Latest news with #mechanic
Motor 1
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘Am I Being Gaslit?:' Expert Warns Your Sunroof Drains Need Cleaned Yearly. Then He Shows Just How Big a Deal It Can Be
Vehicles require a lot of regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly. You know you need to get your oil changed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, tires need to be rotated, and brakes inspected. But one thing most people don't think about? Sunroof drains. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . It's one car part that people often forget to maintain. But ignoring it could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. Here's what you need to know before a blocked sunroof drain turns your ride into a moldy, water-damaged mess. Demolished by Clogged Sunroof Drain In a viral video with nearly 500,000 views, mechanic Tyler Sale reveals the surprising amount of damage one car had because of a simple lack of maintenance. This can happen to anyone with a sunroof. 'Just your daily reminder to get your sunroof drain cleared out once a year. It prevents you from spending a good amount of money to get your carpet replaced and all this mold that's in here taken out,' Sale says. In the video, Sale shows that he had to take out much of the front interior of the car, including the carpet, seats, and center console, essentially stripping the interior down to the bare bones. There are dark marks under where the carpeting was, and Sale seems to say that they're not just water marks—they're mold. 'Bummer day for this customer,' he adds empathetically. What is a Sunroof Drain? A sunroof drain is a small tube that drains water from the sunroof to prevent leaks in your car. Most sunroofs have drain holes in each corner that feed into the drain hose. The hose goes through the panels of the vehicle's body to allow the water to escape. Trending Now 'Making It Personal:' Man Buys 'Lemon' Ford F-150 From Used Car Dealership. Then He Decides to Get a Custom Wrap and Warn Buyers 'I Bet You Didn't Know This:' Woman Discovers This Little-Known Perk to Driving A Subaru. Then Her Order Comes in the Mail What Happens if the Drain Gets Clogged? If your sunroof's drain holes are blocked by dirt, debris, and leaves, they won't be able to serve their function of draining water. Instead, it'll accumulate in the drainage container and eventually spill into the cabin. This can also lead to potential electrical issues. Can You Fix It Yourself? While there are DIY fixes, be warned that you may end up disconnecting, puncturing, or otherwise damaging the drain tubes. This would then require removal of the car's headliner, which could be a costly mistake. If you do plan to attempt to clean your car's sunroof drain on your own, bear in mind that you should: Inspect your sunroof frame or consult the owner's manual to locate the drains; Pour water down the hole; If the water doesn't drain, use a string trimmer line from a garden trimmer or plumber's snake to clear up and push out the blockage. You can also use a toothbrush or other small, stiff-bristled brush to scrub and dislodge debris from the sunroof drain trough; and Pour water again to see if the blockage was cleared up. Warning: Do not use pressurized air as a solution. While this seems like a logical fix, it can cause the hose to disconnect. How to Unclog or Clean a Sunroof Drain If the problem still isn't resolved, then it's time to take it to a mechanic. Ignorance Isn't Bliss People in the comments largely said that they had no idea that sunroofs require this type of maintenance. 'Wait this my first time hearing we need to do that,' a top comment read. 'Never have I ever had a sunroof drain cleaned out,' a person said. 'Daily reminder not to have a sunroof,' another wrote. 'I barely want to put gas now I need to stress about this,' a commenter added. Motor1 reached out to Sale for comment via TikTok direct message and comment. We'll be sure to update this if he responds. More From Motor1 'I'm Absolutely Doing This:' Arizona Man Shares Little-Known Sunroof Trick to Stay Cool. Then He Slides It Open to Show Off Dodge Demon 170 Sunroof Costs $10k To Discourage People From Ordering It The New Audi Q3 Gets Split Lights and a Column Shifter The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Just Set Another Lap Record Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
‘We feel extreme fear': How Northern Ireland's riots are haunting migrants
On the second night of the riots in Ballymena last week, Michael Asuro's Ford Focus hatchback was rolled out into the middle of his street and set alight. Crouching inside his bedroom in the small Northern Irish town just north of Belfast, Asuro kept the lights off to deter the attackers, having heard the sound of the rioters breaking down his neighbours' front door. Then he watched from the window as they smashed the glass of his car and set it on fire. Asuro, a Filipino migrant, arrived in Northern Ireland on a skilled worker visa in September 2023 at the age of 23. He now lives in Ballymena with his partner and works as a mechanic, working on coaches – one of the 4,000 or so Filipinos in Northern Ireland's 1.9 million population. 