Weird facts that only owners of your model of car know?

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart) 01/20/2016 at 13:42 • Filed to: fun facts

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Generally, word of mouth does eventually get around about a certain car’s facts. Engines that blow? Crappy transmissions? Cheat codes? Hacks? Quirks? Eventually regular people hear about them. But what about issues that owners hold close? What odd factoids about your car will normal people almost never hear about?

I’ll start with three about mine!

1. The Engine: In the American smart community, it’s generally accepted that if you make it past 80k miles without cooking your valves, your engine will most likely last a very long time. While not a common issue with smarts, engines that do die due to burning the valves typically go in the range from 40k-80k miles. It is still unknown why the valves burn...but since the second generation car is dead, guess we’ll never know.

2. Cheat Codes: To turn off Traction Control without reaching for the fuse box, second generation smarts can have their traction control and stability systems turned off by pressing both buttons on the speedometer at the same time, then turning the key to the Run position, then starting the car once the traction control light starts flashing.

3. Roofs: 2007-2012 smart roofs have a failure rate of approximately 100%. These cars use the largest polycarbonate glazing in the automotive industry for their roofs. And until the 2013 model year, the formulation for the roof was terrible. The roofs practically crazed on the showroom floor in some cases...but usually roofs crazed at around 6 months after the build date. My car lasted 2.5 years before crazing, for idk reasons.

What weird things happen with your car that only owners of your car know?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:46

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There are seven (!) firewalls and two trunks in the AW11 MR2. I had no idea that there was an extra trunk behind the engine until I bought mine.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:48

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That it was ever available with a V8.

Never gets old.

RallyWrench > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:48

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In BMWs, if you press the odometer reset button with the car off, the display comes on.

Baeromez > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:49

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My ‘98 Firebird has 12 speakers from the factory. Also, if you drive around with the T-tops off everyone thinks you’re a badass.

CB > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:50

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The 2003 Maxima has a 0-60 time of under seven seconds apparently (butt dyno generally agrees), and was also made available with a six-speed (that seem to be super rare). So, it’s kind of a sleeper.

But seriously, I don’t think there’s anything super special about the Maxima.

zeontestpilot > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:51

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People here seem shocked that the PT Cruiser had a face lift after ‘05. And they redid the interior to make it look nicer. Of course, people have to care about the car to notice.

Justin Hughes > RallyWrench 01/20/2016 at 13:51

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Same on my BRZ.

McMike > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:51

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Van: Where the @#$% washer bottle is, and how to fill it.

Party-vi > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:53

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My BMW has functioning turn signals, but every time I go to use them the stalk shocks me. I believe this is a standard feature.

Mercedes Streeter > RallyWrench 01/20/2016 at 13:53

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Same with mine! Hit either the clock or the trip reset and the display turns on...then again, unlocking the car, locking the car, and opening any door also turns it on.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:53

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The E38 came with no manual option in the US. I get asked if it came with a manual option. The most reliable engine is the first year of production surprisingly with the M60 engine and its duplex timing chain. Also the car electronics act up below 16F and its considered normal.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:53

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Fox-body Mustangs HATE platinum plugs. Got a good running 5.0 you want to make run like shit? Buy the most expensive spark plugs you can find and put them in there.

On the other hand, what kind of plugs do you run when you’re running 11s? The cheapest Autolite/Champion/Motorcraft copper plugs you can get. The car will know if you spent more than $.97 per plug and punish you accordingly.

Mercedes Streeter > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/20/2016 at 13:54

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Wha...wh...why seven? I want seven firewalls!

Your boy, BJR > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:54

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The Northstar is actually a very reliable and well built engine.

The feeling you get driving a full size Cadillac

The benefits of AARP membership.

RallyWrench > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:54

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I find it funny because almost none of my customers know about it. It’s a magic trick.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:55

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The wheels on E39 5 series and E53 X5 are different from every other BMW and can’t be interchanged natively. It’s really annoying.

Mercedes Streeter > zeontestpilot 01/20/2016 at 13:56

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That’s true! I ran into that issue when my dad bought his 2002. After looking at about 50 PTs, he finally noticed that newer ones were facelifted (despite me telling him that).

