Search results

  1. 9

    How "used" is a HDD with 25,000 hours but 25 power-on cycles?

    Bought a couple of "refurbished" (aka used) Hitachi Ultrastar 2TB enterprise drives from Newegg recently when they had a nice sale going on. When I got the drives, I ran them through HGST's extended drive test and all of the drives passed. None of the drives have any SMART errors. The drives...
  2. 9

    Wireless backup camera kit?

    I've been wanting to install a backup camera for a while now, but the challenge has always been figuring out a clean way to run the wiring from the back of the car to the dash area, without breaking off trim pieces in the process. Lately, I noticed that there are wireless dash cam kits which use...
  3. 9

    Lifetime filled fluid, what are you thoughts?

    Sealed doesn't mean it's actually impossible to access. In most cases it's just a little bit harder. Even "sealed" transmissions usually have some kind of access port/drain port where you can insert a fluid pump to evacuate the old fluid and put in new fluid.
  4. 9

    Lifetime filled fluid, what are you thoughts?

    "Lifetime" fluids are reasonable if you plan to ditch the car after 100-150k. However, if you want to keep the car for a long time, it's better to simply change out essential fluids like ATF every few years.
  5. 9

    Smelly screwdrivers

    So it's been over a week since I coated the screwdrivers and the smell has yet to return!
  6. 9

    Last Draw for Core 2

    Please explain why it "doesn't really count" if I have been using it daily for the past 5 years? The evidence is in my sig, and plenty of people on here have i7s which are highly overclocked.
  7. 9

    Last Draw for Core 2

    It sure feels pretty slow once you get used to the 5 GHz i7...
  8. 9

    Last Draw for Core 2

    Really? My laptop has a i5-2520 (2.5 GHz dual core with boost up to 3.2 GHz), and it feels noticeably slower in web browsing compared to my desktop with 5 GHz i7. Both have SSDs. Pages with a lot of embedded content load noticeably faster on the i7.
  9. 9

    Smelly screwdrivers

    Doesn't work, tried soap, alcohol, and other solvents; the smell comes right back. So far coating them seems to have worked, though. I'll re-coat them if it comes to that. Beats dealing with the smell in the meantime.
  10. 9

    Smelly screwdrivers

    The Dupli-color product is what I used. It's much cheaper in auto parts stores than on Amazon. If you wanted to maintain the completely clear look, you could do a clear coat on top of the primer, but I actually like the slightly frosted look. As an update, the smell does not seem to have...
  11. 9

    Smelly screwdrivers

    Ended up coating my Craftsman set with a few coats of adhesion promoter (basically clear primer that sticks well to plastic). Here's the end result. Gives a very slightly frosted look. Time will tell if it takes care of the smell issue.
  12. 9

    Smelly screwdrivers

    I would have tossed them already if they were disposable Harbor Freight tools, but I kinda expected more from USA-made screwdrivers.
  13. 9

    Any issues with doing a brake flush using the 1-person bottle method?

    None of that is mentioned in the official factory service manual for either of my Hondas (a 2007 and a 2009). So, I'm not sure what your source is, but the FSM (the same one the dealership would use) doesn't agree with it.
  14. 9

    Smelly screwdrivers

    Yes, this is a serious thread. I have one of these USA-made Craftsman screwdriver sets with the clear handles: They've developed a strong smell in the screwdriver drawer of my toolbox. After some searching online, it seems like it's not uncommon for these clear-handled screwdrivers to...
  15. 9

    Any issues with doing a brake flush using the 1-person bottle method?

    I'd think that it would work as well as the 2-person method for getting air out of the system, but when I bled the brakes yesterday it was primarily to flush out the old brake fluid (there was no air in the system to start with).
  16. 9

    Any issues with doing a brake flush using the 1-person bottle method?

    Honda would disagree with you. The method described in the Honda factory service manual is the 2-person pump method. The 1-person pump method works based on the same principles.
  17. 9

    Any issues with doing a brake flush using the 1-person bottle method?

    How do you get it to not leak that way? Most of the videos I've seen say to top off the master cylinder reservoir and to refill it every 8-10 pumps of the brake pedal. I didn't feel like it was too bad. Once the wheels were off, the actual bleeding process only took 15 minutes. It's...
  18. 9

    Any issues with doing a brake flush using the 1-person bottle method?

    It's not a gravity bleed. After the tubing is connected, you are actively pumping the brake pedal and topping off the fluid every 8-10 pumps. As for not pushing the pedal down too far, I just put a piece of 2x4 on the floor of the car. I didn't see any bubbles in the line at all after each...
  19. 9

    Any issues with doing a brake flush using the 1-person bottle method?

    Reporting back. Did the flush yesterday using the method in the video. Worked great. The fluid that came out was a medium brown color, certainly darker than the new fluid that went in. The method described in the video is very easy, only took around 30 minutes to bleed all 4 corners, and the...
  20. 9

    Any issues with doing a brake flush using the 1-person bottle method?

