Mileage is just a number—maintenance is the constant. The hosts frame the “basics” as the same for a “three-year-old vehicle or a 23-year-old vehicle,” warning that skipping them leads to breakdowns and expensive surprises. They walk through a simple, repeatable approach (including L-O-F-G, tire rotations, and fluid intervals) and explain why warnings often arrive late. Real-world examples and a checklist-style system tie preventive care to longer vehicle life and fewer costly repairs.
Everybody wants reliability, lower repair bills, and peace of mind behind the wheel-but most drivers skip the basics that actually make that happen. In todays episode, we break down the five maintenance habits that never go out of style and why they matter more than ever for modern and older vehicles alike.
From proper oil and filter changes performed by licensed technicians, to tire rotations that help catch brake problems early, fluid inspections that protect major components, and filters that protect both your engine and your health - this episode focuses on the maintenance fundamentals that save you time, money, stress, and breakdown frustration down the road.
If you want your vehicle to last longer and drive with confidence, this one matters.
Enjoy our Videos & Podcasts Consider becoming a partner with us visit: ☕️ buymeacoffee.com/motormouthnile. We appreciate you all❤️ Skippy & Motormouth.
Help skippy & I grow our channel simply: Like, Share,Follow, Subscribe, Leave your comment below, Ring the notification bell to catch all the auto tip action. Follow us on facebook & Instagram, stevensvilleontheweb.ca, bloopers & reels you won't see anywhere else❤️👍 Skippy....
Yes we have merch: visit our online store at (ccbusnet.com) make a purchase all proceeds going to Total Freedom Addiction Campuses Canada & USA, Let's stand together to change lives one at a time and get them to a campus nearest them 🚗❤️ Love you guys so much💕🙌
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More Episodes and....project Details & Links are available at Car Connection Business Network.com (ccbusnet.com) you'll find everything on our home page if you'd like to follow the build & Repair work we do & connect with our program partners, Thank You for your support of our partners we need them and YOU 👍❤️ Nile Motormouth Jenkins.
We'll See You In The Next One! 💕🙌 Skippy & Motormouth.
"...where there's no turning back, you've crossed the Rubicon, now you're in a bad place if you don't have the ..."
The Wrangler is an off-road SUV made for driving on rough trails. When people mention “crossing” a difficult route, they mean the kind of trip where the vehicle needs good traction and toughness. It’s the kind of car that’s designed to handle that type of driving.
The Wrangler is a Jeep-built off-road SUV known for its trail-focused design and strong aftermarket support. In podcast talk about “crossing the Rubicon,” it’s referencing a demanding off-road route where the vehicle’s durability and traction matter. It’s discussed because it’s built to keep going in tough conditions, not just for everyday driving.
"... And that's kind of what's happened with our 2007 FJ Cruiser with just below 400,000 kilometers. It's just bas..."
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a tough SUV designed for rough roads and off-road driving. It’s known for being able to rack up very high mileage when it’s cared for. That’s why a long-lived example like a 2007 with nearly 400,000 kilometers comes up in conversation.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a rugged, body-on-frame SUV built for off-road capability with a simple, durable design. It’s often discussed because long-mileage examples—like a 2007 with just under 400,000 kilometers—can keep running when properly maintained. That makes it a frequent topic when people talk about real-world durability and ownership over many years.
"L-O-F-G, lube oil and filter for gasoline engine. Now, if that was a diesel, what would it be?"
L-O-F-G is a shorthand mechanics use for an oil change on a gas engine. It means you change the oil and also swap the oil filter.
L-O-F-G is a shop acronym for “lube oil and filter” on a gasoline engine. In other words, it means an oil change that includes replacing the oil filter, not just draining oil.
"Now, if that was a diesel, what would it be? L-O-F-D. And those were, that was the acronym we used in the shop..."
L-O-F-D is a shorthand for an oil change on a diesel engine. Like L-O-F-G, it means changing the oil and the oil filter—just for diesel.
L-O-F-D is the same “lube oil and filter” idea, but for a diesel engine. The point is that the acronym changes based on whether the engine is gasoline or diesel.
"That meant a full service. That's what we were doing to a gasoline powered engine. A full service."
In this context, “full service” means more than just draining oil and refilling it. The host describes it as doing the L-O-F-G plus “check everything,” i.e., a broader inspection and maintenance routine.
"That way, as a tech, I'm helping you plan out your maintenance strategy so you don't get behind the eight ball and end up having a massive repair bill.
[1374.2s] Because that can be avoided very easily by doing exactly what I'm talking about right now."
A maintenance strategy is just a plan for when to do car services. It helps you catch problems early instead of waiting until they become costly.
A “maintenance strategy” is a planned schedule for what to service now, what to watch in the near future, and what can wait longer. The goal is to prevent small issues from turning into expensive repairs by staying ahead of wear and failure.
"Get your tech, book the vehicle in, get your tech to do the lube oil and filter service.
[1397.3s] And give them the permission to look it over."
It’s the regular service where a shop changes your engine oil and swaps the oil filter. The filter catches dirt so the new oil stays cleaner longer.
“Lube oil filter service” is the routine maintenance visit where the engine oil and the oil filter are replaced. The oil filter traps contaminants so the fresh oil can circulate cleaner through the engine.
