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10/16/2002 Entry: "Car's first haircut."

Yesterday my check engine light comes on. Must be time for first scheduled tuneup. Hurray, sort of like the first haircut for the new car. There's still about 200 miles before the manual says I need to bring it in. But what the hell, if I don't take it in right away it'll be up to 4000 miles before I bring it in. Plus the light is really very annoying. So I get it in to the shop, and the guy says "Your engine lights on". Yeh, that's not just to tell me its time for the first tuneup ? Nope, this is serious. An emissions problem... This is going to take all day. You weren't planning on waiting were you ? Sigh. At least my impatience pays off ! I go get a rental car for the day.

The shop calls a few minutes after I get to the office. The problem was there was a leak in the emissions system. Oh my. Sounds expensive. Damn my impatient early-adapter ways. What was I thinking getting a new-fangled fancycar. Couldn't I have just waited for those hydrogen fuel cell jetson cars.

Their solution. I should screw my gas cap on more tightly. It was on really loose, they said. After tightening it, the light went off. Wala. Makes sense. I was sort of preoccupied with getting out of the gas station as soon as possible over the weekemd. I should turn it until I hear at least three clicks. Doh. No charge. It's covered by the warrenty, Putzboy.