Recent content by gizmo77

I saw that my neighbor got another car. I asked him what happened to the one he got a couple of months ago. He said he had fried the engine. It seems that when he bought it, he assumed the seller had filled it with oil. After a couple months, the car died. For the first time, he checked the oil...

I have a 1998 Camry with 80,000 miles. This is one of those prone to sludge. I did an Autorx treatment and I am now done with the rinse and it is time for an oil change. I have always used regular oil, whatever the shop put in (usually Havoline, Kendall, or Shell). Toyota specifies 5W-30 for...

Just went to get my gas. Kroger went up 10 cents since the weekend, so they are now the same as BP. So I got the BP a $1.52 for the basic unleaded. Shell was $1.65, and Mapco was $1.56.

I have been getting BP because they are 2 - 10 cents cheaper here. If I am not near one, I will get Shell because they are everywhere (sometimes even two at the same corner). There are some Mapco here, but they are usually higher than BP. And, I have had problems with EXXON, so I never go there...

Kroger just started selling gas in this area. Does anyone know who supplies it? Is it any good? Is it as good as the name brand gas? I am inclined to stick with name brand gas, but Kroger is offering a 10 cents per gallon discount with their Kroger Plus card. I have had some gas related...

Thanks for all the responses. I went ahead and put in Mobil 1 5W-30 this morning. I will see how that works. I need to keep this car a long time.

I am not an oil guru. I come here for common sense advice. I am on the "beginner" level. What I have missed here is a simple explanation as to the advantages of a 0W- weight oil. In all honesty, what I have read here on the issue is too complex for my little brain to understand. I have a 2000...

No, did not change the differential fluid. That is the next project

I found that a 10mm Allen key worked on my 1998 Camry. It fit perfectly. Unfortunately, after six years, the thing would not budge. Even my stronger friends could not get it off. So, I ended up taking it to Goodyear and spending $60 that I really did not want to spend. It is now clean as can be...

Goodyear and TiresPlus (Firestone) have started using STP oil filters on their $12.99 oil change specials. How good are these filters? I have not seen much info on them and have not seen them for sale in any stores. I am going to do an AutoRX treatment so I got my oil and filter changed before I...

It is pretty black. I have never had it changed. Has 72,000+ miles on it. I am going to do it tomorrow and take my chances.

Thanks. That is not at all what I expected. I do not have one, so its off to the store.

Because of a layoff, I am broke. My trans fluid on my 1998 Camry is black -long overdue for a change. I want to so it myself and plan on draining as much as I can, then refilling, running it a while, draining, etc, until it cleans up some. Cannot afford to go to a shop, and I am not smart enough...

I usually get my oil changed at TiresPlus (owned by Firestone). They use STP oil filters. Are these good, bad? Where do they fit in? I plan on doing an AutoRX treatment when I get my oil changed, and want a good filter. They said I can bring my own filter and oil if I want. I have done research...

Thanks for the help. A couple more questions. I just went to a couple stores to see what was available. Right now money is tight and I do not want to buy the synthetic after seeing its price. I basically see three choices. Pennsoil basic brand; Valvoline for high mileage vehicles; or Pennsoil...