Car woes

Well, in the little shop of horrors, or also, my life, I got to take my car to the service department.

Yesterday, the little warning light came on with a message to "Check Coolant Levels." No idea what that is, where it might be located, or even if I own the correct coolant. So I called the service department.

Dealing with the service department is a talent I do not possess. Really dealing with the public is a talent I do not possess. Just let me call up and get a service appointment. Let me drop off my car, pick up the loaner car, and go about my day. Later on, you call, say car is fixed and we reverse the day. It seems so simple. Yet, it never works out that way.

First, I need to have rapid fire questions shot at me. What kind of coolant? What is the engine doing? What is the mileage? Has it gone Four Wheeling? My answers are always the same. "Who in the Sam hell knows!" If I knew the coolant it wanted, I would certainly provide it. I have no idea what the engine is doing, I assume it is running the car, but again no real clue. Since the car is still in the garage in the morning, I can safely say that it doesn't appear to have gone Four Wheeling in the night. But it may be living a secret life. My ex was and I didn't know about that one, so we can say that I may be unaware of activities that take place right under my nose.

Finally, we get an appointment and are set up for a loaner car. Drive over there. The kid goes because for some strange reason, HE ABSOLUTELY LOVES THE DEALERSHIP. The same questions are asked. For Pete's sake people, write it down. And for the record, if you work at a restaurant, write it down. Your mind is never as good as you think it is. Pencils were invented for a reason.

They try and give us a Hummer for a loaner. No thank you. We get a snazzy red jag. Very nice, though I feel like I am riding in a hole. I am a big believer in getting that insurance that is like a giant invisible shield all over your car. Where no matter what happens to you, you don't pay. Sweet! I always get it. It drives my kid nuts and he will have a long conversation about the waste of money that feature is. I don't listen. If there is a meteorite heading for New York, it will veer off course and hit me in Washington. I am a serious magnet for weirdos. Not just ones in cars either, they find me on foot as well. It is quite a talent.

So I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is something simple. And it will be done today. Let's all hope.