I would totally rock a 2009 PT and love it.

Mercedes Streeter > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/20/2016 at 13:57

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*Head Explodes*

Is there any known reason to it?

Übel > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:58

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The Karmann Ghia is heavier than a Beetle, has more luggage space than a Beetle (they both have two “trunks”, but the Ghia’s are bigger,) and it uses the pan from a Thing. Contrary to popular belief, not only can it go highway speeds, it has a top speed of 90. Also, the windshield washer bottle is pressurized by the spare tire. And it doesn’t have an oil filter.

Edit: For clarification on two “trunks”, it has a bigass storage cavity behind the rear seats. Not a true trunk, but it’s bigger than the real one.

Wacko > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:58

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jeep tj error codes without odbII code

Mercedes Streeter > Baeromez 01/20/2016 at 13:58

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Shhhhh...I really do miss T-tops. Sure, many were leaky, but I bet they could have fixed that with today’s tech.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 13:59

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Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/ Toyota GT86: There actually are actual differences between the three models! ;)

Also, they tend to run higher oil temps at track days; so the addition of an oil cooler is a good idea if you plan to track a decent amount.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:00

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The Q5 has an a-pillar wing mirror combo that is so big and bulky that any pedestrian located between 290 and 320 degrees is good as dead. I won’t know I’ve hit them until the ‘thump.’

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:00

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The little on-board computer thing on E36s has a whole host of hidden information in there once you “unlock” it.

Things like how much fuel is currently in the tank, current battery voltage, lighting up all the LEDs on the display to check if they’re working properly, and a few more things.

Also if you hold the trip reset and turn the key the gauge cluster runs a test on itself and does a gauge sweep and lights everything up.

Justin Hughes > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:01

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The FR-S/BRZ pedal dance. Even with traction control “off,” it’ll still be on a little bit. There’s a Nintendo cheat code like way to disable it 100%. With the car already warmed up, start the engine. Within 30 seconds, pull the parking brake 3 times and hold, then press the brake pedal 3 times and hold, then pull the parking brake 3 times again and hold, then press the brake pedal 2 more times. The traction and stability control lights will turn on, and the functions will be completely off. The VSC Sport and traction control buttons on the center console will do nothing. You have to shut off the car to get them back. ABS remains on and unaffected.

duurtlang > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:01

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Despite being a French car built in Italy, it’s crazy reliable, easy to work on and has cheap parts. And looks/drives great.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > RallyWrench 01/20/2016 at 14:01

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Several makes do that actually.

Birddog > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/20/2016 at 14:01

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I think that’s common to all Hi Perf Fords. My Super Coupe HATED Platinum plugs.

spanfucker retire bitch > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 01/20/2016 at 14:01

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Does every car run higher oil temps if you track them? You’re pushing it harder on the track than you ever would on the street.

spanfucker retire bitch > unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) 01/20/2016 at 14:02

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Also the car electronics act up below 16F and its considered normal.

Lol Germany.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:03

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No idea. It’s the weirdest thing, I’ve had five of the damn things now and not a one of them liked platinums. I’ve never gotten a plausible explanation from anybody...I suppose if the problem was that I had to use expensive plugs I’d try to find out why, but since the issue here allows me to use the cheap stuff (and gain performance as a result), I’ve never looked into it, haha.

Mattbob > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:03

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That faint burning oil smell of an XJ is normal, ignore it. The exhaust manifold on pre ‘99 models (not 100% on the date) WILL break where the pipes come together. This was fixed for the last couple of years they made them. Lifter ticks are normal. The engine will despite most abuses.

The ECU compartment on early E36s can fill with water after the drains get clogged by a small amount of debris. The front mounting bolt on the rear Diff likes to break and will need to be drilled out. E36 valve cover gaskets usually leak (if they are going to) at the plug tunnels and fill it with oil. The cooling system is supposedly made of hopes and dreams and can will fail if you don’t change your water pump judiciously. To make that worse, the temp gauge is slow enough to where if this happens, and the needle gets to the red, it is usually too late.