"OK, next number three, tire rotations.
[1466.0s] How important is that?
[1467.6s] First of all, tires are bloody expensive."
Tire rotation means swapping where each tire sits on the car. That helps the tires wear more evenly so you get a longer life out of them.
Tire rotation is the practice of moving tires from one position on the car to another (front-to-rear, or side-to-side). It helps even out tread wear caused by differences in steering, braking, and weight distribution.
"OK, we have tires that are what are called rotational. So that means we can't swap them side to side anymore, just front to back. And they have arrows on to tell you if you screw it up and put a tire on the other side of the car where the arrow is going the wrong direction. Yeah, so they're directional tires."
Some tires are made to roll in only one direction. They usually have arrows on the sidewall, and you have to keep them pointing the right way when you rotate the tires.
Directional tires are designed to spin in one specific direction for better water evacuation and grip. Because of that, you can’t swap them side-to-side; you typically rotate them front-to-back while keeping the arrow direction correct.
"That gives me as a tech an opportunity to really take a look at your brakes. I've got to take the wheels off, move the front ones to the back, the back ones to the front, put them back on, torque the wheel bolts back to manufacture spec. ... So I'm not doing a peek-a-boo and guessing what your brakes look like."
Brakes are what stop your car, and they wear down with use. Taking the wheels off during a tire rotation gives the mechanic a better look at how worn they are and whether anything needs fixing.
Brakes are the safety system that slows and stops the vehicle, and they wear over time. The host’s point is that removing wheels during tire rotation lets a technician inspect brake condition more thoroughly than a quick visual check.
"I've got to take the wheels off, move the front ones to the back, the back ones to the front, put them back on, torque the wheel bolts back to manufacture spec. I do them by hand all the time."
When a mechanic puts wheels back on, they tighten the bolts to a specific tightness. That matters for safety—too loose can be dangerous, and too tight can cause problems too.
Wheel bolts (or lug nuts) must be tightened to the manufacturer’s specified torque value. Correct torque helps keep the wheel securely mounted and reduces the risk of loosening or warping components.
"So tire rotations, you'll get maximum tire life, two things.
[1634.6s] Keep the tire pressures up and maintained every single month and every second oil change, rotate them out.
[1642.3s] Fronts to the back, backs to the front."
Tire pressure is how much air is in your tires. Keeping it at the right level helps the tires wear evenly and grip the road the way they’re supposed to.
Tire pressure is the amount of air inside the tire, and it strongly affects how the tire contacts the road. If pressures are too low or too high, you can get uneven tread wear, reduced grip, and changes in handling and braking feel.
"[1646.4s] Number four, fluids.
[1649.2s] Now we pounded the pavement on this before and the reason I will continually do that because it is one of the basics that always seems to get neglected.
[1658.7s] For whatever reason, I'm not sure if it is the power and mental telepathy of the talking heads that convinces you that all the fluids that your vehicle holds are good for the lifetime of a human being."
In a car, “fluids” refers to the liquids that keep systems working—commonly engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid. These fluids degrade over time from heat cycles and contamination, which reduces their ability to protect components and can eventually trigger warning indicators.
"Like when the oil light comes on or something's flashing in the dash, things have been happening for a while.
[1739.7s] Now by the time that happens, there's a reason we've called them for many years, idiot lights."
The oil light is a warning that your engine might not have enough oil pressure. If it comes on, you should take it seriously and get it checked quickly to avoid engine damage.
The oil light is a dashboard warning that indicates the engine oil system isn’t providing proper lubrication pressure or flow. If it comes on, it typically means the engine may not be getting adequate oil protection, so it’s a “stop and diagnose” type warning rather than something to ignore.
"Like when the oil light comes on or something's flashing in the dash, things have been happening for a while.
[1739.7s] Now by the time that happens, there's a reason we've called them for many years, idiot lights."
“Idiot lights” is a slang term for dashboard warning indicators that alert you only after a problem has progressed. The point is that many warnings come late—after wear, contamination, or system degradation has already been happening—so relying on the light alone can be too late.
"So next is filters.
[2014.8s] Again, we have a number of filters on our automobiles that need to be replaced.
[2020.8s] The engine filter is critical."
This filter helps keep dirt out of the air your engine needs. If it’s clogged, the engine doesn’t breathe as well, so it can run hotter and may not burn fuel as cleanly.
An engine filter (usually the air filter) keeps dust and debris from entering the engine. If it gets clogged, less air can pass through, which can make the engine run hotter and can contribute to poor combustion.
"That's why we have a little sensor in the intake manifold, which is the area where the fresh air gets sucked into.
[2046.7s] It's called an intake air temperature sensor."
The intake manifold is the part that channels air into the engine’s cylinders. If airflow is restricted, the air can get hotter and the engine can be more likely to run into trouble.
The intake manifold is the engine’s ducting that routes fresh air (and fuel, depending on the design) into the cylinders. It’s a key part of the air path, so problems like restricted airflow can raise intake temperatures and stress the engine.
"[2046.7s] It's called an intake air temperature sensor.
[2051.0s] So the computer is monitoring the temperature of the air intake.
