Car Talk

[CJones]

Virginia requires front plates. About 30 states do now.

Alabama not only doesn't require front plates, it doesn't require state inspections either.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

PA does not require front plates.  When I was growing up in CT they didn't, but now they do, I remember my folks complaining about it but can't remember how long ago that happened.

I think it's more for traffic cameras that send out tickets, I remember my folks saying NYC complained about CT cars not having front plates so they weren't getting as many tickets and that was one of the reasons CT added them.

[Darth Geek]

New York State has required front and back plates ever since I was a little kid, so at least the 80s. I doubt there would have been traffic cameras back then.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

Front and back plates used to be just about everywhere, then states started switching to rear only to save money, now some are switching back.

[Pastor of Muppets]

Looks like the ford fiesta needs a bracket that is normally installed by the dealer, google "front plate holder for 2013 ford fiesta" and you can find them for about $15, but you'll have to drill holes in the bumper to install it.

I did buy one of these, but it was useless.  I didn't see how it was supposed to help.

I remembered that my electric screwdriver has two drill bits included.  They're small, but the plastic on the front bumper is soft enough for it to do the job.  I also grabbed some sharp ended wood screws.  The electric screwdriver couldn't seem to screw them in all the way (it was cheap and doesn't have a lot of torque).  I had to break out the old fashioned screwdriver and put a lot of muscle power into it.

Anyway, after 7 trips to the DMV, my car is all set with the real license plates, front and back.  It's registered too.  I got my Illinois license too, but here they just give you a temporary paper one at the DMV and mail the permanent plastic one to you.  They allowed me to keep my old Indiana license though. I didn't expect that.

Now I want to go back and get one of those state ID cards.  It seems like it would be handy, in case I go somewhere that asks for 2 forms of ID.  Or I could leave the driver's license in the car so I can drive places without bothering to take my wallet (if I feel like doing that).

[MartyS (Gromit)]

To use the holder you would drill 3 holes in the bumper where those indentations are and screw it on, then the plate mounts normally to the holder just like the back plate.  You need to buy the one that is made specifically for the shape of your front bumper.

The issue with mounting the plate the way you did will be the wind force pushing the plate around as you drive, most likely it will eventually start cracking around the screw holes and might fall off.  It may just bend back and form itself to the bumper, if it does that then it should stay on.

[RVR II]

Now I want to go back and get one of those state ID cards.  It seems like it would be handy, in case I go somewhere that asks for 2 forms of ID.  Or I could leave the driver's license in the car so I can drive places without bothering to take my wallet (if I feel like doing that).

A lot of places won't accept a license AND a state ID as 2 forms of identification as they need to be 2 different forms of photo IDs (I.E: passport & driver's license)..
I know for getting a PO Box the post office won't accept a Driver's License & state issued picture ID together because the driver's license super-cedes the state ID.

[Pastor of Muppets]

Now I want to go back and get one of those state ID cards.  It seems like it would be handy, in case I go somewhere that asks for 2 forms of ID.  Or I could leave the driver's license in the car so I can drive places without bothering to take my wallet (if I feel like doing that).

A lot of places won't accept a license AND a state ID as 2 forms of identification as they need to be 2 different forms of photo IDs (I.E: passport & driver's license)..
I know for getting a PO Box the post office won't accept a Driver's License & state issued picture ID together because the driver's license super-cedes the state ID.

I don't understand what the second form is supposed to be.  Who carries around 2 different forms of photo ID?  I mean, I used to have those.  At my previous job, I had a Common Access Card which is federal government issued ID.  I also had my driver's license.  I can't go get another CAC since I don't work for the government anymore.

[RVR II]

Now I want to go back and get one of those state ID cards.  It seems like it would be handy, in case I go somewhere that asks for 2 forms of ID.  Or I could leave the driver's license in the car so I can drive places without bothering to take my wallet (if I feel like doing that).

A lot of places won't accept a license AND a state ID as 2 forms of identification as they need to be 2 different forms of photo IDs (I.E: passport & driver's license)..
I know for getting a PO Box the post office won't accept a Driver's License & state issued picture ID together because the driver's license super-cedes the state ID.

I don't understand what the second form is supposed to be.  Who carries around 2 different forms of photo ID?  I mean, I used to have those.  At my previous job, I had a Common Access Card which is federal government issued ID.  I also had my driver's license.  I can't go get another CAC since I don't work for the government anymore.

A passport along with a driver's license are accepted as 2 different forms of ID.

[CJones]

About a month ago I asked if anyone knew anything about getting key codes for my Camry. I finally went to the Locksmith on Monday. Here's what he had to say:

It used to be possible to get the key code from the manufacturer by giving them the VIN, but not any more. You can get the key code (at least on a Camry) by taking off the passenger side door panel. Neither one of us wanted to do that. I've done that before and it is a gigantic pain in the ass. So he basically guessed the pin positions based on the one really worn down key I had. It took him three tries before he finally cut a key that would open the doors.

I still have trouble turning it in the ignition, but I'm pretty sure that's more the fault of the ignition than the key, since it works on all the doors and thunk just fine.

[CJones]

Here's an interesting video I just ran across explaining what the differences in octane rating actually mean. I've been wondering this for a long time, and like most people, I had completely the wrong idea.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Bb5VfiFy0kY" target="_blank" class="new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Bb5VfiFy0kY</a>