MaverickZ71

I get 4 years out of a WalMart Everstart MAXX battery if I charge it 3-4 times a year, and only 2 years out of it if not hooked to battery charger occasionally. Truck's charging system tests ok. A damn sight different than 30 years ago, when I could routinely get 9 years out of a 4-year battery, without ever hooking it to a battery charger--just kept the cells full of distilled water. The more things change, the more they cost, and the worse they get.

Regarding a new replacement battery on a 2009 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3L: Since the factory original AC Delco Group 48 (lead acid type) battery died when it was 4-5 years old, we've been putting WalMart EverStart MAXX H6's (lead acid type) in it every 2-3 years when they die. Was looking at AC Delco AGM (new-style absorbed glass mat?, sealed cells) Group 48 batteries online. They can ship these directly to your location because they do not leak. They cost 50% more, but claim longer life and vibration resistance. Here's my question: AC Delco online claims their Group 48 AGM batteries are a direct replacement for this pickup. However, 2 different techs have told me, that on an older truck, always use the battery type it came with (old-style lead acid), or you'll have charging problems down the line. Who is right?

Despite customboss' best (lame) efforts, the reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. Hide the women, children, and small furry animals!

At the last 2 GM dealers I was at, they no longer give you that backup paperwork showing part numbers, labor hours, fluids/quantities, shop supplies, etc. They have it printed out, but they don't let you have it. You sign a single page cover sheet that you are paying $X and accepting your vehicle as is after they performed X service, and then you get an unsigned, simplified copy of that one sheet back. If you had 6 services performed, it shows a half-assed description of only the first thing they did. When I said hey, we used to get all of those backup details, the Service Mgr smirked and said yeah, and labor used to be $75 an hour, too, and closed the window.

Not to brag, but I just got hired as a fitness model. They hired me as the "Before" picture.

All loaded. Doors always unlocked. Windows usually rolled down. Nothing ever stolen. Fistfights after school, usually over girls. Nobody ever thought about shooting anybody, ever.

Redneck fire alarm. Follow me for more DIY home improvement tips.

God Bless

Gordon Ramsey got nothin on me.

A man rode up to the U.S. border on his motorcycle with two large bags on his shoulders. The guard stopped him and asked, “What's in the bags?” He told the border guard that the bags are full of sand, but the guard didn't believe him. The guard detained the guy, and ripped open the bags, but there was nothing but sand. He even had the sand analyzed, only to find that it really was just sand. Two days later, the same thing happened. And then it happened again, two days after that. Every time, that guy on the motorcycle carried nothing but sand. This goes on for seven years. It drove the border guard insane. He eventually lost his job because of it. One day, he tracked the man down and said to him, “I’m no longer a border guard, but I have to know, “What is it that you’re smuggling? Because, I know you’re smuggling something.” The man smiled at him and said, “Motorcycles.” Moral of the story: Don't spend all your time and energy focused on distractions. Stand back a little and look at the big picture of what is actually happening around you.

Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.

This new groom must be an engineer.

Yeah, work with me here.

Buoyant. Get it?