[2056.7s] So the air coming in, getting sucked into the engine to create complete combustion of the fuel and air mixture."
This sensor tells the car computer how hot the incoming air is. The computer uses that info to adjust how the engine runs so it can burn fuel properly.
An intake air temperature sensor measures how hot the incoming air is before it enters the engine. The engine computer uses that reading to help manage fuel and ignition so the air/fuel mixture burns correctly.
"[2051.0s] So the computer is monitoring the temperature of the air intake.
[2056.7s] So the air coming in, getting sucked into the engine to create complete combustion of the fuel and air mixture.
[2065.2s] So if that air becomes contaminated and restricted and the computer flags that sensor..."
Here, “the computer” means the car’s engine control system. It watches sensors and changes how the engine runs, and it can warn you when something looks wrong.
In this context, “the computer” refers to the engine control unit (ECU), which monitors sensors and adjusts engine operation. When sensor readings indicate abnormal conditions (like excessively hot intake air), the ECU can trigger warnings and protective strategies.
"In the owner's manual, it might say engine air filter every 35,000 kilometers.
How can the manufacturer make that judgment call?"
This filter sits in the path of air going into the engine. When it’s clogged with dirt, the engine doesn’t get the clean airflow it needs, and problems can start sooner.
The engine air filter is the part that cleans the air before it enters the engine. If it gets clogged with dust, the engine can’t breathe as well, which can reduce efficiency and accelerate wear.
"So plugged in restricted filters, whether it's a cabin air filter, engineer filter, oil filter, transmission filter.
And I think that's almost all of them."
Filters can get clogged with dirt over time. When they’re clogged, they don’t filter well anymore, and the parts they protect start wearing out sooner.
The idea is that filters can become clogged (“plugged”) and restrict flow. Once that happens, the filter can no longer do its job of trapping dirt, so the systems they protect degrade faster.
"So plugged in restricted filters, whether it's a cabin air filter, engineer filter, oil filter, transmission filter.
And I think that's almost all of them."
This filter cleans the air that comes into the car’s heating and A/C. If it’s dirty, the fan may feel weaker and the cabin air can smell or feel dusty.
A cabin air filter cleans the air that enters the vehicle’s interior HVAC system. When it becomes clogged, airflow drops and odors/particulates can build up inside the cabin.
"So plugged in restricted filters, whether it's a cabin air filter, engineer filter, oil filter, transmission filter.
And I think that's almost all of them."
This filter helps keep the transmission fluid clean. If it’s clogged, the transmission may not work as smoothly and can wear out faster.
A transmission filter helps keep transmission fluid clean by trapping debris. When it’s clogged, fluid flow and filtration effectiveness drop, which can contribute to harsh shifting and accelerated wear.
"When they get restricted and they're dirty and they've captured too much dirt and it changes the maintenance level of the items that those filters are protecting.
So in other words, the protection is reduced vastly by wear and tear."
They’re talking about how often you should service something. If your car is exposed to lots of dust, filters can get dirty faster, so you may need to replace them sooner than the manual suggests.
“Maintenance level” here refers to how often a service item should be replaced or checked. The episode’s point is that heavy dirt exposure can make filters dirty sooner, effectively increasing how frequently they need service.
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Good morning Niagara, you're tuned into Car Connection where the coffee is hot, tools
are ready, talk is always tuned up.
I'm your host, Nile Motormouth Jenkins, coming to you, straight from the Car Connection
Workshop, where we mix a little humor, a little know-how, and a whole lot of horsepower.
Here it's not just about fixing cars, it's about keeping you rolling and saving you money,
giving you the confidence to understand what's under that hood.
From the classics to the commuters, the weird noises and those what the heck moments, we've
got you covered, so grab your coffee, sit back, join the crew because this is Car Connection
your Saturday morning and Monday through Friday morning pit stop.
For stories, smarts, few good laughs.
I'm Nile Motormouth Jenkins, we're in the driver's seat and we are shifting gears this morning.
Lots of things going on around us as the summer begins to kick off and all kinds of
fundraising events, car shows, special activities all around us.
So you know, don't sit at home and get out there and do some stuff, get involved.
And that's what Car Connection has always been about now in our 32nd year.
We will be in Stevensville, I will be in the official Stevensville Springfest dunk tank
on Saturday June the 6th, and I don't think if you come on out you will
have no difficulty finding me.
We've already tested the water gear that I will be wearing adorning for the day, taking
my shift in the fundraising dunk tank.
So I'm not sure what the price tag are for the tickets, but we're going to have as much
fun as we possibly can.
And I'm thinking that water in that dunk tank is going to be so cold that my body will form
a giant goose pimple.
So you want to definitely stop on by.
For Springfest 2026, it's our first fundraising event on the docket for summer 2026.
We will have one of our event vehicles there, it's kind of up in the air at the moment which
one's going to be in attendance, but we will have one of vehicles that we have put together
over the many decades with us, along with us, and some giveaways.
There's music, there's food, there's a touch of truck, there's vendors, there's door prizes.
The list of stuff going on for Springfest is a mile long, so check that out.
You can get more details at Stevensvilleontheweb.ca.
We are also located there as one of the professionals in our field, the automotive field, just click
on the Businesses tab.
