VW Education
Did you know that if the battery in your VW goes dead, that you can't get a jump start from just any old set of jumper cables? That's right! You have to have the special double-secret probation jump start cables with the voltage monitor/reader/setter that's just for special batteries like the VW has!
Isn't learning fun?
I learned this because when I went out to my favorite car (2003 piece-of-crap Jetta) this evening at 9 pm, my battery was dead :-( But, I didn't know that initially, since when I went to turn the car on, it went all Twilight Zone and the lights were flashing and the car made funny buzzing noises and I thought maybe it had turned into a space ship! So exciting! Knowing that the little green monster is a highly electronic vehicle, I thought for sure it must be a blown fuse, so I got out the myriad of fuses I keep in my glove box for just such moments. I even have a fuse tester! I am an independent and assertive woman who can fix her own car! Ha.
After 30 minutes of trying new fuses and hoping it wasn't a War of the Worlds type of thing happening to the car and that Tom Cruise wasn't going to appear with a posse of Scientologists and Kool-Aid, the security guy appeared and wondered what the hell I was doing sitting in the parking lot, on the ground (!), next to my car, using my keychain flashlight to read the fuse panel.
He attempted to jump start the car and after that failed and took another 30 minutes (although I can't call it a complete loss because I did get a lot of free car advice, and several car anecdotes, because of course he just happened to own 3 cars that he totally rebuilt) I called the VW service people and they promised to send someone out within the hour! Just an hour! And in case I was thinking about having the car towed directly to Germany, I was reminded that for every mile of towing after 15 miles, I was responsible for a per mile charge. Always good to know! I decided against having the car towed to Germany directly to Mr Volks and Mr Wagen.
So after some more drama with what to do with the car (Leave it? Tow it tomorrow? Call 1/2 dozen people to see who would get themselves out of bed/off the couch and come get me? Grab a pencil and stab it in my eye?) the tow people came and when I told the man about trying to jump start it and it not working, he pulled out the special double-secret probation jump start cables and VOILA!, it started up! (I don't know the German word for VOILA, which would be more appropriate given my Teutonic dilemma).
The tow people were very nice and when I mentioned how much trouble the little beast has given me, the very nice man laughed and the very nice woman said "Well, it is a VW after all -- no offense."
No offense, indeed. How I wish I had 2 glass eyes!
As I was driving home, I realized that one of the things that I was going to do on the way home that evening was to get gas. Knowing that I cannot leave my car running to charge the battery while I am filling the tank, I wonder if I am allowed to call the tow people again if I stop and get gas and can't get the car re-started. I know that I get about 18-20 MPG on surface streets and 22-24 MPG on the freeway. I also know when the fuel light comes on, I have about 2.5 gallons of useable gas left. I decide I will not get gas. I see outside it is a full moon. I ponder this.
I decide to take my chances.
I do not run out of gas. I look up to say THANKS! And see that it is an ALMOST full moon. Whew. Glad it wasn't tomorrow.
I will attempt to start my little green POS in the morning and drive it directly to the Costco for a new battery or call the tow people to give me a jump and then drive directly to the Costco for a new battery. Or since the Costco opens later, maybe I'll just go straight to the dealership because you knooooowwww how much I love those people. And they love me. Love is all around. I can name that tune in 5 notes.
Why does this stuff happen right BEFORE the blackout period is over???
Positive things from this experience:
1) I now know what to do if the battery dies in my VW.
2) I am able to pass this wisdom on to you.
3) I know now you should never buy a VW.
4) See #2 (yes, all the men are saying "I already knew that")
5) The security guy was cute. Yeah, so he was like 20. So what?
6) I have learned to always call roadside assistance immediately, since it is free. At least for the first 15 miles, anyways.
7) Arriving home after 11:30 pm assures me that my house will be cool.
I feel much better having taken this 15 minutes to write this. Blogging is good for your health.
PS -- #7 is the best of all of the above
