My Five Things: For Newt

I can't think of five things to splurge on for myself, but when Newt needs something, I can't whip out my credit card fast enough. Since Monday, Newt has cost me $504.02.

#1  Oil Change and Transfer Case Service
Every single time I take that truck in to get the oil changed, there is always some extra service required. I have never had a vehicle that required so much "service." Sheesh. This time it was the transfer case. Knowing it is a part that needs service but not know exactly what it does, I both authorized the work and Googled it. As I paid the $210.39 - they always give me a 15% discount, the technician warned me that next on the list are the differentials. Sigh ...

Not my truck, but there is the transfer case and both differentials.

#2 Partial Fill Up with Diesel
I know gas prices are high, and I feel for you, but diesel is even higher and has been so for more than a year. Not just a little higher, but usually around a buck or so more. Since I was near a quarter of a tank and heading to a show tomorrow, I went inside to pay because the pump shuts off at $99 and no way is $99 going to come close to filling my tank. I should say that I have a 48 gallon tank, so filling it costs more than filling most tanks just based on its monstrous size. Anyway, I paid the $200.35 (there is a fee) hoping that the pump would click off around $180 but knowing that it wouldn't. It didn't. It got close to filling the tank, but I bet Newt could have guzzled another $25 bucks.

Not my photo, but if you've seen one gas pump, you've seen them all.

#3, 4, & 5 Newt is DEF
I got diesel on my way to work which meant I was wearing a dress and heels. It was also 5:45 in the morning, so my patience for vehicle maintenance was at its lowest. As soon as I started Newt up, my DEF indicator screen lit up. For those of you who drive gas powered vehicles, DEF is diesel exhaust fluid. I don't know about other states, but here in California it is a required "solution of urea and water that's injected into the exhaust stream of diesel vehicles to turn NOx gases (harmful emissions) into nitrogen and water." Newt will run for a few miles if the DEF is low, but eventually, you can't drive if you ignore that warning light..

So, on my way home that afternoon, which was just yesterday, I stopped by Auto Zone and loaded up on 7.5 gallons of DEF fluid to the tune of $93.28. I drove out to the ranch, used my backseat as a changing room (while avoiding the three big boxes of DEF that were perched on the seat), and then started filling the DEF tank. It took two of the boxes with no issue, but I saved the third box for later next week. I'll top the tank off after I get home from the show. 

Not my photo - but this is 2.5 gallons.

While I am grouchy about spending so much just to be able to drive, I should be thankful that I had the money to pay for it.

Oh, goody.