High Mileage

My car is 11 years old with 198,000 miles, so it is understandable that is has a few quirks. Like the engine running after I take the key out. I can drive down the highway at 60 miles an hour, pull the key out of the ignition, and it just keeps running. Problems arise when I stop the car and don't fully turn it off before taking the key out. As I open the door, the warning bell dings reminding me to turn the car fully off.

This morning I thought my 11 year old car had finally incurred permanent brain damage. I parked at work, turned off the car and pulled out the key. When I opened the door, I heard the telltale "ding ding ding." The running lights were on. I reinserted the key and turned the car fully off. Rather, I attempted to turn the car fully off. Repeatedly. After 5 attempts I called my husband, Marty. "Find the fuse for the lights and pull it out," he advised. I grabbed my owner's manual and headed into my office to research the location of the fuses.

"Your lights are on," one coworker informed me. "Yes, I know. The ignition is broken and I can't turn the car off," I explained. "I can drive you to the repair shop," he offered. "Thanks," I said, "I might need a ride."

I continued to my office. Before I could read the owner's manual, another coworker suggested that I ask our resident car expert, Andy, for help. Andy popped out of his chair and hurried to the parking lot when I told him my problem. I explained the history of the broken ignition switch while the car dinged. He inserted the keys and turned a few knobs. The car stopped dinging. "How did you do that?" I demanded. "I turned your lights off," he said.

Perhaps the high mileage individual with the brain damage, is not my car.