I know a little....

about cars.

 

I've been driving race cars since I was FOUR years old, for heaven's sake.

I KNOW when my car is not running RIGHT, and I take it to the mechanic and clearly

describe the symptoms, and when they SAY they've checked the fluids and topped them off

but can't find anything wrong, I don't expect to have to check behind them.

 

Wrong.

 

I've had my CR-V at my local Honda dealer TWICE in the last month. When I had the inspection sticker taken care of, I mentioned that the truck seemed to not be getting enough voltage and that if it were an older car I'd suspect it also needed a good carburetor cleaning.

I got the usual EYEROLL, and a slowly worded reply about how this car doesn't have ....

yes, I KNOW that.

 

I took it back a second time, still complaining about it running *roughly* and they said I needed new BRAKES.

 

Fast forward to TODAY when I am about to leave work in the RAIN and my CR-V will not crank.

I did the only thing I knew would work.

I PRAYED.

It started.

I drove it straight to my Independent mechanic

who LISTENED to me.

He checked the battery, which had NO water in it and was now down a cell.

DEAD for all practical purposes.

I handed him a can of throttle body cleaner

which he promised me he would USE.

No EYEROLLING at this place.

He changed the oil, checked all of the belts and hoses,

and I got a NEW battery.

When he called to tell me it was ready,

he said *DANG, girl, you want a JOB?

I got mechanics who could use a supervisor!*

heh.

He said it absolutely belched SMOKE and obviously hadn't been

properly checked.

Also, my brake fluid was low. Not.good.

 

He has my business, from now ON.

 

Oh, and Dad? Thanks for the jumpstart.

 

xox

 

Comments

[Ann]

Back when *I* was *The Staff,* and therefore was the one to take the cars in for service, I fired mechanics for similar reasons. If you can't hear the noise it makes EVERY time I drive it? You are blowing me off.

Silver CR-V needs new U-joints, which could mean a new drive shaft. At least one knows what to expect when one has identical cars with different mileage...