Real Life Adventures by Gary Wise and Lance Aldrich for July 26, 2018

Designers keep coming up with new, more complicated ways to do simple things.

Then again, I remember the gas caps on some GM cars in the 50’s, where they were hidden inside the taillights (for instance).

When I bought my current used car, I didn’t even bother to look under the hood.

He’s actually looking for the spare tire.

I ask people if they have ever seen a Porsche engine. I open the front hood and they look down and see a trunk. I say, “It’s actually in the back.” I open the back hood and they see a trunk. They ask, “Where’s the engine?” I tell them,“It runs on magic.”

That “thing” you’re looking for is a mechanic.

just beat on it with a hammer. it’s bound to open eventually

Fiat = fix it again, Tommy.

Unless you do your own oil changes, there’s no reason to open the hood anymore. Computer-controlled ignition, long-life plugs and filters, sealed components…there’s nothing left to maintain or adjust. Routine checks are done by the mechanic when you have the oil changed.

Lol! I always have a hard time with my truck’s hood.

And those folks wonder why a mechanic can command $75-$100 an hour. If you can’t do it, then you have to pay for it. My sons and I have older cars that we maintain ourselves.

It all depends on how much you value your free time. Unless you really enjoy spending your entire day off maintaining your car, you can pay jiffy lube to get it done in 30-60 minutes.