September 16, 2008
My only four-wheeled vehicle is pushing 100K miles. A month ago I took it in for the 95k service, and I told my service manager that I was concerned about the number of oil spots that I was seeing on my driveway. They could see the oil on the engine, and in fact had reported this practically every service that I had. Well, they didn't have time (nor did I) to dig into it during service, so I took it back when Annie was not here. They steam-cleaned the engine, and kept it for about four days. Unfortunately, they didn't drive it anywhere. So, they could never find the leak. I only paid $50 for that visit, but I was a bit steamed that I had to pay anything. I had even put a big sheet of cardboard under the truck to make sure it was really coming from the truck, and the cardboard ended up with big spots of oil on it.
To make matters worse, the truck has started to smell a lot. I can smell diesel when I start it... in the cab. So, this morning, I scheduled a maintenance, and dropped the truck off this morning. My service manager was busy, and after about ten minutes I was able to talk to him. He immediately told me that he could smell raw fuel, and we looked at the truck, and there was a spot of oil on the floor already. I assured him that I had not run the defroster or air-conditioner, so it had to be from the engine. He told me that was good, but I didn't feel quite the same way. Granted, I saw his point: it is blatantly obvious, so there is definitely something wrong, and they will fix it.
They took me to a car rental that was covered by my extended warranty, and the people were very nice. They were last time as well. This oil leak problem was handled once before, but I think it was a different problem. At any rate, last time I was put in a piece of crap, which required me to make an accordion out of my body so that I could fit in the seat. I expected the same. I saw this small PoS model sitting in the lot, and was sure that was what they were going to give me. As I walked out to the car with the rental agent, he suddenly crossed in front of me. Confused, I asked what they were giving me. He pointed to the F150 sitting next to the PoS. I was shocked. It is actually a nice truck. I stumbled getting out of it the first time because it is closer to the ground than I am used to, but it is not a crappy rental.
That said, I am always amazed at the insurance thing with rentals. I am fairly certain that my insurance does not cover rentals that are not required from insurance-covered demands. So, why does my warranty not cover that as well? I always decline, and then drive in fear that some dumb-ass is going to be texting while driving and run into me. Don't laugh. I see people driving and texting all the time. I saw it yesterday on a major freeway.
At any rate, I am quite pleased with this rental vehicle. It doesn't happen very often, and I wanted to say Yippee!
Happy, happy, joy, joy...
To make matters worse, the truck has started to smell a lot. I can smell diesel when I start it... in the cab. So, this morning, I scheduled a maintenance, and dropped the truck off this morning. My service manager was busy, and after about ten minutes I was able to talk to him. He immediately told me that he could smell raw fuel, and we looked at the truck, and there was a spot of oil on the floor already. I assured him that I had not run the defroster or air-conditioner, so it had to be from the engine. He told me that was good, but I didn't feel quite the same way. Granted, I saw his point: it is blatantly obvious, so there is definitely something wrong, and they will fix it.
They took me to a car rental that was covered by my extended warranty, and the people were very nice. They were last time as well. This oil leak problem was handled once before, but I think it was a different problem. At any rate, last time I was put in a piece of crap, which required me to make an accordion out of my body so that I could fit in the seat. I expected the same. I saw this small PoS model sitting in the lot, and was sure that was what they were going to give me. As I walked out to the car with the rental agent, he suddenly crossed in front of me. Confused, I asked what they were giving me. He pointed to the F150 sitting next to the PoS. I was shocked. It is actually a nice truck. I stumbled getting out of it the first time because it is closer to the ground than I am used to, but it is not a crappy rental.
That said, I am always amazed at the insurance thing with rentals. I am fairly certain that my insurance does not cover rentals that are not required from insurance-covered demands. So, why does my warranty not cover that as well? I always decline, and then drive in fear that some dumb-ass is going to be texting while driving and run into me. Don't laugh. I see people driving and texting all the time. I saw it yesterday on a major freeway.
At any rate, I am quite pleased with this rental vehicle. It doesn't happen very often, and I wanted to say Yippee!
Happy, happy, joy, joy...