Originally posted on:
Automotive Forums .com > Volkswagen > NonSpecific
Originally Posted by VWVixen
Every make has its problem.
...better the devil u know!...
*The car's design is perfect! The implementation isn't always
perfect because imperfect humans assembled it imperfectly.*
As long as you treat your car right it will treat you right.
"Mechanically" the car will give you years of enjoyment...
as long as you - don't crash it, don't shift hard, don't apply torque
at the wrong times, keep fluids fresh and at proper levels,
and don't OVERWASH (like DAILY)
(bad for brake assemblies! ...and hose/sprayer water gets in
more unprotected places around the car than rain, so be careful!)
"Electronically/Electrically" you may encounter occasional issues...
No 2 people really have the "exact" same story, unless their
cars are a few serial #'s apart.
There is alot of electronics (computers/modules) scattered
about the car, and alot of the components are interconnected AND
interdependant. As long as these components stay healthy (cold/cool,
well connected, DRY and weatherproofed, and equally healthy wiring
harnesses) they "should" all (Ha!) give you years of reliable operation.
and remember, cars just don't like moisture.
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If your car is 1996 or newer
...And you, are technically inclined, just GET TO KNOW YOUR DEVIL!
buy the service manual, and an OBD-II scan tool so you can 'talk'
with your car and find out why it misbehaves when the Check Enine
light comes on. ...and reset it too! I mean c'mon! your car costs
thousands, I think you could spare a hundred bucks or so to
buy an OBDII scan tool at your local auto-store (AutoZone
PepBoys CanadianTire). It will pay for itself quick!!! see below***
...or even MAKE YOUR OWN (if u r electronically inclined)
see...
http://www.planetfall.com/~jeff/obdii/
for the interface circuit. If you do make your own and just want
the OBD-II cable, you can buy it at
www.scantool.net
(I have made and successfully used this tool!!!)
and the Windows software (to talk to your car) is FREE at...
http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/index.html
(you can also buy the full product there sftwr+hdwr
...if u have the cash)
www.scantool.net also makes a complete OBD-II solution, but also
offer free software for their tool, which you are also welcome
to make for yourself if electronically inclined. and willing to buy
the kit, or make yourself.
(I have made and successfully used this tool!!!)
*** It will pay for itself quick!!!
...in MOST cases...
You will know what goes wrong before the dealer/mechanic,
and if you know what's wrong, you can also decide the urgency
at which you need to have the issue taken care of.
"AND" your dealer/mechanic can never...
- lie about what's wrong to you,
- charge you to reset the Check Engine light
- (if you "TELL" your mechanic what's wrong and what to fix)
he can never charge you for the 'computer diagnostic'
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holy crap i've typed long enough...
hope something here helps someone, sometime, somewhere...