Catch that thief! Stolen car!

Ok, so this might not mean much to some of you but a friend's car was stolen. He's a drifter and there have been a lot of thefts lately in the drifting community. If you live in the Orlando, FL area and happen to see his car please please please report it to the police. Any info you have, the driver's description and where you saw the car is most helpful. This car means a lot to him. It is his hobby. It is his baby. Please pass this on. Thanks.

Nissan 240sx

{Click to get a better look}

Squeak! New Car!

Well, I've had my Kia for almost 5 years now, but I haven't driven it for over 2 weeks! I was having some issues with a soft clutch peddle, so I replaced the clutch master and slave cylinder.... still broken. I know what's wrong with it but I swear I won't bore anyone with the details. I don't have the time or want to put any more money into this car. It is not the car I wanted and I was pushed into buying it in the first place. I made the best of it over the years, painting it pink and all but it was time for a new car. This time I got what I wanted dammit! 

On Sunday Chris and I went out to look at a few cars that I found online. One was a white '97 VW Cabrio. When we got there, there were giant gashes in the top and the interior was shit. None of those issues were listed in the ad. Shade. The 2nd one was a dark green '98 VW Jetta. The whole thing was shit, the photo in the ad looked really nice and had the VW logo on the grill. The logo was missing when we got there. Whatevs. The last car we went to look at was a black '99 VW Cabrio. It was listed as "in great shape, with a new vinyl top." This was the car I wanted. I really wanted a GTI, but something similar to a Rabbit was golden. (I wish I still had my '81 Rabbit. pout, pout). The car drives nicely, and there are little to no cosmetic issues. The interior is leather.... a bit ripped up but nothing a can't cover with a seat cover. Besides, the seats are what my sister and I call "sweaty-butt seats." Plus, since it's a convertible they get really hot in the sun. Ouch. I burned my fanny today! The front power windows need new motors, good thing I came in under my budget.

In case you can't tell I am SO excited. I feel like I'm shedding one more awful memory of my ex and finally getting back into a car I like. One problem. This car is an automatic. Do you know the last time I drove an automatic? I can't remember. Years. So yep, there is already a hole stomped in the floor where the clutch peddle should be. Whoops!

Tutorial: How to change your car's oil

This post started out as an outfit post. Not gonna lie. I'm so dorky and awkward sometimes that I thought it would be funny to do a "what I wear to change my oil" post. Then a liiightbuuulb (think Despicable Me) went off! Why not do a tutorial!?!

Loads of gals change their own oil. I'm not sure where I learned, I think it was the years growing up watching my uncles work on cars in their driveways. They were always filthy! I thought I'd show everyone how a girl gets it done! Here we go!

1. You need a car. Preferably one that needs an oil change.... like mine! Make sure the engine is cool. You should be able to touch the engine block and not get burned. This is very important!  Meet Optimus Kiwi:

2. Get your supplies. It helps to get them all at once so the job goes smoothly.

      

   1.) rags  2.) oil  3.) screwdriver, socket wrench, various sized sockets  4.)flashlight  5.) oil filter  6.) Jack  7.) Jack stands  8.) Drip pan and funnel (not pictured: water, have something to drink)

I like to have different sized sockets close by because I can never remember what size I need! Also check whether you need metric or standard sizes. My car is a Kia, so it uses metric. You don't need the flashlight or the screwdriver,but they're good to have just in case.

3. Put a brick behind each of your back tires. Find a good spot to put your jack. My car has a little round thing where the jack goes, usually this spot is in the center. Now, start jacking the car up! Go slowly though. Once you've got it up high enough place your jack stands under the car. There are also spots for these too. You'll seem them

4. Now the fun part! Slowly lower the jack onto the jack stands and pull it out from under the car, out of your way. Shimmy under the car on your back and bring your wrench, sockets and drip pan with you. I just lay on the driveway but you can lay on an old yoga mat if you'd like. You shouldn't wear anything that you don't want to get messy.