RallyWrench > Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius 01/20/2016 at 14:03

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Yep, but almost none of my BMW customers know about it. They’re always surprised when I do that to get mileage when they drop cars off.

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:04

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Not so much a “fact,” but this.

EL_ULY > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/20/2016 at 14:06

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7 Bulkheads* Don’t get sued :]

JustAnotherG6 > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:06

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That the touchscreen from the 1980's Buick/Olds Riviera/Riatta/Trofeo really sucked. Like, really, really sucked.

EL_ULY > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:07

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QUATTRO understeers like a mofo!

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:09

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On a mk6 jetta, it’s impossible to raise the driver’s side wiper. To get it up, you have to turn the car off, and switch the wiper down to stop the wiper halfway. Then you can pull it up and away from the windshield

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:09

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Land Rover Series IIa: The starting crank stores behind the seat. Also, the brake and clutch have a shared split reservoir because the cylinder position is horrible. There’s a choke warning light, and the idle is adjustable with a lever. If you have a Solex carb, holding down the gas to start in cold weather doesn’t work, because it was designed by wizards.

Benz 300D (W124): The taillights are designed for toolless bulb replacement. The third brake light, however, is likely to crumble and fall out of place and die. If the heater is put on the automatic setting before the engine heats up, it will wait. The serpentine belt can be replaced with one wrench and the car’s tire iron.

Lincoln Capri (‘59): It’s the last year of its model name as a Lincoln. It has coils all around, also the last year. The spare tire cover in the trunk is referred to as the hatbox. The rear seat can be removed, leaving the trunk space open to the compartment - not possible on a Continental. The trunk is lined with suitcase lining material, and the trunk and some other areas are sound insulated with fiberglass.

Ford Falcon Ranchero: It was the cheapest truck in the US. It could be ordered in Deluxe trim, or even (starting ‘63) the V8 - but since it wasn’t part of the main Falcon line, that wasn’t a Sprint model. There was a low-compression 144 option for areas with bad gas, so there were actually four engine options. The rear spring shackles have three setting positions for different loads, and the rated capacity was 800lb.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > spanfucker retire bitch 01/20/2016 at 14:09

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They’ll run slightly higher than they would normally on the road, but apparently Toyobarus run a little higher than that; to the point where it’s something you may need to keep your eye on. The additional of an oil temp gauge is a good idea, along with the oil cooler.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:12

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Because structural stability! Seriously, these things are crazy stiff.

TylerJ > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:13

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05-10 Scion tC: If you have a manual transmission, swap any of the following’s manual transmissions to gain ~10mpg:

2002–2009 Toyota Camry

2002–2008 Toyota Solara

2008–2014 Scion xB

2009–2012 Toyota Corolla XRS

2009–2013 Toyota Matrix 2.4L

Seriously, it bolts right up to all the stock fittings.

CodyVella > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:13

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The Nissan Xterra SE/SC (Supercharged) can literally only run on 91 Octane or higher gas. If you run it on regular 87 Octane, it will go into Nissan’s version of limp mode by retarding the timing, opening the supercharger bypass valve, and running it without any boost.

The headlight motor on the early Porsche 944 (Pre-1985.5) isn’t strong enough to raise the headlights when traveling faster than 110km/h. Also 944s require timing belt service literally like every two years. Or 25,000kms.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:14

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In the 2009-10 Pontiac Vibe and the 2009-14 Toyota Matrix there is a small black rectangle on the underside of the center stack in the front passenger footwell. It looks like a screw cover, but it’s actually a bag hook for plastic bags to be used for garbage, or to keep your shopping bag from rolling around when you drive.

Even most owners are unaware of the feature.

Svend > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:15

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Weird fact about my Superb (not sure but must be on other Skodas).

My windscreen wipers rest in a different position (up to three positions) after four operations.

Instead of going from the off position to full sweep and then rest, etc... and then to the off position when the ignition is turned off. They will rest in the regular position , but after four operations will rest in a new position about 1cm higher, then after four operations will rest 1cm higher, then back to it’s original rest position. Apparently it’s to protect the wiper motor and extend it’s life.

