Stardate: 20XX.07.20. My iPod Phone map says I am on HWY 85 near Littleton, Colorado. My old vehicle continues to stall during stop and go traffic. If I don't reach the Alpha Repair Station soon, my transport vehicle will meet the fate of a Ford Galaxy 500 -- a fallen star.
Finally, I arrive at the nearest Alpha Repair And Tire Station and order a computerized scan of the engine to pin point the problem. I pay a non refundable fee of ($105) for this service. Hearing this, my eyes glaze over as if I am lost in space. I soon snap out of it and return to my senses.
I turn on my iPhone and search the internet. There must be an answer.
On this planet, technology has advanced beyond the Industrial Revolution into the Digital Age. Auto technicians use hand held computer scanners to detect the well being of a car. The automobile has several computer controls and sensors -- but all I see is a "Check Engine Soon Light" on the dashboard panel. Diagnostic Scanning Technology will help. I am waiting to receive a report prepared by an auto repair diagnostic service tech. Here it is... It states I need to clean the vehicle's battery posts, replace the spark plugs and wires, air filter, and clean the fuel injectors ... plus replace all four tires (because this shop sells tires). What is the total price? About $500+. I decline to pay for this because I could do most of the work myself. Plus replacing all four tires is not necessary.
So how can I save money? I could fix it myself. I turn to the internet for expert video advice and find free do-it-yourself videos from ScottyKilmer.com. Scotty, is an Emmy Award winning Car Talk/Expert. He produces a series of videos that are informative and entertaining. His website states:
"Scotty has been fixing cars for the last 43 years. You can access his secrets here. All completely free."
The web site reports that over 6 million visitors have watched his repair videos.
Results:
- I replaced the spark plugs and cleaned the battery posts with baking soda and water.
- The air filter was ok. It didn't need to be replaced.
- I had the fuel injectors cleaned by a service tech who had the equipment.
- My tires had plenty of tread left to drive around the region.
Overall, the vehicle performance improved dramatically and I saved $400+ by doing it myself.
Now I could return to the mission: To explore new worlds and seek new knowledge from the internet. To boldly go... where no man has gone before.
( Theme Music fades up.)
( Credits appear. Music stops. Fade to black. )
( The Announcer states: "And now here's a preview of next week's show..." )
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