#63 Get maintenance done on the car (the beyond oil change stuff)

The check engine light came on last Tuesday on my way to work. Historically this is not a good thing as my car belongs to a small pool of Saturn Vues whose transmissions came with elusive gremlins.

I didn’t get a clear answer from the service dept (not their fault but too long to explain) about what exactly it was but it involved replacing more parts in the transmission.

So that’s complete replacement in Jan 2004, half replaced in June 2007 and another half replaced in Oct 2008.  But less you think I’m complaining about this being a lemon, I’m not.

Why?

Because everytime Saturn has been very pro-active in fixing and replacing it themselves at zero cost to me. EVEN OUT OF WARRANTY!! Only difference is that while still under warranty, they threw in free rental cars too. Also it’s important to notice that my car has never broken down on me. The incident in June 2007 involved someone else behind the wheel of my car out of my sight when it “broke down” and a situation that was very hinky to begin with (read: ultimately my fault for getting it into that situation). But Saturn still fixed it.

Saturn definitely stands behind their cars so I’d buy again… if they hadn’t ruined everything that I loved about the Vues that made it unique (curved box, weird headlights, etc). Now it looks like a lot of other SUVs out there.

Best part is that at 97,000 miles and approaching  6 years of age, it’s never given me trouble. Taken me everywhere I wanted to go, even hauling all kinds of stuff and dogs too (camping this summer with 7 dogs and 4 people anyone?)

The brakes were overdue to be worked on and I took advantage of the fact that they were doing the transmission for free to use the $$ towards the brakes. So that’s done. And they aligned my wheels for free too.

So I’m all good for now! Definitely crossing this off my list since it was mainly about the brakes which are now done.

p.s. I really must commend the guys responsible for the “courtesy car wash” as my car was filthy with months of built up layers of freeway dust. My car’s a beautiful leaf green but at that point the hood of my car looked ecru to me thanks to the play of light off the dust. Anyone would be hardpressed to tell you (from the drivers seat) that it was green!

Not only did they scrub it all off but they also took care to remove all the magnets from the back of my car and wash underneath them. They even WASHED the magnets themselves!! You’d be surprised how much grit the magnets pick up and hold underneath but right now they’re smooth & clean.  Go Saturn of the Valley!!

#65 Thoroughly clean out the car. Vacuum and scrub all surfaces til as new as possible.

Early this summer, I cleaned out the car to get it ready for the vacumn and scrubbing but didn’t get around to it. But for a long time, managed to keep the car fairly clear of clutter. Even now, it’s not as bad as it used to be though definitely need to do it again.

Now’s a good time for it to make the interior as clean and “red up” as the exterior!