Your going to be looking for your oil pan. You might want to look up on the internet or in your owner's/repair manual before hand to find yours. Mine looks like this:

It's the grey metal bit at the top. There's a bolt on the oil pan. Match up the socket you need and then attach it to the wrench. My bolt is on the back of the pan, facing the rear of the car.

Once you've done that, position your drip pan underneath and loosen the bolt! It shouldn't be too tight. Take the bolt out completely and let it drop into you drip pan.

Shimmy out from under the car and let the oil drain for a little. This can be a little messy. See? This is also why it is very important to only work on the car once it's cooled. The oil can burn you.

5. Next, remove the old oil filter. This is definetly a part you'll want to look up the location. Mine just happens to be in the tightest spot ever. They make wrenches to remove these, but a little elbow grease should suffice. Check and make sure your drip pan is underneath the oil filter too. The filter in my car is actually in line with my oil pan bolt, I don't have to move the drip pan.

Remember I said you don't need the screwdriver? Sometimes the oil filter it really hard to remove. Some body with muscles put it on too tight. This is where the screwdriver comes in handy. Stab the side of old oil filter with the screwdriver and use it as a handle/leverage to loosen the filter!

Once you get the oil filter off, put it in the drip pan to drain as well.

6. Once everything has drained, get out your new oil filter. Dip the seal into the old oil, like so:

Now, put the new filter on the car. Tighted it as hard as you can with your hand. This is a part on my car that is "hand tighten" only that way I can get it off next time!

7. Now it's time to put the bolt back in the oil pan. The blot should have a washer on it. The washer can be metal or plastic. If yours is plastic like mine, make sure it is still in good shape (not cracking or melting).

Put the bolt back in and tighten it with your socket wrench. This is another one you want to "hand tighten." Make sure it is tight enough that you can still get it back off, then tighten it a little more. It should take a little muscle to get this bolt off.

8. Phew! The hard part is over! With all your bolts tightened you're ready to put the new oil in. Get your funnel and pour! Easy does it though. Pour slowly.

9.  Now your ready to pour your old oil into the empty container. Get you funnel and place it into the jug. Then, put the plugs back into your drip pan. Leave the one furthest from the pouring spout a little loose. It will keep the oil from "glugging" when you pour. This part is sometimes easier to do with a little help.

TaDa!!!! You're done! Put the hood of the car down gently and get the jack. Put the jack under the car and lift it just enough so that you can remove the jack stands. Then lower the car down very slowly. Wipe up your tools and take your old oil into an auto parts store to be recycled! Pour kitty litter onto any spots you spilled oil in the driveway.

Now, hit the showers!

If you take care of your car, it will take care of you!

The weekend in photos

Last weekend we were busier than I wanted to be haha. Friday night we went to the Munny show (pictures still coming) and Saturday was a car show.

 On Saturday we met up with a few pals at Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Weekends. I high-5ed Chewbacca!

About last night...

I changed my mind, dad-gum-it! A birdy suggested I go to the Jet Reception anyway. For the the free booze if nothing else. It was fun. There were less cars there than last year and I think they tried to compensate by parking bigger jets in the hanger. Haha.

It was still a good time.... until I fell. Boooo. I got my heel caught in a metal grate and went down. Surprisingly, nothing got bruised except my pride. I fell in front of the all carbon fiber Bugatti (I just slobbered on my keyboard thinking about that car again!) Let me just inform everyone: I was not drunk or even close to it. I only had about 1 glass of wine up until then. The pours were on the small side (except the one after the fall, I thought I was going to get the whole bottle!) I simply got up, brushed myself off and laughed about it for the rest of the evening. I was curious how much my dress flew up though. I asked Chris what color my undies were... he was clueless which makes me believe that no one else saw that much either! Huzzah!

 

This was the giant jet they tried to fill space up with.  Haha

Mmmm Peroni

This bike was painted with all kinds of crazy scenes  that reminded me of Art History class.

Here's a photo of the yummy Bugatti from Miami in November.

Enough about cars though! I'm going to Disney today!!! Have a happy saturday!