Well... Yaris is running a lot better.

[wolfwings]

Just installed class-5 synthetic Amsoil into the transmission fluid (75W-110 extreme-duty racing spec), engine oil (0W-20 extreme-duty spec), and for engine oil filter (25k miles commercial-fleet-duty spec), and ended up buying a set of impact-driver bits for the job because nobody... and I mean nobody, not Wal-Mart, not Auto-Zone, not any mechanic shop I went to today had a 24mm socket except as part of a $30 or more set, or as a metric-only impact-driver set... also for $30. If I'm gonna spend $30 either way, I'd rather get the impact-driver-rated 6-sided-sockets all in sizes I'll actually use, than a 40-piece with wierd sizes I won't.

It's also heavier than the 40-piece set, despite only having a tenth as many pieces. No chrome here, just that dull-black gunmetal-like finish most actual autoshop sockets have. And all (from 10mm up to 24mm) are both deep-socket AND 1/2" Drive, so they fit right onto the 2-foot-bar-style torque wrench I picked up on sale for $30.

I'm still amazed at the Yaris from a self-service perspective, honestly. I didn't need to jack up the car at all to reach the transmission drain, transmission fill, or engine drain plugs, and the engine oil filter is oriented so it acts like a 'cup' with a very slight tilt to it, so it's mostly an 'unscrew quickly and drop it, no dribbles' affair.

And the first test drive? Much quieter engine, much smoother transmission shifting, and from feeling the transmission housing after driving it firmly it's running cooler. Normally the transmission gets 'slightly warm' from being driven around, it was basically ambient-temperature after driving it a little firmly to test things. Downside... I now have much less engine braking. As in hills that I could engine-brake in 2nd on and keep my speed around 30 now let me roll up to 40mph. Far easier to roll along slowly in gear in parking lots though.

Now... next weekend I'll flush the brake fluid to Amsoil synthetic as well, and I hope to get some cheap rims and mount some tires on them before April 13th so I can make it to the first Autocross day fully kitted out. =^.^=

Comments

[lionman.livejournal.com]

I visited a Toyota and Honda dealership today to look at some specific models. I think I'll be replacing the '99 RAV4 with an '09 Corolla S.

Haven't had a chance to try those out yet...

[wolfwings.livejournal.com]

...but I've heard good things. For an all-purpose mid/small-car, I'd agree with you, though possibly recommend trying the Matrix before you make the choice, if you didn't? But you know I have a soft-spot for things without old-fashioned 'trunks' just because I always see so many problems with trunks. =-.-=

Re: Haven't had a chance to try those out yet...

[lionman.livejournal.com]

One of the positive things about trunks, is that they're lockable storage space that you can't just idly browse through from the outside just by looking in. The new Corolla S has a secure trunk that can't be opened from the passenger compartment. So, if you have things to 'lock up' then they would be more secure that way.

The hatchback is better if you carry things, or otherwise transport cargo. I'd like to not be able to do that, so when a salesman wants me to tote something to a client, I can just say I don't have room for it. :-)

Re: Haven't had a chance to try those out yet...

[wolfwings.livejournal.com]

Ah, very true on all counts. I just haven't seen a vehicle that didn't have fold-down seats in the passenger compartment in so long I hadn't thought of that possibility for the new Corolla. :-)

And especially in your line of work, yeah, makes more sense than the Matrix, which is quite capable of holding full sheets of plywood by comparison in one seat configuration.

[alaskawolf.livejournal.com]

i like running Amsoil in my cars, seems to work great at -50F . im glad to hear that your car is running well :)