You'll find us there.
Well, special good morning to you, for those who are listening, just getting back to work
after a long weekend.
Well, this is what I like to call Monday, Tuesday, exactly.
Is it Tuesday or is it Monday right now, because it's the first day back to work?
I don't know.
You decide.
Well, if you're scooting through the drive-thru, and today is Tuesday for you, second day back
to a work week, check your order, lock it down, we're going to have a swiggy in about
45 seconds, so hang on, and I'll have the daily weather.
It's looking more better.
I think we got something brewing that's real good over the next 10 days.
Well, this morning's topic, we're going to take a step back.
I have five things that matter most when it comes to taking care of your automobile, and
I always like to remind you that mileage does not matter, maintenance does.
In vehicles that we drive every single day, our daily drivers can be 10 years old, 15
years old, or like myself, 19 and 20 years old, and you might say, well, you're a mechanic.
That has nothing to do with it, folks, it doesn't.
That's the talk in heads, because I still have to, as I always say, I don't get parts
for free, I have to find the time to get the work done, and if I take time away from our
YouTube channel, Facebook, Instagram, and this podcast that goes all over the planet,
it takes time to run it all, and it's all scheduled, and it has to run on time, and
it has to be recorded, it has to be edited, it's got to be scheduled, and you've got
to stay with it right to the very end, so if I'm pulling time from somewhere, I'm losing
time elsewhere.
If you follow me, so my time isn't free, just like you, it isn't, it is not free.
If I take 15 hours away from what I'm doing with car connection, I've got 15 hours that
I need to make back up because I've taken it from what I call the hour meter to do all
the things that I do with car connection and have been for now in our 32nd year, so this
morning we're going to take a step back and talk about the basics, never change, so if
you would like to learn how to keep and maintain an older automobile and save a whole lot of
money and put more money back in your pocket, then in the pockets of the banks, the lending
institutions, then you know what, you're on the right channel because that's what I know
how to do and I've been doing it for over four and a half decades and I can teach you
the same thing and it really is not difficult.
Man makes things complicated and when it comes to automotive, it doesn't need to be complicated.
The basics never change.
Do the basics on whether it's a three-year-old vehicle or a 23-year-old vehicle, mileage
does not matter and it never has, it's maintenance.
It doesn't matter what you have in your hands, it needs maintenance and if you're not willing
to do that, things come unglued, am I right?
Absolutely, things come unglued and you're working, you're trading time for money every
single day to buy the same things you've already purchased already because lack of maintenance
wipes it out and then you got to go get another one.
Yeah, planned obsolescence, it's a real problem that we have to reverse so if you're looking
to keep that older vehicle longer, you are in great position right now.
Best vehicle in the driveway right now, the one that is paid for, it's solid and all
you need to do is fuss over it and maintain it.
So I have five things for you this morning that matter most when it comes to keeping
your vehicle long term and I'm going to keep drilling that home because the talking heads
have gotten into many of your heads into thinking a vehicle is done in like three to five years.
For that kind of money, you got to be out of your mind, I'm not throwing down that kind
of money if that's all you got to give me in return, my return on my investment ROI
and if you're working with a certified financial planner, they'll tell you that.
There's not very good ROI on anything, return on your investment if you don't take care
of it, house included, anything around you, it's all included.
It needs to be taken care of when you don't neglect sets in and that's what takes your
automobile out is neglect and most of you know that.
I'm going to say pretty much all of you know what happens when you neglect your automobile
to a point where there's no turning back, you've crossed the Rubicon, now you're in a bad place
if you don't have the finances to replace it, now what?
And I can't tell you the number of times I've had that conversation when we had our own
shop on the Hamilton Mountain, that was a constant problem.
And that's why I developed at that time the Car Connection Maintenance Kit, which we've
totally redone and it's posted on its own page in our website at carconnectionbusinessnetwork.com.
Go and take a look at it, if you're subscribed to our YouTube channel, it has special pricing
just for you.
So how long would your car last if you actually followed a maintenance plan?
That's my ultimate question to all of you, how long would it last?
Well I can tell you from experience, till you're done, till you say you know what I'm
going to find something else and move on to something different or this vehicle doesn't
work for me anymore, I'm going to offer it up for sale and go and find something else
in my price budget.
So we've rebuilt and laminated a reusable fleet maintenance system that makes it simple.
As I've said before, if you can follow your own grocery list and check off the items as
they go into your basket, you can certainly operate our reusable fleet maintenance system
that makes it simple.
And so that page is fully up and running, there's an order form there so you can order
your fleet maintenance package and if you can follow three simple instructions on how
to use it, and I mean that, three very simple instructions, the rest is all done for you.
Just follow the list, that's all you have to do.
Follow the list, put a check mark or an X or a heart, whatever you want in the box that
indicates that maintenance has been done.
Check it off and when you're completely done for the year, you wipe the whole thing off
and start again.
That's what you do and it works like a charm and that's the system I've been operating
on for 44 years.
It works.
I'm not here to convince anybody.
It simply works.
It's super simple and it works.
Well let's jump into this morning's program.
Let's start off with our morning swiggy so you should have your favorite morning beverage,
whatever that is by now.
