Wipers
I get the "el cheapo" blades from Wal-Mart (roughly $8 for a set of two) and replace them every year on the day before I take my vehicle to get inspected. Whenever I wax or polish my car, I always do the windshield - and it makes water bead & slide right off. Works better than Rain-X itself!
:guitar3:
The blades would probably last longer, but I insist on changing them right before inspection.....since that's one of the easiest rip-off items for unscrupulous (the majority of them, it seems) service stations. They'll call you at work, tell you all is okay with your car, but your wiper blades are "going bad" and they can install new ones for only $25 or so.
:ak472:
If everything is right on your car, they have to "make up stuff" in order to make doing state inspections profitable. They basically don't make any money by taking their mechanic's time for a $15 decal - and it is hard to blame them for not wanting to pad the work order. Last time when my Sentra was in for inspection and everything was A-OK, they charged me $35 to 'align the headlights' -- WTF? -- on their special machine. All you need to do is turn on the lights, face a brick wall (inside the shop or outside at night) and spend 30 to 45 seconds adjusting the beam.
:redbrick:
I realize it will never happen - especially in our communistwealth state, but I often think we would be better off (and more free as citizens) if our state got rid of state vehicle inspections. GA, FL, OH, TN, MI and several other states have done so, and without the predicted catastrophe of junk cars on the roads. Heck, we still have plenty of junkers here in VA - even with our inspection rules. People steal a decal from someone else's car, pay off a corrupt mechanic or simply drive around with an expired one.
Sorry for the hijack & end of rant. (It's been one of those weeks!)
