Do-It-Yourselfer’s Christmas List

Unsure what to put on your Christmas list this year? Here are a few items that should be on every “Do-It-Yourselfer’s” Christmas list:

KTool’s Cordless LED Work Light (Part # 73392) is able to outshine its incandescent and fluorescent counterparts. The light features a rechargeable battery which provides six hours of continuous operation. The included quick charger recharges the battery in one hour.

Dorman’s 3-In-1 Air Compressor (Part # 91742) inflates tires, pressurizes RV water systems, and operates spray guns and foggers. The 3-In-1 air compressor also functions as a safety light and pressure gauge.

KTool’s Adjustable Creeper (Part # 74961) features a fully padded seat for comfort and adjustable headrest. The rugged, durable construction allows for a lifetime of use.

KTool’s Mobile Service Cart (Part # 75105) features a large, fully-lined top and bottom storage tray and lockable drawer to organize tools, shop accessories, and parts for greater accessibility.




See the RockAuto.com catalog for more great gift ideas. Browse the “Extras” section, put together a basket of maintenance parts, replace that broken driving lamp, or just choose a RockAuto gift certificate and let you or your loved one have fun picking out parts!

Raybestos R-300 Rotors

RockAuto has recently added Raybestos R-300 Performance Rotors to the catalog. The rotors are designed to improve pedal feel, prevent rust and corrosion, and increase the pad life.

• Improves your pedal feel – Unique S-Grooves maximize pad to rotor contact for superior stopping power.
• Prevents rust and corrosion – Two protective coatings cover the entire rotor surface for lasting protection.
• Increases the life of your pads – Simultaneous out-gassing moves harmful heat and gasses to the outside of the rotor.

Find the new R-300 Rotor in the “Brake/Wheel Hub” category of the RockAuto catalog.

Forum of the Month

PontiacRegistry.com is an internet based Pontiac Club for ALL Pontiacs and ALL Pontiac lovers, building "The single largest source of Pontiac information, services, and entertainment in the world." The web site includes forums, an on-line magazine with over 700 articles, a worldwide Pontiac car registry, vintage ads, vintage test reports, and much more. There is also a growing On-Line Reference Library of Pontiac Service Manuals- unlike anything anywhere else for Pontiac hobbyists.

Additionally, PontiacRegistry.com is proud to support Alex's Lemonade Stand, a foundation for the prevention of childhood cancer by matching member donations. Recently (September 17-19th) PontiacRegistry.com hosted "A Pontiac Celebration- 2010" an all Pontiac show in historic Warwick, Rhode Island and raised $8000.00 for children's cancer charities. Pontiac enthusiasts from throughout the northeast came out in force to support "Pontiacs with a Purpose."

Join PontiacRegistry.com, and join the growing group of Pontiac hobbyists who are working to preserve and share the rich history and heritage of these great automobiles.

If you are the administrator or member of a forum and you would like to see your website featured in an upcoming newsletter and receive a discount code to share with your members, contact cynthia@rockauto.com.

Repair Mistakes & Blunders

Some years ago, a fellow co-worker had a 1972 MG Midget, which was at the time already twelve years old. Knowing that I had two Austin Healey Sprites in my garage, he asked me to take a ride with him as he was hearing some rattling under the car, especially when idling. We took a short ride and sure enough there was a rattle. I told him that I couldn’t do much in a white shirt and tie and this being a lunch hour he would be better off to bring it around to my house later where I could take a better look at it. I waited that evening but he was a no show. The next day at work I asked him what happened. He said the rattle was really bothering him and he was convinced it was the transmission so he took it to be rebuilt.

Three weeks later he got the car back and he again asked me to take a ride. He was miffed. Sure enough the rattle was back. The strange thing was that I could not hear the rattle from outside the car. As we stopped at a traffic light I bent down in the seat to listen to the drive shaft tunnel. In a moment I identified the problem and could start and stop the rattle at will. Apparently, there was a soda bottle top that had found its way under the seat. I picked up the cap and the rattle was gone. Put it back down and it rattled again. There is a lesson in this. I tell my daughters, “Clean your car, and you may not have to clean your wallet.”