'I don't feel safe living in Northern Ireland now,' he tells The Telegraph after the experience last week, adding: 'We feel extreme fear. We are not here to destroy the community. We are here legally. We are here to raise our family. We are far away from the Philippines.' The violence began last Monday at a vigil in support of a schoolgirl who had allegedly been sexually assaulted by two Romanian-speaking teenagers. The boys, both aged 14, were charged in court with attempted rape and required a Romanian interpreter. The alleged assault ignited years of simmering unrest between the migrant community and the locals of the town. Rioters sought out houses believed to belong to migrants and set them alight with fireworks and petrol bombs thrown through doors. Footage showed flames engulfing a glass-fronted leisure centre, where migrants displaced by the riots had been sheltering. 'It's pure racism – there is no other way to dress it up,' said Michelle O'Neill, the first minister of Northern Ireland, of the violence. Non-Roma immigrants resorted to putting up signs displaying their nationality, such as 'Filipino lives here', or displaying the King's coronation memorabilia and crockery featuring Elizabeth II, in a bid to deter thugs. A week later, the streets of Ballymena are quiet again; days of rain helped disperse the mobs. 'I've never thanked the Lord for the rain in all my life, but now I have been so grateful for the rain,' says one Filipino migrant who has lived in Belfast since 2002. But a sense of fear persists for those in the migrant community, who now feel they are walking targets. The migrant says that her daughter is so scared to walk through the street that she now wants to dye her hair blonde 'so she won't be targeted'. 'I love Ballymena, we have integrated into the community, we pay our taxes, we have created friends. We are not bad people, we are just living quietly,' she reflects. Simona Lazar, speaking on behalf of the charity Union Romani Voice, told The Telegraph that more than 300 Romanians have now left Ballymena for their own safety. 'We are in contact with Romanian families on the ground: mothers, fathers and young people who say they feel petrified and unsafe where they live now,' she says. 'There are families simply asking to live without fear, they are asking for their children to go to school without being targeted, to walk through their neighbourhoods without intimidation. 'The community feels discriminated against and unsafe. They fear that they will be killed,' she adds. 'Our culture is rich, our history is deep and our contribution to British society is real. We are not asking for special treatment, we are asking for safety, for justice, for equality and for a society where no child grows up afraid.' Northern Ireland has seen significant demographic change this century, experiencing a fourfold increase in minority ethnic residents in two decades – from just 0.8 per cent in 2001 to 3.4 per cent in 2021. Between January 2010 and December 2020, according to medical card registrations, Romanians constituted the third highest inflow to the province. Inward migration from Europe has fallen sharply since Brexit, however, with India, Ireland and Nigeria now the top three countries of origin. Ballymena, where unemployment is above average, was 94 per cent white at the time of the latest census, with just 6 per cent of the population from another ethnic background. There, the Roma community has long been accused, by some, of failing to integrate. 'These problems have been around for a very long time and very systematically in Northern Ireland,' says Nina Briggs, a 30-year-old who lives in Belfast as a migrant from Boston in the United States. She moved in September 2021 when she received an offer from Queen's University Belfast to study for a PhD. Ethnically Asian, she says that abuse comes as soon as locals realise that she is non-white. 'When I speak to folks on the phone or in writing, it isn't obvious. But I am ethnically South-East Asian so I look very different,' she says. 'I have faced racist comments and abuse in the streets, there are shops I don't go to. 'In a university setting, you get comments that we are stealing local places. Sometimes I've just been jumped on randomly – people start throwing things or hitting me. Once, an old gentleman hit me with a tray at the airport. 'I feel unsafe and disregarded.' She explains that many migrant groups now have a 'lockdown protocol' in case violence 'kicks off'. In periods of extreme violence or intimidation, those who appear white will go shopping on behalf of those migrants who don't, and take their children to school. 'We shut down and rely on our 'white-presenting' allies to get our kids to school,' she explains. Back in Ballymena, the scars of the riots are visible as the community recovers from a week of tumult and trauma. Police say that 31 arrests have so far been made relating to racially-motivated disorder, with 23 charged. Schools have been declaring themselves safe spaces for children to seek refuge. Education Minister Paul Givan told the Assembly that over the past week, children who have arrived at school 'showing all the signs of trauma as a result of what has happened on our streets'. Asuro, meanwhile, is trying to move on from the terrifying experience of seeing his car set alight.
