It’s flowers she’s had planted all around her house for years. Lilies, phlox, daisies, coneflowers, and lots of others. She’s just not going to get much blooming which is too bad because she loves them. She’s also 85 and easily frustrated which makes things harder.
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So our convection oven seems to have died - one of those tabletop deals. The toast function works but the convection doesn’t. Does anyone use a combination microwave/convection oven? I’m wondering if it would be worthwhile to get one of those and replace both other appliances and reclaim some counter space.
I’ve used my mom’s, mostly to bake dessert at thanksgiving and it works well for smaller stuff.
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Hey forum dads *
My Prius has crossed 150,000 miles.
Do I need to… do anything???
I no longer have a mechanic I like/go to regularly which sucks. (Previous rad mechanic turned out to be a TERF). I have never before gone to the dealership. Should I???
note that * dad means anyone who is a dad of the soul. dads come in all shapes and sizes and genders and ages. fight me on this. i dare you.
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No help on cars but one of my favorite dads/uncles is Alie Ward of Ooligies. Huh, come to think of it I don’t think she’d be helpful with cars but I guarantee she’d track down someone who was and then do a delightful podcast episode interviewing them. The internet tells me it’d be currus-ology (currus meaning chariot).
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You should be able to google maintenance schedule or maintenance log for your model/year and see if there’s anything nonstandard that pops up (beyond the usual oil/filters/etc.). The dealership would be able to tell you the same, but in my experience they tend to tack on extra things that you don’t really need (or sometimes need yet)…obviously ymmv on that one, though.
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That is very helpful, thank you!
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I’m a house dad, not a car dad.
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relatedly: “It’s not the beard on your face, it’s the beard on your heart that counts”
(quote from a former coworker)
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damnit, dad.
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Do you still have the owner’s manual stashed in the glove box? That will have the recommendations at different milage in there. Usually towards the back.
My car is a wee baby (98k) compared to yours, but due to age I’ve had to replace some belts and some rub er gaskets had worn down and were allowing leaks to happen. Any puddles or drips under your car when it’s been parked for a bit?
(I have some car knowledge, but limited. I’m a Car Uncle?)
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It’s a pretty solid car and isn’t actively a problem. 
which is good! Probably needs brakes this year. 
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Not a car dad here. Maybe a car childless aunt? If you ever need someone to tell you that the sound you’re hearing is probably nothing and you should just turn up your radio, I’m your person.
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Children’s book Sal and Gabi break the universe has a character who has like 10 dads, some of whom are women IIRC and at least one of whom is a lady robot. None of them seem to be the actual sperm source for herself or her baby sibling.
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Definitely not a car dad, but older cars had timing belts that would need to be replaced on a schedule and I think that was the main reason you’d bring it in at intervals, but all modern cars (including all Priuses) have timing chains that last for the life of the car. Most places do an inspection checklist during oil changes to check if brakes or anything else need attention.
Funny enough, my trusted mechanic is a Midas! They are independently owned and the guy is great and when I call he knows who I am. I hope you find a new place that treats both you and your car right.
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Though next time you get an oil change I’d pick a place that also staffs mechanics (e.g. not Jiffy Lube; you’ll probably want to call for an appointment instead of just walk in) and ask if there’s scheduled maintenance items that should be done. They have the info on their computers so they can look up what Toyota recommends.
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Actual question on a Prius… Do the engines in them require oil changes? Part of me says yes, part of me says no. Since it is internal combustion, probably yes. Since it is really just a gas powered generator to keep the battery charged, which runs the car, I don’t know… I will google.
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Yes, internal combustion engines always require oil changes. Also, my understanding is that the gas engine is still used for direct drive at higher speeds, it’s lower speeds where the batteries are used, isn’t it? Which is why if you drive mainly highway the MPG is the same as a similar size and weight car, it’s lower stop and start and city speeds that you see the difference?
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Yup! It is a regular engine as well.
Currently my 2010 Prius is at 49 MPG for this tank of gas. But I need to put air in my tire lol. 45-55 MPG is my happy place and means (in my mind anyway) that the car and my driving style are good and chill.
This includes my trips to the twin cities. But I don’t speed which helps a lot.
In the winter it is lower. It’s just more taxing on the car to get warmed up and then, for city driving, I’ve arrived before it can really be efficient.
But winter is still 35-45 MPG most times.
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