    Most brake flush tutorials demonstrate either the 2-person method or the 1-person method using a pressure bleeder or vacuum system, but I came across an alternative which only requires a bottle filled with some brake fluid with a length of tubing submerged in it. As demonstrated in this video...
  21. 9

    What is the fascination with 12 point sockets???

    I keep full sets of both 6 and 12 point sockets in shallow, deep, and flex. The 12 point sockets do come in handy in certain situations. They work well with beam-type torque wrenches which don't have a ratcheting head. By the way, if you are looking for just a few 6-point sockets to complete a...
  22. 9

    Test drove an M4 Competition Pack last week

    How about a 08-10 RS6 with the same V10?
  23. 9

    Looking for a small hatchback...is Mazda3 the best option?

    Thanks for the insight. I originally planned to get the 2.0 manual Touring but will likely end up getting a 2.0 auto Touring. The automatic is surprisingly good, perhaps due to the new tech that allows the torque converter to stay locked even at low speeds. The car magazine reviews so far have...
  24. 9

    Looking for a small hatchback...is Mazda3 the best option?

    Update: currently have it narrowed down to the Mazda 3 hatchback in touring trim or the Mazda CX-3 in touring trim. Both cost about the same (just over 20k OTD with dealer incentives, etc). The 3 handles slightly better, feels more like a car, and has a lower seating position. Also has more...
  25. 9

    Looking for a small hatchback...is Mazda3 the best option?

    My biggest gripe with the new Civic is the CVT. I'd get the manual but I do a considerable amount of city driving. I prefer the way the Mazda3's 6-speed auto behaves compared to a CVT. The Mazda3 transmission also has an extended lock-up range meaning the torque converter can stay locked about...
  26. 9

    Looking for a small hatchback...is Mazda3 the best option?

    The backup camera is now standard even on the base models!
  27. 9

    Looking for a small hatchback...is Mazda3 the best option?

    What's so impressive about the Impreza besides AWD? From what I've read and seen, the Impreza interior looks cheap compared to the Mazda3 interior. Have you had any issues with your 2014/15 Mazda3 so far?
  28. 9

    Looking for a small hatchback...is Mazda3 the best option?

    Currently looking for a small hatchback with decent handling and good mpg for highway trips. Considered the Civic, but unfortunately it doesn't come in a hatch. Considered the Fit, but it seems like the new ones produced at their Mexico plant have had a lot of QC issues. Tried the Ford Focus...
  29. 9

    And the most popular sports car in Germany is...

    The Ford Mustang GT, apparently. http://money.cnn.com/2016/04/08/autos/ford-mustang-sales-germany/index.html
  30. 9

    2016 redesigned Honda Civic - wow!

    The rear end design is most likely for improved aerodynamics. It's a Kammback design much like the Prius. Without that ugly rear end the car probably wouldn't be able to manage 42 mpg.
  31. 9

    How does a Core i5-2520M compare to modern mobile CPUs?

    I don't think the heat matters too much now that I've owned it for a while. My E6320 is coming up on 4 years old now and it is still running perfectly fine. It ran hot even after Dell had a tech come out and replace the thermal compound. As far as performance and turbo clocks go, I find that...
  32. 9

    AMCI tests 2016 RAV4 Hybrid AWD capabilities

    100% PR stunt
  33. 9

    Is a 90W PSU enough for a 3570K?

    Hi guys, Sorry that I haven't replied to this thread for such a long time. I did stress test after building the system (no Prime95 or anything ridiculous), and it was fine. As a result, I decided to not undervolt the CPU and ended up running it at stock voltages and speeds, with turbo boost...
  34. 9

    Windshield wipers?? What's your Favoraite Brand/Model?

    I used to replace the entire wiper blade, but now I use OEM wiper inserts (the rubber part only). They work better than aftermarket wiper blades IMO and are less expensive and less wasteful to replace. There's no need to throw away a perfectly good wiper blade when the only worn part is the...
  35. 9

    New Jeep Renegade yay/nay?

    If it does end up being a lemon, you can always do this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sVmoOZRypk
  36. 9

    2016 Civic EX-T faster than 2015 Civic Si

    Just wait until the VTEC kicks in yo!
  37. 9

    What is the point of the Subaru Crosstrek?

    What is the point of the Honda CR-V? It's just a Civic with a slightly higher suspension and bigger wheels. What is the point of the Toyota RAV4? It's just a Corolla with a slightly higher suspension and bigger wheels. What is the point of the Mazda CX-5? It's just a Mazda 3 with a slightly...
  38. 9

    How do warranties on winter tires work?

    I noticed some winter tires carry warranties measured in miles. For example, 40k miles on the Michelin X-Ice 2. How is that mileage verified? Winter tires are taken off and put back on each year, so how would you be able to prove the mileage on the tires if you were to swap them yourself in...
  39. 9

    2016 Civic EX-T faster than 2015 Civic Si

    Imagine a Fit with this engine. It would be a blast to drive.