On My Soap Box, Not Political

Before I get to the soap box lets have the week in review....

Monday night football found the Seahawks winning a game that they should have lost.  This game prompted the NFL to make a deal with the real refs and settle the dispute that brought us the wrong call.  The Internet was alive with jokes, pictures and upset people over the blown call.  The replacement refs were threatened.  Really?  It is just a game.

Wednesday morning we had a small, short shower of rain come through our area.  We haven't seen measurable rainfall in quite a while so this was an event.  That event brought a double rainbow.  Though I didn't see it, some said there were three rainbows.  I have a picture on my phone that won't upload to Picasa so I can show you.

Thursday brought the upset of Stanford by my favorite college football team, the Washington Huskies.  What an exciting game.  I really enjoyed watching the Huskies.

Friday was easy going but I had to work Saturday and while it was slow we did have a good day.  I came home and wanted to crash, knowing I had but one day off this weekend.  My lovely wife had other ideas.  We had a toilet that was running off and on in the upstairs bathroom and while I was gone, she found the repair kit and installed it.  Unfortunately she did something wrong and it wouldn't shut off.  I spent maybe 20 minutes disassembling and reassembling the parts and when I finished it stopped running and doesn't run unless we flush it.  Then I crashed on the couch.

Sunday started early, way too early.  2:30 am I was awaken and was unable to return to the bliss of sleep.  So I got up, read the paper (on the Internet), watched Meet the Press, took Honey for a short potty walk, fed her and me and went upstairs to get ready for the day.  Mia and I went to the store early and were home in time to see some of the beginning of the Seahawk game.  We watched the game, enjoyed some nachos and then took Honey for another, longer exercise walk.  The Seahawks managed to lose their game with the Rams.

Now to my soap box.

In case you aren't aware, October is not only Halloween but it is National Car Care Month.  Actually we have two Car Care months and the last one was held in April.  Being in the auto business I get an opportunity to see some of the inside scoop.

The results of the vehicle inspections held at community car care events across the country was not what one would call pretty.  84% of the vehicles needed parts or service, the highest percentage seen in the past five years.  Neglect of vehicles combined with the state of the economy seem to be going hand in hand.  Even with gas prices approaching record levels consumers were choosing to ignore repairs and routine maintenance.  Better-running, well maintained vehicles can boost gas mileage and prevent bigger-ticket repairs down the road.

An analysis of the vehicle inspection forms revealed several findings, here are but a few of them:

*Nearly one out of 10 vehicles had the check engine light on
*New air filters were needed in 19% of the vehicles
*At least one belt was reported as unsatisfactory on 20% of vehicles and 15% needed a new hose
*Battery cables, clamps and terminals needed maintenance in 17% of the vehicles inspected
*28% had low or dirty motor oil
*24% had low, leaky or dirty coolant
*23% had inadequate washer fluid levels.

Now I know that most RVer's understand the need for maintenance to keep their expensive equipment up and running with little downtime.  If you haven't looked at your vehicles, all of them, recently, then it is time to either look at them yourself using a check list or find a competent technician to do it for you and follow up the results.  Don't let someone tell you have to fix everything at one time.  Take it in chunks.  Fix safety items first, items that help stop next followed by items that make you go and save you money at the pump.  Lastly, take care of accessory issues that need to be repaired or replaced.

Hope everyone has a safe one.  Thanks for visiting.