Have you ever wanted to kill your own mother?

I just need to vent here!!

I am in process of looking at real-estate for a move soon, and I was meeting an agent at a new construction townhouse, and asked my mom to go as well for her opinion. Told her we are taking the Tundra because the HRV is out of washer fluid and I haven't had time to fill it. She says oh, I can help we can do it real quick before we leave. While I go get the washer fluid in the garage she says "I'll take the cover off for you". I said ok, now mind this is a new car so I have never filled the washer fluid. She takes the cover off, and I asked are you sure that is the washer fluid reservoir, she answers "yes", so stupid me assumed she looked at the label on the cap and knew for sure. Keep in mind she had already taken the cover off and had it in her hand so after she answered that she was sure it was the right resivoir I proceeded to fill it with washer fluid and I am sure you can guess the ending....

So after I called AAA and the dealership I went in the house to quietly let my anger and rage out, and here I sit two hours later still waiting for the damn tow truck to get it to the dealership so they can drain the washer fluid out of my coolant reservoir tomorrow. I reminded her multiple times that if the engine had been hot she could have burned her face right off from inattention! I realize mistakes happen and I am currently taking some deep calming breaths, but... I am a bit angry.

-T

 

I'm guessing that the coolant reservoir is a pain to remove on the HRV? I feel your pain....years ago the girl I was dating had her teenage daughter load the dishwasher. She put Dawn in the liquid soap dispenser of the dishwasher. Foam City!

 

I am not mechanically inclined and wouldn't have a clue what to do with it, so that's why it's going to the stealership. At least I knew enough not to start it up I guess...

 

It is as simple as looking in the book to find most answers as to what, where, and how.

Plus I personally would never let my mother near an engine anything, lesson learned. It would be my suggestion to read the owners books that come with vehicle.

 

Umm, it was something as simple as putting wiper fluid in, I don't think I need to read the manual for that, looking at the cap would have gave it away, unfortunatly my mother made a very expensive mistake and didn't do that, and I made a mistake trusting that she did, lesson learned there. I don't do any of my own vehicle maintenance other than filling wiper fluid and putting air in the tire, I don't think I need to read the entire owner's book to accomplish that, but thanks for your snarky advice.

 

I don’t think my mom has refilled her washer fluid tank my entire life. That’s either dad or the oil change shop. Shoot, she’s never done a dang thing maintenance wise on any vehicle her entire life. She’s been with dad since they were 15/16 and he’s done it all or had someone do it.

 

snark happens

 

Maybe that's a good thing LOL. Ugh, my mom is very independent, my step father died many years ago so she has been on her own for a while, and fills her own. I think she just literally didn't pay attention, and I am honestly thankful the engine was not hot, as the car had been sitting all day.

 

Depending on mileage, if draining the whole system, might as well put in a new thermostat.

 

My mom has her moments where she's a Lil extra sumn special like that, it happens

 

Little harsh. Can’t blame her for wanting to help. And take some blame for not checking for yourself.

 

Now...


With all the love, of course

 

I did this once a number years ago. I took a turkey baster and sucked all the fluid out of the reservoir and then refilled it with antifreeze.

 

This^
Problem solved in 5 minutes at no cost.
Even if the truck has been started, it wouldn’t suck anything from the overflow tank until after the engine had heated up and then cooled down.

 

It is evident that you probably should have looked at the owners manual!! If you would have you would have known better!! Or not??

if it was so simple how did you mess it up???

 

Its legit only only 6 weeks old, and already on a flatbed... They shouldn't have to drain the and flush the whole system because we did not start it up after it happened, should just need to empty and refill the reservoir, thankfully!



Took 14 HOURS, but AAA finally came to get it!

 

I know silly me for not thinking my mom could tell the difference between a cap that says coolant on it and one that has a washer fluid picture on it (she isn't a feeble old woman that can barely see or function). I am joking with the title, take it easy... I know it was an honest mistake and I am speaking figuratively here, I am really not that angry, upset yes, but I am aware people make mistakes. Sure I should have checked myself, but when I asked if it was definitely the washer fluid reservoir and she answered yes, I made the silly assumption that she knew for sure... Lesson learned. Relax I am not being mean or abusive to my mother, just venting my frustrations with the whole situation here, not at her.

 

Because of my mother i learned not to let women touch my a/c controls, or door handles. Or open the cap or tailgate. Everyone gets warned about slamming my doors, but i'll close em myself for women, because i'm a gentleman (and dont want my latches/striker plates abused).

 

I figured, and after this experience I will not be renewing. I would rather pay the 200 plus dollars for the rarely needed tow then wait 14 hours plus for one and be told one more hour every hour for several.

 

Do you and your mom have a boat?

 

Not to keep beating a dead horse here, but you didn’t need to have your truck towed to a dealership. As stated earlier, you needed nothing more than a turkey baster to empty the over flow tank. If it didn’t reach down deep enough you can put a small hose on the tip to extend it.

 

Too late you already did . I will say it again, I am a woman and have no interest in car fiddling or engine fixing stuff, nor am I at all mechanically inclined. It's actually not the Tundra, it's my new commuter car that fell victim. It's currently at the dealership being flushed etc. Thank you though, I honestly would have never thought of the turkey baster idea!

-T

 

Reminds me of the time my dad drained the transmission fluid on his Subaru (thinking he was draining engine oil) then only topped off his engine oil, then went for a drive.

 

I accidentally did that at my sister's house Thought I was being helpful but created hours of clean up. (side note, laundry soap shouldn't be kept under the kitchen sink)

 

Remind me next time I need somebody to be judgmental that you are always willing to help.

 

That's an infuriatingly beautiful boat.

 

When I was much younger I worked as a boat mechanic for a marina. I once replaced a fuel tank and it took all week to do.

After I finished I had to put some gas in it, and make sure nothing leaked. The fill hole was right next to a rod holder and standing on the ground they both looked the same. I was hot and tired working in 100 degree heat all day and you guessed it, I put the nozzle in the wrong hole.

My boss after he was done being mad at me looked at me and laughed his ass off. "you spent all week putting that gas tank in just to fill up a rod holder."

 

I had an employee put a whole gallon jug of blue juice in the engine oil fill. Then when he realized his mistake, proceeds to drive the truck to the oil change place in town about 8 miles away. That engine didn't last long after that.