Motor 1
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘I'll Swap These Out:' Veteran Mechanic Performs Routine Job. Then He Issues a Controversial Warning About This Duralast Product
This mechanic says a routine job became a serious irritant after the customer gave him the brake pads they wanted him to put on their car. My Mobile Mechanic (@mymobilemechanic978) responded by posting a controversial warning about Duralast Gold brake pads. 'It's not a good brand at all,' he says. My Mobile Mechanic's TikTok has more than 82,000 views as of this writing. What Does the Mechanic Dislike About Duralast Gold Brake Pads? Having good brake pads is essential for safe driving. When brake pads are worn down, the risk of getting into an accident increases. This is why it's important to regularly replace your brake pads. My Mobile Mechanic's customer was having issues with her brakes, so she bought Duralast Gold brake pads. She then called a mechanic to come to her residence to replace the pads. Once she handed them over, the mechanic was displeased by her selection. The mechanic begins, 'For future reference, try to stay away from this brand. It's not a good brand at all. They don't last.' He elaborates that these brake pads squeak and chew up the rotors, and he overall believes the Duralast Gold brake pads are 'garbage.' Despite his disapproval of the brake pads, the mechanic replaces the pads. He pops off the tire and swaps out the brake pads. In conclusion, the mechanic offers a tip to the customer and viewers to stay away from Duralast Gold brake pads. 'I'm sorry, but these are the worst pads,' he posts. Is This Controversial Warning Valid or Just Personal Preference? Many commenters disagreed with the mechanic's warning against Duralast. 'Bro he's the first mechanic I've ever heard say that,' one TikToker commenter wrote. 'Use those pads all the time with no issues,' a second shared. 'Duralast gold is better than most must be you and personal preference,' another added. Browsing online, many forums and Reddit posts speak highly of Duralast brake pads as well. The mechanic's warning becomes less convincing after digging a little deeper into the product reviews. Brake pads will make this squeaky noise whenever they are worn down, which all brake pads inevitably become. Chewed-up rotors occur when metal-on-metal contact takes place when the brake pads are worn down and can no longer support braking. The damage will be shown as grooves on the rotors' surface, and the loud noise created notifies it's time for the brake pads to be replaced . More on Brakes Why Carbon-Ceramic Brakes Are Expensive. And Why They Might Be Worth It Brake Dust Is a Problem. Brembo Has a Solution So, for the mechanic to mention that Duralast Gold brake pads do this is valid. Having said that, most brake pads will have this happen once they are worn down. It appears to be a personal preference to avoid Duralast; however, the mechanic did not specify another alternative product to use. It brings up the question: Was this video made just to get views and engagement? This content creator has over 157,000 TikTok followers and could have made this post to make viewers react. Making a controversial disapproval of a popular brand's product created discourse in the comments section, so if it was a play for engagement, it worked. When to Change Your Brake Pads? Being on top of brake maintenance and upkeep is a priority for any driver. Kelley Blue Book reports brake pads typically last 25,000-50,000 miles, depending on where you drive, your driving style, and other factors. Any sign of worn-down brake pads needs to be addressed immediately. Here are a few signs that your brake pads may need to be replaced. Grinding or squeaking sound Vibration in the brake pedal when braking Visible wear showing less than ¼ of an inch on brake pads First, if you notice your car making a squeaking noise while driving in dry conditions, it's definitely time to replace them. This noise is created by the wear indicator on the brakes. This indicator is designed to grind against the rotor when the brake pads start to wear out, leading to the noise. This noise doesn't magically go away unless you replace the brake pads. Second, if you feel any vibration or soft sponge feeling in the brake pedal when braking, this vibration or sponge feeling indicates uneven, worn-down pads or warped rotors. Feeling this vibration should not be ignored, as stopping the car will only get more difficult with time. Ignoring this increases the risk of accidents as braking is compromised. Lastly, you can do a visual inspection of the brake pads. Once the tire is popped off, you'll want to look to see if the brake pads are less than ¼ of an inch thick. If the pads are less than ¼ of an inch, it's time to get them replaced. Changing your brake pads can be done at home and can significantly save money. Brake pads typically cost around $40-50 at the store, while the mechanic's tab will be higher. According to AAA , on average, it costs $100-$300 per axle to replace the brake pads in a vehicle. Replacing both the front and rear brake pads would be $200-$600. 