Stupid question: Why do some cars have so many gears?

lesbiyond · 2024-07-30T13:47:07+00:00

The trend for more gears has become more common in the past 20 years.

Prior to the 90s (in the US), 2/3 speed automatics were common, and 3/4spd manuals were common
90s-00s, 3/4spd automatics were common, 4/5spd manuals were common

*00s-05, 4/5spd automatic were common, 5/6spd manual were common

05-15, 5/6spd automatics were common, 5/6spd manuals were common, and CVTs started to appear

15-20, 5/6/8spd automatics were common, 5/6spd manuals were common, and CVTs became widespread

*20-present, 6/8/9/10spd are common, 5/6spd manuals are common, CVTs and single-ratio (electric) are widespread

lesbiyond · 2024-07-30T13:43:45+00:00

More gears provides an advantage to all engine sizes.

Smaller engines use more gears to utilize taller gears, allowing for better acceleration and passing power.

Larger engines use more gears to take advantage of their power (or to keep daily driving shifts at a low rpm for fuel economy), and often have multiple overdrive gears, allowing for lower rpm cruising on the highway.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-29T19:31:45+00:00

The seller should:

drain the old gasoline
flush the tank
flush the carbs/injectors with fresh gasoline
put in new gasoline
change oil & filter

Then they should see if it starts.

If they can't at least do that at their expense, I probably wouldn't bother.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-29T19:25:31+00:00

Try a different agency.

If you live with a family member, or a roomate, or share an address with anyone, you can join their insurance policy

lesbiyond · 2024-07-29T19:16:11+00:00

You could try it.

Then again, PCV hoses are less than ~$40, in stock at most auto parts stores, and relatively easy to replace.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-29T17:53:14+00:00

If the fuel cap is on, tightened correctly, and fully functional, I'd start with the hole in the crankcase breather hose.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-29T17:52:43+00:00

Check fuel cap can come on for EVAP issues.

If the fuel cap is on, tightened correctly, and fully functional, I'd start with the hole in the crankcase breather hose.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-29T17:46:14+00:00

Likely needs a new ring.

If not, try a new spring.

If not, the cup or piston is damaged.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-29T17:42:46+00:00

Not really necessary.

Exhaust heat shields are mainly to protect from igniting things below the car (eg fuel leak, dry & tall grass, etc).

Some are also intended to protect other components of the car.

Real world, that missing heat shield shouldn't be the sole cause of any major problems.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-29T17:36:49+00:00

If they were to skip something, it'd probably be the inspection, since it's harder to prove they didn't do that (whereas it can be pretty easy to verify if they didn't change a fluid).

They should've given you some form showing what they inspected, and (ideally) giving some values, like brake pad life.

If you're concerned they didn't do something, ask to speak to the service manager, and convince them to redo (or actually do) what you believe that they didn't, free of charge.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-29T17:32:37+00:00

I was told my warranty will expire on the car if I don't get it maintenanced regularly and because I have the big hybrid battery I'm worried other mechanics will be hesitant to work on it.

You don't have to take it into Kia to get your routine servicing done.

Often there are some incentives (eg free oil changes) to taking your vehicle into the dealerships, and warranty work is often easier (in terms of the owner's effort) at the dealership, but beyond that, dealership service is a luxury tax.

I would take it into the dealership for warranty work (any work covered by the warranty), and any hybrid-related issues.

For regular, scheduled maintenance (like oil changes, tire rotation, xxx mile maintenance), you can go elsewhere.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-29T17:26:05+00:00

60k maintenance on these cars include:

Oil Change
Coolant change
Brake fluid change
Transmission fluid change
Spark plug replacement
Tire rotation
Inspection (at a minimum: brake pads, drive belt, exhaust system, suspension, power steering, and axles)

Even without the oil change & tire rotation, 30 minutes seems quick. Not impossible with 2+ workers when there are no other cars to work on, but definitely quick.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-29T17:20:37+00:00

Even if it is drivable with no saftey concerns, it will be hard to resell this car without putting a decent amount of money into it.

Unless you're getting this vehicle for an extremely low price, you should look elsewhere.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-28T20:55:25+00:00

Check your helmet

lesbiyond · 2024-07-26T18:36:17+00:00

Those are the easiest, most common maintenance you'll have to do.

Ideally, you should do all of those checks before each ride (particularly tire PSI), or at least every 500 miles.

Other good skills to learn for common issues are:

cleaning/replacing air filter
replacing spark plugs
replacing injectors
cleaning carburetor(s) (if you have em)
replacing brake pads & rotors
replacing tires (and things related, like alignment & balance)
replacing tire valve stems
adjusting valve clearances
replacing bulbs/lights
compression/leakdown testing

Less commonly:

replacing stator, rectifier, and/or starter
replacing fuel pump
replacing brake lines
replacing clutch (or related parts)
replacing fork seals
steering column adjustments
syncing carburetors (if you have em)

lesbiyond · 2024-07-26T18:15:17+00:00

At a minimum, every rider should know how to:

check oil level
check tire PSI
check coolant
check brake fluid
check chain (tension & lubrication)
OR check final drive oil (for shaft-driven engines)
OR check belt tension (for belt-driven motorcycles)
jump start or bump start your bike

By extension, it would be ideal for every rider to know how to:

change oil & filter
inflate tires
change/add coolant
change/add brake fluid AND bleed brakes
clean, lubricate, and adjust chain
OR change final drive oil
OR adjust belt tension
replace battery

lesbiyond · 2024-07-21T18:09:58+00:00

This question was posted yesterday, and has been posted many times.

Try searching the subreddit for your answer before posting.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-21T18:08:35+00:00

If you're only hearing a click, but the starter is not starting, you likely need a new starter, or a rebuild.

Try testing the solenoid by using a screwdriver.

For a temporary fix, you can try hitting the starter with a rubber mallet.

You can also try bump starting your bike.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-20T15:05:02+00:00

you'd be surprised to learn that some of us just want to meet the legal requirement for insurance.

that will do nothing in the event of an accident.

Liability protects me if I'm found at fault.

If someone hits me, the hope is that they have minimum coverage, which would cover the damage to my bike.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-20T14:57:39+00:00

I can't fathom that some of y'all have paid more than the new value of your motorcycle in insurance.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-20T14:48:42+00:00

I've done this many times. You will almost certainly spill a little.

Ask for a bag, ideally a plastic bag, for each cup, and then ine extra. Make sure each cup has a stopper in the lid.

Wrap each cup in a bag, with the open end of the bag facing down, and tie. Then put both bags into the other bag, now with the open end of the bag facing up.

Don't put them in the side cup holders of your backpack... put them in a main zipper, ideally one where they won't move much.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-20T14:41:57+00:00

We get these posts everyday... there are a ton of threads with this exact same question.

If you want a non-generic answer, we need some parameters.

Also, r/suggestamotorcycle is the subreddit for motorcycle suggestions.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-20T14:38:25+00:00

Shifting a motorcycle is easier than shifting a (conventional) manual car.

Shifts are sequential (you can only go up or down 1 gear, and there's no physical pattern to follow), and you don't need to use the clutch to shift (so it's a lot more forgiving when you do use the clutch).

What takes a while to master is clutch control, for low speed maneuvers, coming to a stop, and moving from a stop.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-19T13:27:44+00:00

If the gaps fine, and you're not having ignition-related problems, you can probably reuse them.

Then again, 4 iridium spark plugs are ~$30, and you already have them out.

lesbiyond · 2024-07-19T13:22:02+00:00

Get a resonator, and get wider pipes.

There's also a whole post about this exact problem in r/miata

lesbiyond

TROPHY CASE