Donstar

Supply and labor shortages are evident in many areas as a side effect of covid. Fortunately, I have the time and money to explore other options. Yesterday, I decided to try my neighbourhood quick oil change facility as they looked like they could use some support and I had a $10 off coupon! A man in training did my service but he was well supervised. It was revealed that my transmission fluid was dark for my low mileage and I had that replaced as well. This dark fluid was likely a residual expense from my towing days! I must admit I was initially apprehensive about providing a training vehicle but believe I owe it as payback for my career training experiences. At least in a venue like this you can observe the workers. When you drop your vehicle off at a dealer, you seldom see who performed the service!

The specs and the looks of this tire look good. It appears that they are not available in Canada yet but I will keep looking!

I'm refreshing this thread as I'd like to know if any members have first-hand experience with the Michelin Agilis tires on their Silverado/Sierra 1500. I am interested in knowing the impact on fuel consumption. I am considering replacing P rated Defenders with the LT rated Agilis ofh the same size. A Michelin tire with an all weather rating would be the ultimate year-round tire for where I live! However, a noticeable loss in fuel economy would negate any advantage over the P rated Defender tire. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

We had overnight guests from out of town this weekend. They were of the niece/nephew category which means 40+ years old when you're my age! We exchanged covid related stories. I know they suffered and lost a great deal during the layoffs and lockdowns but you wouldn't know this unless you had outside information! They only spoke of what they gained through the experience which I found absolutely inspiring. They talked a lot about how the experience improved their relationship and future goals. I was particularly interested in their thoughts on retirement. They realize that you need to have both your relationships and finances in order to retire comfortably. My wife and I have decades of marriage on this couple but watching them made us appreciate and respect each other a little more!

Pepper provides strong motivation for me to keep my 262. I've kicked a lot of tires in the past 6 years of owning my current truck but never came close to sitting down with a salesman. If I continue to drive at the same rate, I'll reach Pepper's current mileage in just a little over 10 years. As an aside, I do think my next truck will be powered by a home outlet. My senior driven, six cylinder stock pickup took $114 to fill on Tuesday and it wasn't on E. I know this is Canadian $'s on Canadian fuel prices but it still is a significant chunk of a fixed income. A well designed and priced conversion kit to EV power would guarantee my '15 Sierra's to be my forever truck, barring serious accidental damage!

I am planning to put a set of the Michelin Agilis tires on my '15 Sierra 1500. They will be replacing my "P" rated Defenders. My truck is rarely put to work and is treated gently. Before I purchase, I'd appreciate first-hand reviews/comments from GM Trucks forum members. I am fine with the initial cost but concerned about a noticeably harsher ride and possibly poorer fuel economy. My only reason for choosing the Agilis over the Defender is the winter designation.

A winter has passed since the last entry on this thread and I'm hoping to read about some new experiences on this newer product. I have a set of Michelin Agilis Crossclimate tires in my plans for my '15 Sierra 1500. I have not had any problems with my Defenders over the past five winters, but now want a tire with an official winter designation. The tread pattern on the Agilis tires look very similar to Michelin highway tires and should provide a decent ride. Please let me know any good or bad opinions about my choice as it's not to late for me to change brands! Thanks!

When it comes to shopping, having too much time often interferes with making a purchase. My Oct. 1st deadline for new tires has come and gone without me pulling out my bank card. I have no immediate travel plans so no external pressure. We are prepared for the expense, however, I need to be practical. I decided on tire type weeks ago but was hung up on refurbishing my factory alloy wheels versus buying aftermarket wheels. A tire dealer recently introduced me to a new wheel coming from American Racing that will be available shortly. The "honeycomb" similarity, "winter use" designation and cost are appealing. The cost of new over refurbish is not significant so I will likely go new once I see this product in 3D. My hang-up is that my tire and wheel choice are available in 17, 18 and 20. I have participated in this forum for years and know the debates. My wife is more interested in me making up my mind and shutting up about tires than the cost differences. I can't blame anyone but myself for my choice nor does anyone else care! Sometimes the responsibilities of adulthood suck!

Many experienced a taste of retired type living during covid. It is a nice time of life if you have been able to properly prepare. I retired earlier than planned but we are living comfortably. Of course, my definition of "comfortable" has tamed down considerably! I had a bit of a heated discussion with one of my 40+ year old children last week about spending and income. Like our trucks, going from 40 to 60 happens quickly! I appreciate how distant retirement may seem or we can joke that we'll work until we die but life doesn't always work out as planned. Covid19 showed many how our lives can be unintentionally interrupted. In my early 40's my wants were usually met and my toys were many. My next paycheck was eagerly anticipated and necessary. At that time our parents/aunts/uncles were hitting retirement age and I (we) quickly learned we'd better change our love of toys into a love of saving!