And let's say thank you to Niagara Block at 5000 Montrose Road Niagara Falls for building
Canada since 1931 with building supplies, all the block and metal and rebar that you need
to put your building together as well as their specialty is hardscape landscape materials.
So if you're looking at a landscape, your home, your property, your cottage, or just
create that beautiful backyard space that you've always wanted, that's where you can
get it done.
If you talk to Kathy, David, or Dan, the Grimo family, they'll take very, very good care
of you.
If you're looking to create an English walkway, they have everything you can imagine and then
some.
If you need a contractor, you speak to Kathy Grimo and ask her to give you a referral
to a contractor that can take the whole project on from you and get it done without any headaches.
Well, with as few headaches as possible, the weather is a challenge when you're working
outside.
That is for sure.
So that's Niagara Block 5000 Montrose Road.
You can find them, our program partners on the homepage of our website at carconnectionbusinessnetwork.com.
That's ccbusnet.com.
So let's count it down 321
That's how we do it here and have a swiggy.
And thank you to Niagara Block this morning, 321
Oh, that is so good today.
You ever get that, you know, one of your favorite morning beverages like over the top from yesterday
and yesterday's was good.
Fantastic.
Well, let's take a look at our daily weather.
We are improving.
So that's a good thing, right?
I think so, because I'll tell you, I walked on the backyard yesterday to go to the mini barn.
We were shooting videos and we're trying out the, the gear for the dunk
tank.
Yes, we're going to have to watch out for that.
Our skippy or videographers putting up reels and bloopers and stuff on Facebook and Instagram
and Stevensville on the web.ca.
And all those links are there for you on the homepage or website.
ccbusnet.com.
We've got our YouTube channel, Facebook, Instagram, Stevensville on the web, iHeartRadio.
We're on all the podcast platforms, Spotify, Apple, Amazon, wherever you're, and Podbean,
wherever you're pulling your podcast from, we are there.
And we also have our online store as well.
Buy some motor mouth car connection merchandise and help someone get to, that's struggling
with addictions, get to a total freedom addictions campus, Canada and USA.
So we forgo any profitability on any of the items and give it back to total freedom addiction
campuses to help that next person that has made that decision to take on their addiction
and say goodbye to it forever and get a life back.
So if you want to jump in and join the crew and come alongside and help us change a life
one at a time, we thank you so much for doing that.
And for our program partners, we simply would not be here without them.
Because last I asked Deb to be our accountant, are we sending invoices to the listeners?
No, should we?
Panic.
I go, no, I'm just kidding.
Are we sending any invoices to those that are checking into our YouTube channel?
Were we supposed to be doing that?
I go, no.
Oh, okay.
Then just carry on.
Send the bill to the program partners.
That's what I'm doing, she says.
That's what I'm doing.
So we're in good shape because we have the program partners that provide just enough funding
to keep the lights on and keep the microphone running.
And we're working hard Skippy and I to get to monetization so it'll make things a whole lot easier.
But if you want to support the podcast and the YouTube channel, we have a page set up on buymeacoffee.com
forward slash motormouth Nile, N-I-L-E.
And so you can safely donate and buy Skippy and I a coffee, we would certainly appreciate it.
That would help us to keep this engine running.
So at 52 degrees right now, cloudy.
Wind is making it feel a whole lot cooler at 51 degrees.
Partly cloudy conditions from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
with mostly sunny conditions expected around 9 a.m.
That's nice.
We can dry out a little bit.
Today's temperature range is 51 to 75 and it's going to feel more like 51 to 73 degrees.
And today's top out will be 75 degrees.
What?
What?
Absolutely.
Right on.
And yesterday we hit a 68.
It was actually, it turned out not too bad yesterday.
Wind was a little cool here on the south shores of Lake Erie.
And then later on in the afternoon, this thick fog rolled in off the lake.
And the visibility was really changing and nothing was on the weather report about that yesterday.
But I guess they can't track that very well.
Precipitation today, we are at a zero.
That's fantastic.
Let's jump into our topic this morning and I'm going to break that out for you.
Again, five things that matter most is taking a step back and just learning to do the basics.
And I've pulled out, I was thinking yesterday, what are the most important five aspects or
things to keep an automobile rolling regardless of mileage.
Just doing the basic things to stay ahead of the curve and how many times I've seen
over the years a $200 repair had it been paid attention to and taken care of immediately,
if not sooner, would have saved you thousands.
I've seen the $200 repair turn into a $5,000 repair bill because of neglect.
Just kind of, I don't want to know.
I can't afford to pay for that, but you can't afford to let it fester and get to the next level either
because it's mechanical and things go wrong.
In the automobile world, there's cause and effect all the time.
This happened and now, and then it caused that to happen, which caused that to happen.
And had we got it in the beginning, it would have just been this item right here.
And that's kind of what's happened with our 2007 FJ Cruiser with just below 400,000 kilometers.
It's just basic upgrade maintenance.
See and check things and go, eh, that's questionable.
We really ought to change that now before that becomes a problem on the highway.
So let's jump in and into this morning's five things that matter the most
that will save you time and money when it comes to owning an automobile
and it doesn't matter how old it is.
Okay, folks, it does not.
It does not matter how old it is.
These five things apply no matter what because what should we have learned by now?
