(Just wanted to say- happy bike to work day! Sorry this post is so car-centric.) On the 1st street approach to the Bay Bridge I decided to do a quick oil check at the gas station there. I open the hood, and start swearing. I had forgotten to put the oil cap back on last time I added oil - only a few days ago, the joys of old cars- so it had exploded all over the engine, seeping out of the hood, etc. This had been going on while I was driving over 17 in insane traffic last weekend, too. An army serviceman pumping gas into his car across the station yells out, “Need some help?” He must have heard me saying “F—k, f–k, f–k” to the engine. I yell back, “Do you have an oil cap?” He trots over, looks at the engine, then points out that it’s right there, a few inches from the oil opening. I had just assumed it had flown off- but no, the cap had survived 2 days of driving, sitting neatly on top of the engine.

He and I worked on the situation for a while- getting more oil from my trunk and putting it in, cleaning it up a bit, talking about oil situations of the past- he had the same thing happen, at the Jiffy Lube over on 8th, something like they didn’t put the cap on and he had them clean it and pay for a new oil change. He had some really good advice on how to work on a low chassy car by parking on a curb and crawling underneath. What a townie! I was full of respect.

Friend told me about when she first added oil to her friend’s car that she was borrowing. The story ends up with her driving down Lombard in the Marina with a smoking car (from filling it too much) and getting a quick drain from Jiffy Lube for a “blonde’s” 5$. “The only time I think being a blond actually helped- if I wasn’t it would have been $20″. In no way am I promoting Jiffy, btw, I don’t like them that much.

Anyways- to all of those urban city car drivers, and their helpfulness and tips- thanks!