We were returning home to Washington from a road trip to California when the "check oil" light went on south of San Francisco. Checked the dip stick and sure enough. The car had been serviced at a dealership just before we left. With less than 80,000 miles on a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek, we were at a loss as to what was happening. After spending the night in Healdsburg, we noticed a small pool of oil -- a first. But it looked like nothing more than a few drops. Off to Crescent City!
The next morning, it looked like the Exxon Valdez had parked in our spot. Another quart and darn! It was Sunday morning and nothing in Crescent City was open. Some kind advice from a woman at a service station and we were off, armed with more oil. While one of us drove cautiously, the other called for options. It looked like Gold Beach was our best bet, with a backup plan down the road in Bandon.
We pulled in to the Chevron station where the owner was working alone. On a Sunday morning. He immediately had us pull in to a service bay and told us to check back in in 30 minutes. The verdict: a loose drain plug in the oil pan. We never would have made it to Bandon. He tightened the plug to spec., cleaned the battery terminals, removed the oily mess using brake fluid, and washed the windshield. The cost: $20.
After filling up, shaking hands and thanking him profusely, we were off, safe in the knowledge that a true craftsman with a heart of gold had made us roadworthy again. I'll never buy gas in southern Oregon anywhere else again. read more
