What are your weird wrenching habits, Oppo?

"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
06/06/2018 at 13:09 • Filed to: None

My last car had a habit of firing off the power locks when you reconnected the battery. If your key happened to be in the car at the time you were SOL. To this day I always roll down a window when working on any car.

DISCUSSION (18)

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/06/2018 at 13:21

When cars are brought into my dads shop, the rule is to roll the windows down and leave the keys in the car. That way the keys do not get locked in the car, they do not get lost, the key/ignition can be easily reached in case of emergency, and so the driver can you any noises/people yelling etc. It also makes the driver here the giant bubble wrap you put underneath a tire to scare them when they’re backing out haha.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/06/2018 at 13:22

eh... had a mate start the car once when i was trying to remove the starter.... since then the keys live in my pocket if im wrenching

i dont think its a wierd habbit

its just wierd i still tolerate that guy

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/06/2018 at 13:24

Not wrenching, but cleaning. I once locked my keys in the Fiesta while dusting/cleaning it. The lock button is on the dash, I pushed it while dusting and the closed the door.

I now keep the keys for the car on my work bench religiously

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
06/06/2018 at 13:25

A open window would also prevent that.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/06/2018 at 13:26

If there are a couple of bolts holding a component on, I always leave a few threads in until I’m ready to remove all the bolts. It prevents certain parts from rotating, and it also prevents parts from falling (and potentially bouncing).

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/06/2018 at 13:28

I like to listen to 80's top 40 music when I’m working on the car, I find it relaxing.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/06/2018 at 13:28

True, but if I’m cleaning, it will allow dust in and stuff. Also, I would be wiping down the windows at the same time or hosing off the car.

Pich, with Z32 now featuring Civic [Si] / No > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/06/2018 at 13:32

I do the opposite of you, windows up, spare key in case of having to leave without finishing and battery still out. i just close the doors and lock manually.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
06/06/2018 at 13:33

That’s not weird at all.

jkm7680 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/06/2018 at 13:39

I roll my windows down anyways. I usually make sure to do everything in the most ghetto, haphazard way possible. I also use silver sockets with impact wrenches because I have not died yet.

Chariotoflove > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/06/2018 at 13:42

I swear a lot. More when I draw blood. Pretty sure that’s weird and unusual.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/06/2018 at 13:44

I leave the car in neutral when in the shop, even if I’m not putting it on the lift, because it’s so useful to be able to push back and forth to center on a two-post lift it’s become habit. I also tend to assemble a literal fistful of all necessary tools before starting, and stash them in one place within reach.

SmugAardvark > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/06/2018 at 13:54

I sacrifice a baby goat in honor of Perknas every time I wrench on a car. You know, for luck.

Oh, and I also always take a roll of shop towels and a rag with me any time I’m working on a car. Sometimes for spills, sometimes for blood, but pretty much always needed for something.

Mercedes Streeter > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/06/2018 at 14:25

Every screw that’s hard to get off, doesn’t carry much weight, and not connected to something that gets hot will get replaced with a zip tie.

Future Heap Owner > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/06/2018 at 14:47

I listen to old episodes of a lousy NPR call-in show. I haven’t been wrenching long enough to develop any truly weird habits.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Future Heap Owner
06/06/2018 at 15:17

Is that lousy call-in show Car Talk by any chance?

Future Heap Owner > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/06/2018 at 16:05

Yup! Better than the sound of a nearby jackhammer, but only barely.

(Seriously though I love that show and I’m sad that I’m getting near the end of the ~200 old episodes I could find online)

Spoon II > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/07/2018 at 09:36

Out of paranoia I typically have extra stands set as backup should anything supporting the car fail