The Warning Light Is Off

The “Engine Maintenance Required” light came on in my Toyota Prius. In fact, it came on about six weeks ago. The warning light means that I am due for an oil change. I hate getting my oil changed. The light has been on for six weeks because I dread the chore of having it done. The guys working at those oil change businesses are all the gruff and unfriendly type. I hate going to them, let alone the time and the money spent. About five months ago I went to a Valvoline Instant Oil Change facility. It was not exactly instant. I think it took almost a half hour, including the time it took them to try to sell me some other kind of extra filter. And the employees were so ill-humored. It is all I can do to keep from lecturing them on how grumpy they are.

Anyhow, a few days ago, when I had looked at the glowing warning light long enough, I decided I would change the oil myself. I went on the internet to watch Youtube videos on how to do it. I watched this one video a couple of times, and then watched one other oil change video too, just in case the first one left something out. It looked pretty easy. I bought a big jug of synthetic oil and an oil filter for my 2008 Prius. The synthetic oil was on sale. Things were looking pretty good.

Yesterday early evening I decided I would finally go out and do it; change my car’s oil. I put on these ugly, grimy pants, a dirty old shirt, and onto my head went this ancient Mets cap. I was ready to go. I went out my door with my pliers in hand, destined for my Prius.

I got in my car and after a few minutes of looking around the car’s dashboard, found the handle to release the hood. I then got out, lifted the hood and following another minute or two, saw how it could be held up with the provided steel rod, rather than a human arm. I then studied the engine itself. The perspective I was getting from my position standing over the engine was nothing like what I had seen on the Youtube video. I knew the bolt that needed to be removed to drain the oil was under the car, but I did not see the oil filter anywhere. I must have spent five minutes walking to and fro, looking at the motor from every angle; I could not find anything that looked like the new filter I had recently purchased.

Well, of course there was only one person to call; my dad. He knows about cars, at least he knows more than I do. I pulled out my cellphone and fortunately, he was home.

“Dad, I’m going to change my car's oil,” I think I said. “I’ve got the filter and the oil and I am at this moment standing over my car engine looking down at it. What do I do next?”

“Okay Katie, before you make another move, here’s what you do,” my father calmly answered, “drop the hood, get into your car and drive it over here. I will show you how to change your oil so next time you can do it all by yourself.”

I hate to admit it but deep down I was hoping he was going to make that very suggestion. I drove straight over to my parents’ and my dad was waiting for me in the driveway when I arrived. He patiently showed where things were and exactly what to do, step by step. It was kind of enjoyable; lying under my Toyota alongside my father as he pointed things out on my car’s engine. And when we were done, he gave me a wrench with the right socket on it for the plug, and a strap-like clamp to take off the oil filter, so I could do everything by myself next time.

The entire tutorial took about three-quarters of an hour. It might sound a little crazy but it may have been that for those forty-five minutes I was to my father the son he never had. I’m not sure about that, but maybe.

Get this; I figured out all by myself what sequence of buttons to push to turn off the warning light. Those grouchy guys at Valvoline won’t be seeing me again… I hope.