Not a bad issue but one I find interesting.

zeontestpilot > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:15

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The post ‘06 one’s look better, IMO. Plus a PT GT has 200+ hp, more than my current Grand Prix at the base trim. Demuro even likes the GT.

JGrabowMSt > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:15

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Just because it’s a V12 doesn’t mean it gets abysmal gas mileage.

Just because it’s a V12 doesn’t mean I’m broke keeping it running.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Birddog 01/20/2016 at 14:15

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You could certainly be right about that...I’ve never checked in with the 2.3 turbo guys, but it's interesting to hear a boosted car didn't like platinums either.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > spanfucker retire bitch 01/20/2016 at 14:15

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I think when BMW does cold weather testing they just dick around in Sweden and send the engineers to throw snowballs at each other. It usually ends in them getting kicked out of Sweden after making fun of the Volvo 240- a sacred icon in Sweden.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:18

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#1. My 2006 Mazda 3, is actually called the “Mazda-Mazda3".

#2. Zoom-Zoom is piped through the speakers each time you go over 6,000 rpm.

Adognamedbash > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:19

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My previous car was an 04 v6 six speed accord and I'd always get a nod from another accord with a red v6 badge. I don't think anyone else knew that the red badge meant it had the six speed and that, for its time, made this kind of accord pretty decent!

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:20

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My C30 was made when Ford still owned Volvo. The only part on my car that clearly says Ford is the jack to change the spare tire. It has a bright yellow FoMoCo sticker!

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/20/2016 at 14:21

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Supercharged Cobalts are the same. I can drop $20 on copper spark plugs and get 5 sets.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:22

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The only unique or interesting thing I know about either of our cars is that the TL’s brakes come from the Ridgeline.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:23

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You can turn the car off, open the passenger door, and the radio still works. The driver door opening however, will make it turn off like normal.

Needmoargarage > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:23

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Miata : Early Miatas have poorly designed drainage through the pinch welds in front of the rear tires. This eventually leads to the rocker rust so commonly found in this area. Before it rusts, however, the water will accumulate within the panel so that you can hear sloshing when going around corners, but it is impossible to ever see the water.

Also, it’s not actually the best driver’s car in the world.

SN95 Mustang : This might be known in the Mustang community, but the 4.6L SOHC was used in almost everything! The exact same block and heads are available in so many platforms. The average wrecking yard will ask over 2k for a high mileage engine from a Mustang, but you can get the same engine from a low mileage Gran Marquis or Towncar for just about $500.

TheHondaBro > CB 01/20/2016 at 14:26

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Same with my Accord. You can get a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds at the most.

CPT Speedbump > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:26

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I’m sure there’s ones I’m not thinking of, but there’s quite a few. There’s even things a lot of 350Z owners don’t know about 350Z’s. Things other car owners might not know- there’s kind of a rivalry (some take it serious, some just joke about it) between VQ35DE and 35HR motor’d cars, the beginning of the Z33's production started with the DE, then in some manual 05' models, and all manual 06' models, they offered the DE rev up (a higher rpm motor with variable valve and exhaust timing) and in 07' up they offered the HR. Which is faster ? depends on a lot of things honestly, but the rivalry is there. A lot of people don’t know that the Z has no rear seats (though sometimes people take the G35's rear seats and shove them in a Z). Also, the biggest glove box is where the rear seat would be, actually behind the passenger seat. For me to get out my information if I get pulled over, I need to move my passenger seat forward to get to my glovebox. Fun fact as well, the hood is aluminum, and the bass model came with a open diff, no t/c and no vdc.

A few things many 350Z owners don’t know - there’s a hidden compartment in the glove box when you lift the bottom panel of it up, and there is in fact a way to open the rear hatch from inside the rear hatch (it’s a black piece folded into the plastic lining, so hard to see) and is virtually useless do to the fact the driver compartment and rear truck are connected, and no one could fit in the trunk anyway.

MultiplaOrgasms > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:26

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Mine is the only car in the world with NO features apart from moss growing in the space between the top of the tailgate and the roof

roflcopter > unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) 01/20/2016 at 14:28

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Speaking of considered normal, the shop manual for my Volvo 240 says not to worry about oil leaking from the valve cover gasket and that if you have already replaced the PCV system and gaskets then it is normal.

iSureWilll > CB 01/20/2016 at 14:32

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Old friend had a 6 spd Maxima. We called it the “The MaxiPad”.

