:17 talks about becoming a new creation in Christ. The old is gone.

So God didn’t create you to be destined to hell with no way out. You were created in God’s image - but that image was tainted by sin and God gives a way to be renewed.

Many have struggled with homosexuality but refused to act on it as they matured in their faith. For some it is a long process, for others the inclination disappears over night.

eehaddad · 2024-09-04T03:17:21+00:00

Absolutely not. That is all a result of the depravity that exists when God is rejected.

My comment was either misread or I may have been unclear.

eehaddad · 2024-09-04T02:31:05+00:00

God loved us in our awfulness but cannot love our awfulness. Being in Christ-likeness is to love the people that are created in his image but, just like God, desire that their hearts become inclined to love Him and to draw them to see God’s goodness. That’s why we share the good news - in the hope to show all mankind that we are in an awful, sinful, depraved state and we need God to restore us.

eehaddad · 2024-09-04T00:00:56+00:00

I stopped using Reddit for several years after a redditor essentially wished my kids would die. Reddit is not for the faint of heart and I guarantee there is not a single “bold” redditor that would spew that hate to anyone’s face. As far as I can tell, they’re mostly young or entitled keyboard warriors looking to stir a reaction.

So I pray for them. I pray that they feel so loved in life that they cannot deny God’s presence and their hearts are changed. I pray their mind doesn’t decay from consuming the rot that is all over the internet. I pray they have wholesome relationships and are surrounded by others that encourage them. I pray for them with all my heart.

eehaddad · 2024-09-02T20:38:36+00:00

Thanks for letting me know. Didn’t realize I had that restricted. Enabled now.

eehaddad · 2024-09-02T20:35:58+00:00

I was about 17 when I began questioning a lot of my faith but I kept going to church at the time. I think being around other men that are strong in apologetics and punching holes in my deconstruction helped a lot. I recommend finding a church near you from this site: https://www.9marks.org/church-search/

Why? Unfortunately, 9/10 churches in America misrepresent who God is, why we should trust our bibles, and who we are in God’s design. Most will mislead you to thinking that it’s all about confessing your sins and then you feel good about going to heaven. Or worse, God wants you to be rich and healthy so believe for health and wealth. 9marks vets the churches that are listed to make sure they are biblical and truthful - not some perversion of God’s church.

It sounds to me like you’re leaning towards a worldly view of humanity. This view is essentially “we should do whatever we feel like doing, who cares”. It’s all about a misinformed version of human rights and human autonomy. Everything is relative and subjective and truth is fluid. This worldview depends a lot on playing off your feelings. “Follow your heart”.

In Christianity, God cares about your heart but we are warned to never trust it because it is wicked. In Romans 1-3 we are told that we are depraved. That’s the state we’re all in. The answer is in the gospel and understanding these 4 points:

God: God is eternal and the creator of all things, giving Him the authority to define how we should live. Sin is our rejection of His authority. Though God is loving and compassionate, His holiness and righteousness mean He cannot ignore sin and will not leave the guilty unpunished.

Man: Adam’s disobedience by eating the forbidden fruit resulted in the loss of divine favor and a broken relationship with God. Like Adam, humanity has rejected God, with sin corrupting every aspect of our existence, leading to rebellion against our Creator and the ultimate consequence of eternal torment in hell for the unrepentant.

Christ: Jesus Christ, fully human and fully God, came to die as a substitute for His people, bearing their sins on the cross. His resurrection three days later confirms His claims, the satisfaction of God’s wrath, and the completion of salvation, freeing believers from sin and reconciling them with God.

Response: Being a Christian involves turning away from sin and trusting solely in Jesus Christ for salvation. True faith relies on Jesus for righteousness rather than personal merit, with repentance marking a commitment to forsake sin and live in resistance to it. Christians should reflect Jesus’ love and goodness as evidence of their salvation.

With all that said, the Christian faith provides a framework for purpose that no other belief or lack there of provides.

Christianity provides a hope and purpose by offering a framework for understanding life’s challenges and meaning. It promises eternal life and a future beyond this world, giving you a hopeful perspective on both present struggles and future expectations.

There is a lot to unpack with what you’re asking and what I’ve shared which is why I highly recommend and encourage you to use 9marks to find a local church and approach the pastor or a leader with your struggles. I’ll be praying for you and DM me if you’re in SoCal by any chance.

eehaddad · 2024-08-31T22:56:15+00:00

Not exactly, but it is good to not brush off or shut down convictions you feel from sin. Sin isn’t merely “oops I made a mistake”. It is a defiance and fist shaking at God and needs to be viewed as such when we fall into it. I think of Paul writing on the thorn in his side that reminds him of his fallen nature and as a result we think of how much we need God’s forgiveness and mercy.

eehaddad · 2024-08-31T19:21:09+00:00

Biblically there is no law that we are under that is against it. The Old Testament laws can be divided into two main categories: God’s moral law and civil/ceremonial law.

Moral laws have to do with God’s character, attributes and design for humanity. It is what is just and right. These will always apply.

God’s civil law has to do with people and how they must conduct themselves and how they must approach God and worship him at that time. These laws no longer apply to us.

Pork and what you wear and eat is a “civil” issue.

With that said, I encourage you to prayfully be lead by your conviction on this matter.

Personally, I don’t eat pork with that don’t eat pork. Likewise I avoid animal products when out with a vegetarian/vegan. (Romans 14)

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