TireSmoke.org

Improvisation. Adaptation.

Can't you reset the speed/mpg on the trip computer?

Yes I figured out how to reset the mileage and avg speed trackers through the options on the dash display. I have not had a chance to drive it since so we'll see how it goes.

Spring maintenance items:
* I installed a new set of AC Delco plugs.
* Swapped out the snow tires for the Firewhawk Indy 500, recalibrated the TPMS sensors to detect them.
* Also with the stutter resolved I decided it was time to reinstall the K&N CAI.

Up next is the rear toe in. This car seemed kinda sketchy on snow covered surfaces, with the back moving way more than I thought it should. I attributed this to incorrect toe in. I had made it pretty good when fixing crash repair. Current measurements show it toed out about 1/4 which didn't seem like much, however it was almost at the end of the adjustment and I could only improve it a little. I checked to make sure the passenger side was straight (it was). A new lower control arm was like $30 so its on the way.

I drove it with the K&N installed - it sounds so much better.

Updates:

1) Fixing rear toe alignment took a couple tries. I was maxed out on the LR adjustment and still not in spec. Eventually I decided to do a four wheel alignment. That was tricky at first since the front tracking width is more narrow that the rear. Once I knew the difference I was able to set the strings on each side of the car properly. This confirmed the front alignment was good, but the RR was out by quite a bit. After a few rounds of trial and error everything is lined up. The steering wheel had been a little off center, but after getting the right rear set right it came back into alignment.

2) Changed oil and filter today at 124608 miles. Filter is accessed from up top and the plastic aero pan does not cover the back of the oil pan, so it was a fairly easy task. Oil monitor was at 15% and the tag that came with the car said oil change was due about 1200 miles back. It had a NAPA oil filter and it looked clean. Also it was about a quart low, so in the 2500 miles I've driven it I think it's consumed a quart. I'll monitor this going forward. In preparation for the Acadia timing chain replacement, I've learned quite a bit about this 3.6 high feature V6. It uses engine oil to help cool the timing chain and tolerances are tight enough that if you let the oil go too long, or don't use oil that meets the Dexos-1 standard the engine is prone to timing chain stretch. With this in mind I bought Pennzoil Platinum full synthetic 5W30.

Next:

The car still has rough idle occasionally. Next step for that is probably some injector cleaner. Also there is some overspray on it from the paint work I did so I want to clean that up.