Chaya Milchtein - Helpful Mechanic

About Chaya Milchtein

Chaya Milchtein is the automotive educator, writer and speaker behind Mechanic Shop Femme. She’s made it her life’s mission to educate women and LGBT people about their cars. Chaya believes in empowering people to live their best lives and uses her platform to prove that people (especially femmes) can do anything they want in the bodies they have. Chaya’s work has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Rewire by Twin Cities PBS, and others. She lives with her fiancee in Milwaukee, WI. Connect with her on Twitter @mechanicfemme

Here’s What Happens to Your Car in a Flood and What to Do About It

May 11, 2020 By Chaya Milchtein Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever gone to purchase a car you may have gotten this advice. “Don’t buy a car from ____________ state because they recently had a lot of flooding.” But what does flooding actually do to a car? What kind of damage can it cause and is it really that bad?

I can never forget the 2004 Toyota Avalon that came to a dealership I worked in several years ago. The car had a starting problem, the deeper we dug the more problems we found. After weeks of electrical diagnosis, wiring repairs and replacement that customer decided to give up on this car. It was a car he had purchased after hurricane Sandy. With less than 75,000 miles he thought he was getting a deal of a lifetime. Instead, he ended up with a flood car that merely months after buying it was a useless hunk of metal.

Some of the Bigger Problems Flooding Can Cause:

Corrosion

It may take a few years for corrosion to surface on flood vehicles because it starts from the inside out. As most cause have high quantities of steel in them, corrosion can occur on just about anything. It can start on the inside of panels and eat away at the steel only for you to finally see it a few years later. Saltwater is especially notorious for this, but large quantities of fresh water have similar effects.

Electrical Problems

Wiring and water don’t mix well. Flood water can get into computers, sensors and other electrical components and start to cause problems. Some of these problems could take a long time to discover and may be tricky as they present themselves as other failures.

Mechanical Systems Seizing

Water lodges itself in all the little nooks and crannies. Water in compressors, pumps and other systems will cause failure sooner than later. Flood water in bearings and brakes can cause safety related failures as well.

Mold

When a car is saturated in water, it often causes mold to develop. This mold can be found in the trucks of cars, in seat cushions, under mats and even on the headliner. Even a little bit of toxic mold can make a car non operable and if repairing it is even possible it will cost thousands of dollars.

Engine Hydrolock

Even a little water in the combustion chamber can cause the engine to seize and fail costing you thousands for dollars. If there is water in the oil system, coolant system, air filters or any other part that’s part of the system delivering fluids, air or power to the engine you run the very rapid risk of hydro lock.

Here Are Some of the Fundamentals You Should Know If Your Car Was in a Flood:

Don’t start your car! As I described above, even a little water in the wrong area of the car could cause irreversible damage. Don’t risk it and instead have the vehicle towed if you are considering repairs.
Check your insurance paperwork. Most cars with water levels above the lower rocker will be considered total losses. If you have comprehensive coverage, this means that you’ll likely receive a pay out and need to start looking for a new vehicle. Carefully of course.
Open the windows and use a wet / dry vacuum to begin to dry out the interior. The faster you get the interior dry the better.
Connect with your mechanic and see if they are willing to inspect your car. Not every shop or mechanic will be willing to invest the time and reassures needed to deal with a flood car. If you plan on trying to salvage it you’ll water a qualified mechanic on your team.

Even if you do everything right your flood vehicle may likely not be salvageable. Sometimes you may have to take a step back and decide to go ahead and purchase another vehicle instead of risk investing money into one that might not work long term. Since some of the problems on a flooded vehicle might not be found for years, you might decide it’s just no longer worth the time or money needed.

3 Budget Friendly Electric Cars and What Their Owners Have to Say About Them

October 11, 2019 By Chaya Milchtein Leave a Comment

When electric cars first came to the mass market, customers were often blown away by the cost of buying them. The “expensive” label has stuck, although prices have significantly decreased as more options have been released, and the technology has been rapidly progressing. Here’s the interesting thing with this “new technology”, these vehicles have actually been available in some form since the 1830’s!

Range per charge, long term maintenance and affordability as some of the main reasons people hesitate to invest in this technology. As vehicles have become more available, three options need to be highlighted. A hatchback, sedan and crossover, budget friendly for the cost conscious consumer.

Maintenance costs over all on electric vehicles have trended downward to be lower than traditional fuel powered vehicles. Since some regular maintenance like oil changes are no longer necessary it eliminates some of the most frequent maintenance costs.

Miles per change vary greatly on the vehicle you are planning on purchasing. Some cars like the Nissan Leaf are available with different mileage lengths depending on the sub model you choose to purchase. Overall, electric cars might not yet be the vehicle of choice for long distance drivers, it suits most Americans driving habits just fine.

