It’s that time of year again for Home Visits. I drive to the homes of my students to bring some paperwork, meet the family, and take pictures of the children for their cubbies.
It’s also the time of year when I start using my truck again, and am shocked by how dirty it is. I seriously need to spend several meaningful minutes de-trashing the inside, and today I noticed how incredibly dirty it was on the outside. (That’s really saying something, considering I am truly gifted in the dirt-overlooking department.
So, after home visits I stopped at a car wash. I didn’t have enough money to use the cool automated part, so I had to do it by hand. That’s right, cheap-o eco-freak went somewhere and paid money to spray gallons and gallons of water on my vehicle, with my own hands.
What a rush.
Deanne says
My sister in law uses a bucket, no soap and water. Maybe just a couple of gallons does the whole thing. But then again, she’s not lazy and washes regularly.
Peggy says
I thought for sure after reading the title, you were going to run out of gas somewhere. I’ve run out of gas ALOT! It’s not because I don’t have the money to get more gas, or I don’t feel like stopping (well, it is that ), but it’s mostly a challenge to me. Can I make it one more stop? Right after the library I’ll get it…made it…ok, right after McDonalds…and so on…is that weird?
BTW: My car still has sand in it from when my son took my car to Florida back in the beginning of June. Oy va! I HATE cleaning cars! HATE!
Brad says
I haven’t washed my car since I bought it three years ago. Is there a reason that cars need to be washed? Does it increase gas mileage or anything?
Lloyd says
They say you should wash the salt and the corrosive ice melting chemicals off your car (and under your car) after the snowy season.
beth (rachel's wife) says
When I clean my vehicle at one of those quarter eating bays as it appears you did, I find it very difficult to resist the urge to jump into a stance and pretend the water wand is an assault rifle. Very fun and I figure it is good to entertain passers-by.
Curt says
Your truck is red??? I could have sworn it was a different color.
Beth says
What? Brown? Oh wait…
(That’s only funny if you know Curt is color-blind.)
Curt says
Well I know Curt is color-blind and it isn’t funny to me.
Beth says
Heh.
(Got me.)
Mark says
Take solace, dear sister. If you truly only wash your truck every once in a blue moon, your per-day use of water is far lower than those who keep their vehicles spotless, even if they only use two or three gallons a week to do so.
Compared to them, it sounds like you used about a cup of water per day.
Besides, trucks were meant to be dirty.
To answer Brad’s question, it’s worth keeping your car clean if you do a lot of highway driving. And I mean a LOT. Dirt does affect wind resistance, which affects mileage. But then again, driving slower also affects wind resistance and therefore mileage. As does keeping tires inflated and engines/transmissions well maintained.
If you’re married, don’t wash your car. If you’re single, apply a second coat of wax when you’re done. No self-respecting date will get into a filthy car.
(Thus killeth this thread.)
Lauren says
Ha!
Don’t tell Lloyd about the mileage or he’ll be out there washing it fortnightly.
Mark says
Just get him one of these:
http://www.calcarduster.com/originalDuster.asp
Hey! A gadget! And it doesn’t use ANY water!
Peggy says
Hmmm….she looks pretty good for being the Original California Car Duster.
Mark says
That’s what happens when you get coated in was. Just as Joan Rivers.
Mark says
Wax. WAX. Not ‘was’. (Stupid fat fingers. Stupid you can’t stop a post after hitting SUBMIT COMMENT.)
Mark says
Ummmm. WAX…not ‘was’. (Stupid fat fingers.)
Lucretia Rensberger says
Even in the waiting of those of us fortuitous satisfactorily to be born with a imperfection vacant thickness, in the speed of time the effects of aging, childbirth and straight acuteness resolving start to second their toll.