Housekeeping: Happy Holidays!

by Tim Healey

Published: December 23rd, 2019

Christmas is upon us, and New Year’s Eve is lurking just around the corner. So with that in mind, here’s a look at how we’re operating these next two weeks.

We’ll be off Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. There may still be a few posts scheduled, and if any news breaks we’ll cover it, but for the most part we’re going to be ~~drinking~~ relaxing on those days.

The rest of the time we’ll be on a slower posting schedule than usual, but there will still be posts for you to read over your spiked eggnog.

As for you all, keep it safe out there. Don’t drink and drive, don’t get high and drive, and enjoy whatever holidays you celebrate, whether it’s Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, whatever. For those of you who, like me, enjoy sports, enjoy all the NFL and college games coming your way (not to mention NBA and NHL and college basketball).

We’ll be back full speed on January 6th. May your days be merry and bright.

[Image: Shutterstock/Iris_Images]

#HappyHolidays #Holidays #Housekeeping

Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

More by Tim Healey

Comments

Join the conversation

11 of 33 comments

-Nate on Dec 24, 2019

HAPPY HOLIDAYZE ! . No driving impaired please, I see so many who are not just clueless but high as kites as they text, do eye makeup, read, so on and so forth..... I'd like to ride my Moto in 202 and not get run over again . Yes, new cars are some how given as Christmas gifts, one got ruined in the 62 car pileup on the news the other day..... Los Angeles is supposed to get cold, driving rain all day Christmas . -Nate

Like Reply
ToolGuy on Dec 25, 2019

Christmas Eve 2019: Unseasonably warm weather. 18-year-old daughter comparing lightly-toasted numbered spark plugs to the previous two sets (cooling issue - thank you P2181). Same daughter removing and numbering water pump bolts: "This is fun - it's like a puzzle!" Priceless.

Like Reply
- See 2 previous
- -Nate on Dec 25, 2019
  
  @ ToolGuy ; ? How young ? . Cherish these moments and DON'T BLINK ~ they'll be gone all too soon . I remember my 5 Y.O. son playing as I worked, asking about what tools were for, why this did that and so on... If you're a Motocyclist, begin teaching the safety and taking rides with her A.S.A.P. . -Nate
  
  Like
- ToolGuy on Dec 25, 2019
  
  @-Nate Nate, that quote was from yesterday (18 years old - Early Childhood Education major). This week's round of parts (2010 Jeep Liberty): P2181 "Cooling System Performance": Thermostat/Housing, Temperature Sensor, Water Pump (plus Hoses, Serpentine Belt and Tensioner). Longstanding intermittent misfire on Cylinder 2 (misfire counts very low): Coils, Crankshaft Position Sensor, Camshaft Position Sensor, MAP Sensor, Knock Sensors (all these parts upgraded to genuine MOPAR), plugs [fuel injectors, intake manifold gasket set, plug wires and some other parts previously replaced]. Possibly overkill, but a) tired of dealing with it, b) school is ~100 miles away, c) she likes the vehicle and plans to keep it for several years. Total for this round of parts was roughly equal to one month of Matthew's "bank error". The result is reportedly "the best Christmas gift ever!" The bonding and life lessons are a bonus.
  
  Like
- -Nate on Dec 25, 2019
  
  @ToolGuy Keep up the good works ! . -Nate
  
  Like
Lie2me on Dec 25, 2019

Christmas day, record breaking warmth here in southern Wisconsin, sunny, high in the mid-50s And I know the reason, I just spent a lot of money on a block heater and winter tires, so there won't be a winter this year :( You midwesterners can thank ME for this wonderful weather :)

Like Reply
- See 3 previous
- Sgeffe on Dec 25, 2019
  
  Might even break out the shorts to go around today — mid-50s in the Toledo area today! We’ve had “December thaws” before, but usually the warmups seem to happen between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and not before. Why do I suspect we’ll be paying for this come later in January?! Things always seem to balance out!
  
  Like
- Lie2me on Dec 25, 2019
  
  @sgeffe It's too bizarre, back at Halloween we had a foot of snow and 8 degree temperatures, I wasn't ready, so like a madman I ran around doing all things needed to get my car ready for winter and now this record warmth. I just know it's all my fault ;-) I also know it won't last, but everyday it's above freezing will mean one less day of below zero. Enjoy your round of golf, all the courses here are closed for winter
  
  Like
- Golden2husky on Dec 25, 2019
  
  @Lie2me about 40 here...too damn warm. Christmas demands snow and big fire in the fireplace. Merry Christmas!
  
  Like
- Sgeffe on Dec 26, 2019
  
  @Lie2me No golf, and it was a damp, chilly mid-50s, even with the sun out. Just a little cool for shorts. (My best golf is played at the 19th hole! There was a story on the local news about a couple public golf courses that were open!) I agree that every day from here on out’s a day closer to spring!
  
  Like
HotPotato on Dec 29, 2019

Christmas ushered in a snowstorm dropping up to 30" of snow on Central California's mountain communities. A white Christmas indeed! Said storm also taught some rough lessons. For me: never confuse your SUV with a snowplow, especially when it's 16*F out. And for that poor SOB who died on the Grapevine: don't drive a big rig without a working cabin heater.

Like Reply