Maintenance matters, mileage doesn't.
And when you don't do maintenance, there is repercussions because of that.
Things go awry very, very quickly.
So number one, we need to focus on basic vehicle maintenance.
That's it.
Let's not complicate it.
Let's not spin in a different orbit than we're spinning in already.
Let's just focus on basic vehicle maintenance.
Number two, it begins with the L-O-F-G.
Just can you remember that?
Okay, write that down.
You got your crayons this morning, your 16 pack of crayolas, big leaf bag.
Yeah, you can jot stuff down anywhere on a leaf bag with a crayon.
You can capture the moment.
L-O-F-G, lube oil and filter for gasoline engine.
Now, if that was a diesel, what would it be?
L-O-F-D.
And those were, that was the acronym we used in the shop as far back as I can remember even working for others.
We saw that on our worksheet for the vehicle that was then brought into our very own service bay.
That's our customer.
We knew L-O-F-G meant it was going to be lube oil filter for gasoline engine.
So, and what did that mean in longer terms was check everything.
Lube oil filter gasoline, not just drop the oil, put a filter on, fill it up and kick it out the door.
That meant a full service.
That's what we were doing to a gasoline powered engine.
A full service.
So, let's move on.
So, that's the basic.
So, focus on basic vehicle maintenance.
That's all.
Don't make it complicated.
Don't turn shrubs into trees.
We need to do an L-O-F-G and not at the drive through centers.
No disrespect to any of them.
Let me put that out there.
You need a trained eye to look your vehicle over and do that L-O-F-G.
That lube oil filter for gasoline engine gives the technician an opportunity to really look your vehicle over and bring anything that needs to have immediate attention to you right away.
So, that's where you have a trained tech looking your vehicle over while he's changing the oil and the filter and making recommendations.
And that's where I say there's three lists come from that.
This needs to be taken care of now, this in the near future, and this is coming up in the distant future.
That way, as a tech, I'm helping you plan out your maintenance strategy so you don't get behind the eight ball and end up having a massive repair bill.
Because that can be avoided very easily by doing exactly what I'm talking about right now.
Keep the basics the basics.
Don't go over the line, don't spin it into something else.
Get your tech, book the vehicle in, get your tech to do the lube oil and filter service.
And give them the permission to look it over.
Just say, hey, skippy, do a good job, look it over.
If you see anything, please let me know. Just give them that permission.
But if you're in a shop where your heart says, I don't trust this guy, then that's an area you need to fix.
And we'll talk about that in another program.
How important it is to have a repair shop when Joe says he's checked all the tires.
You don't even need to ask him, has he checked the spare, the spare tire to make sure you're good there should the spare be called upon.
You're ready.
That's the kind of relationship that you have to have with your repair technician, whatever shop it is.
If you're going to a shop where the guy's rotated in and out of the door like you change your socks, your vehicle is not going to be maintained well.
You need a tech that you build a relationship with that gets gets to know you and your car.
OK, next number three, tire rotations.
How important is that?
First of all, tires are bloody expensive.
Did I say bloody? Yeah, I did.
Yeah, it's a curse word in England.
I was born there.
We've forgotten and gotten away from that.
OK, we have tires that are what are called rotational.
So that means we can't swap them side to side anymore, just front to back.
And they have arrows on to tell you if you screw it up and put a tire on the other side of the car where the arrow is going the wrong direction.
Yeah, so they're directional tires.
But if you want longer life out of your tires, there's a couple of things you have to do.
Maintain the tire pressures religiously and number two, get them rotated.
And my general rule of thumb, which is on our reusable car connection fleet maintenance system is every second oil change tire rotation, no matter what Joe the mechanic says.
Oh, they look good.
Rotate them out.
Two things are going to happen there.
We're sticking with the basics.
That gives me as a tech an opportunity to really take a look at your brakes.
I've got to take the wheels off, move the front ones to the back, the back ones to the front, put them back on, torque the wheel bolts back to manufacture spec.
I do them by hand all the time.
And that gives me an opportunity to give you a full report on how are your brakes doing all the way around.
So I'm not doing a peek-a-boo and guessing what your brakes look like.
I'm pulling wheels and shifting them around so I get to have a really good bird's eye view.
How is Mrs. Smith's brakes really doing and give you a full report?
Are they good today?
Is there some work coming up?
Are there things broken?
Are the things worn out that I need to get on the phone and say, Mrs. Smith,
we got a brake issue and we need to take care of it today.
And we have the time to do it and give you a proper estimate and a breakdown and even send you some pictures.
Maybe even a short video.
Boom, send it over to you so you can look at that and see what I see and go, yeah, I guess we need to take care of that business.
That's a tech working for you.
With today's technology, it reduces the inconvenience happening to go down to the shop to look at it.
We can take pictures, we can shoot a video and fire it over and let you see it in real time.
How cool is that?
That's really cool.
So tire rotations, you'll get maximum tire life, two things.
Keep the tire pressures up and maintained every single month and every second oil change, rotate them out.
Fronts to the back, backs to the front.
Boom, done.
Number four, fluids.
Now we pounded the pavement on this before and the reason I will continually do that because it is one of the basics that always seems to get neglected.