The main point I was making was the creep of prices. For only $20 more per wheel, I can... well if I'm going to pay that much, then.... what the heck, you can't take it with you.... etc. 25 years ago I simplified my tire buying decisions by only buying Michelins from Costco. At the time, I had little free time to be shopping for such things but needed, safe, reliable and comfortable transportation. I actually have trouble justifying my deviation from this pattern. My real motivation is to make a non-permanent yet noticeable change to my truck. Last week I received an anniversary card from my dealership acknowledging six years since my truck purchase. Twenty five years ago I would have experienced 2 or 3 trucks in a six year period! New tires and possibly wheels is a comparatively inexpensive way to add the fun factor to my daily driver!

I live in a place where we enjoy four distinct seasons. I need to have winter approved tires on my truck by Oct 1st. The tread depth on my all seasons is questionable in parts so I could be ticketed or worse. My research over the past few months has sold me on all weather tires as opposed to all season tires. These will be an all-terrain LT tire in a plus size. This will be a new look for my truck and I thought it would be appropriate to get my alloy wheels re-finished by a local mobile clinic. The price they gave me was over 50% higher than when I inquired a few years ago. This amount of money would buy me a new set of auto-store rims or make a significant dent in the cost of some nicer rims! I then thought I may as well take this time to switch from 17's to 20's. Of course the cost of tires increases with wheels size. This insidious creep up the price ladder proved to be too much of a shock when my wife saw a price on my screen. I guess those 20" honeycomb wheels wit 33" all-terrain tires will remain in my dreams!

We just finished our federal election and will be glad to see the ads disappear from our evening television viewing. The political advertisements would be fine to watch if they were about fresh ideas and solutions and not about throwing dirt on their opponents. The other day I went to the local lab to have my bloodwork done following my annual check-up. The nurse asked me if I will be able to find my results on line. My response was, "I know my wife can, she knows how to find everything that's wrong with me." The nurse kept breaking out in laughter thinking about my response. I am guessing but she was probably experiencing some personal reflection. Covid19 and retirement have put tremendous pressure on me and my wife to enjoy a lot of extra time together. We have learned through trial and error that when you celebrate the good in someone else, you elevate yourself!

I definitely would be upset to get a vaccine or any violation of my personal space against my wishes. However, it is fascinating to me how this vaccine is against anyone's wishes. I personally know adults terrified of the actual needle but some people are expressing worry about the content. I have a family member who had a horrible reaction to their first dose and can't have the second but she isn't opposed to the vaccine. Today we're having a federal election. We'll witness another example of where there is a difference in what people believe. For yuks I sometimes try to imagine what it would be like if we all interpreted information the same way. A red Chevy pickup in every driveway would certainly be pretty boring!

Another option is no butter. Every morning for many years I've made toast and directly added a layer of peanut butter and marmalade for my wife. I use other types of jam for my toast. Often I'll fry myself an egg or two for lunch and place them directly on unbuttered toast. I like a little crunch to my toast and found that butter or margarine make for a soft or greasy texture. When I was young my grandparents would give me a bowl of porridge with a huge dollop of butter in the centre. I would add a sizeable layer of white or golden sugar and enjoy! I like the taste of butter and a little bit on a piece of freshly baked bread is pretty nice!

My personal health professional of many years is retiring today. I went for my annual check-up yesterday to hold me over until a replacement is found. However, general practice Doctors, like good personal mechanics, are in short supply! I'm likely going to have to line up with the others at a clinic (like my truck ) and hope for the best! The current opportunities for those starting out in the workforce are incredible. The endpoint in my career is now where a legally qualified person with minimal experience could begin! I know my kids with a potential of 20+ more years in the workforce have their eyes wide open. Circumstances vary depending on where you live but these are not "normal" times. If you're enjoying additional leisure home time or pandemic funding keep your sights on opportunities. Your enthusiasm and the current job market may put you in position for a job opportunity inconsistent with your experience and training!

It is no big deal to show a restaurant employee a QR code on my phone but it is totally up to me to leave if I find it inconvenient. It really is a head scratcher how such a choice can be upsetting to anyone! My wife and I are both fully-vaccinated but we didn't roll up our sleeves blindly. Fortunately we had considerable waiting time for our turn and were ready at our first opportunity. I know many didn't have the kind of time that we did, but by now everyone should be "on board". We knew that we can't complain if we're not part of the solution. Doing nothing is seldom a solution to a serious threat! I suspect the actual anxiety of having a needle may be a deterrent for some. I remember coordinating annual flu shots at work. I had one staff member who could survive in the woods for weeks with only a pocket knife but would faint at the anticipation of receiving a flu shot!

Sorry about your truck but glad you weren't injured! I'm sure your truck will be brought back to original condition. The issue that hasn't been mentioned is depreciated re-sale value. I don't know if this part of your discussion with the insurance company but now is a good time to find out if there is any compensation available.

