|
I’m no mechanic supreme, but like a lot of people I was forced to learn a bit about my cars. I have been to three types of Garages. Firstly, franchised. These are expensive, which I always accepted, as long as a good job was done - which was not always the case.
Second, the local ‘Independent’. Okay, they are generally cheaper ( though sometimes not so much so ) but again, it’s hit or miss. The third type is the ‘Mechanic you know’ sort. I have found that a lot of them see the ‘knowing you’ aspect as a license to mug: recourse is somewhat harder to effect ( other than smashing their house windows ... only joking ).
All of this aside, a simple oil change is typically going to cost 80 - 100 euro if sent to someone else to do. The filter for my 440 runs at 10 euro, the oil 30 euro. It takes about half an hour to do, it’s simple, and I know when I’m finished that it’s been done properly. I see half an hour of my time as being well worth 60 euro!
I decided to add these little Blogs - or ‘Vlogs’ - as I believe that my wobbly journey through car basics is probably typical of most budding ‘independent’ owners. I am learning all the time, and indeed I have learned a lot about mechanics and how things work from a surprising enough source: a Triumph 1500 manual ( Europress ) which I picked up for 5 euro!
Okay, this might be an ancient model, but the illustrations are superb - something missing from modern manuals - and the gist of how a car works is still the same. By comparison, latter day ‘Haynes’ manuals are an absolute joke, almost to the point of not being worth buying. Enjoy the Vloggies, and I hope you find them of interest!
|
