I just spent two hours at the Toyota dealership because of a CHECK ENGINE light in my Prius. For those unfamiliar, the Prius is a hybrid, therefore, it has lots of computer stuff and battery stuff (like my mechanical lingo?!) going on. I was told there were fifty possible explanations for that light.
I signed an agreement to pay a minimum of $110 to diagnose (and possibly fix) the problem. I prepared myself for bad news.
Diagnosis: LOOSE GAS CAP
That’s right. No matter what type of car you drive, you must tighten the gas cap or else a vacuum or a leak (or something) develops which will cause that damned light to go on. This problem is NOT specific to hybrids!
Sigh.
Good news: I got lots of revision work done (I took over one of those little rooms where the salespeople put the screws to the poor souls negotiating a price for their new vehicle) so I could read my pages aloud and make necessary changes.
Gooder news: They “only” charged me $55.
Goodest news: There’s cold beer in the fridge.
Tracy Abell 
Yeesh…maybe we don’t want a hybrid, after all 😉
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Hybrids are GREAT!!!! This isn’t a hybrid issue, the guy told me it’s true for ALL cars.
Don’t shun the hybrids!!! 🙂
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Well, that’s good — because we really want one!
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Yeesh…maybe we don’t want a hybrid, after all 😉
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Hybrids are GREAT!!!! This isn’t a hybrid issue, the guy told me it’s true for ALL cars.
Don’t shun the hybrids!!! 🙂
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Hybrids are GREAT!!!! This isn’t a hybrid issue, the guy told me it’s true for ALL cars.
Don’t shun the hybrids!!! 🙂
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Well, that’s good — because we really want one!
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Your dealer does not sound nice!!
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You’re right but on the other hand, I was very relieved we didn’t have a huge problem/cost on our hands. And I guess they play on that. 😦
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Your dealer does not sound nice!!
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You’re right but on the other hand, I was very relieved we didn’t have a huge problem/cost on our hands. And I guess they play on that. 😦
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Thanks for the warning, Tracy. We love our Prius, too! Awesome little car! And when I’m driving behind one I just want to pick it up and play with it like a Matchbox car. They’re so cute!
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They ARE like little Matchbox cars. I get such a thrill each week as I see more and more of them on the roads.
Ours is a 2004 but I still feel “new car” happy each time I get in to drive.
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Thanks for the warning, Tracy. We love our Prius, too! Awesome little car! And when I’m driving behind one I just want to pick it up and play with it like a Matchbox car. They’re so cute!
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Well, $55 will certain fix a loose gas cap!
Sorry you found out the hard way. Enjoy your cold drink.
Although it’s Sunday morning now. Hopefully you’re in bed!
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Yuck, huh?
I’m going to tell the dealership they should automatically tell customers who call regarding check engine lights to first check the gas cap. Would’ve saved me time and money. Ah well.
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Well, $55 will certain fix a loose gas cap!
Sorry you found out the hard way. Enjoy your cold drink.
Although it’s Sunday morning now. Hopefully you’re in bed!
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Well, $55 will certain fix a loose gas cap!
Sorry you found out the hard way. Enjoy your cold drink.
Although it’s Sunday morning now. Hopefully you’re in bed!
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55$ for a loose gas cap. Eek.
Once I forgot to put the cap back on the engine after checking my oil and then drove on the interstate for 2 hours. Sprayed oil all over the inside of the hood.
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You’re right: EEK!
Sorry about your oil spray. Hope it didn’t do lasting damage. I once blew out an oil pan because I willfully ignored the light in order to get a sick friend home. That cost a chunk of change.
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55$ for a loose gas cap. Eek.
Once I forgot to put the cap back on the engine after checking my oil and then drove on the interstate for 2 hours. Sprayed oil all over the inside of the hood.
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They ARE like little Matchbox cars. I get such a thrill each week as I see more and more of them on the roads.
Ours is a 2004 but I still feel “new car” happy each time I get in to drive.
LikeLike
They ARE like little Matchbox cars. I get such a thrill each week as I see more and more of them on the roads.
Ours is a 2004 but I still feel “new car” happy each time I get in to drive.
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Yuck, huh?
I’m going to tell the dealership they should automatically tell customers who call regarding check engine lights to first check the gas cap. Would’ve saved me time and money. Ah well.
LikeLike
Yuck, huh?
I’m going to tell the dealership they should automatically tell customers who call regarding check engine lights to first check the gas cap. Would’ve saved me time and money. Ah well.
LikeLike
You’re right: EEK!
Sorry about your oil spray. Hope it didn’t do lasting damage. I once blew out an oil pan because I willfully ignored the light in order to get a sick friend home. That cost a chunk of change.
LikeLike
You’re right: EEK!
Sorry about your oil spray. Hope it didn’t do lasting damage. I once blew out an oil pan because I willfully ignored the light in order to get a sick friend home. That cost a chunk of change.
LikeLike
Totally off topic, but I’m wondering if you’re still willing to look at sample pages for my memoir? I’ve only written the first chapter, but I’d love to get some initial feedback on pacing, voice, plot, whatever.
I’m headed to the East Coast early tomorrow morning. If you’d like and are willing, I could send the (12) pages before I go. Send an email answer, but please know that I’ll dertainly understand if you don’t want to or don’t have time…
newport2newport AT gmail DOT com
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Totally off topic, but I’m wondering if you’re still willing to look at sample pages for my memoir? I’ve only written the first chapter, but I’d love to get some initial feedback on pacing, voice, plot, whatever.
I’m headed to the East Coast early tomorrow morning. If you’d like and are willing, I could send the (12) pages before I go. Send an email answer, but please know that I’ll dertainly understand if you don’t want to or don’t have time…
newport2newport AT gmail DOT com
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Totally off topic, but I’m wondering if you’re still willing to look at sample pages for my memoir? I’ve only written the first chapter, but I’d love to get some initial feedback on pacing, voice, plot, whatever.
I’m headed to the East Coast early tomorrow morning. If you’d like and are willing, I could send the (12) pages before I go. Send an email answer, but please know that I’ll dertainly understand if you don’t want to or don’t have time…
newport2newport AT gmail DOT com
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