“Oh. You drivin the MaxiPad today?”

“Nice MaxiPad bruh.”

Future next gen S2000 owner > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/20/2016 at 14:33

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Maybe something to do with an increased amp load needed for the platinum plugs? Stronger arc needs more current, right?

TTercel > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:34

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Legacy GT Limited- EJ255

Ringland failure!

Hesitation issues during spool up that no one has solved.

Came with heated wipers, awesome for Canadian winters.

Sweet Trav > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:34

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In 1985 The Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS was tested to be faster than the non-intercooled Buick Grand National in a quarter mile drag race. Once they intercooled the GN in ‘86 the GN was significantly faster.

The 2015 Ford Taurus SHO does not have defeatable Stability Control, unless you have the performance pack option. The SHO is also the only car in it's class to have massage seats as an option.

No Prius Needed > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:37

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1. It will never die ever. It will survive anything. Has never broken down in 15 years of use. Once humanity is gone, Lexus Es300s will roam the earth.

2. The V6 makes 0 horsepower. However, the trans holds gears for a while so you can go BWAAAAAAAAA at 40 mph.

3. I am the only person who drives one that isn’t retired. However, I am in Florida so that’s 1 out of 2.

4. There is a handbag holder on the passenger side that can hold 7 pounds.

5. Possible the most puzzling one. It has the 2nd best steering feel I have ever felt. It is second only to the E39.

CB > iSureWilll 01/20/2016 at 14:42

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That’s amazing.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > zeontestpilot 01/20/2016 at 14:43

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Didn’t almost every Dodge/Chrylser product get facelifted, or replaced in 08?

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Justin Hughes 01/20/2016 at 14:44

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Came back to post this too.

I still haven’t tried the pedal dance actually, ran with just VSC Sport at my RA track day, and have just done the 5sec hold on the TC button for autox. I’ll probably give the pedal dance a try this weekend at ice autocross and rallyx.

Mercedes Streeter > unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) 01/20/2016 at 14:46

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“Also the car electronics act up below 16F and it’s considered normal.”

Sounds like my iPhone. It doesn’t work in temperatures under 40F. Call Apple, they’ll most likely tell you that such is normal. lol

zeontestpilot > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/20/2016 at 14:48

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Eh, maybe? No idea honestly. After a year of ownership, I decided to learn as much about my car as possible.

Mercedes Streeter > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 01/20/2016 at 14:48

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Woah woah. So outside of styling (and possibly drag due to those styling differences), what other differences do they have?

Mercedes Streeter > Justin Hughes 01/20/2016 at 14:49

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Oh my, that is a legit cheat code!!! I wonder what engineer came up with it?

Mercedes Streeter > Mattbob 01/20/2016 at 14:50

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Ah, I love German engineering. :D

Birddog > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/20/2016 at 14:52

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You know, now that I think about it. When I had my Glh turbos regular Champions got the best results too. And my 200x wouldn’t even fire on Platinums.

Needmoargarage > Baeromez 01/20/2016 at 14:53

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Had one. Replacing the stereo system was a nightmare.

Justin Hughes > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:53

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Probably a gamer. :)

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 14:58

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The only significant difference really is spring rates, and presumably damping to match those.

Car: Front OE Spring Rate:
Subaru BRZ 27 N/mm (153 lbs/in)
Scion FR-S 23 N/mm (131 lbs/in)

Rear OE Spring Rate:
Subaru BRZ 34 N/mm (195 lbs/in)
Scion FR-S 37 N/mm (211 lbs/in)

bob and john > Your boy, BJR 01/20/2016 at 14:59

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alright, the last one got me.

TTercel > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/20/2016 at 15:00

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The AW11 T-tops aren’t that stiff. There are pictures online somewhere I can’t find them now, but it shows chassis flex coming our of a corner.

Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed > CB 01/20/2016 at 15:01

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That it’s a 4 door sports car. No one believes me, but it says so right on the window decal so they can all go pound sand.

