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Final "New" update from me...

Final "New" update from me...

Old Jul 6th 2017, 3:48 pm
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Default Final "New" update from me...

I'm no longer considering myself "New" to the US so might make this my last update, so here goes:

We are one month down in our new home and state, and still loving it! My wife hasn't found a job yet but in her line of work I can't imagine it would take too long. This month has been crazy getting used to daily life in the US such as bill paying, setting up accounts, understanding healthcare etc. While we have no family nearby, my employer has been above and beyond helpful in explaining it all to us and getting set up, so much to my wife's relief we now have excellent healthcare coverage.

Had a bit of a surprise when our internet supplier sent me an email for my SECOND bill when I hadn't received a paper FIRST bill. I was expecting at least a paper bill to begin with, with the option of going paperless. Anyway I hastily registered online and set up monthly bill pay so that's over with. I got my first water bill ($25 for a month) so not as bad as I expected, I am now just awaiting the Gas and Electric bills which if I don't get posted copies soon will call and ask them what is happening. Still only able to use my CapitalOne credit card but will try for an Amex in a few months and maybe through my bank. Hopefully now I'm earning, paying rent and a car loan etc it will boost my rating up.

We still laugh about the fact we are living in a 4 bed house with only 2 of us. Our master closet is almost bigger then the spare bedroom in our UK house! We are just going to rent for a year then hopefully find a smallholding. People at work are great and have been extremely welcoming and friendly. I am double booked most weekends for activities to do and one thing I love here is people seem to have a much more get up and go attitude than they did back home (in my experience).

Bought a car! Got a 2015 Escape for my wife/family car while I can truck along in my old Santa Fe. We decided to get pre-owned as we found a low mileage (rare over here) Titanium model that was a Ford Employee's car for about $5k less than a brand new SE spec model would have been. Also my wife decided if she couldn't have a colour and spec we wanted (she was particular about colour, I was particular about the powertrain haha) then we might as well buy used. Getting the colour and spec we wanted would have been north of $30k which I just can't justify. After hearing horror stories about insurance I was pleasantly surprised that the Santa Fe was about $250 for 6 months liability only, and the Escape was just a little more for full coverage! I don't know why the insurance is for 6 months only though?

Finally, talking of cars. When buying the Escape I was made aware of carfax so I registered and put both cars in. What makes me laugh is the Santa Fe had 180,000 miles when I bought it and it had a folder filled with Oil Can Henry receipts and carfax verified that with religious 3000 mile oil changes. Never mind that the timing belt was close to snapping (no record of it EVER being done) and the spark plug cores were so eroded away that I'm surprised it even ran! Luckily I did it all myself. "Oh hey my timing belt snapped, but at least I had clean oil!" Gotta love the yanks and their oil change obsession...

So that's about it, thanks to everyone who has helped us on our journey.
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Old Jul 6th 2017, 5:39 pm
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Default Re: Final "New" update from me...

Originally Posted by Harveyspecter
I don't know why the insurance is for 6 months only though?
Many insurance companies will give you a policy for 6 months at a time. It should renew automatically, but it allows them to alter the rates (sometimes higher, sometimes lower) depending on the market. I don't know about other states, but in Kentucky you are required to submit proof of insurance when you renew your license plates, so many folks here get only 6 months of insurance for that purpose and live on a lick and a prayer for the other 6 months!

It sounds like you're having a grand time!

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Old Jul 6th 2017, 6:07 pm
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Default Re: Final "New" update from me...

When I was newly divorced and had two children and completely on my own, my brother-in-law told me to consider the oil in my car like the blood in my body. Keep it clean and it will help the car run smoothly and efficiently. That was back in 1975 and to this day, I still change the oil every 3,000 miles or less. Sometimes takes me 6 months to make 2,000 miles. I have a 2013 and still only have 31,000 miles on her.

I know that oil has changed, as has the above advice, but it has worked for me for over 40 years so I will adhere to it.
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Old Jul 6th 2017, 6:16 pm
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Default Re: Final "New" update from me...

Originally Posted by Rete
When I was newly divorced and had two children and completely on my own, my brother-in-law told me to consider the oil in my car like the blood in my body. Keep it clean and it will help the car run smoothly and efficiently. That was back in 1975 and to this day, I still change the oil every 3,000 miles or less. Sometimes takes me 6 months to make 2,000 miles. I have a 2013 and still only have 31,000 miles on her.

I know that oil has changed, as has the above advice, but it has worked for me for over 40 years so I will adhere to it.
Of course if it works for you that's great, and your brother-in-law gave you sound advice. It;s not just oil that has improved, engine manufacturing tolerances and cleanliness have along with filtration performance.