'Brake pads are one of the first things to learn how to do on a car,' one Reddit commenter shared. Changing your own brake pads is considered one of the easiest DIY projects a home mechanic can do. It's a straightforward process that can be done in under an hour. Consider watching some YouTube videos or asking a car buddy to guide you through the process. This move can save hundreds of dollars. Motor1 has contacted @mymobilemechanic978 via TikTok direct message. Additionally, Motor1 has contacted AutoZone, the owner of Duralast, via email. We'll update this article if we hear back from either. Now Trending Toyota Salesman Finds Thousands of Dollars of 'Missing' Keys. Now He's Exposing Dealerships for Failing to Give Buyers the Spare 'Yeah, It's Totaled:' Woman Sees Small Crack on Tesla Roof. Then She Sees What It Looks Like From the Inside Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
4 Financial Emergencies That a Personal Loan Can Rescue You From
A financial emergency can put your world into a tailspin. Generally, these emergencies involve unexpected expenses with bills that must be paid immediately. And, unfortunately, the costs of an emergency can add up quickly. If you don't have the money on hand to cover the costs, turning to a personal loan could make sense. Generally, personal loans come with lower interest rates than other quick funding sources, like credit cards. Once you commit to a personal loan, you'll make fixed monthly payments to repay it, which can be more manageable than coming up with the funds you need upfront. Read Next: Learn More: Here's a look at some of the financial emergencies that might require turning to a personal loan. If you hear a dreaded noise rattling around your car or it simply won't start, a trip to the mechanic could cost you. While everyone hopes for a simple fix, car repair bills can easily cost several hundred dollars. Without an emergency fund on hand, getting back on the road could be a challenge. In some cases, turning to a personal loan could help you get the funds you need to cover the repair. For many, fixing their vehicle is not negotiable because that's how they commute to their job. Check Out: If you are a homeowner, you'll likely find out that home repairs seem to pop up at the most inconvenient times. Although you can see some repairs coming, others appear out of the blue. For example, a burst pipe or a completely broken air conditioning unit might be difficult to anticipate. When you don't have savings for this repair bill, personal loans could help you cover the upfront costs. While taking a vacation wouldn't fall under emergency travel costs, traveling across the country for a pressing, unexpected reason could lead to an expensive bill. For example, you might find yourself racing across the country to say goodbye to a loved one in person or making a trip to a nearby state to pick up your long-lost dog. Whatever emergency reason you find yourself traveling for, it's likely that the costs will add up quickly. Losing a loved one comes with all kinds of emotional consequences. But for many, the financial consequences compound the misery. A funeral can cost thousands of dollars, usually ranging from $7,000 to $12,000, per Lincoln Heritage. If your loved one didn't leave behind funds for the funeral, you'll likely need to come up with the cash quickly. Additionally, if you lost your partner, you might find yourself suddenly faced with significantly higher housing costs because you aren't splitting the rent or mortgage anymore. While a personal loan won't solve a long-term cash flow issue, it could give you the space you need to make changes at your own pace. Without a robust emergency fund, you might be one financial emergency away from significant debt. If you aren't facing an immediate financial emergency, consider building an emergency fund as soon as possible. Generally, experts recommend tucking between three and six months' worth of expenses into your emergency fund. Hopefully, this cushion can protect you from taking out debt when life throws you a curveball. But if not, a personal loan could be a good option. More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 3 Reasons Retired Boomers Shouldn't Give Their Kids a Living Inheritance (And 2 Reasons They Should) Mark Cuban Tells Americans To Stock Up on Consumables as Trump's Tariffs Hit -- Here's What To Buy This article originally appeared on 4 Financial Emergencies That a Personal Loan Can Rescue You From Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Motor 1
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
'He Only Charged Me $100:' Woman Buys Her Mechanic a Juice From the Corner Store. When, and How Much, Should You Tip Yours?
