(no subject)

[graculus]

Yesterday, I replaced one of the headlight bulbs on my car which, you would think, would not normally be of sufficient interest to anyone but myself to warrant posting about it. Except that when I was googling for instructions (because I couldn't be bothered to go hunting for the manual), I found this article about how modern car design is making it more and more difficult to change bulbs and was amused by the description of the skills needed to do so for one particular model: "You need the grip of a vice, the patience of a saint and the abilities of a gynaecologist..."

My bulb change initially appeared to go quite smoothly, which was no surprise since it's not the first time I've been called upon to do this, but then the small piece of wire that's supposed to be hinged and keep the bulb in place decided to become unhinged. So now the bulb is held in place with duct tape while I get around to finding a piece of wire and some blu-tac so I can go fishing for the hinge somewhere in the back of the light unit. Grrrr.

Comments

[ankh-lj.livejournal.com]

As the owner of a Renault Megane, I can verify that quote is spot on. I'd add "requires hands the size of Barbie's and x-ray vision". I had to change an indicator bulb, Googled on how to do it, and decided life was too short to potentially waste hours and invite injury and nipped to Halfords instead. Seriously, there were sites recommending taking off the wheel and front bumper. For a BULB CHANGE!

[graculus.livejournal.com]

I used to own a Megane and the main headlights were no problem, but I never had to try anything more complicated than that...

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

One thing I discovered is that when one headlight goes, the other invarably follows not long after :( I've never replaced my own. Although I do ducttape the holes in my car ;)

[graculus.livejournal.com]

I always try and buy multipacks of bulbs (the shop sells two for cheaper if you buy together) on that basis, but this is the first time in five cars I've had any difficulties with bulb changes. Fortunately, however, it's always been the main headlight bulb I've been dealing with, not something trickier and more inaccessible.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

at the rate they're going, you're going to have to be a rocket scientist to change the oil...

[graculus.livejournal.com]

Well, given the credit crunch, it might be an idea for all those soon-to-be-unemployed rocket scientists to have something to fall back on! ;)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

And the bankers will be serving up fries (well, some of them should never be allowed back in banking again - they're destroying the global econcomy with their greed).