I think we should take up a collection for Rock Grrrl

As many of you know, Rock Grrrl and I did a house swap. For five weeks this summer, she's living in my house in Belgium while I'm staying in her condo in Virginia.

We opted to rent a van for a month but Rock Grrrl graciously told us we are welcome to use her Jeep as a second vehicle while we're at the condo. She left us instructions on how to drive the Jeep, which are SO blog worthy. Here are the notes Rock Grrrl left on her Jeep:

"The speedometer DOESN'T WORK! 2,000 rpms in fifth gear = 70 mph, 1,800 rpm is about 55 mph.

Since the speedometer doesn't work, neither does the odometer. Get a receipt if you have to get gas so I can plug it into my spreadsheet and estimate the mileage.  :)

Sometimes it tries to stall out when you come to your first stop. Won't do it again once you restart (usually just does this in the morning).

If it rains a lot, the brake lights might not work. It's a wiring thing--be aware.

Sometimes it revs really high when you first start it up. Slamming the gas pedal sometimes works, other times you have to lift the hood and manually rev the choke. 

The AC fan only works on high right now, but the AC DOES work!

The green box in the back has jumper cables, coolant, and other car things in it."

Says V-Grrrl, "Jumper cables? Coolant? Tools? What Rock Grrrl really needs is AAA membership AND a new car!" Send your check today to the Give a Rockin Grrrl a Jeep fund!"

P.S. I don't manually adjust chokes in parking lots anymore, no matter how much someone complains about their revving engine. I'm just too old for that, y'all.

July 18, 2007

Comments

[RockGrrrl]

HAHAHA :) Hope the Jeep has been treating you right! I had thought about upgrading to one of those new Jeep Patriots, but I'm still about $16k short. So, it's busted odometers and screwy wiring for now :) The b/f hates that it doesn't have airbags (that's the LEAST of my worries!!). I'm just getting annoyed that the quirks pop up faster than I can fix them. Always an adventure, though!

[V-Grrrl]

I so admire your sense of adventure in all respects--

You're a REAL woman!

Even E, the engineer and mechanic, was reluctant to take your car out of the parking lot. He did however, rev it up, just so it wouldn't feel neglected!

[Ortizzle]

Old cars rock! I have driven a lot of "Rock Grrrl cars" in my time. How about a car with the teeth missing in first gear, no reverse, the hand brake barely works, and you're stopped on a 45 degree hill with several people behind you, bumper to bumper.

Hmmm... now you have given me an idea for a post: "Jalopies I have known and loved."

[Expat-CIT]

V-grrl - love reading your blog! I'm an American small town girl soon to become an offial "expat in Belgium"...been reading your posts for many months in anticipation of my new life. Keep keepin' in real! And thanks for the inspiration. Expat-CIT (chick in training!)

[Clare]

In our youth DH and I had a van that sounds just like your jeep - ours didn't have reverse, so you had to REALLY careful where you parked it! Don't suppose it would be allowed on the road now, But it was FUN!
Ah youth.

[Shirl Grrrl]

No way... no how... would I even dare to think about driving that thing up there in No. VA. Rock Grrrl, I'm now going to have to say daily prayers for you when you get back as I know you're going to out on those crazy interstates in that vehicle! Too many horrible scenarios pop up in my head... God love ya!

[platypus]

It sounds like quite an adventure!

[Peace]

There is something that can be said for anticipation. Wondering will it start? Will it stop? Will it change gears?
Thankful when it does, cursing when it doesn't.
Brings back memories.