For whatever reason, I'm not sure if it is the power and mental telepathy of the talking heads that convinces you that all the fluids that your vehicle holds are good for the lifetime of a human being.
Not an automobile, the lifetime of a human being and it is definitely not true.
It can't be any further from the truth.
So fluids, your vehicle has them, they wear out from constant heating and cooling and heating and cooling, they deteriorate.
They get contaminated.
There isn't a fluid in your automobile right now as you're driving down the road if you're hearing my voice that doesn't wear out.
It doesn't get dirty.
It doesn't have particles in the fluid causing damage to the components the fluid is protecting.
There isn't a emergency warning lamp on those fluids until it's too late.
Like when the oil light comes on or something's flashing in the dash, things have been happening for a while.
Now by the time that happens, there's a reason we've called them for many years, idiot lights.
Because by the time it comes on, you guessed it, what an idiot, exactly.
So how do we prevent that stuff from happening?
We need to change the fluids out.
So that's where having a gold technician working for you that's making the recommendations on a regular basis.
That's not selling, not a salesman in a jumpersuit, not selling you and upselling you things and products you don't need,
but really looking out for your vehicle's maintenance level and keeping you up to date.
That's what's important.
And like I said, I will do a program and we're just going to talk about how do you establish that working relationship with a shop.
There are a number of techniques to be able to do it and find that service tech that you come to know.
They get to know you and your vehicles and you're in a good place.
Because when you have that, you have peace of mind.
But if you don't have that, then you know what, you're always going to be wondering, did he really do that?
Am I paying for something I didn't really need?
Or, you know, he says he did it, but for sure, did he really do it?
Did he really take care of that?
You know, if you walk away and those are questions in your mind, you're not in the right place.
You're not in a happy place.
You're not in a safe place.
And most of all, you don't have peace of mind.
So in another program, we will cover that.
So let's back up.
Just do a quick recap.
Focus on basic vehicle maintenance.
We're not turning trees into shrubs.
We're not rebuilding and restoring the automobile.
We're just doing the basic maintenance to stay ahead of the curve.
So that maintenance doesn't get away from you and turn a repair bill into a nightmare.
And that happens way too often.
Lube oil and filter, whether it's for a gasoline or a diesel powered vehicle,
that gives the tech the opportunity to play I spy.
That's what I used to call it.
And that's what my military instructor would say.
He'd say, I spy.
And if he didn't see anything on the list on the vehicle you were working on,
he would go and look at it.
And then if he came back and he had a list and you missed stuff,
you just got taught a really big lesson.
You're not taking care of the customer.
His big thing was we don't want our customers bringing their cars in on the back of a flatbed.
We don't need that to happen.
We're here to prevent that from happening.
Tire rotations.
Tires are freaking expensive.
So how do we keep them and how do we keep them longer and get better life out of them?
Tire rotations every second oil change.
Number four, the fluids.
They are not lifetime.
They are not maintenance free.
We need to forget about that conversation 100%.
That's what we'll tend to put your vehicle into a very, very dangerous maintenance level.
Fluids are protecting very expensive components that are worth a whole lot less.
The fluids are worth a whole lot less than the components they're protecting for you.
So do we want to listen to those who have no stinking idea other than how to sell you another automobile?
No.
They have an agenda.
What is it?
Move the sheet metal and rubber.
That's what the sales guys used to always say at the dealership I was working at with Volkswagen.
Move the sheet metal and rubber Jenkins.
They literally would want me to tell customers their car is expiring so that they could sell a car that day.
And I look at them and go, I have a conscience.
Go get a life.
Go back to your corner.
So next is filters.
Again, we have a number of filters on our automobiles that need to be replaced.
The engine filter is critical.
If it's plugged up, then the engine's running hotter.
Instead of getting fresh oxygen into the engine to cool it, it's getting restricted air flow and the air temperature gets hot.
That's why we have a little sensor in the intake manifold, which is the area where the fresh air gets sucked into.
It's called an intake air temperature sensor.
So the computer is monitoring the temperature of the air intake.
So the air coming in, getting sucked into the engine to create complete combustion of the fuel and air mixture.
So if that air becomes contaminated and restricted and the computer flags that sensor saying the intake air temperature sensor saying the intake manifold is getting way too hot, you're doing serious engine damage.
By the time, again, the idiot light comes on, the damage is already being done.
So that's where preventative maintenance and basic maintenance prevents that stuff from happening.
So filters need to be replaced.
They need to be checked and replaced on a regular basis because here's the thing.
In the owner's manual, it might say engine air filter every 35,000 kilometers.
How can the manufacturer make that judgment call?
A, the vehicle's just coming off the assembly line.
It hasn't even gone to a dealership for resale.
The next caregiver of that automobile has not been selected or stepped forward yet.
And when that happens, did the manufacturer know that you live in a dirt country lane road like a gravel road where the dust is flying when the cars are going down it?
And there's dirt blowing off the farmer's field when he's cultivating.
Did the manufacturer know that that's where the car that just came off the assembly line was going to live?
Absolutely not.
So as a manufacturer's representative said to me one on one at a lunch meeting, he said,
Nile, the owner's manual and the recommendations from the factory are only suggestions.
Suggestions.
