So what did people do before the internet was invented?Has it helped u fix your car?

howardmarks

Earlier today the gf opened the car door with the key and all the windows(4 electric) opened by themselves. I thought there was an electrical problem and after 30 mins googling found the car VW GOLF MK4 had a 'feature' that if you turned the key fully one way and held it there for more than a few seconds it automatically opened each electric window.

It made me realise that the internet and other users of our makes/models of cars experiences are invaluable. Considering the relatively short life of the bootiful internet I can only imagine how older drivers/car users dealt with simple little problems with their vehicles as they happen.

My question is how has the internet and its users helped you in fault finding and repairing your car and saving you money that a garage would have charged you your hard earned for?

If the thread is stupid mods please delete

pissednbroke

Yep just this week I fixed my car thanks to boards and some other ford owner sites.

I also learned how to service a car and change brake pads and discs from the net.

Since doing so I have performed 4 services and changed 2 sets of pads and disc on both my car and aanother family members, saving a nice bit of money.

However a DIY-er still needs to know when to call the professionals, the net doesn't fix everything.

b.harte

I think it's a sign of how advanced cars have become that you need to research fixes.
It used to be (and I'm showing my age a bit here) that most things were obvious on older cars.
I remember when almost everyone serviced their own car (filters oil change plugs etc) and for complicated stuff there was a local working from a garage / shed.
No there is so much wizardry a trip to a proper garage is almost essential.

Having said that, my car went into low power mode this week, read off the error code using the brake/accelerator method (learned from google) identified the code (google) and ordered a replacment coil pack from the internet, had it the next day and fitted it.
I had rang the local opel dealer for a price (261 + labour if required) my cost was 73.19 and about 5 minutes on the web and 5 minutes fitting it.

Not the first time I've looked stuff up, just the most recent.

snowman707

Haynes manual

but cars were far simpler then

Actually come to think of it living was more straight forward also

uck51js9zml2yt

snowman707 wrote: »

Actually come to think of it living was more straight forward also

People actually had lives back then:D