To know me, is to know that you will rarely see me in socks or shoes with a back. That's right, even today, I sit here in my slip-on shoes without any kind of socks on. And in case you haven't been paying attention, I do NOT live anywhere warm. Today the thermometer reads -12 degrees, with wind chills that are supposed to range from -30 to -45. It's a little chilly out there.
And yes I am finally wishing I would have put on some socks. Especially as I drove my hunk of junk van to the dealership. Granted, many cars don't enjoy this weather and don't start well. But this lovely hunk, well its a mere 5 years old, but it's had this lovely trait since the first winter we had it. Today I spent 25 minutes sitting in the freezing car with my foot on the gas. You see it won't stay running otherwise so unlike most I can't turn it on and wait in side while it warms. Then after being restarted at least half a dozen times it finally stayed running for 5 minutes without my foot on the gas. So I figured I'd give it a shot. After a quick trip around the block, just to be sure, I headed off to the dealership. Yes, I had to be at work today but I figured there may never be such a great opportunity to let the service people at Dodge (oops I wasn't going to name names) see the lovely tricks my van does. So off I went. The first 15-20 minutes of the trip went fine. Then as I'm driving at 45 miles and hour it dries to die. Nothing like the jolt of a vehicle going 45 to nothing first thing in the morning. It didn't actually die at that point but just kept giving these big lovely jolts, the RPMs and the speedometer would plummet, the check engine light would flash its happy face at me and the lovely chime would go off. It continued to do this more and more the rest of the trip. Which thankfully wasn't a whole lot farther but it was all 45 mile and hour busy streets! Then it'd die at every stop light. Luckily it restarted quickly each time since there was someone behind me at each light, and I mean CLOSE behind me at each light. At one light it even died, I restarted it and moved up, just in case so the lady behind me wouldn't be stuck...she pulled up even closer! So anyway, my van is now at the dealership and I want to see what they magic computer tells them. It's always said...nothing. But this time, I'm not driving it off their lot without some answer. I felt like I was in a death trap this morning. As if instant frostbite isn't enough to make your morning suck!!!!
And yes I am finally wishing I would have put on some socks. Especially as I drove my hunk of junk van to the dealership. Granted, many cars don't enjoy this weather and don't start well. But this lovely hunk, well its a mere 5 years old, but it's had this lovely trait since the first winter we had it. Today I spent 25 minutes sitting in the freezing car with my foot on the gas. You see it won't stay running otherwise so unlike most I can't turn it on and wait in side while it warms. Then after being restarted at least half a dozen times it finally stayed running for 5 minutes without my foot on the gas. So I figured I'd give it a shot. After a quick trip around the block, just to be sure, I headed off to the dealership. Yes, I had to be at work today but I figured there may never be such a great opportunity to let the service people at Dodge (oops I wasn't going to name names) see the lovely tricks my van does. So off I went. The first 15-20 minutes of the trip went fine. Then as I'm driving at 45 miles and hour it dries to die. Nothing like the jolt of a vehicle going 45 to nothing first thing in the morning. It didn't actually die at that point but just kept giving these big lovely jolts, the RPMs and the speedometer would plummet, the check engine light would flash its happy face at me and the lovely chime would go off. It continued to do this more and more the rest of the trip. Which thankfully wasn't a whole lot farther but it was all 45 mile and hour busy streets! Then it'd die at every stop light. Luckily it restarted quickly each time since there was someone behind me at each light, and I mean CLOSE behind me at each light. At one light it even died, I restarted it and moved up, just in case so the lady behind me wouldn't be stuck...she pulled up even closer! So anyway, my van is now at the dealership and I want to see what they magic computer tells them. It's always said...nothing. But this time, I'm not driving it off their lot without some answer. I felt like I was in a death trap this morning. As if instant frostbite isn't enough to make your morning suck!!!!
I hate socks and shoes too. But I cant take the cold anymore and have started to wear socks in the winter. But I still hate them, lol
ReplyDeleteI hope they figure out whats going on with you van. That sucks that your having so many problems with it.
Well they just called, it's going to cost me $575 to get everything done but a big hunk of that is regular maintainance. They are actually covering to large items under our deductible, FINALLY!!!
ReplyDeleteWohoo at least some of its covered and its not "nothing" crossing my fingers that whatever they are doing is actually going to fix it.. and they arent just fixing anything they want to make u happy lol. Been there done that unfortunately. Oh and I despise socks too, flip flops all the way. Even in the snow :-X
ReplyDeleteWohoo at least some of its covered and its not "nothing" crossing my fingers that whatever they are doing is actually going to fix it.. and they arent just fixing anything they want to make u happy lol. Been there done that unfortunately. Oh and I despise socks too, flip flops all the way. Even in the snow :-X
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that a car never breaks down in the summer when you're on a leisurely Sunday drive? It's always in the middle of winter when you need to get somewhere! And when you're not wearing socks!
ReplyDeleteLove this post, 'cause I been there, done that!
Oh Lisa Noel that was such a funny post. I hate to laugh at anyones misery (especially yours) but that was written with such great humor. Good luck with the ole dodge. Our prayers are that you get the answers you want and that it doesnt cost that much. Everytime we take our car in to the shop its always something big. Hopefully its somehting minor like the fuel pump going out or a week battery. Something like that.
ReplyDeleteTim
My car stops randomly at stop lights sometimes too! I'm sorry for your frustration. But in -12 weather, that's dangerous!
ReplyDeleteYou're only a little bit crazy for not wearing socks :)
I used to have a car like that and it was so frustrating to not be able to count on it when I needed it!!! I'm glad they're covering some of the maintenance under your deductible! Hopefully this will be the fix you need to get your baby running smoothly again!
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing worse than adding car troubles to an already hectic life. At least this time they found out what was wrong with it and can fix it...
ReplyDeleteIt was so cold here today too. Ugh. Sorry that you had all that trouble. Gotta watch your piggies so they don't get frostbit in this weather.
ReplyDeleteWe had similar temps today and I had 2 pair of socks on. I hope it doesn't take long for them to get your car fixed.
ReplyDeleteHey there you, go on over to my blog, there is something for you there my friend!
ReplyDeleteTim