Also: Three cheers for the check engine light
My check engine light came on, so I made an appointment at Firestone. While I was at it, I planned to have my tires rotated (which lately I've been having done when I get my oil changed, because I don't have to make an appointment and it costs less) and a turn signal light replaced.
It turns out that the engine light is caused by an efficiency issue in the catalytic converter. I can get that fixed soon, after payday. (I do need to get it fixed soon, not only for the sake of the environment, but also because leaving my check engine light on means I wouldn't know if something *else* went wrong.)
But getting my tires rotated turned up that both my right side ball joint and my left side tie rod were dangerously close to failure. He showed me both parts, and there should NOT have been that much free movement in either. Now that they've been replaced, I realize just how sloppy my steering had gotten. Frog in hot water, methinks.
I think I'll be paying the extra to get the tires rotated and aligned at Firestone, appointment issues notwithstanding.
It turns out that the engine light is caused by an efficiency issue in the catalytic converter. I can get that fixed soon, after payday. (I do need to get it fixed soon, not only for the sake of the environment, but also because leaving my check engine light on means I wouldn't know if something *else* went wrong.)
But getting my tires rotated turned up that both my right side ball joint and my left side tie rod were dangerously close to failure. He showed me both parts, and there should NOT have been that much free movement in either. Now that they've been replaced, I realize just how sloppy my steering had gotten. Frog in hot water, methinks.
I think I'll be paying the extra to get the tires rotated and aligned at Firestone, appointment issues notwithstanding.