The past few posts have sparked some talk about the past and this morning I found myself musing at a timely comparison of past and present. On Monday we will have to show our "vaccine passports" to eat indoors at restaurants. This is a simple, free download of a QR code for your phone or you can ask for a free printed copy. Some people are livid about this and most others, like me, welcome this added layer of prevention. What made me chuckle is the trip down memory lane to the early 70's when "No shirt, No shoes, No service" became common signage in restaurants. This was actually a hot issue for some of my peers at the time! (I'm sure history makes them smile at themselves too.) The solution in the 70's was not complicated. If one of us didn't have a shirt or refused to wear one, we didn't include a visit to a restaurant (or that individual) in our plans! I continue to follow suggestions and regulations by our health officers. Throughout this pandemic most non-homecooked meals were takeout. This has translated to at least one extra evening at home per week but now will be adding dining out to our plans!

I agree that anger can be justified if you believe youth was taken from you. I look at retirement and old age as a bonus. Most of us who have lived past mid-life know others who were not so fortunate. I know you can look forward even when the end is near. I have the privilege of having a friend 20 years my senior who was recently advised her time left on earth is soon coming to an end. Everyone around her are falling apart but she is as jovial as ever. If I tell her I'm stopping at McDonald's to buy her a coffee and muffin she treats it like I was inviting her to Disneyland! I had another friend who died recently that kept saying how excited she was at the prospect of being with her late husband! I know my turn will come someday and I will continue to keep my sights forward, with nods to the past, until that day!

The kiss as part of the prize award, like the cars, are examples of how we've changed. I noticed that one of the comments under the video was from a person who says he wished he could go back to that time. I could argue a desire to go back in my age at that time but not to the era! It is nice how our minds will hold the fond memories of the past but will often bury the bad ones deeper! We have an elderly neighbour who is spending a lot of time being angry about being old and spends an inordinate amount of time talking about herself in the past. I love the analogy of the windshield and the rear-view mirror. We need to use them proportionately. Even when you're old, there is plenty of reason to look forward and ways to make memories. Covid19 really challenged the memory making for us but we made sure that we, our children and our grand children will have positive memories of this stage in our lives!

Great film! Some of the pre-drone photography is spectacular! I really enjoy the time I have searching YouTube for gems like this. Thank you for sharing! I wasn't driving yet in 1959 but was old enough to have a keen interest in cars and dragsters!

Finding the most appropriate medical aids for a loved one is a daunting task. Needs vary and change. Differences of opinions, experiences, relationships and reality add to the mix. I remember a difficult discussion with my mother's care home. We wanted her to use a motorized chair in the facility but they preferred residents use walkers. They had a "use it or lose it" argument. The effort required for her to go beyond her room was heartbreaking and she was getting very tired of making the effort. They respected our wishes and we believed mom was much happier and was able to participate more in activities and outings. I really don't know if our choice was the best as she was non-committal on such matters. In my case, I've put a lot of time thinking about this and I want to move under my own power for as long as I am able. I also know that I need to appear safe or other well meaning family may start trying to challenge my choices! I actually feel bad about how happy my wife is that I've accepted a walker into my life. I knew she was watching me like a hawk but I didn't appreciate her level of concern. Yesterday when I showed her what you meant by "upwalker", she said it can be one of my Christmas presents! I wish she'd show the same enthusiasm when I show her new trucks...

No. I think the upwalker design would be great but more of a leap than I was prepared to make at this time. It is definitely a consideration in the future.

I used tires as example of how I am spending some of my time. I often take what can appear to others as mundane and relatively simple choices and come up with results that challenge my common sense. You can find me scoffing at the same type of tire I'm considering in other threads on this forum! In my current circumstances, this would be a no risk (and unnoticeable to most others) way to add a little "entertainment" to my life! A very noticeable risk I took last week was to buy a black (match my Harley ) 4 wheeled mobility walker. Like tires, there is a huge selection of styles, shapes and sizes. I won't attempt to spark your interest on such a purchase but will share an observation. There often comes a time when you think getting assistance will demonstrate weakness or generate unwanted pity. The fact is you'll garner far more respect and relief from others when you demonstrate that you're taking control over your well being. Like many, I suffer with significant back issues which is often reflected in a guarded walking style. I feel safe but those around me worry. A proper walker used properly forces me to a normal, walking position and significantly increases my distance while minimizing my back pain. The good thing is that I don't have to use it and will be comfortable using it when it becomes necessary

So I walked into a tire store yesterday looking for a good deal on stock, factory sized, all-season passenger highway tires for my 1/2 ton pickup. I went home with an estimate for upsized, E rated all terrain, all weather tires. (Nokian Rotiiva AT+ ) I was enthralled with the salesman by his sales skills and confidence in his product. All I could ask is how much and when! I didn't commit as I suspected that time or my wife would squash this idea. Neither has happened. One thing this past year and a half has taught me is there is no need to rush nor do I always need to be practical and boring!!