My father knows his car sounds. He is the Doctor Doolittle of cars. I don't think this skill has made him very happy over the years, because cars usually just complain or scream in agony, they rarely say things like "I'm feeling GREAT!" or "I love you!"
I called my father and explained the sound that Beckzy has been making, and he immediately said, "Your power steering fluid is low. Check it out and refill it." So I took my first dive under Beckzy's hood -- she's modest that way -- and discovered that her power steering tank wasn't just LOW, it was TOTALLY EMPTY. No wonder she's been bitching.
One bottle of power steering fluid later...and Beckzy's whine has almost totally disappeared. What's more, she steers like a buttery swan, like the car she always knew she could be. When I drove her to work today ("to get the bubbles out of the fluid") she seemed to be saying what cars NEVER say to people: "I'm feeling great! Love you! And thanks, dad!"
9 comments:
That's very good news. And a good, quick diagnosis. Your dad is impressive.
Eh-hem. Maybe you don't remember MY diagnosis last Sunday?
I would add this further: perhaps there is a LEAK in your steering fluid container. Why would I suggest this? Because I assume that the dealership, or who ever sold you this car, would 1) top up any car lubricants running dangerously low, or 2) tell you that the steering fluid is really low. It's just one of those things someone woulda/shoulda/coulda checked at the point of sale.
Don't they always say you should date an electrician/plumber/mechanic? Now I understand. :)
Yup Vanilla, I'm keeping a close eye under the hood (and on the dirt of the parking lot)...there could be something up. In the meantime I'm just happy it isn't a sign that the undercarriage is about to fall off!
Which would be awkward.
>And thanks, dad!"
Umm, Are Beckzy and you sisters?
:)
Sort of "half-sisters," and we're about the same age (in "sedan years").
PS: Tonight, car-maven Jade explained that the whining sound happens because the power steering pump is "sucking air." Now we know!
Your Dad always was one of them sensible, handy fellas.
There are some people, I suspect, who actually LOOK FORWARD to their cars breaking down, so they can diagnose and fix the problem.
My dad's not one of those people, as you probably remember, but when the car problems DID happen he was right on top of them, usually before any of us would have even ADMITTED that something was wrong.
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