Escape service

I took our 2011 Ford Escape XLT 2.5L 4 cylinder in for an oil change last Wednesday. It had been over a year since the last one.  

I also wanted to see if they could check out why it wouldn't start sometimes. When you turn the ignition key, it will sometimes start right off... or not. It often does nothing - like the key isn't making a connection or something. When it does that I have to try it several times, sometimes jiggling the shifter seems to help, or turning the key around, or rubbing my head and stomach at the same time... Anyway, they said it would cost $175/hour for diagnostic testing... so I passed. I guess I'm going to have to wait until it strands me somewhere.

Anyway, just the oil and filter change was $64.50! I don't remember it being quite so much, but it has been awhile.

I took it to the family-owned shop we have mostly used since moving here. When I was pastoring, much of the family went to our church and they were always very nice to us. The son now owns it - and I actually officiated his wedding ceremony. And, when I dropped the car off today, I thought the gentleman at the counter looked vaguely familiar. Turns out he is a nephew of the owner, who also used to attend our church. Although the last time I saw him he was maybe in upper elementary school! Now he is way over 6 feet tall and a hefty man! Crazy.

After dropping the car off at 7:20am I decided to run home. I had to meander a bit and got in 5 miles with a 3/4 mile cooldown walk.

Here is the list of services they recommend (some for the last several times):

• Front Control Arms with alignment ($795.27)
• Fuel Injection Service ($213.61)
• Cooling System Flush ($227.97)
• Rear Shock Absorbers ($467.31)
• Brake Flush ($153.55)
• Transmission Flush ($283.51)
  

Wow, that adds up to $2,141.22!!! Um, we'll see. Oh, and it also needs new tires (the current ones are 9 years old).

So, other than a nice chat with a former church-goer who's now all grown up... that was a pretty depressing little endeavor. Ugh.