Collecting Classic Cars: A Guide to Owning and Maintaining a Vintage Vehicle

When it comes to collecting classic cars, many enthusiasts fall in love with their sleek designs and nostalgic appeal. However, owning a 40-year-old car can be a complex experience, especially when it comes to maintenance and repair costs. As the car sits idle for an extended period, various issues may arise, such as dry rot, cracked upholstery, and worn-out components. It's essential to approach classic car ownership with a clear understanding of the potential pitfalls and take steps to mitigate them.

For those who are new to collecting classic cars, it's crucial to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to pricing. While certain models may be considered collector's items, others may not hold much value. A 40-year-old car is more likely to have issues, making it a less desirable purchase for everyday driving. However, if you're looking for a fun and affordable ride, consider purchasing an older model with a lower price tag.

One of the most common issues that can arise in classic cars is improper tire balancing. This can cause vibrations and affect the car's steering system. Fortunately, checking tire balance is relatively easy and inexpensive. A tire balancing machine can be purchased for around $70, allowing you to check your tires yourself and make any necessary adjustments. If you're not comfortable with DIY maintenance, many car dealerships offer tire balancing services.

When it comes to brake pads, they are prone to wear and tear due to friction. As the brakes engage, kinetic energy is converted into heat, causing the pads to deteriorate over time. This heat can also cause the brake fluid to degrade, leading to a loss of performance and potentially even brake failure. Regular maintenance, including checking brake pad thickness and replacing them as needed, can help prevent these issues.

In recent years, some modern cars have adopted advanced technologies, such as Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs). While CVTs offer improved fuel efficiency, they also require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance. In the case of a 2004 Mazda 3 with an automatic transmission, it's essential to research the specific model and year to determine its transmission type. Some models may be prone to issues, while others are known for their reliability.

In conclusion, owning a classic car requires a deep understanding of potential issues and maintenance requirements. By doing your research and taking proactive steps to address these concerns, you can enjoy a fun and affordable driving experience. Remember to always prioritize caution when purchasing a used vehicle and take the time to learn about its history and any potential issues before making a decision.

How to Check Your Own Car Suspension: A DIY Guide

If you're looking to save money on car repairs or simply want to get familiar with your vehicle's mechanics, checking your suspension system can be a great place to start. The suspension is responsible for absorbing bumps and maintaining the car's stability, and issues in this area can lead to a rough ride and even affect handling.

To begin, it's essential to understand that most modern cars use a combination of tire pressure monitoring systems and wheel balancing machines to detect issues with the suspension. However, if you're comfortable with DIY maintenance or want to take an extra step to ensure your car is in top condition, checking the suspension yourself can be a rewarding experience.

One of the simplest ways to check your suspension is by watching videos that provide step-by-step instructions on how to inspect and maintain this system. Many reputable mechanics and repair shops offer instructional videos and guides that cover topics such as checking tire pressure, adjusting ride height, and identifying signs of wear or damage.

By taking these steps and staying informed about car maintenance, you can develop a greater appreciation for the intricacies of your vehicle's suspension system and make adjustments to ensure a smoother ride.

Brake Pads: The Silent Killer of Cars

Brake pads are an essential component of any vehicle, providing critical stopping power and control. However, they're also one of the most prone systems in a car, particularly when it comes to wear and tear. As brake pads engage, kinetic energy is converted into heat, causing them to deteriorate over time.

The relationship between friction and brake pad degradation is complex, but essentially, the more friction generated by the braking process, the faster the brake pads will wear down. This can lead to a range of issues, from reduced stopping power to increased risk of brake failure. Regular maintenance, including checking brake pad thickness and replacing them as needed, can help prevent these problems.

When it comes to lubricants, they're often touted as a solution to improve braking performance or reduce wear on moving parts. However, using too much lubricant can actually cause more harm than good. In the case of brake pads, excessive lubrication can lead to slipping and reduced stopping power, making it even harder to control the vehicle.

In conclusion, brake pads are a critical component of any vehicle, but they require regular maintenance and attention to avoid costly repairs down the line. By understanding how friction affects brake pad wear and taking proactive steps to address these issues, you can help ensure your car remains safe and reliable on the road.

Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs): The Challenges of Modern Car Technology

In recent years, Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) have become increasingly popular in modern cars. While CVTs offer improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, they also present unique challenges for drivers and mechanics alike.

