Yesterday morning, despite having bad head cold, I ventured out with the girls to sign Hattie up for a soccer class. Being low on gas, I stopped at our corner gas station to fill up. I left the radio on for the girls while it filled up. When I got back in the car, it wouldn't start. Nor was I able to get my key out. I had power, for the heater, radio, etc, but the engine wouldn't turn over. I vaguely remembered having something like this happen before, but I couldn't remember what I had done to fix it. I called my neighbor Cassie to see if she had suggestions. After looking through the owners manual, I called the Toyota dealer. They gave me some suggestions, none of which worked. By now the girls were freezing in the backseat. The dealer suggested I get a jump, then come into the service department. I saw a policeman and asked for a jump, but apparently they can't because of all the electronics in their car. Whatever. So I called Cassie again and waited for her to rescue us. Now Anna was whining and Hattie wouldn't stop talking about getting signed up for soccer. Cassie arrived, we set the van up for a jump, but it didn't work. I was annoyed, flabbergasted, and freezing. I'm not super car savvy but I know how to jump start a car. Just as Cassie and I were getting out of the car to check the cables for a third time, a man walked up and asked if we needed help. I quickly explained how the car wouldn't start and that I couldn't even take the key out. He quickly took a look and in seconds fixed the problem. He put the van into park.
I couldn't have felt more stupid! I sheepishly thanked him, not believing I had overlooked something so simple. He walked away, silently laughing at me I think. So now I have been humbled a bit...just because I know how to jump a car doesn't necessarily mean I know how to operate one :)
10 comments:
LOL. Sounds like me. Hilarious.
Sadly, I have done that before :) You are not alone!!! hahahaha
This has happened to me on more than one occasion and each time it's the last thing I check. I'm glad it all worked out though!
I have done that exact thing!! How embarrassing, but what a nice man to help, and not laugh.. too much!
Through the whole story I was thinking, put it in park.
Can you tell I've done it before, too? I don't think I had to involve so many people, though!
I thought it was gonna end with you saying you put diesel in it. I remember Gma Iverson doing that to her old buick. haha- we ran around that gas station forever it seemed while they fixed it up.
great story! :)
That's too funny. I have done the exact same thing - wondering why I can't take my key out and then realizing I am not in park!
The other day I let my mother-in-law borrow my car (forgetting that it was low on gas). Then I had to call Val to go rescue her less than two miles from my house. I felt so lame. Thanks for sharing your story - it makes me happy to know I'm not the only one who forgets to take care of the obvious.
I have totally done that before too! And it really is the last thing you ever check because who forgets to put their car into park?! ;) Did you get Hattie all signed up for soccer?
That's hilarious. Thanks for the laugh this morning Mel.
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