2012 year analysis

The first full year and a driven distance of 16800km, the only relevant expense this year with the Corolla was the lpg system fitted in early July, making it the daily driver since then (it was used every other week).

This year's costs.

Scheduled maintenance: 94,91€

Periodic compulsory inspection: 28,18€

Road Tax: 54,06€

Insurance: 160,84€

Spare parts: 9,00€

Tires and steering alignment: 192,00€

Cleaning products: 24,85€

LPG system installation: 2337,00€

Fuel: 1338,45€ (which 649,45€ in petrol)

Total: 4239,29€ (0,25€/km)

Everything seems to go just about fine, estimated total distance to break even is 50646km... 38805km to go!

Valve clearance check... take 2

Once again, after 11500km on LPG, I decided it was time to check on the valve clearance. This time the engine was cold, so the measurements should be more accurate than last time.

After removing the engine cables, the coils, the spark plugs, the valve cover breather and, finally, the valve cover, I could take a reading on those clearances... these were the values measured:

Intake valves: 0.25mm

Exhaust valves: 0.35mm

Since the problem is the reduced clearance... I'd say I have a pretty good chance of getting away with it.

The second pair of tires

A new pair of tires was needed, the remaining pair of Bridgestone's in the front axle (I always fit the new tires on the rear) were worn almost to the limiters, so a new pair of Yokohama's C.drive 2 were bought to fit the rear axle, leaving the older ones the job of steering the front end.

In place they costed me 192€, including steering alignment. The Bridgestone ran for about 32 thousand kilometres.

After a short run, the already used Yokohama's seem far better then the Bridgestone's, although this just might be a natural consequence of reaching the final life span of the Bridgestone's.