If this 2,400-mile slog from Detroit to LA has taught me anything, it is the power of willful ignorance and blind faith. When the Dodge Carvavan balked at starting the end of yesterday's drive, I chose to put my fate into the spectral hands of the Dodge Brothers in hopes that the problem would be corrected before today's sunrise. And that's exactly what happened. The Dodge started each and every time I asked it to...
Now it is possible that I'd imagined the problem. I had spent a lot of time on the road and was, by last night, feeling a bit, um, unhinged. But neither I nor any of my imaginary passengers believe this to be the case. We'll mention the incidents to the dealer when we take the van in for its first oil change, something the its computer is already demanding.
We averaged 20.8 mpg for the whole trip, which is a decent figure, although a couple of mpg below what the EPA predicted. With an internal hard drive, a CD player, an auxiliary input for my iPod and satellite radio at my command, I never once had to scan local radio for something decent to listen to. The van's developed a luxuriant goatee of 10 state's worth of bugs. With six cupholders in easy reach, I managed to surround myself an impressive array of digital devices, canned coffee beverages and assorted debris. In this regard, the van is an enormously convenient vessel for long days on the open seas.
Late today, I noticed a crumb on the "+" marking at the base of the autostick shifter. I wiped it off with the tip of my index finger and ended up taking off the top section of the "+" so it now looks like a very small, uppercase "T." That shouldn't happen.
Good luck in California, Caravan. It's been...convenient knowing you. --Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit
rick8365 says:
06:30 AM, 05/ 8/08
Ahh.....leaving Green River with an element of uncertainty - been there, done that! A buddy of mine and I did Jersey to Malibu a few years ago. We developed what turned out to be a failing fuel pump and broke down east of Green River and had to get towed. Had to stay over and the next day the NAPA shop in GR diagnosed the problem and presented us with a choice - wait until the next day for the part to come in on the Greyhound or press on westward. He said things like "you might be okay" "if you can keep it cool enough - it will probably keep going" etc. We decided to go for it and we made it to St. George where they had the part and a shop put it in on a Sunday afternoon. Of all the pics I took on that trip the one I regret not taking was the one on the road out of Green River that says "NO SERVICES NEXT 170 MILES". The truck actually stalled at the top of highest peak between GR and St. George - we literally coasted over the top at 5MPH and down the other side, restarted it and made it St. George. I always think of this when I hear Green River - I'm glad you made it too, there is nothing around out there.
altimadude00 says:
12:39 PM, 05/ 8/08
There's something decent on the radio dial?
I've had the same trouble with decals on my car. The decals on the door lock buttons have rubbed off along with the power window lock-out decal. Also the trunk release/ fuel door release handle labels have rubbed off.
Not a problem for me, but a problem for the car's next owner.
prndlol says:
08:15 PM, 05/ 8/08
Reminds me of how i could easily wipe off the "SET CRUISE>" marking on my 91 Cutlass Supreme's all-in-one function dumbstick...