Limping Home

For the last 18 months I’ve had to take my 2019 Kia Sorento to the dealership after every 1000 miles so that they could top off the oil … as much as 2 quarts each time. Yes, it was consuming that much!!! Kia is aware of a problem with that engine and the letter I got from them indicated that the engine would likely fail at some point and they would replace it at no charge … not before it failed, but after! Go figger! Failure, I was warned, would occur with a flashing engine light and an inability to go over 40 mph.

After driving for 18 months with that prospect hanging over my head we headed off today for Davenport to celebrate my girlfriend’s birthday and Father’s Day with my daughter’s family. We made it to Zwingle, 20 miles away just a few miles short of 150K and IT HAPPENED. Shaking, with limited speed and no power accompanied by flashing engine light.

DECISION TIME: Leave it on side of road and call tow truck for a 20 mile tow to the dealer or limp back 20 miles at 20-30 mph. I quickly prayed and made a U-turn to head back. My girlfriend was of the opposite opinion certain that a semi was going to run over us at some point ;-). We slowly made it back to within 1/4 mile of the dealer and had to stop for a light … the car died there on the spot within sight of our destination. Tow time! Charge 107.00! That’s like 428.00 per mile! (Not really but that’s the starting point for anything in the city). Hopefully, this IS the event we’ve been waiting for and will receive a new engine at no charge. Not sure how long we will be without a vehicle and will have to rent a car for my trip to Iowa City Hospital on Wednesday … and become a RIDER instead of a driver with Uber or LYFT perhaps. I’ll have to think about how I can be a weird rider such as I seem to get! Ha! We also have a friend who is a blessing to us with her willingness to provide transport whenever she is available.

We are sad to miss the weekend with the family in Davenport ;-(

In spite of this we are praising God’

• It happened close to home instead of 70 miles away in Davenport
• We didn’t get run over by a semi
• We made it back home to within a quarter mile of dealer … making towing a lot cheaper
• A Vanguard employee was situated behind us at the light when the vehicle died and he quickly offered assistance by pushing it out of the flow of traffic.
• Quick response time by towing company
• Girlfriend was much calmer the closer we got to home.

Now praying that this is indeed the forecasted engine issue and that we will find ourselves on the receiving end of a new engine at no cost.

I already miss my car.