One of the primary concerns with CVTs is their complex design and potential for overheating. This can lead to premature wear on components, decreased performance, and even damage to the transmission itself. Regular maintenance, including checking fluid levels and monitoring temperature gauges, can help mitigate these risks.

Another issue that can arise in CVT-equipped cars is slipping or hesitation during gear shifts. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including worn-out belts, clogged sensors, or faulty software. By staying informed about the specific model and year of your car, you can take steps to address these issues before they become major problems.

In conclusion, while CVTs offer many benefits for modern drivers, they also require careful attention and maintenance to ensure optimal performance. By understanding the potential challenges and taking proactive steps to address them, you can enjoy a smooth and reliable driving experience in your car.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enrev up your engines today i'm going to show you how to replace a worn suspension part on your car do it with a toyota serve something you don't see every day it turns out even though the steering wheel's on the wrong side for us when you're driving it's got way too much play and when we jack it up in here we can see it's got play here we crawl under we can see the place coming from this he couldn't get it off himself he's having some problems the first thing we do is you want to take this end off first you get a pair of cutters and you pull out the little cotter pin sometimes you gotta whack it a little and then pull it out now this is a 19 millimeter here so 19 millimeter wrench stick it on and we'll just take it off and off it comes now we got to get this off but since we're throwing the arm away we don't care if we wrecked this so we could use one of these forks to take it off the one that fits because we're throwing it away anyways we don't care if we rip the boot so in this case it just fits right in here slide it in and you want it on a downside so you have a place to hit it then just whack the heck out of it with a hammer till it comes off yeah we don't care if we rip the rubber because we're using it over that's off there now now we got to take this one off but before we do we want to make sure this is going to line up the same way it goes right here pointed slightly to the right where this flap is here right here it's even with it so we'll put the spline on the right way when we put it back on this one's bigger it's 32 millimeters so we'll get the 32 millimeter get off you'll often need an air wrench for that now since it's absolutely important you have it lined the same way i get a little paint in the brush then i dab a little paint here on the line and right here so i know exactly where it's going to line up on the car there now we know how it lines up we got two marks and then here's the middle there we'll paint a line here so we'll know how it lines up when we put the new one on now you never give them up by hand so you need a pitman arm puller like i have here a good solid one to get it off most auto parts stores will loan you one free give a deposit give it back to them unbroken where you go you just open up the full way it slides on and then by hand you tighten this so you have that all over here and that's tightened on then you tighten it and pops it off you can try with a long extension and a socket but believe me a lot of times that won't take it off these guys tried they couldn't so i'm using my impact but in this case even the impact won't work it's out with the acetylene oxygen torch they tried a little blow torch it didn't work we'll get the big boy out then you get the torch and heat it all up in this case now that it got hot i could even hit it off with a hammer and you can see here's the old one it's broken here's the new one exactly the same then we just wiggle this on so that the lines line up you get your big socket put it on the end and get it nice and tight now sometimes it's hard to get them out with both wheels one on the ground one off so we're gonna jack this side up in the air too so both wheels are up in the air we jack it up that way we'll have more weight that we can pull with the front end motor will almost smoothly then you have more play so you can slide it in and get your hammer so it goes in here now once you tap it enough the thread sticks out and you can put the nut back on then we can tighten it with our 19-millimeter wrench they get kind of stuck so you got to use a wrench the bare hands won't work on these they're too big they get it super tight and put the pin in goes the pin you don't want to fall out so you bend it knob won't fall off let down then we'll take off the emergency brake that was on for safety so it didn't roll we are down the other side strange japanese cars all right i gotta use my left hand there it goes and start her up and here we have it a diesel now hi luck surf that now goes down the road and it doesn't have excessive play so the next time your vehicle suspension gets worn why not fix it yourself and here's some bonus questions and answers vehicle history scotty i'm thinking about what my first car would be in the future when i turned 16 what car should i have as my first car here's what i'd say who knows what the future is going to bring it's going to be electric cars hydrogen cars no one really knows right so buy a cheap gasoline car gasoline will probably still be around for quite some time look at toyota corollas honda civics if you want a reliable car that can last a long time there's millions of them out there you can find a decent deal learn how to drive and if the future it goes to electric or something you can cash in then don't spend a bunch of money now on something that might be updated but really get yourself a low priced gasoline car that's the best antonio