Driving older cars always presented a steep learning curve when it came to keeping them running. Breaking down on the highway was always scary. Trying to get help was always nerve racking.
I decided I should be more proactive and learn some basic maintenance skills. One of the Adult Ed courses offered in Helena was “Powder Puff Mechanics Course.” I signed up and the Fury and I went to class regularly. At class we looked at the different parts of the engine. We learned some of the basics.
Then came the finale - changing the oil. I went through all the steps under the careful eye of the instructor. When it came to tightening the oil filter I couldn’t quite get it. He used a loop (my term) and tightened it up. I went home feeling proud of my accomplishment.
The next morning after driving almost a block I noticed I was leaving a trail of oil. Today such a trail would have been accompanied by an EPA investigation. I being a smart and observant person concluded the oil trail equalled a problem with the car. Aren’t you amazed at my deductive reasoning?
I stopped at the first service station with a repair bay. I pulled in and told the mechanic on duty that I had recently had my oil changed. But this morning I had noticed a major leak. He put the car up on the hydraulic lift while I waited below. Soon he came over to me. His visage telegraphed pure rage.
“Lady I don’t know what fool you took your car to, but they didn’t tighten the oil filter when they changed the oil.”
“Did I damage anything?”
“No you caught it in time. Promise me you won’t ever let that fool touch your car again.”
Nodding compliantly I agreed quickly, “I won’t let that fool ever change the oil again.”
“I hope not! He should never be allowed near a car.”
I decided to keep what shreds of dignity I still possessed and and didn’t divulge the identity of the fool.
True to my word I never again changed my own oil.
I decided I should be more proactive and learn some basic maintenance skills. One of the Adult Ed courses offered in Helena was “Powder Puff Mechanics Course.” I signed up and the Fury and I went to class regularly. At class we looked at the different parts of the engine. We learned some of the basics.
Then came the finale - changing the oil. I went through all the steps under the careful eye of the instructor. When it came to tightening the oil filter I couldn’t quite get it. He used a loop (my term) and tightened it up. I went home feeling proud of my accomplishment.
The next morning after driving almost a block I noticed I was leaving a trail of oil. Today such a trail would have been accompanied by an EPA investigation. I being a smart and observant person concluded the oil trail equalled a problem with the car. Aren’t you amazed at my deductive reasoning?
I stopped at the first service station with a repair bay. I pulled in and told the mechanic on duty that I had recently had my oil changed. But this morning I had noticed a major leak. He put the car up on the hydraulic lift while I waited below. Soon he came over to me. His visage telegraphed pure rage.
“Lady I don’t know what fool you took your car to, but they didn’t tighten the oil filter when they changed the oil.”
“Did I damage anything?”
“No you caught it in time. Promise me you won’t ever let that fool touch your car again.”
Nodding compliantly I agreed quickly, “I won’t let that fool ever change the oil again.”
“I hope not! He should never be allowed near a car.”
I decided to keep what shreds of dignity I still possessed and and didn’t divulge the identity of the fool.
True to my word I never again changed my own oil.
