10-01-2026 — Anyone have a quarter

Howdy all. After a few weeks of chilly, and most damp, weather, today it got back over 80. But the rain is coming shortly, and the temperatures will be dropping again. One constant was the Air Quality — listed as “moderate” and not good for sensitive folks like me.

Another constant, is the stuffed/runny nasal passages, I can’t get rid of.

Today was truck service day. They picked it up around 11:30 this morning. Yeah, I get it picked up and delivered to the house. Better than sitting there for hours waiting. I had it written up for the yearly oil change/filters/tire rotation. And, test out the battery to make sure it was still okay. Too many times the truck tossed messages when I start it complaining it wasn’t fully charged. Also, test out the windshield washer system that froze up last winter, and wouldn’t work for a few weeks. It was working earlier this week, but I wanted to be sure it hadn’t blown a motor or a hose or something.

Windshield washer was great. All other systems tested fine, except that battery. It was a 750 CCA (cold cranking amps) battery when new. It was now only able to do about 570 CCA when starting. The AI gurus online say if it is below 80% it should be replaced, because cold winter weather takes 25-30% out of it too. Thus, the starting would be in jeopardy. All told, the service was $470 for the day.

I asked about having one of the Ford trickle chargers installed under the hood, with the outlet for the plug down in the front grill. Like many things, this dealer won’t do that. Suggested I purchase a cheapo charger from Harbour Freight, and have a 3rd party mechanic install it. Duh, if I want something to fail, I wouldn’t ask for it to be done proper.

This was like when I asked them about 5 years ago if they would do the Sync to Sync 3 upgrade on the truck’s dashboard. The Sync 3 unit has the bigger display, and the GPS built in, along with a couple other features. Most 2018 F150s had it already, but mine was built in Canada and did not. The Sync 3 unit was OEM Ford. and the install, per many internet videos, took less than 30 minutes. They would not do it. That would have been a $2000 upgrade, plus labor, back then when I could still afford a luxury? now and then.

The Ford trickle charger runs about $150, and also easily done in a half hour. They won’t do that, but did try to convince me to “double down” and get a second oil change service (for the future) by paying less than full price today. Um, no!!

While they had the vehicle, their front area texted me asking if I would like a “quote” on what they would value the truck as a trade-in. Sure, knock yourself out. They came back with a range around $20,600.

I actually considered what I might purchase as a smaller Plug-in Hybrid that could still carry my big backside. I may fit in their Maverick truck, but it is not a plug-in.. With the trade-in, I’d still have a monthly payment of between $350 and $550 dependent upon number of months the loan was for. 3 to 5 years. If it was a full EV, or even a Plug-in hybrid, I might be able to justify that expense in not buying gasoline, and no maintenance for the loan period. Warranty would cover repairs. Ford is coming out with the Ford Fathom EV truck in 2027 sometime. I may consider that. Assuming I fit in it!!!!

Elsewhere, on the local front, not much happening. I need to get outside and autumn -ize the garden beds, but would like to be able to breathe as I work. That’s semi important for me.

Meanwhile, I’ll just keep on trucking in my F150, and Enjoy Life