Watergirl's World: If I ever get married, his vows will be, "I promise to love, honor, and take care of all of the car stuff."

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July 06, 2006

If I ever get married, his vows will be, "I promise to love, honor, and take care of all of the car stuff."

For the past two days, my car has been a little tricky to start up. I did think that I'd probably have to get a new battery this weekend. Today when I got out of work (on my way to the barn. Never when I am just going home.) she wouldn't start. Luckily, our administrative assistant had walked out at the same time I did, and she heard my car not start. Also luckily, she had jumper cables. Because I? I took them out of my car for the move and never put them back. (Generally, I drive around with an auto-care crate. I had taken it out for the trunk space.)

When I went to start her up after riding, she was sticky again, so I thought, "Well, there's an AutoZone up the road, and I definitely won't be able to start her in the morning if I don't get a new battery." I went in, found out the price, and called Dad.

Dad: Hello.
WG: So, I'm at AutoZone, and since I just tried my car and she won't start, it's a bit of a moot point, but they are trying to charge me $60 for a battery. Plus $10 "core charge."*
Dad: Why are you arguing over $10?
WG: I'm not. But aren't batteries like $20?
Dad: Yes. In 1971.

I bought the battery, and the AutoZone guy came out to install it. (Also in the auto-care crate? Tools.) Took him forever to find the right size socket for the 4 nuts that you have to take off/loosen to take out the battery. Except that the 4th one? A completely different size. Took him about 20 minutes to put the new battery in.

But then? The car started. Easily.

On the way home? The gas light came on. My reaction? "I just bought you a battery!"

*I didn't have to pay this because I traded in my old battery. Still have no idea what it's about, though.

09:01 PM

Comments

i think that's some kind of environmental charge... but wouldn't you have to pay that if you were trading in the old one, as they'd have to dispose of it? i dunno... did the guy charge for putting it in? cuz i've always gone to auto shops and payed $$$ cuz i've bought the battery then paid for installation. at least now you know it's not the battery the next time it won't start *ducks for cover*

Posted by monique at July 6, 2006 09:36 PM

I'm with you - I hate doing the car stuff. I'd rather do every single bit of housecleaning and cooking.

Posted by megan at July 7, 2006 08:07 AM

Ah yes, the jumper cables. They've saved my life once. Not because they could actually jump start the beetle when I needed it. No. The cables have a strange vinyl bag they sit in, which was on my back seat. Somehow I managed to toss a lit cigarette back into the back seat. It landed on the bag, not the seat. Sometimes it works out well not to have cables where they're supposed to be!

Posted by lastewie at July 7, 2006 09:54 AM

What is it about cars and moving? On our actual moving day the car threw a belt on the highway, which promptly shredded and took out a second belt. I think our car must have a wireless internet link to our bank account, and knows when we absolutely can't afford a repair. Then, like some sort of oil-sucking vampire, it strikes!

Posted by dreadmouse at July 7, 2006 02:01 PM