Bailey brat #2 is 16 - and is learning how to drive...... So, I figured it's time to teach him some routine auto maintenance, as well.
Bailey babe's car rolled over the odometer, last week, and the maintenance light demanded our attention ---- time for an oil change. Great --- I can show the bb2 how to change oil. I picked up all the supplies at our neighborhood autozone, and set out to teach him how to change oil.
We slide under the truck, locate the oil pan and the drain plug. We size the plug, and position the drain pan under the drain.
All set! I tell bb2 he'll get about a gallon of oil - plus a little extra. "That's weird - it's almost done...."
"Um - Josh ---- what color is the oil? " "Red ---- looks really clean, as a matter of fact...."
uh oh............
Well, bb2 had in fact located a pan, and a drain plug.... Problem is - he located the transmission fluid drain plug.
:VeryScared:
(let me be clear - I think it's fairly easy to confuse the two drain plugs..... I have no doubt it's been done before).
Not a big deal - I instruct bb2 to locate the transmission fluid fill......... He can't find it..... I check ---- lo and behold, a Toyota Sequoia does NOT have a transmission gauge in the engine compartment...... CRAP....... DANG...... SHOOT (and a few other words).
Thank goodness for google. I was able to locate the transmission fill location (a 24mm nut not far from the occasionally hot exhaust system). Problem 1: I did not have a 24mm socket wrench. Problem 2: The fill hole wasn't very convenient for a bottle of transmission fluid. Problem 3: Since the car was low on transmission fluid, we really could not drive it!
Thank goodness I found a neighbor with a siphon. We also realized that we had alternative transportation, and proceeded to the car part store to pick up fluid.
By 9:30 PM, Bailey brat completed his inaugural oil change.
I suppose you could call it a great father/son bonding experience.
On the positive side, he now knows the difference between the oil pan and the transmission pan - so I suppose that's good. He also learned how to use a siphon pump, and has learned the difference between metric and standard wrenches.
On the negative - not sure I'd wish this kind of experience on anyone for their first oil change.
The lasting lessons are learned with pain and discovery, rarely does an individual need to learn a difficult lesson twice.
My little brother did the same thing many years ago; 1970 Dodge Dart - drained the trans and added six quarts of oil to the crank case. He started it in the driveway and the smoke was overwhelming. Fortunately Dad and myself showed him the error of his ways and little bro learned from his mistake. My little brother blames me and my dad for not showing him the right way to do the job, he was shown but didn't capture the details. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you.
"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him; better take a closer look at the American Indian." - Henry Ford
Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges; When the Republic is at its most corrupt the laws are most numerous. - Publius Cornelius Tacitus
There's an interesting question, can any plumbing or automotive problem be fixed in one trip to the hardware store? I maintain it takes a mean of three trips to the hardware store; you know what is broken and you fix it, the next piece of hardware fails and you fix that, then all is well until another component breaks.
I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you.
"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him; better take a closer look at the American Indian." - Henry Ford
Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges; When the Republic is at its most corrupt the laws are most numerous. - Publius Cornelius Tacitus
I have found that I learn much more when mistakes are made; it helps with those troubleshooting/critical thinking skills. and you know with today's cars, an oil change is about all you get to do on maintenance.
...And never change your oil outside on a windy day. Unless you want an oil shampoo and big mess.
Someone told me once not to use those maintenance light reminders, keep track of the actual miles your self? I think the reason was the light is a combination of miles and time, and we change our oil too often now days, although sooner is better than later.
If you want to be, press one. If you want not to be, press 2
Republicans are red, democrats are blue, neither of them, gives a flip about you.
LOL wrote: ...And never change your oil outside on a windy day. Unless you want an oil shampoo and big mess.
Someone told me once not to use those maintenance light reminders, keep track of the actual miles your self? I think the reason was the light is a combination of miles and time, and we change our oil too often now days, although sooner is better than later.
Newer vehicles also take into consideration your driving style. If you baby the vehicle, the oil light won't come on as often. If you drive it like you stole it, it will demand more attention.
"Whatever you are, be a good one." ~ Abraham Lincoln
lol bb, enjoyed the post. Routine auto maintenace rarely comes off routinely.
IN NOVEMBER 2014, WE HAVE A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO CLEAN OUT THE ENTIRE HOUSE AND ONE-THIRD OF THE SENATE! DONT BLOW IT!
“When white man find land, Indians running it, no taxes, no debt, plenty buffalo, plenty beaver, clean water. Women did all the work, Medicine man free. Indian man spend all day hunting and fishing; all night having sex. Only whit man dumb enough to think he could improve system like that.” Indian Chief Two Eagles
Same thing happened to my Toyota Corolla a few years back. A guy I worked with said he'd change my oil and show me how 'cuz he said it was easy...and the first thing he did was drain the red transmission fluid. Fortunately, we were able to go get some at a local store (I paid through the nose) and everything was good to go.
Don't have the car anymore, but there was a lesson learned there...pay attention.
