Sunday, February 19, 2006

We had to come home earlier than expected from Ottawa. When the valet brought the car around, so we could pack our bags in it and go to breakfast, he couldn't get it started. He then sheepishly admitted it took him a long time to get it started in the garage too. The engine would turn over then stall. The warning light that came on the dash, indicated the ignition key code had been tampered with. (spoke to VW dealer, it is an anti-theft measure... my keys will have to be reprogrammed)

After many tries, Aaron managed to get the car running. We eyed the valet suspiciously as we piled in the car and started for home. We thought if we didn't make a run for it while the car was running we would be stranded in Canada.

The only catch was... we had to make it home without turning the car off. There was no telling if we turned the engine off, if Aaron could get it running again. So we got gas with the car running, made rest stops with the car running, and got food with the car running. Everytime we pulled into a rest stop we would all shout... "Don't turn it off!"... knowing it was a strong habit. It was like Speed without Keanu Reeves... and a little slower.

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10 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2006 at 1:21 AM

    :O isn't it REALLY dangerous to fill-up with the engine running?! or is that just a myth. well I'm glad you made it back safe anyways.

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  2. ljcFebruary 21, 2006 at 9:08 AM

    Yup... that's us... living on the edge.

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  3. MicheleFebruary 21, 2006 at 9:11 AM

    I feel bad that someone tried to steal your car in Canada...but I can hardly blame the would-be thief, its a really cute car! ;)

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  4. JesserFebruary 21, 2006 at 9:39 AM

    I heartily applaud VW on their bold color choices in their cars and if I was in the market for a little car, a bug (green of course) would be on the tip top of my list. However, since I have a large, messy dog to haul around, I predict my next car will be a Kiwi Green Element. ;)

    Glad you're back safe and sound from the great white north.

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  5. foodiechickieFebruary 21, 2006 at 10:04 AM

    I adore Cananda I have to go that festival one year myself. Good luck with the car! I live your beetle, but also PT Cruisers and the mini coopers.

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  6. RebeccaFebruary 21, 2006 at 12:39 PM

    I once had a 12-hour trip home alone from Montana like that. How freakin' nerve wracking to have to gas up while your car is running!

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  7. JillFebruary 21, 2006 at 4:01 PM

    Yikes... did you complain to the valet service about it?

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  8. PunchbugpugFebruary 21, 2006 at 6:10 PM

    I too have a vw bug. Those keys and their programming are very mysterious. Did you not give him only the valet key? If they tried to get radio out it would mess it up too. My bug locks/unlocks all by itself..no kidding. I have taken it in to be re-programed and felt like a fool! Of course it would never do it at the shop. I now have to always hit unlock, then lock or the anti theft doesn't activate...it's bugged! I've been driving mine since 12/99! Good luck with yours!

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  9. AnonymousFebruary 23, 2006 at 11:09 AM

    it never dawned on me before, but Aaron *does* kind of look like Keanu Reeves...

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  10. KimMarch 7, 2006 at 9:08 PM

    That is so weird. My little bug did the same thing today, but with no error message on the dash. I used my husband's keys instead of mine. I usually use mine. I wonder if that caused it. Weird!

    Anyway, I love the little green bug. Mine is yellow. I want to draw a smiley face on it. ;-) Love that car! Of course, now I'm worried someone tried to steal it. :-/

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