Cars and Parents

[magog_83]

I hate my car. HAAAAAAAATE IT.

My car had run out of screenwash, so I popped the bonnet, topped it up and in the process noticed that my anti-freeze was REALLY low, like about an inch and a half below the recommended minimum. I told my dad this and went on the internet to find out if it can be topped up/what with etc, the whole time with dad wittering on at me: did I take my car for its 6 month service? (no because I had no money), don't I think it should have gone for a service before now? (yes, but I had no money), I need to look after my car better! (see previous answers), driving without proper coolant is really bad! (yes, I know this now Dad).

So, finally the internet tells me that you have to have very specific anti-freeze for your car type and also mentions that it shouldn't run out between services. Or something. It might be a leak in the system, and anyway no-one will give me a lift to a Halfords to get some more anti-freeze. By this point I am both confused and a bit panicked so I thought "fuck it", I phoned the museum and cancelled tomorrow because it's a good 50 mile round trip - which made me feel terrible because I am on my own on a Friday and they're going to be stuck, even though they were lovely about it - and then I called the garage and booked my car in for a full service this coming Tuesday.

I told my dad this and got (wait for it) "Why did you go and do that? All you had to do was top it up!" ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH.

Basically I just had a rage-cry in my bedroom, mostly because I hate feeling like I've done all the wrong things and been an idiot when I was trying to do things properly :(

Comments

[jelazakazone.livejournal.com]

:::hugs::: I hope it's all ok, bb.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Sorry, was downstairs doing coursework (or attempting it, I don't understand records management AT ALL).

I feel like such an idiot now. When I phoned the museum I told them that my car was leaking anti-freeze (since this is what I thought must be happening thanks to the scare-mongering AA website) and that I was going to have to take it to the garage. Obviously I now know this is unlikely to be true, but I feel too embarrassed to phone back to say that - if anyone's still there, it closes at 5pm. Essentially I made a giant prat of myself because it was pouring with rain and I was panicking and had a headache and had just been rushing around cleaning my gran's house and worrying about getting home for my mum's birthday. Also, I love my dad but he's great at making me feel incompetent. I'm really not sure how I made such a mess of an ordinary semi-busy day :/

Ugh. I'm going to see if I can get dad to move his car so I can try and get to Halfords before it closes. I might still be able to contact Val at the archive and salvage things. Thank you!
.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Ok, raced to Halfords, bought the sodding antifreeze, performed a 5 point turn to get out the car park because a gang of teenagers thought it was hysterically funny to just NOT MOVE OUT OF THE WAY and just laugh at my driving instead, the emailed Val to say I'd be in as usual and apologise.

THIS. DAY.

But thank you for the very sensible advice <3

[sighnomore.livejournal.com]

Sally, stop being so mean to yourself. Don't call yourself an "idiot" , because you're really not. You did what you thought was right at the time and it was merely unfortunate circumstances coming together. Seriously, it's not like there are any terrible repercussions/consequences. If it affects anybody at the museum, bring them some chocolate next time you see them! <3

[capricornucopia.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I'm glad you've got it mostly sorted now. That sounds terribly stressful, and I think I would have done the exact same thing in your situation. <3 Car situations (and dad scolding situations!) make me panic as well. ALL THE HUGS FOR YOU. <3

[alilypea.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry this happened hun, here is hoping your car...gets well soon?

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you didn't know about just topping it. However, if you are leaking, you need to get it seen to anyway.

I almost ran out of oil once on my car and had to get several quarts to fill it up. Plus I didn't know if I could mix different types of engine oil or they all had to be the same manufacturer. It was a real pain and I found out later I could have mixed them - which would have been 10 times easier.