How to drive a 308

As I just purchased mine I am interested to hear everyone chime in with their .02. What are your thoughts out there in Fchat land?

MB

 

When I drive my car - I never do any of that - I'm afraid anything is broke and I'll be up all night thinking on how to fix it.

Just kidding. Me too. Move the antenna up, turn on the heat, blinkers, etc. Definitely something to this for sure.

Funny story. One time I was checking out an older car that I was interested in (non F-car) to buy and I put on an emergency break and start testing stuff. The dealer runs out and goes: Stop that. Don't you know this is an old car. Don't break anything! Needless to I didn't buy that one, ha ha.

Nice post though - simply but so true.

 

I think you are right.

I am dealing with a bunch of oxidized contact issues right now on switches due to lack of use.

Doug

 

use them but don't abuse them

 

Get a Birdman fuseblock, solves 97% of problems right there.

As for how to drive it....
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I pretty much do the same thing every day as I drive out of the driveway. Also hit the windshield washer and wipers.

 

Monk? is that you? do you have another series in the works???

 

Thankfully everything in mine works (knock wood). When its dark I turn on the lights. When its cold I turn on the heat. When I pass a cute lady, I blow the horn! When I pass gas I go fast with the windows down. When its NOT raining I roll down the windows. WHen it's raining, Im driving my Porsche! The radio/CD player works but I never turn it on. THe AC blows cold but I never use it with the windows down because its not raining or I had a burrito! Joe

 

Me too.

I turn things on, leave it on for a bit then turn it off. Get things moving...

 

Wow - I do this too! Crazy or not, I think everything gets limber in a good way by the exercise.

 

I would have to question why you bought it if you did not use it and the various parts and functions that came with it.

If you didn't use some of the parts and functions then I guess it would not matter if they worked or not.

 

I too have done all of this. Except I only run the various fan switches on either
'full' or 'off' - they are but rheostats (likely not carbon potentiometers) and at very
'low' settings turn the 'unused' energy to heat, which in turn does more damage to
the control itself. I also help the windows go up by 'helping' them pull up just to take
some of the strain off the motors. And indeed I often work the switches while
driving just to keep them working. I have ZERO IDEA if ANY of this does ANY good, but
as an electronics guy with engineering experience, I figure it can't hurt.

Engine revving issues? No... not a problem

Jedi

 

AC and horn for sure. Radio, antenna + other stuff - only if I need them. There's my thoughts.

 

I do all that too (!) plus drive with the revs up around 5,000 30% of the time AND make sure I take the engine up over 7,500 RPM's at least twice during a few hour drive. Back at home I check and top off the oil (while hot and to spec) ready for the next time.

 

I never rolled the windows up or put the top on, as I didn't drive in the rain, or leave it parked where I wasn't around or it wasn't in my garage.

Both window motors need rebuilds , however, as snails make them look slow.

Doug

 

Is the rev to 7500 maintenance or simply pure driving pleasure? How can that really be better or necessary for the car than hanging out in the 5,000 range? What happens at 7500 that doesn't happen before?

 

Then my question would be, why do they need to be rebuilt if you don't use them? Heck.... how do you know they're slow if you don't use them?

 

**** I agree- install Birdman's fuse blocks, new relays and the electrical problems are gone.($200 total for both)- best investment you can make in a 308 for electrical system reliability.

 

Does some place offer a complete set of relays? I've seen them on ebay but I'm always dubious of ebay....

And +1 on Birdman's fuseblocks. No reason not to get a set if you haven't already.

 

In the 328, I always drive it with the windows down, and ideally with the top off. So, I run the a/c to keep it 'limber', but honestly if the car hadn't come with a/c that would have been a plus, IMHO.

Other than that, I don't worry about it. Everything seems to work, and contact cleaner is cheap.

 

I don't do too much of that as well. My lights do work, as it gets darker earlier these days, so they see some action. Heater....well it also works. Windows were never a problem. Everything else seems to be fine....except for the washer....where's the pump for that?

Ace

 

I'm not only testing the gadgets in my car, but everytime I look in the rearview mirror I check to see if I'm on fire too. (grin)

Bob

 

I never use my turn signals because they are not broken!! HA