When you own and drive these old relics that we have on a regular basis and want to keep them on the road, you have to learn to “speak their language,” gaining an understanding of what they are trying to tell you before things become a problem. You become accustomed to all the idiosyncrasies of your car and know what sounds need attention and which ones are just part of a smooth running machine. You have to be kind of like a Dr. Doolittle, listening and talking to the animals, only it’s your car that communicates instead. Or maybe like you’re in an episode of Lassie except that in your world, Lassie is your car and you are Timmy.
“Sputter, sputter! Squeak, squeak!”
“What’s that girl? Your points need adjusting, and your right front wheel bearings need grease? If I don’t do it now, you are going to leave me stranded? Got it!”
It’s a language that in today’s automotive industry seems to be becoming outdated and overlooked. It’s called “diagnosis and troubleshooting.” It starts with acknowledging and identifying a problem and solving the problem with logic and experience.