A woman went viral this week after sharing how she thanked a mechanic who reportedly replaced her motor for just $100. Raeign (@raeignbykeyzz) posted a video saying she found someone willing to do the job for what most would call an unbelievably low price. Her thank-you gift? A juice. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . 'GIRL MATH: Bought my mechanic a juice from the corner store because he only charged me $100 to change my motor,' she wrote in the text overlay. In the caption, she joked that after the juice, they were 'even.' As of Thursday, the clip had racked up more than 233,000 views. If True, She Scored a Baller Deal Replacing a car's motor, or engine, typically costs thousands. For most vehicles, engine replacement ranges from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the car's make, model, engine type, and labor costs. Luxury vehicles or newer models can run as high as $15,000 or more. On the MechanicAdvice subreddit, one user said a shop quoted them $6,000 to replace the engine in a 2011 Mazda 3 , with $2,400 of that going toward labor alone. 'One of my co-workers who used to be a mechanic told me that $2.4k is way too high and that it should be around $1k—$1.5k,' they wrote. Still, $100 is unheard of. You can find ways to cut costs, like buying a used or remanufactured engine or shopping around for quotes from different shops, just like Raeign did. And if you're really lucky, maybe your mechanic just wants a juice in return. There are also ways to keep your engine running strong and avoid replacement altogether. Warning signs of engine trouble include knocking or rumbling noises, excessive smoke, loss of power, poor fuel efficiency, overheating, or an illuminated check engine light. Replacing an engine is serious work. Staying on top of service intervals and addressing issues early can save you from a costly breakdown. Viewers Say It Sounds Too Good to Be True Trending Now 'Don't Forget The Dusty Filter:' Woman Calls Out Mechanics Who Show the Old Oil After a Change. Here's the Real Reason For It 'We Get It Fixed': Woman Says Her 2020 Ram's Steering Wheel 'Randomly' Locks Up. The Dealership Says It's Fine In the comment section of Raeign's video, some people expressed skepticism that she got the deal she said she did. 'Bro did not change no motor,' one commenter wrote. 'Was it a wiper motor? Window lift motor? Because $100…wow!' another said. 'Damn most mechanics wouldn't change their mind for $100,' someone else joked. 'Aww he changed the tire,' another added. Although some might say tipping culture has gone overboard, it's still not common practice to tip mechanics. However, if one gives you a great deal like the one Reaign got, that might warrant an exception. Some viewers said if a mechanic ever changed their motor for $100, they'd offer more than just juice. 'Would've [bought] him lunch as well,' one woman commented. 'A juice!!! That deserved a bottle of Don Julio & some dinner,' another added. But few people said deals like this do happen. 'My neighborhood mechanic fixed the issue and turned my check engine light off,' one woman shared. 'He wanted buffet money. I handed it to him.' 'I'm working on an old lady's car right now, I'm charging her like 300 bucks,' another said. 'I should be charging her wayyy more based on the work I'm doing lol.' When Should You Tip Your Mechanic? And How Much? A cursory search online reveals the obvious: When they go above and beyond. Especially when they do added work but don't charge you for it because they stumbled upon a quick solution organically and kept the fix off-books. It isn't recommended you tip at dealerships or chains. And then it's a matter of how much. That part is subjective! But no one says no to an extra $20. And certainly, food, drink, gift cards, or even a thank-you note all go a long ways. Motor1 reached out to Reaign via a TikTok comment. We'll be sure to update this if she responds. More From Motor1 Mazda's First Electric Car Is Dead in Europe Toyota Contacted Nissan After Honda Merger Failed: Report Excl. Interview: Audi TT Pickup This Burning Mercedes-AMG One Breaks Our Hearts Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
