Lesson 2 -Chilton Library and Mango Languages

This certainly challenged me, when it comes to the search of criteria stipulated in the challenge.  The first exercise instructed me to search for my vehicle & the maintenance schedule.  Perhaps it's just me, but I could not locate the 30,000 mile maintenance schedule for my particular car.  There is, however, a 3,000 mile schedule mentioned, as well as a recommendation to replace engine coolant every 45,000 miles or 36 months.  For the sake of the exercise, I shall list the recommendations for the 3,000 miles recommended maintenance details.

Service/Inspect Exhaust system
Service/Inspect Rotate tires
Service/Inspect Suspension ball joints

I was glad to find these recommendations, so I might be sure everything is up to date on my vehicle.  It surprised me to find only the three above suggestions and then one for the 45,000.

That having been said, after my initial confusion and surprise, I recalled the last exercises we did and went back to the Chilton's site and looked for avenues which might bear more fruit than my prior search.  Sure enough, there in the upper corner of the page was a link to the "full chart list".  Obviously, my ranger skills are slipping, but that's a different blog entry.  Upon locating the more extensive list, I found the correct mileage and details requested in the exercise.  Success!  Here was a far more detailed list, which included the 3 above suggestions, with a total of 9 offered for the 30K mileage.  I did not even realize my car has upper knuckle ball studs, whatever those are!

Once I've figured out I need to pay better attention to "Links" and other elements on the site, it was much easier to navigate.  Apparently, the PIC (person in chair) factor plays a major role in efficiently being able to assist others with the site, as well as one's self.



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The second exercise requested information regarding the most recent Technical Service Bulletin or Recall notice and when it was issued.  There are several listed, over the years my vehicle has been driven.  The most recent listing is a Technical Service Bulletin, which mentions something about "Blending Clearcoat During the Refinish process" from January 31, 2013.  This database, once I got all of my "dots" connected really is fantastic!  It was sweet to learn that there are videos and pop-up windows that provide more information and instructions on various recommended maintenance and Service Bulletins.  It was especially pleasing to see the correct repair details, so if/when I took my own car in for service, I could look this up and avoid being "scammed" by unscrupulous mechanics.  As a single woman, sometimes I do find some mechanics are occasionally prone to overcharging or repairing things that really are not in need of fixing.  With this site available, I will be able to educate myself prior to visiting a mechanic, and deciding whether I can do the repairs or should have it done via mechanic.  There are some really helpful videos, giving very detailed instructions on how to do repairs, as well as mentioning any specialized tools necessary to complete any repair. It's been a few years since I've attempted fixing any vehicles of my own, but that's because I was leary of the more computerized vehicles of today.  With the Chilton's site to help, my fears may just have been quashed a little more.

The most recent recall, which I noticed was back in 2013, does little to interest me, as it's based on cosmetic service.  However, I did see a recall notice that dates back in 2009, which is related to the seated heat sensors.  My car's heated seats only work when they decide to work, so I'll be contacting my Jeep dealer shortly regarding this hazardous issue!  Thank goodness for this database, as well as the exercise.  I had no idea I was sitting on a match just waiting to be lit at it's discretion! :)

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The final exercise was given to research the Brakes system of my vehicle under the Repairs banner. There is more information than my mind can process, just on the Brakes system alone on this site!  The links provided led me to calipers and wheel speed sensors, as well as several windows that provide Diagnostics and testing, related to most specific repairs.  I've investigated the component diagrams, which show the reader what the various parts look like & where they would be found within the vehicle. At this point, if I chose to follow the instructions given here, to change my own brake, I feel I could do it.  If I were still a young thing, able to crawl into the engine compartment of any car, I might go for it.  At least with these tools available, I can pay attention to the mechanic and understand better what he might be trying to communicate as far as repairs. :)  Should I choose to service my own vehicle, someday, it's a comfort to know there are wonderful, well prepared videos that will aid my attempts to bleed the brakes or attempt any number of brake repairs.  The site includes detailed diagrams, concise videos and written instructions to help the Do-It-Yourself individual attempt their own repairs.  The Chilton's Manual website is a treasure trove of useful and very educational information that will be a tremendous tool for anyone in the mechanical field or the layman wanting to stretch his/her dollars in today's economy by doing their own repairs.

All in all, the Chilton's site is a blessing, an incredible, in depth database sure to be a tremendous asset to the SDSL Electronics Resource.  I am so thrilled to have access to this, just to bring peace of mind, when it comes to my personal vehicular repairs.  Now, I'm really looking forward to sharing more about this site with my patrons.  With the help of this exercise, too, I've learned more about how to navigate the site and how frequently it will boot me off, so I have to "re-enter".  A small price to pay, for excellent information. :)

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Mango!  What a terrific tool when it comes to learning languages!  I read the FAQs page and learned there are even lessons on ESL  (English Sign Language) available for many different languages.  The language I chose to learn, however is Malay, because I have friends who live there.  How nice it might be for them to have me try to communicate in their natural tongue, instead of them always having to understand mine.  The Mango Languages program really is fairly easy to navigate and use.  Upon entering the site and choosing a language, I was taken to a page that offers information about the country/region from which the language originates.  On a margin, there are links to information regarding how many people speak the language, where it is spoken and the statistics with that information.  The links did not open for my computer, but I'd like to hope they lead to more in depth data related to the language.  I did contact someone at the SDSL regarding my difficulties and am waiting on a response, as she is looking into the matter.

The course itself is/was available and I've really enjoyed taking it on as a personal challenge.  I like how the language is taught in this course.  The various situations which may apply to an individual and the language one might need in any of those situations are listed, as in "greetings/salutations", for example.  The individual lessons are split into two different, but related goals - the Conversational Goals and the Grammar Goals.  What I appreciate about this, is being able to not only learn how to correctly pronounce the words but to use them with proper grammar.

The lessons are easy to follow, the translations provided are clear and I am excited about this way to learn.  At this point, I've yet to discover any dislikes I might have for this learning tool.  Whether I find any exist or not, is up to the future and how easily my noggin retains any learned information.  For now, let's just leave it at khabir baik... I am good. :)