While many questions are answered by experts, here we will cover what regular electric car owners think of their investment.

Nissan Leaf and Leaf Plus

For 2019:
Starting at $29,990 MSRP
Leaf Plus starting at $36,550 MSRP

Nissan makes an affordable and widely available electric vehicle called the Leaf. With the introduction of the Nissan Leaf Plus in 2019, this little hatchback is better then ever and perfect for a budget conscious buyer. One Leaf owner had this to say this about their purchasing decision, “(it) was the most cost effective EV at the time”

Janet owes a 2017 Nissan Leaf SL. “I love the zero maintenance and zero gas. I love that the weight of the vehicle is spread evenly thru car, so handles incredibly well in the winter. I love the handling, instant heat, the fact I can leave car ‘running’ in the hot and cold seasons, love the zero emissions.”

While the standard Nissan Leaf has a range per charge of 150 miles, and the Plus allows you to go even further. With a range of 226 miles on one charge, it has the ability to go as far as a vehicle with a small gas tank.

Shauna MacDonald bought her Nissan Leaf because of her concern for the environment and a love of technology. Shauna raves about the comfortable seat, upscale interior and good price point.

As for downsides? Shauna says, “None yet. Although I anticipate a loss of range this winter; it will still be more than I need in a day, so I won’t have range anxiety.” And Janet? She says this, “Battery degradation of the Leaf. I will still own it for (likely) 6-8 years before the battery no longer suits my needs.”

Hyundai Ioniq EV

For 2020:
Starting at $31,235 MSRP

The Hyundai Ioniq EV is a sleek sedan available for sales in a select number of states. The car came out in the USA in 2017 and it’s owners have nothing but the most glowing recommendations.

Rachael A Eldred is a Canadian Ioniq owner of a 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Ultimate. Her thoughts about the sedan make it pretty clear that she’s a huge fan. “I love how easy this car is to own and drive. I’ve had it for 5 months now and have never once regretted buying it. It’s quiet, quick, convenient, user-friendly, and pretty good looking if I might say so. Being the most efficient EV helped in the decision, along with government rebates that came into effect here in May.”

Hyundai offers the best electric battery warranty on the market at this time, what they call a “standard Lifetime Hybrid/Electric Battery Warranty.” Consumer Reports clearly doesn’t mince words when it comes to some of the vehicles downsides: handling and battery life in the cold and snow.

Rachael told us about some of the downsides to the Ioniq. “I wish it was a bit roomier (especially since we came from a huge 7-passenger car), but for four adults it’s more than adequate. And the trunk is spacious. The paint quality isn’t fabulous but that’s down to Hyundai, nothing to do with the EV.” Guy, another Ioniq owner has only one downside to offer, he says “you have to plan for long road trips”.

On the bright side, charging the car might have some upside. Nathan Russell-Meharry shares this insight: “I enjoy taking the car on longer road trips (300km+), I found stopping to charge makes the trips more enjoyable. You get use to the 20min rest stops and visit areas you might not traditionally, because of the charging station.”

Hyundai Kona EV

For 2019:
Starting at $36,950 MSRP

Consumer Reports raves about this budget friendly SUV, “The Kona Electric is one of the best electric vehicles (EV) under $50,000 that we’ve tested.” This SUV was well loved as a fuel powered SUV but the electric version is even better.

While so many electric cars are made small or compact, this crossover stands above the rest not just in price point but also by the space and agility. The Kona has an impressive 258 mile range on a charge and it boasts an impressive 45.8 cu. ft. of cargo space.

Benoit LeBlanc owns a 2019 Kona Electric Ultimate and had this to share: “I like that it’s quiet and it doesn’t smell gas! I charge from home 99% of the time. Acceleration on EVs is just fantastic compared to ICE [Internal Combustion Engine] vehicles. Heated and ventilated seats, great sounds system, as well as the Heads Up Display, make it for a very comfortable ride.” Benoit says that they bought the Kona for “desire to cut back on gas prices, environmental concern, love of technology.”

When asked about the Kona’s drawbacks, Benoit had a few concerns, one being the location of the charging port at the front of the vehicle. In case of an accident, Benoit worries about damage to the port.

Shelley Kowalchuk from Women Drive Electric, mentions that in Canada there aren’t many charging stations which can hamper the ease of long road trips. Shelley doesn’t normally do any long distance driving so this isn’t a concern to her specifically.

When Shelley was asked why she decided to buy an electric car, her answer is clear: “I’ve always felt that Big Oil manipulates prices and I love that we aren’t reliant on them anymore. To me, it’s a political statement, owning an electric car. With the increasing evidence of climate change, I’m glad we can do our bit to reduce our impact on it.”