ramirez says is an o2 nissan altima 2.5 manual a good first car i'm not a fan of modern nissans but 2002 was a long time ago renault the french company bought them out in 2000 but they didn't start to get crappy until years later that's a standard transmission it could be a very good car got a customer had one of those got 180 000 still running okay have a mechanic check it out first it's an old car lots of things could go around could have been wrecked flooded who knows it could be a very good first car zach wyman says what's your thoughts on the new kia soul 2021 they're interesting looking cars if you like weird shaped cars but they are kia's and regardless of all the advertising hype and bs you will see in the world they're not nearly as well made as toyotas and hondas period now you could buy one it could be an okay car for a while it's not gonna go three four five hundred thousand miles or more like a honda or toyota it just won't a while back the kias were a lot cheaper so you paid a lot less but you still got a decent car right but today compared to prices they've all jacked their prices up there isn't all that much difference and it's a 2021 i'd never buy a new car of any sort anyways because it's waste of money don't waste your money on a new one if you want a new car though get a toyota honda they will last a really really really long time the key is not so much rustkusky says what are your thoughts on an 80 corvette all right that was a long time ago now in the 80s the corvettes weren't the greatest made cars but people like them they're kind of collectors items right you get a 40 year old car it's gonna have problems it doesn't matter if it's set in a garage for 30 years everything's going to be dry rot you know the upholstery's going to be cracked don't overpay now if you're into one that's been all done over yeah but just realize the 80s they're not really collectors items you know they're fun little toys you get one cheap have some fun driving around want to go count when your kid you can get a man's gold card if you get an old corvette just don't overpay and realize unless it's a convertible it really doesn't have that much value so if you get one cheap headphone but never overpay and realize it's a 40 year old car there's going to be things wrong don't think it's going to be an everyday drive unless you go over entirely and spend a fortune cerebrum cells have got a 1994 mark iii the steering wheel shakes above 60. why well the most common thing is your tires aren't balanced right right and for like 70 bucks you can get a tire balancing machine and check it yourself and balance them yourself no big deal right or if you want the easiest cheapest attempt out of fix put the front wheels in the back and the back wheels the front if it goes away you know it was the balance and if you have on balance tires in the rear it doesn't affect the steering and if it drives fine you can just leave it alone easy way to check it now if it's not the tire balance it can be a worn tie rod an alignment being out you can check all this stuff by watching my video how to check your own car suspension scotty you can watch that and learn how to check but usually it's just the tires are out of balance the wheel weights are glued on these days sometimes the glue falls off and then they're not balanced right anymore that's the most common thing check that first elias sage said why do brake pads break down friction you step on the brakes your car's a whole bunch of kinetic energy moving down the road to stop it all that kinetic energy has to be turned into heat by the brake pads the brake pads turn it into heat stops the car and then the heat dissipates with air cooling it down that much heat that much friction they wear out a little bit at a time once they get to about the thinness of a dime change it before it gets down to the metal and does damage it's easy to do i got many videos on how to change brake pads it's not rocket science anybody with a little hand tools and a jack can do it themselves but they break down just because of pure friction and they just wear out i know i got once i want my brake pads to where i saw a lubricant of course then the brakes don't work because they're slipping from the lubrication so don't do something crazy like that dylan kelman says i got a 2014 civic how do i check the cvt transmission oil level all right look under there if you see your transmission's dry it's not leaking it's probably completely full but if you want to get the whole skinny on it do a little research and you'll see that if you look in there take the level cap off on the side you usually have to take the fender off on the driver's side tire off the inner plastic stuff and you'll see a little bolt on the top you take it out and when the fluids at that level it's full they don't have dipsticks because they're swines they've all gone that way but like i said if you've owned it for a while and transmission's still dry nothing's leaked out it's probably completely full king rafael says what do you think of a mazda 3 2004 automatic i'm thinking of getting one do a little research with the vin number of that car because back in 04 they used a bunch of different automatic transmissions in them i know three of them that are perfectly fine but i also know one of them that's an absolute pile of junk and i had a customer who inadvertently paid 3 500 bucks for a used one she didn't have one of the good three ones she had the one bad one and it was a pile of junk do the research and if it is the bad transmission don't buy the vehicle you don't want to get it with a bad transmission do a little research you'll find out that some had good ones some had bad ones the vin number will tell you call the dealer and say which transmission do i have and if it's one of the bad ones do not buy it so if you never want to miss another one of my new car repair videos remember to ring that bell foreign\n"