A Conversation With My Car

When I first drove a car, I inserted the key, turned it to activate the engine, and after the engine was purring, commenced driving from Point A to Point B. I'm sure that the goal is still the same - getting from one place to another. It's become more complex because cars have become more complex. Suddenly there are more things to pay attention to, and suddenly there are more conversations between the car and the driver. We're not quite at the "My Mother the Car" stage, but it's getting there. 

I was NOT a fan of the television show, but I loved the car.
The show aired for a single season - 1965-1966. The premise
was beyond stupid, but that car was stunning. 

Why think about driver/car communication at all? Because my "Check Tire Pressure" light came on yesterday. I couldn't get a service appointment at my local dealer/service place until tomorrow in the early morning, so I'm just hoping that I won't have any problems today - magnified by the fact that we've had snow throughout yesterday which will continue into the early hours today. 

In the movies, talking cars were carried to extreme,
although they were a lot of fun. Suddenly cars were
human with metal skins and feelings. With today's
LED lighting, some of these could be quite flashy. 

I know that some cars actually talk - don't just splash a message onto the control panel, but I think having a talking car would be a bit nerve-wracking. How would a person interact with a car? Would it be rather like carrying on a frustrating conversation with Alexa or Google? Are there social parameters that should be honored by both parties in the conversation? Are their niceties that should be explored first before getting down to the meat of the matter? 

Car: "Check tire pressure." 

Me: "Can't do. I'm driving right now, I have to be at work in a hour, and I can't take the time today to take the car out to the far ends of the Cities and get it checked out." 

Car: "Check tire pressure." Meaning ... "Well! How rude! You could just say you'd take me in for servicing tomorrow." 

Me: "Ummmm, that's really not up to me. I'll have to contact the dealer and get a spot on their appointment calendar." 

Car: "Check tire pressure." Meaning - "I should be a priority." 

Me: *sigh* "You ARE a priority - for me. Just not as much for the dealer who has to see a lot of you every single day. You'll be lucky to get in by the end of the week. How dire is the situation?" 

Car: "Check tire pressure." 

Me: Head bang on steering wheel. 

Maybe a nice cup of tea ... LOL. 

*Sigh* - Such is my life. So, tomorrow at 7:15 am, I'll have my car in to the dealer for an oil change, tire rotation, and a check out for the "Check Tire Pressure" conversation I've been mentally carrying on since I left breakfast yesterday morning. Oh joy! Still, the snow should be over by then and hopefully the roads won't be a issue. 

Enjoy your Tuesday. I'll be shoveling out our latest storm before making my way to the gym this morning.