Thanks for “listening”!

Manny in New Jersey

Tell us about your most infamous auto repair blunder or unconventional fix. Use your woe to help others avoid similar mistakes or share off-the-wall solutions that worked (at least for awhile!). Please email your story to flamur@rockauto.com. Include your mailing address and shirt size (large or extra large) and we will mail you a RockAuto "Do it yourself?" t-shirt if we publish your story (see the t-shirts under Extras in the catalog). The story will be credited using only your first name and your vague geographic location (state, province, country, continent, etc.) so you can remain semi-anonymous!

Automotive Trivia

What percentage of motorists change their own motor oil?

A. more than 10%
B. more than 30%
C. more than 50%

Answer below

DIY Oil Changes

Changing engine oil is many automotive do-it-yourselfers’ (DIY) first experience under the hood. DIY oil changes are convenient, save money, help prevent stripped oil drain plugs, and let the owner choose his favorite oil filter and oil.

DIY oil changes have faced challenges over the years. Some cities considered banning DIY oil changes to prevent disastrous pollution from used oil. Strong public support for DIY oil changes has led to good solutions, like education and mandatory oil recycling, in most places.

The latest challenge could be coming from General Motors. Traditionally, car manufacturers specify different oil weights (5W30) or broad categories like synthetic, but they all use the same oil standards (currently ILSAC GF-5 for gas engines) and leave it up to the vehicle owners or repair shops to choose their favorite oil brands.

Now GM is changing the status quo by requiring their proprietary, Dexos™ oil be used in new GM cars beginning in 2011. GM says Dexos™ offers more miles between oil changes. Skeptics say Dexos™ is probably very similar to GF-5. This proprietary oil will certainly bring licensing fees and royalties to GM. However, it might also alienate new GM car owners who discover a Dexos™ oil change is more expensive and initially only available at new car dealerships. Exclusive oil does not offer owners much cachet.

Car manufacturers have required special, secret-formula transmission, power steering, and other fluids in the past. After a few years, the fluid manufacturers often figured out how to create a fluid that met both the single car manufacturer’s testing standards as well as the standards everybody else was using. Proprietary, dealer-only fluids might be accepted in Europe or other parts of the world, but DIY and independent repair shop fluid changes just have too much support in the United States. I am guessing the Dexos™ standard will eventually just be another footnote on an oil bottle label.

Find your favorite oil filters, oil drain plugs, oil drain plug gaskets and Dorman’s new EZ Drain™ oil drain valves (just push, twist and drain!) listed under Engine in the RockAuto catalog. Find standard and unusual oil filter wrenches under the Extras tab.

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

Dear RockAuto,

This is my Holden 2001 Jackaroo (aka Isuzu Trooper). It is my second Jackaroo, the first being a 1998 model SE. After enjoying a very trouble free 4 years of heavy duty motoring I fell in love with this model. Consequently I purchased the newer 2001 model and have had it ever since. The vehicle is heavily modified for touring the forests and deserts of Australia. Some of the modifications include diff locker, 140 litre fuel tank, bull bar, strengthened and extra bash plates, roof top tent, side awning, extended diff breathers, driving lights, and so on. The vehicle travels on various trips around Australia on weekends and extended trips with a 4WD club. It gets a beating on some of the tracks.

I have to say that after the demise of the model, replacement parts became extremely expensive (they were already expensive), and hard to get here in Australia. One of our 4WD forum buddies told me about RockAuto when I was looking for a replacement radiator which I purchased from RockAuto for a better price than any supplied in Australia. Since then I have purchased most of my Jackaroos replacement parts from RockAuto. The latest being a timing belt kit, again at a much reduced price than those available here in Australia.

I hope to keep the Jackaroo for many years to come, and will continue to use parts from RockAuto to keep the vehicle going. Keep up the good work!!!

Anthony in Australia

Share Your Hard Work
Do you purchase parts from RockAuto? If so, RockAuto would like to feature you & your car or truck in our monthly newsletter. Please email flamur@rockauto.com with details.

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