For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for January 20, 2021

So, this car has had the oil changed, it’s been tuned up, and it’s had a complete overhaul. And yet, I don’t think any of those things involves replacing the battery.

If I had just paid for a complete overhaul (which is not cheap), I would not be inclined to trade in that car. However, since Elly wants a new car, you can be assured that is what is going to happen.

of course

At the end of the day that’s the most important thing

Just had a complete overhaul and now it won’t start? And he’s not thinking of going back to the mechanics to make them fix it?

But you’re right, if Elly wants a new car, then the end result here has already been decided.

(Oh, and BTW, the previous strips seemed to indicate the battery was running the starter OK, but the engine wasn’t starting. Doesn’t sound like a battery issue to me, especially when it turned the engine over that well despite its cold-soaking all day.)

Note that the car is an “it” to Elly, but a “her” to John.

Yup, I’m with Elly this time. A car is a form of transportation and all I am interested in is that it doesn’t give me trouble and takes me where I need to go safely. Men have a different view of cars. They call all types of transportation “she” and “her.” Does anyone know the origin of this male norm?

You might as well just stop at the new car dealer on your way home John. You know she’s right and you’re going to end up there anyway.

Apparently the overhaul didn’t take

“Complete overhaul“, eh? Either John doesn’t know what he’s talking about, or his mechanic took him for a ride..

So swap cars with her John. You shouldn’t want your wife getting stuck in the snow like that to begin with. Then you can deal with the car and see what kind of problems it’s having.

Good point

When regular repairs end up costing more than car payments, it’s time to trade it in.

Did they check the step-starter linkage?

A similar situation was the catalyst for the only new car we have ever owned. It was not snow but a Texas hot summer, wifey and two kids stranded in a city an hour away. The Next day we purchased a new Honda Odyssey. 18 years later it is still running and is my daughters family backup people mover.

Getting a dealer to trade for that car might be easier said than done.

I’ll bet there wouldn’t be any discussion if HE wanted a new car!

I thought John drove a small sport car? We have seen him drive it in winter, before.

It probably just needs a new battery. Elly’s cold weather will affect how the battery performs. A higher cranking amperage will usually do the trick.

Here’s an idea. Jump start the car and drive both home. My first week of winter in a cold place taught me to keep a set of jumper cables in the car, along with a can of deicer and more than one ice scraper.

Switch cars for a week, that might change his mind.

is this where he buys a sports car?

Ah, the pre-mobile phone era, when finding a phone booth could be critical.

Elly is right it is it!

Always helpful

It’s one of three things. Weak battery, bad solenoid on the starter, or you didn’t have them put a lighter grade oil in the engine for winter. Fixing any of those is one hell of a lot cheaper than buying a new car.

As they say in the sports world – “availability is the most important ability”.

Try turning off the lights when you get out.

What about a new battery?

Once I have car trouble and get it fixed, it takes a while to get confidence again to trust my car.

I put my wife in the newest car we had. Last thing I want is for her and the kids to have problems.

Go Elly! Get yourself a Hummer.

What four letters are needed to spell the word “yell”?

E-L-L-Y!

How about a new battery?