Miatatude

Just went ahead and put the top up while at work because of the high percentage chance of rain. Fooled again, didn’t rain. Left it up until after the Miata Club meeting because it looked like rain at any moment. Put it down for the drive home and we made it all the way home and in the garage before it rained where we were. It did rain at home earlier and on the drive we drove through sections that had just got rain, but we never got wet.

Started down, went up, back down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 173

Another scorcher this afternoon, but fortunately the sun was behind some clouds for the ride home and I didn’t have to turn on the AC. Unfortunately, they dropped just enough sprinkles later that we had to put the top up while inside Teresa’s Mexican Restaurant for the Aiken Bicycle Club meeting. Afterwards we put it back down and took the long way home.

Started down, went up, back down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 171

The “Hot Weather Rattle” persists. Still sounds like it is behind the glovebox. I guess I’ll have to start dismantling it bit by bit until the noise stops or I could just not drive the car until winter….right. Or I could just live with it until what ever is loose, gets so loose it falls off.

Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 169

I only left the house twice – er, no three – times today. First, early morning before the heat, Donna and I went for a short 12 mile bike ride to go and get some fresh bagels for today and subsequent breakfasts. The second was in the middle of the heat of the day in the MSV with Mom in tow to go to the mall for sneaker shopping. And lastly in the fading light of the evening for our walk around the block. The Miata sat all day, we’ll find out if the fix for the “Hot Weather Rattle” worked tomorrow after work.

Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 169

Just a few mile errand was all the exercise the Miata got today. It was like middle 90’s with the heat index way up in the middle 100’s so I drove around with the AC on. When I got home I decided to try and locate my hot weather rattle. Started as a mild annoyment towards the end of last summer. Disappeared for the entire winter and reappeared in late spring. The rattle only happens when the temperature is above 85 degrees and sounds like it is coming from the glove box. Donna has pushed/pulled/pounded on every possible surface on her side of the car. I even tried driving around with the glove box removed once a few months back, but the rattle was still there. Today I decided it must be under the hood somewhere, so that is where my hunt began. I pushed/pulled/pounded on a bunch of things until I got to the windshield washer fluid bottle – it rattled slightly! I tightened the two top bolts and lined a hole in the fender with duct tape where a plastic stud from the bottle sits. I’ll let you know…

Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 169

To make up for yesterday’s lack of attention we drove the Miata this morning to an appointment downtown and on the way home stopped at AutoZone and bought 4 quarts of Penzoil 10w-30. Came home and washed & dried the car outside and then pulled it in the garage for the interior cleaning and changing the oil. While I was at it I cleaned and conditioned the leather seats. Ooh, and tried somewhat in vain to remove all the bug guts of the nose of the car with some blue goo. Got most of it but I won’t win any car show. After that I waxed just the nose of the car. In a few minutes we’ll take a night time drive, because the heat index will possibly be back in double digits. As a consequence of that there will be a few new insect inards plastered to the front. 🙁

Started up, went down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/02: 169