We can't take that to be the Bible, he said.
They're just maintenance suggestions.
That's all.
So what does that mean for us?
The basic never change.
We need someone to look out for us and make sure that we're on top of these things before they get to the next level.
So plugged in restricted filters, whether it's a cabin air filter, engineer filter, oil filter, transmission filter.
And I think that's almost all of them.
When they get restricted and they're dirty and they've captured too much dirt and it changes the maintenance level of the items that those filters are protecting.
So in other words, the protection is reduced vastly by wear and tear.
If we leave those filters in there forever and ever, something is going to give and it's going to be very expensive.
That's what you have to know.
That's why doing just the basics puts you in a position to win regardless of mileage.
So keep those things in mind and it will keep your vehicle out of trouble and reduce the opportunity of having one of those ginormous repair bills because there is always going to be cause and effect.
So if we neglect the basic maintenance on an automobile, you know what that tells me?
There's no chance that you're ever going to do major maintenance and repairs.
If you can't take care of the basics, you're certainly not going to like the expense of what comes next when we do that.
So when neglect sits in and sets in to an automobile, it generally takes thousands and of dollars to get that vehicle back up to speed.
And the proof of that is if you haven't signed up for our YouTube channel, every video teaches you five things.
What it is, where it is, how it works, how it breaks or how you broke it and what you could have understood just a little bit more information to help you prevent that damage from happening.
And that's how it works.
That is the pattern failure right there, knowing the five things.
What it is, where it's located on your automobile, how it works, how it's supposed to work and how it broke.
What caused the damage?
Was it lack of understanding on how it works?
We just finished and wrapped up a four-part series.
I broke it down into bite-sized chunks.
How to understand your vehicle's air conditioning system and save you thousands and thousands of unnecessary repairs?
Just by simply learning how does it work, getting an understanding, and how do I work it properly?
So how do I turn it on and how do I turn it off properly and how do I maintain it to prevent from getting to thousands of dollars in repairs that could have been avoided?
So that's what this channel is all about.
That's what I'm all about.
That is the lane that I've been carving out for decades and I continue to do so by reaching out to you and saying,
hey, are you willing to listen and do?
That's simple.
Listen and do.
Just like an apprentice.
When I was taking on apprentices in our shop, the first thing I would tell them is when I learned from my military instructor was,
you listen, then do.
But if you're not even listening and you're not even doing, then the results of that are going to be something that you're not going to like at all.
So we can avoid that very, very much.
So if you want to save time, money, and maybe even a few bloody knuckles, you're on the right channel.
And that's what our YouTube channel is all about.
We just, we post three new videos every week and every single video is a teaching video to show you those five things and help you to grab hold of the basic vehicle maintenance,
to understand it and tear it down and go, oh, I didn't know that.
Those are the moments that save you money.
So till tomorrow, make it a great day.
The sun is shining here down on us on the south shores of Lake Erie.
And that is a good start to the day.
That is for sure.
Everything we talk about here is you can find in the biggest drawer in our toolbox, which we call our website.
So you don't have a million things you have to sift through.
Go to our website, Car Connection Business Network.
That's where I vet businesses in and around our local area and a little bit out of town to refer you to.
And during the COVID thing, we lost most of that.
It all fell apart and I'm working hard to bring it back because it really helped a lot of people having referrals for different professions and services.
So we're continuing to work on that to bring that back to you so that you have access to that.
All our recommended businesses and program partners are on the homepage of our website.
Click on their logo, open their profile page and meet them.
You can go even further and link through to their website as well and get an opportunity to connect.
So if you have financial questions, whether it's with investment portfolio, you're carrying a ton of debt that's weighing you down.
You don't have an estate plan.
You need a mortgage arranging with great rates, I have to tell you.
I haven't had a mortgage with a bank since I met Tony and Larry 20 years ago.
Life insurance, critical illness insurance, all those things need to be taken care of that we don't like to talk about.
So an hour and a coffee.
That's your discovery meeting to get your questions answered and bring clarity.
If you're wanting clarity in your life when it comes to finances, you definitely need to work with someone who has the CFP credentials before their name.
Certified financial planning professional.
So leave your wallet at home, leave your purse at home, grab that hour and a coffee.
You can make arrangements to meet any which way you want and just get it done.
Get your questions answered.
Watch what happens to your life.
You'll get that peace of mind.
You truly, truly will.
If you or someone you know is shopping for an automobile, you know, there's a lot of places where you can end up buying a skunk and a mink coat or lipstick on a pig.
And that's not what you want.
What you want is low mileage quality vehicle at fair prices.
Then that's greater Toronto areas pre-owned premier auto store with Earl Louise Grant City auto sales and leasing.
Trust me.
If you got to drive two days and take your jammies and your toothbrush to get there to be able to buy a vehicle with confidence, confidence.
Yes, confidence and be treated with nothing less than honesty and integrity.
That's Earl Louise Grant.
That's City Auto Sales.
Let them know that I sent you.
So till tomorrow drive safe.
Happy healthy motoring.
Peace, patience and kindness always.
And we'll see you in the next one tomorrow morning.
To join us for motor mouths morning drive 8am Monday through Saturday.
We'll see you tomorrow friends.
Bye for now.
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