temperature rising

This morning as I drove to the gym, an indicator light on my instrument panel went off (well, other than the engine light that's been on for two weeks now because my mechanic told me it was probably just randomly misfiring, so I've learned to ignore it).  Then I got the red "STOP IMMEDIATELY. Check coolant" warning.  I turned around and went back up the hill, hoping my car wouldn't just break then and there because it's about 700 degrees outside today and I didn't feel like walking the rest of the way home.  Once safely home, I checked my car manual (after I found the right one, that is. For some reason my car came with a thick pile of various manuals offering different bits of fascinating information about my car.)  I popped the hood and looked at the coolant overflow tank.  Much to my surprise, it was filled waaaaaaaaay below the minimum required for the efficient operation of my engine.  And yet, this was the first warning I'd had.  (Or was it?  Maybe my mechanic's idea of an engine warning light "misfire" is actually an actual warning.  Remind me to take that up with him tomorrow.)

Anywho, point is the coolant is very low.  So of course I decide to go buy more to refill the tank, an easy enough task, yes?

No.

The first auto parts store did not have the type indicated in my trusty manual.  "Good luck finding that," the chubby greasy man told me as I walked out the door.  I decided to call another auto parts store before I drove there. 

Me: I need coolant for my VW.  Do you have G12?
Kragen Auto Supply: Coolant?
Me: Yes, you know--so the engine doesn't overheat?
Kragen: Ohhhh, you mean anti-freeze?
Me: Yes, but around here we need it to cool, not not freeze.
Kragen: We have that.
Me: Do you have G12?
Kragen: Er, what color is it?
Me: Orangey-red.
Kragen: Oooh! We have that!
Me: But is it G12?  My manual says not to mix what's in there with anything else.
Kragen: Hold on.  [Puts down phone. I hear footsteps back and forth.]  Hello? Yea, it doesn't say anything about G12 but it says it can be used on VWs. 
Me: [Imagining my car exploding on my way to work] Nah.  I'll try elsewhere.
Kragen: But we have the orangey-red one.  We have it.
Me: Thanks. [click]

I call the VW dealership but since their Service & Parts department is closed, they won't sell me any super-special coolant.  I will have to wait until Monday morning.  When Bell hears this he  picks up the phone to take issue with the dealer, a move which rather surprised me for its impulsiveness, touch of righteousness, and sheer futility. It's the kind of thing I would have done if VW had put out a recall on a car part, the replacement of which would have required me to leave the car with them all day, then told me I would have to pay for a car rental myself.  Hey wait--they did do that to me, and my righteous indignation was completely lost on them. The VW sales dealer was kind enough to suggest auto supply stores if I really needed coolant today.  Everyone's a  comedian.

Next we hit the Auto Zone on the off-chance that we had just been checking the wrong auto supply stores. This may come as a surprise to you, but they don't carry G12. Ah, but there is always EZ Lube.  The very name suggests EZness, and at this point I just wanted things to be EZ.  I needed EZ.  I called them before going there, just to be sure.  When I said I needed G12 for my VW, a woman said she'd go take a look.  It was a very long look, and perhaps she left the store to continue her search because I was on hold for a spell when a guy finally picked up the line.  I told him I was waiting for someone to find coolant for my VW, specifically G12.  Did they have that?

"We have coolant for VWs," he said.  But of course, he did not answer the question. If I learned anything taking depositions, it was how to listen when an adversary's witness answers a question.

"Is it G12?" 

" . . .Welllllll, it's for VWs. We use it on VWs all the time.  . ."

Not so EZ after all.

So now I have to wait until tomorrow morning to drop both kids off at school (with the one car that has sufficient coolant), then drive north to buy the g-damn G12, then head south for an hour and fifteen minute commute to work (assuming no traffic), for which I'll be late, which means I have to reschedule some appointments.

Sigh.

At this point I could use a little coolant bath myself.

Comments

[fringes]

I read all this with amazement. I barely know how to fill my gas tank and don't think I've ever read the manual for anything I own.

You're my new hero.

[Hippo Brigade]

Oh My Gosh! I totally have the same story. For I too have a VW that requires special G12 coolant. You can only get it at the dealership. So sorry about your fruitless quest, and I'm glad your car didn't explode, that would have really sucked.

[Gina]

I love the technical term, "Orangey-red."

[heart shaped hedges]

Oh to live on the prairie...some days, I just long to be back in the "olden days" because it seems life wasnt quite so hectic.

You are to be commended on the upkeep of your car...I'd have probably just filled it up with water and been on my way (and broke down later.)

[BOSSY]

That was the scariest roller coaster ride Bossy has ever been on!