Ok… it’s been all summer since I wrote a new blog post. Well, actually, I have been busy on another blog and of course, it’s almost Creepy Clevelandseason!
But today was kinda special. Today I made great progress in dealing with my horrible, irrational fear of my car by performing some ‘recommended maintenance’.
For the past year or so, every time I take the car to Firestone for an oil change, I get one of those ‘Recommended Services’ sheets and a cheerful smile at the end. The recommended services are always the same… fuel filter ($138), spark plugs and wires ($167) and a transmission flush (some non-affordable amount I don’t remember).
So today, Chris, a friend of mine from work, helped me replace the spark plugs and fuel filter. In his driveway. In the rain.
I have no idea what this is.
The fuel filter was a pain in the ass, and I was beginning to understand why they charge so damn much to replace it. We had to remove all kinds of things to even get to it. First, I had to pull the fuses for the fuel pump. Then we pulled off the air duct. Next out came the battery. (at this point I was a little nervous) Getting these two little screws off the mounting bracket was tougher than it looked. Finally, we got the damn thing out. Putting the new one in was a lot easier. My only problem was a vivid image I had of being crushed while wheeling around under the car on the creepy-crawlie. I knew the jack was holding the car up and if the jack failed, there was a jack-stand. But I still, the vision persisted. After years of swearing and calling the car names, I wouldn’t be surprised if it tried to kill me…
Replacing the spark plugs was as easy as I imagined as long as you have the right tools. Which we did.
A total of almost three hours and $38 later, we were done. Chris saved me a ton of money and talked me through some things I would have been too scared to try on my own. He’s awesome and I owe him a ton.
Next maintenance: just a plain old oil change and tire-rotation.
This year, I plan to avoid the Pre-Winter Car Freakout.
Thanks, Chris.