A Walk in the Countryside

April, 2002



Episode 3, The Oil Change

Due to my upcoming sojourn to L.A. I thought it would be prudent to change the oil on the Mercedes. Since I'd recently purchased the car I really didn't know how long it had been since it had been changed so...down to Kragen I go, quickly finding the filter and the 6.3 quarts of 10-40 motor oil that I needed. Actually I bought 7 of them but who's counting. Driving down to the store does double duty as I want the car nice and hot while draining that old oil so I can get the most contaminants out possible. Pulling into the driveway I see Jackson waiting for me, I get out with the newly acquired stuff and I tell him what we must do. He nods in agreement and says he's ready to help. I go inside real quick to check e-mail and then change into my overalls which I use for auto mechanic work. They are the farmers style of overalls that Walter Brennan wore in "The Real McCoys", kinda goofy but I've had them since 1979 and I'm too sentimentally attached to them to throw them away. Originally I got them for a role in a play, they've served me well and I'll continue to keep them held together with denim iron-on patches until the end of time.

Now fully changed I quick marched through the living room and out the front door with my assistant mechanic, Jackson, at my side.
The first item of business is to remove the old oil filter. I usually ask Jackson the technical stuff, he keeps up with these kinds of things and the notion of having a huge Newfoundland as my personal assistant is very appealing. I raise the hood to make a quick inspection while Jackson takes his usual position, lying Sphinx-like in the driveway just five feet away.

MOTLEYFOOL: Jackson? Where's the oil filter located on this car?
JACKSON: I think you'll find it between the cam cover and the firewall Motley. Right up top there.
MOTLEYFOOL: Oh yeah, I see it.

I grab the belt filter wrench and put it on the filter. These things usually come off with great difficulty and this one was no exception.

MOTLEYFOOL: Jackson? Why does Mercedes-Benz put these oil filters in the most God-awful locations?
JACKSON: Beats me Motley, if you asked them I'm sure they'd have good reason.
MOTLEYFOOL: Yeah, you're probably right.
JACKSON: I'm glad you got this car Motley, I like the Benz's you know.
MOTLEYFOOL: Really now?
JACKSON: Oh yes, I'm hoping you'll let me ride in it soon.
MOTLEYFOOL: Not on your life pal.
JACKSON: Why not? I've been your faithful friend for more than 3 years now!
MOTLEYFOOL: Remember the last time you were in my car?
JACKSON: Yup, like it was yesterday. It was on the way back from the shelter in Santa Cruz. You were bringing me home for the first time.
MOTLEYFOOL: Yes. And?
JACKSON: And what?
MOTLEYFOOL: Aren't you forgetting something?
JACKSON: I don't believe so...
MOTLEYFOOL: YOU THREW UP IN MY CAR YOU NINNY!!!!
JACKSON: Oh that.
MOTLEYFOOL: Yeah, THAT.
JACKSON: I was upset.
MOTLEYFOOL: I could tell. Care to elaborate?
JACKSON: It was the first time I'd been away from Sparky! She and I had grown up together and I was really panicky. Besides, I can't help it if I get car-sick.
MOTLEYFOOL: Then you won't mind if I don't let you in this car then?
JACKSON: Very well. It coulda been worse ya know.
MOTLEYFOOL: Really? You blow chunks all over my back seat and then say it could have been worse? How?
JACKSON: It could have been the call of nature.
MOTLEYFOOL: Got a point there.

The oil filter finally breaks free and now it's a simple matter of unscrewing it and getting it out of the way.

MOTLEYFOOL: There! That wasn't so bad. This is turning out OK.
JACKSON: It's that German engineering.
MOTLEYFOOL: What would you know about German Engineering anyway?
JACKSON: I watch TV.
MOTLEYFOOL: Oh good. Well if you appreciated German engineering so much why did you puke in the back seat of that other car? It was a BMW you know. THAT'S German too ya know.
JACKSON: Look, I only puked on the floor. I did try to minimize the damage.
MOTLEYFOOL: I thank you for that buddy. OK, the new filter is in. We can move on to draining the old oil out of here now.
JACKSON: I believe you'll need a 13mm socket to remove the drain plug Motley.

I spread out the olive colored blanket on the cement, the one I use to work on cars. It still has the little blood stains of my old dog, Boris, and I think of him when I use that blanket. I get on the blanket and crawl as far as I can under the front of the car.

MOTLEYFOOL: Now where's that drain plug? I can't find it.
JACKSON: On the driver's side...
MOTLEYFOOL: Got it! Thanks. Jackson? Could you pass me that 13mm socket please?
JACKSON: Sure. *He picks it up with his mouth and brings it to me*
MOTLEYFOOL: Uh...Jackson? It has dog drool all over it, couldn't you just pick it up and give it to me?
JACKSON: No Motley.
MOTLEYFOOL: Why not?
JACKSON: I don't have an opposable thumb and forefinger. *sigh*
MOTLEYFOOL: Got a point there, sorry fella. Hey! You said you watch TV? What the hell do you watch?
JACKSON: Oh you know, good stuff. Law and Order, The West Wing, stuff like that.
MOTLEYFOOL: Hmmmm...
JACKSON: Well, I gotta do something while you're on the computer all night. You're turning into a web addict you know.
MOTLEYFOOL: OK OK. I'll spend more time with you. Happy now?
JACKSON: Yup. *Wags big bushy tail* Uhhh....Motley?
MOTLEYFOOL: Yes Jackson?
JACKSON: I was hoping that you'd tell me about Boris. Your dog that came before me.
MOTLEYFOOL: Oh...Boris. Yes Jackson, he was a Golden Retriever and I'll tell you all about him one day OK?
JACKSON: K
MOTLEYFOOL: OK, this is going well. I'll just put the drain plug back on and put the new oil in. We're almost finished boy.

Six quarts of fresh oil were chugged into the cam cover and all was done. Now to start it up and check for leaks. I slid into the driver's seat and hit the key, the car came to life and I got my flashlight and inspected all around the oil filter housing and underneath the car.

MOTLEYFOOL: Cool Jackson, and we didn't spill a drop anywhere.
JACKSON: And the car sounds great Motley, gotta hand it those Germans. *I roll my eyes* Motley?
MOTLEYFOOL: Yes Jackson?
JACKSON: I don't want you to go to L.A.
MOTLEYFOOL: But I have to Jackson, people are expecting me and I'm going to have a great time.
JACKSON: I know, but no one will take me for walks. What will I do?
MOTLEYFOOL: Well, I'll just give you some extra walks before and after I go, how's that?
JACKSON: OK I guess. Can we go for a walk now? In the countryside?
MOTLEYFOOL: Of course we can fella, let me get cleaned up.

And off we went into the bright glarey sunlight. It made no difference to him what time of day it was, he always threw himself into his favorite endeavor with reckless abandon. The trails we take are well known to us but you'd never know it by looking at him. The sheer joy of it all was apparent in him as if he was seeing these old roads and trails for the very first time. Something tells me that I could learn from him.