My 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has only about 32,000 km on it. For a car that is already six years old, I think that is pretty low mileage. I don't drive it unnecessarily, and these days I am more interested in getting somewhere safely than getting there quickly.
Recently, my dashboard showed “Maintenance Required.”
Naturally, I wondered whether my RAV4 needed servicing. I called my mechanic instead of simply taking the car in and paying for whatever service might be suggested.
He checked his records and reminded me that the engine oil had been changed at 29,000 km. The next oil change would be around 37,000 km, after another 8,000 km.
So, at 32,000 km, I was definitely too early for another oil change.
He suggested that I come in around the end of November, when we could change the engine oil and put on the winter tires at the same time. That sounded like a sensible plan.
One less thing to worry about.
Then came the other reminder
Around the same time, I received something I wasn't particularly happy to see—a red-light-camera penalty order for $328.25.
Ouch.
There were no demerit points, and thankfully there was no accident and nobody was hurt. Still, $328.25 is an expensive reminder to pay closer attention.
I discussed it with my AI companion, and we agreed on something simple: the important thing is to learn from the incident and move on.
The incident was very situational. I'm not going to make excuses for it, but I also don't want to turn one mistake into a story about being a bad driver.
Sometimes life gives us a rather expensive lesson.
This one cost me $328.25.
Two reminders from one RAV4
When I think about it, my RAV4 has given me two different reminders.
The first is about maintenance: don't panic when a dashboard light comes on. Check the facts, call the mechanic, and find out what actually needs to be done.
The second is about driving: no matter how familiar the road is, stay alert. A few seconds at a traffic light aren't worth taking a chance.
At 80, I have learned that getting somewhere safely is more important than getting there quickly.
My RAV4 is still running well. The winter tires will go on around the end of November, the oil will be changed when it is actually due, and I'll keep driving.
As for that $328.25?
Let's just say I hope my RAV4 and I don't have another conversation like that for a very long time.
Some lessons are free. Some cost $328.25.
I'll take the free ones whenever I can get them. 😊
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