Mercedes Streeter > Adognamedbash 01/20/2016 at 15:03

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Ooooh so that’s kinda like the Accord version of Toyota’s old “SR5" badging. :)

Stupidru > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 15:05

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3G Acura TL: It comes with Brembo brakes only with the manual transmission (unless you get a Type-S), and the Honda transmission much prefers GM Synchromesh Fluid. Also, the coin holder in the arm rest can be moved to the door panel

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 01/20/2016 at 15:06

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I hate this. I keep finding badass rims and then getting depressed. The $1000 set of oem basketweaves that have been on CL for the past year are calling my name

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 15:07

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(about my old car)

On first gen boxsters (986), the security module is located under the driver’s seat. There is a single drain hole, but its the kind that has a “floating” plug so that theoretically things won’t get in. Well it works both ways. Recommendation from the porsche mechanic (ahem...after getting a new security module and keys...) was to put it in a ziploc bag so hopefully it would survive next time.

On that note, a boxster surprisingly does well if you leave the top down during an overnight storm

Alfalfa > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 15:08

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Volvo 850 PCV system. Blugh.

TTercel > Birddog 01/20/2016 at 15:10

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It’s been widely discussed on the internet, consensus says copper plugs perform better, but don’t last as long compared to platinum plugs.

GE90man > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 15:10

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how complicated it is to change the air filter. involves removing the whole engine cover, which is held down by little pins that are prone to getting lost and falling in the engine bay

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > RallyWrench 01/20/2016 at 15:15

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I think a more information interesting fact is the key (or fob?) Records thr latest mileage and any codes.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > TTercel 01/20/2016 at 15:16

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They’re also notoriously rust-prone. The T-Tops are definitely not as stiff as the hard tops, but if it’s visibly flexing, I’m sure there’s more to it than that. It’s not a Fox Body.

RallyWrench > Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius 01/20/2016 at 15:17

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Only since the late 2000s, but yes.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 15:18

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The recaros break in on a Fiesta ST. Stop saying they’re uncomfortable. They’re not. They’re new.

Baeromez > Needmoargarage 01/20/2016 at 15:20

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Luckily I bought mine used and the previous owner had already ripped out the Monsoon system and dropped in a Pioneer head unit and some aftermarket speakers.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 15:21

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88 MR2 Supercharged

1. That it existed, from the factory, in a supercharged state.

2. That the supercharger has an electric clutched pulley and can turn on/off

3. How the intake is routed, same for coolant.

86 Cressida

1. Precisely what parts from other cars that will work on it in what applications, including but not limited to, all 4 generations of Supra, AE86, MR2, Camaro, Mustang, 240SX, 300ZX, 4Runner, Truck, etc...

TTercel > TylerJ 01/20/2016 at 15:23

0

Different final drive?

TTercel > TTercel 01/20/2016 at 15:25

0

Also the car has a built in OBDII reader, only on the 2005s and the hood and trunk are both aluminum even for the wagon. The aluminum hatch costs $1000 unpainted btw.

Baeromez > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 01/20/2016 at 15:27

2

Ha, that’s fucked up. Looks like the Subaru is set up to handle well and the Scion is just meant to oversteer all the time.

Adognamedbash > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 15:33

1

Yeah, and I think ppl always respected Honda’s v6 but with the six speed, magazines got a less than 6 second 0-60. In fact, it's much less fun to drive but it was faster than my 2012 gti. Not that the gti is super fast.

BLCKSTRM > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/20/2016 at 15:44

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Ooooh, I like that serpentine belt trick -very German!

DanZman > Mercedes Streeter 01/20/2016 at 15:47

1

LS7s like to drop exhaust valves and grenade the engine.

RazoE > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/20/2016 at 15:59

3

I can confirm!

-If you hold the traction control button while turning the car on, you also disable the stability control.

-If your Mazda 3 (pre 2008) isn’t a GT model, you can still unlock all the awesome features by holding buttons on the radio. I forget which ones because they fixed it for my year =(.

-If you hold the trip meter reset button and turn the key to on (without starting) you go into a diagnostics mode that you can cycle with the trip meter reset button.