In your case, for the low mileage that you do, it's probably wise to change it more often as I'm guessing you mainly do short trips which cause condensation build up in the engine. But for anyone doing normal mileage, it really doesn't help doing a 3000 mile oil change these days with the way engines are designed to last 10K or even 15-20K between changes. Of course it keeps people happy (and all the drive in oil change places) but I chuckle at how religious people are when it comes to changing their oil and happily let all other important aspects of the engine be neglected. I mean you don't ONLY go to the doctor for blood tests, you go for all aspects of your health.

As you can tell, I could waffle for hours but I have worked for a few OEM's and Fram Filters so thought I'd share my experience.

Finally, thank you Ian
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Old Jul 6th 2017, 10:33 pm
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Default Re: Final "New" update from me...

Originally Posted by Rete
When I was newly divorced and had two children and completely on my own, my brother-in-law told me to consider the oil in my car like the blood in my body. Keep it clean and it will help the car run smoothly and efficiently. That was back in 1975 and to this day, I still change the oil every 3,000 miles or less. Sometimes takes me 6 months to make 2,000 miles. I have a 2013 and still only have 31,000 miles on her.

I know that oil has changed, as has the above advice, but it has worked for me for over 40 years so I will adhere to it.
That is insane. You are simply pouring your money down the drain with these ridiculously frequent oil changes.

Americans, for some reason I haven't yet worked out, are obsessed with oil changes. It's just a con by garages to make more money.

My advice: stick to the manufacturers recommendations. With my car that's every year or 10k miles - whichever comes first. My diesel in the UK was 20k or every two years.
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Old Jul 7th 2017, 12:51 am
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Default Re: Final "New" update from me...

Originally Posted by hungryhorace
That is insane. You are simply pouring your money down the drain with these ridiculously frequent oil changes.

Americans, for some reason I haven't yet worked out, are obsessed with oil changes. It's just a con by garages to make more money.

My advice: stick to the manufacturers recommendations. With my car that's every year or 10k miles - whichever comes first. My diesel in the UK was 20k or every two years.
I bought a new car in 2014, and a code comes up when it's time to change the oil. It seems to require an oil change less frequently than I was previously use to. The service dept would put a sticker on the windshield to tell the next service, now they ask for the service code.
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Old Jul 7th 2017, 2:12 am
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Default Re: Final "New" update from me...

Originally Posted by Harveyspecter
I What makes me laugh is the Santa Fe had 180,000 miles when I bought it and it had a folder filled with Oil Can Henry receipts and carfax verified that with religious 3000 mile oil changes. Never mind that the timing belt was close to snapping (no record of it EVER being done) and the spark plug cores were so eroded away that I'm surprised it even ran! Luckily I did it all myself. "Oh hey my timing belt snapped, but at least I had clean oil!" Gotta love the yanks and their oil change obsession. ....
Oil every 3,000 miles is the only servicing cars need over here.

I'm glad to hear that you're settling in OK, and yeah, the size of some closets is nuts - we have one that is about as big as the first bedroom I remember as a child, .... and another one nearly twice as big as that one!
Originally Posted by hungryhorace
..... My advice: stick to the manufacturers recommendations. With my car that's every year or 10k miles - whichever comes first. My diesel in the UK was 20k or every two years.
The engine in our Accord lasted 296,000 miles. I wonder if it would have lasted longer if we had changed the oil more often than every 10,000 miles?

Last edited by Pulaski; Jul 7th 2017 at 2:15 am.
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Old Jul 7th 2017, 4:09 pm
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Default Re: Final "New" update from me...

Oil changes are so inexpensive. It costs more for me to take myself to the movies.

I'm not spending your money so stuff it.
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Old Jul 7th 2017, 4:09 pm
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Default Re: Final "New" update from me...

Originally Posted by Rete
Oil changes are so inexpensive. It costs more for me to take myself to the movies.

I'm not spending your money so stuff it.
Could you not donate it to a children's charity instead rather than literally pouring it down the drain with your old oil?

Last edited by hungryhorace; Jul 7th 2017 at 4:19 pm.
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Old Jul 7th 2017, 4:51 pm
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Default Re: Final "New" update from me...

Originally Posted by Rete
Oil changes are so inexpensive. It costs more for me to take myself to the movies. ....
If you really want to help your engine then you would do better changing the oil a little less frequently but request a "full synthetic" oil, which is a far superior product to the standard mineral oil that is used for a basic-cheapo "oil and filter change".
Originally Posted by hungryhorace
.... pouring it down the drain with your old oil?
Under EPA rules, that's not legal, in any state. Used motor oil has to be collected and recycled - if you do it yourself there will probably be a collecting tank at a nearby recycling center.

