I imagine a 100 years ago, parents were saying the same thing....cause
their kids couldn't deal with the maintenance on a horse.

:)

On Aug 14, 2008, at 11:32 AM, Jake de Villiers wrote:

> The short answer is 'Yes' !
>
> My kids are revered as mechanical geniuses among their peers though
> neither
> are qualified mechanics.  They do have the chops to re-do their own
> brakes
> and shocks (and bulbs) but most of today's privileged kids think that
> 'maintenance' is putting the car through the local car wash.
>
> On Thu, Aug 14, 2008 at 8:24 AM, Ed Lloyd <elloyd10@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
>> I too have been living the Vanagon Experience during my 20+ years of
>> driving my 87 Westy, and before that a 76 Westy.
>>
>> My daughter just bought a sporty little 20004 Mazda 3, and I looked
>> into
>> the Driver's Manual, and did a double take on this:
>>
>> "Front Turn Signal Lights - Due to the complexity and difficulty of
>> the
>> procedure, the bulbs should be replaced by an Authorized Mazda
>> Dealer."
>>
>> Same for the Fog lights, and side marker lights.  They do show
>> pictures and
>> procedures, which amount to unscrewing the plastic housings and
>> gently
>> twisting and pulling out the bulbs.  Installation is the reverse.
>>
>> Low beam Xenon bulb may be more of a problem.  "You cannot replace
>> the low
>> beam bulbs by yourself.  Must be replaced at an Authorized
>> Dealer."  OK,
>> there may be some high voltage and disposal risk here.
>>
>> Oil change, and perhaps Air Filter, and that is the complete list
>> of what
>> an owner can do by themselves!  Everything else is Dealer.
>>
>> I also noted that the Windshield washer reservoir has a light on
>> the dash
>> board to tell you when the washer fluid is low.  I have never found
>> this to
>> be a problem in my Vanagon.  When it starts to dribble out, then
>> you just
>> add more!
>>
>> this is a sporty car for young people, not a big "Luxury" car for
>> pampered
>> fat cats.  Her friends all seem to know how to work the CD player and
>> electronic gadgets installed, but seem clueless about the
>> mechanicals.
>>
>> End of Rant by crusty old guy.
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Jake
> 1984 Vanagon GL
> 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
> Crescent Beach, BC
> www.crescentbeachguitar.com
> http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27