Dumb girl, nice strangers
This weekend, my car overheated when I was in the D.C. area.
Of course, it was dark. I was in an area I kind of knew, but not all that well. I pulled over near a fire station to ask where I could buy coolant or antifreeze or whatever it is the car wanted.
One of the firefighters pointed me to an auto parts shop down the street.
By the time I got there, it had just closed.
A lingering employee saw me knocking on the window and came to the door. Because they were officially closed, he couldn't sell me anything, but maybe the gas station on the corner?
There, the store and service areas were both closed, but the sole employee was kind enough to fill an empty jug with water so I could pour it in my radiator.
Of course, first, I had to find the radiator.
After studying the confusing metal maze beneath the hood, I decided pouring water in the wrong place might make the problem worse (and waste the little water I had), so I had better be sure.
A guy pumping gas kindly came over and pointed it out.
That got me to where I was going, and to a mechanic the next morning. After five hours and $425, the leaking radiator was fixed.
I hate dealing with car stuff, mostly because it makes me feel dumb. I need to learn more.
bil · April 1, 2008 3:21 PM
A lot of guys (including me) wouldn't have done any better. At the risk of sounding sexist, I feel the same way about anything having to do with the kitchen. To paraphrase someone famous, "If I butter my bread, that's cooking."
Jo Ott · April 1, 2008 10:52 PM
Egads! What are you driving? It's been 25 years since I've heard of an overheated/leaky radiator. Buy a Honda Civic and your car worries will be over--maybe forever.
Jen · April 2, 2008 11:48 AM
Um, my car is a Honda Civic. 2002 model, 130,000 miles. I know that's high mileage, but I didn't think I'd have an issue like this either!
salvatrice · April 2, 2008 6:35 PM
what a pain!
i hate dealing with car stuff too, but at least you have the wherewithall to figure out what to do...i once ruined a car because i didn't chance the oil...EVER...even when the oil light came on...i just thought, "hmm, there must be something wrong with the dashboard because that light won't go off." God Bless Public Transportation!
Laura · April 3, 2008 5:08 PM
Glad you found some nice strangers, Jen!! Cars are great until they break down!! Salvatrice, I ruined a car that way too!! One more reason we are friends:)
Jo Ott · April 3, 2008 11:06 PM
Not happy to read you're already driving a Civic. Me too--a 2004 model with less than half your mileage. All this time I thought I was driving a sacred cow!