Last edited by Pulaski; Jul 7th 2017 at 4:55 pm.
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Old Jul 7th 2017, 5:13 pm
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Default Re: Final "New" update from me...

I do use the syndicate oil and because my driving is so limited, it now gets changed perhaps once every 6 or 7 months I was due for one 3/29 and still going on the 'old' oil since I've only put around 500 miles on the car in 7 months.

I've never had engine problems on any of my cars. I've never taken them to the dealer for servicing either. I had a wonderful mechanic that did my yearly inspections, rotated my tires, changed my oil, topped off the wiper fluid and did my brakes when needed. My Ford Escort ran until 120,000 miles and then was scrapped by my daughter who I gave the car to at 80,000 miles. She didn't take care of the 2001 Elantra either and that hit the junk yard at 95,000. I've only purchase new cars since 1992, own them for 4 to 5 years and then would give them to her and buy another one for myself. I'm now looking at a new car because of the new features available such as blindside warning. I don't require a high end vehicle and love Hyundai vehicles and have never paid more than $18,000 for any new car and never will. If anyone wants the original car driven by the little old lady from Pasadena ... here I am

Before glaucoma and moving down south, I drove my cars 20-30,000 miles annually with long trips to Massachusetts, Seneca Lake, Canada, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Maine. Now it is only to the market and to the next town over to visit my grandkids. Wonder if I could get away with a golf cart !
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Old Jul 7th 2017, 7:36 pm
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Default Re: Final "New" update from me...

Originally Posted by johnwoo
I bought a new car in 2014, and a code comes up when it's time to change the oil. It seems to require an oil change less frequently than I was previously use to. The service dept would put a sticker on the windshield to tell the next service, now they ask for the service code.
Yeah the oil change interval is now variable based on your driving and the conditions your car is subjected to. I still change mine as a routine at 10,000 and most cars have a way you can reset the oil change computer without taking it to the dealer.

Originally Posted by Pulaski
Oil every 3,000 miles is the only servicing cars need over here.

I'm glad to hear that you're settling in OK, and yeah, the size of some closets is nuts - we have one that is about as big as the first bedroom I remember as a child, .... and another one nearly twice as big as that one!

The engine in our Accord lasted 296,000 miles. I wonder if it would have lasted longer if we had changed the oil more often than every 10,000 miles?
In answer to your final question, probably not. I don't think you can complain either way!

Originally Posted by Rete
Oil changes are so inexpensive. It costs more for me to take myself to the movies.

I'm not spending your money so stuff it.
I know you were replying to the other poster but of course it;s your car and if changing the oil makes you feel more comfortable then it's completely worth it imho. Can't put a value on peace of mind.

Originally Posted by Rete
I do use the syndicate oil and because my driving is so limited, it now gets changed perhaps once every 6 or 7 months I was due for one 3/29 and still going on the 'old' oil since I've only put around 500 miles on the car in 7 months.
As I said before, if you are doing limited mileage then it probably IS a good idea to change the oil more regularly, because short journeys cause condensation and acid build up in the oil.

In other news, I feel like a true settler now I've started looking at pickup trucks....
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Old Jul 7th 2017, 8:36 pm
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Default Re: Final "New" update from me...

Originally Posted by Harveyspecter
Yeah the oil change interval is now variable based on your driving and the conditions your car is subjected to. I still change mine as a routine at 10,000 and most cars have a way you can reset the oil change computer without taking it to the dealer.
I change the oil twice a year in my 2007 Mustang GT... full synthetic since day one. It's got a bit over 75K miles on it, but it stays in the garage during winter because I can't get it up our hill in the snow with rear-wheel drive. I make up for it during the summer though!

My wife and I drive her 2015 Subaru Forester the rest of the time! I also get her oil changed every 6 months... full synthetic. Neither car has ever had any engine-related issues. Indeed, the only problem with the Subaru is cosmetic... too many dog nose prints on the rear windows!

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Old Jul 7th 2017, 8:40 pm
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Default Re: Final "New" update from me...

The first thing my husband did when moving down here was buy a huge truck. At least it is huge to me. I can't get into it or out of it without having to hold on to the oh shit bar.

I laugh when we are in the parking lots and there are these big old trucks with the extended cabs and on the back is the metal cage that holds the motorized cart or wheel chair. If you can't walk, how the hell do you climb into that monster?

BTW sorry to have high jacked your thread, Harvey.
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Old Jul 10th 2017, 4:31 pm
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Default Re: Final "New" update from me...

No worries Rete, the "Oh Shit Bar" cracked me up!!!!
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