[ShadeTreeMech]

I worked with a mechanic for a few months when I first got into working on cars. He was real big on just that, using your brain to diagnose what is wrong with a car instead of blindly replacing parts. There have been times I thought a certain part was to blame, so i bought a new one, went through the trouble of getting the old part off, only to find out it was in good condition. What did I do? I put the old part back and went back to square one. It would have been just as easy to replace it with the new part, but why? Besides, replacing mutliple parts changes the equation of the problem and confuses the issue at hand.

Anyone who doesn't know how to check and add oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, and transmission oil shouldn't be driving. I've already had my oldest 8 year old learning a little bit about cars, and even have let her steer the car as we go down our dirt road. First time she steered it was in my front yard with the Explorer. Man I love living in the country. If I had a go cart I could make a decent mini track in the front yard.

Boy did we go off topic. Sory, mods!