Conclusion

Electric cars now go further and the options are vast. The Leaf, IonIQ and Kona are great budget friendly options in different styles to fit your lifestyle, not just your pocketbook. When you consider your next car purchase, test drive and research an electric car option. You may be surprised with the ease of ownership, features and fuel savings.

4 Family Friendly Cars Under $10,000

May 23, 2019 By Chaya Milchtein Leave a Comment

Finding a car big enough to fit your family – that’s also a high-quality reliable car – can be tough, no bones about it. Folks are asking me all the time about which cars are best for families so I am pumped to write about this. Helping people navigate car purchases is something I do on a regular basis and is a passion of mine.

My name is Chaya Milchtein and I’m the automotive educator behind Mechanic Shop Femme. My platform is all about empowerment for women and LGBT folks when it comes to car education (among other things). The car world is rough and pretty unaccepting to folks like me and you, so I’m here to break things down into easy-to-understand segments that are accessible to a broader audience. I’m going to cover my top four choices, most of them being minivans and SUVs, as well as slightly smaller, yet family-friendly, options. Though car quality can be subjective, I’m going to share my favorite vehicles in the family-friendly class.

When families are looking for a car and I’m talking with them, one of the most important things on their list, besides safety, is space. Children play baseball or dance or hockey, and the equipment needs to be transported easily. Even for small families, SUVs and minivans are at the top of my list of recommendations.

2011 Toyota Sienna

With the optional four-wheel-drive available in some models, this is the epitome of a car built for a family. The Sienna comes standard with seating for seven to eight people and loads of cargo space! I love that this vehicle is a Toyota, known for durability and longevity; you often see Toyotas running well past 200,000 miles. The back seats do fold down, too, allowing even more cargo space for trucking things around. This car is going to get your family and everything they travel with safely to their destination.

PDF – 2011 Toyota Sienna Detailed Product Specs

2011 Toyota Sienna – Family Friendly Cars Under $10,000

2012 Subaru Forester

While some of the models on this list come with optional four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, meaning you have to look for the model with the option, Subarus all come standard with one of the best four-wheel-drive options in the industry. Always receiving high marks for safety, the Subaru Forester is roomy, built for family and travel. The all-wheel-drive option does cost you a little in fuel economy, but I think it’s a worthwhile tradeoff to easily drive in snowy conditions, especially if you live in an area with long winters. The Forester seats 5 comfortably and still has a lot of cargo space. This car is also a great fit for families with dogs – Subaru prides itself on pet-friendly cargo spaces.

PDF – 2012 Forester Detailed Product Specs

2012 Subaru Forester – 4 Family Friendly Cars Under $10,000

2010 Toyota Venza

This is the ideal ride for a small family that is paying attention to cargo space, reliability, and fuel economy. It’s a simple crossover that looks almost like a station wagon, and seats 5 people comfortably. Sitting a bit lower than the traditional SUV, it’s a great option for folks with some mobility concerns that have a harder time climbing into taller SUVs on the market. I love that it’s available in four-wheel-drive which is such a necessity for safe driving in Midwestern winters. Although many cars in 2010 didn’t come standard with fancy tech, this car has built in Bluetooth, which is a huge plus for anyone that spends a lot of time in their car. With 18-21 mpg in the city and 25-29 mpg highway, it’s pretty economical on the pocket when it comes to fuel cost. As with the Sienna, Toyotas are known for their reliability and longevity, so you can’t go wrong with this car.

PDF – 2010 Toyota Venza Detailed Product Specs

2010 Toyota Venza – Family Friendly Cars Under $10,000

2012 Chevy Traverse

Chevy doesn’t often make a showing in my favorites, but the Traverse is one of the lowest cost vehicles in its class with unparalleled cargo space, so it earns a spot! With standard three-row seating, this is a family-friendly car that, depending on the model, you’ll find fits seven to eight people. This large SUV has a comfortable ride and is the perfect car for a parent that wants space without driving a minivan. Even if you don’t need all the seating, but do need loads of cargo space, the back seats fold down, creating even more room for lugging things around. It would be an awesome choice for parents that also have a side business that requires the cargo space.

Link – 2012 Chevy Traverse Detailed Product Product Specs

Cars are complicated things to buy, especially used. The key to getting the best deal for the best car is a lot of patience. If possible, leave lots of time when making a car buying decision. When rushed and pressed to make a choice, things that we’d normally catch can fall through the cracks. This list is a baseline – a good place to start when looking for a family-friendly car. Test drive the options and see if you even like the car! Look at comparable models that may have not made your first list, as they may be a better choice for your family.

Thinking about buying a used car, but overwhelmed with the options out there? My automotive education classes have been featured in places like the Chicago Tribune and Ask Patty – Certified Female Friendly. I offer one on one coaching and consulting and small group, online automotive classes to help you make the best choices AND save you money.