Headaches with car registration - Part 2

Okay.. I was hoping to get my car registered over the weekend. Did not happen!!

As I said earlier, the car registration process involves 3 steps. Emissions test, physical car examination and the registration process. My car failed the first step.

The emissions test failed because the engine check light was on, a scenario that indicates a problem with the car. But, the problem itself cannot be solely attributed to emissions. For example, my car had a bad coolant sensor, which triggered the check engine light. I confirmed this fact by getting my car checked at Auto Zone (by getting advantage of their "free check engine light" offer), where I even got a printed document for the check engine light issue. I took that document to the emissions test office.

The guy at the office, however, was adamant and insisted that the check light warrants a failure of the test. Despite my argument that the check light might not be related to emissions at all and showing the printed document from Auto Zone, the guy was not convinced.

I was disappointed. I wanted to get my car registered that day. That's it!!

I stopped at a mechanic shop to ascertain my costs for getting the problem corrected. I was told that the cost would be in the range of couple of hundred dollars and couple of hours. The numbers were not reasonable. I looked for other ways.

I drove my car home and started looking for other options on the internet. I found an article that said the check light could be reset by disconnecting / connecting the car battery. Without much hesitation I rushed to my car, disconnected the battery and voila, got rid of the light. I knew the light would come on if I drive the car a few miles. So, I wasted no time in driving my car straight to the nearest emissions test center.

The feat gets interesting from here.

On my way to the test center, I had switched off the car engine few times, lest it should detect the problem and turn the check engine light on. I reached the test center without issues. I was still reluctant of taking the test, but hoped that my car would pass the test (I wanted to get the dang registration done that day!!!). While I was waiting in the line at the test center, I turned off and on my car's engine to make sure that the car does not turn the check engine light on. In my many trials, the car did not give any warning light. I was confident that the light would not turn on, but was concerned whether that was enough.

While I was waiting for my turn, I glanced constantly at the guys who were performing the test. They were very formal, strict, serious, stringent, thorough and skeptical. From what I observed, I saw them treating the car owners as thieves, criminals, thugs or outlaws. Their looks gave me an impression that they suspect car drivers of misdoings. I did not believe such attitude was required. They could have been more friendlier and willing to help. But, there could be other reasons for them behaving so!! Any way, that is out of context for this topic.

When I was asked to pull over into the alley for the test, I was hoping for a quick turnover and a happy ending. The guy asked to step out of the car. I walked out of the car and handed over the car keys. The guy ran some tests using his computer-reader equipment and handed me, in about a minute, a printed document.

"Wow... so quick...good or bad.." I thought!! He said, in a very strong voice (as though he caught the bad guy!!), that my car was NOT ready for the test. What car-not-ready meant was a subject for the manager, who sits in the corner office. Only after a couple of seconds, I realized my car failed the test. Manager said that the on-board computer diagnostics (OBD II) was not responding and that it can reset by driving the car a few miles (unknown mile).

Finally the day ended with disappointment and embarrassment. The car, however, unregistered even after lots of hassles. (A quick introspection told me that the disconnecting of the battery reset the OBD II computer, a process that inhibited the readers to read it properly.
)

The gist of the story, I told myself, is not to mess with computers. Computers are here for good and for catching bad guys!!

Headaches with car registration

I moved from LA to AZ a few months ago. Moving is not fun, and neither is registering a car from out-of-state.

My car was decorated with warning notices couple of times already. The notice said that the car's being operated in AZ and bears a license plate from out of state. It has to be registered in AZ for drivers residing in the state. Of course, the notice goes on to explain the definition of a resident and how I can get tickets and court notices for not registering the car. What an offense, I thought!!

Today morning I started gathering information required for the registration process. I learned that the car needs to pass an emission test and a physical evaluation (???...) and that I need the original title and registration document. Not to mention, I lost my title during the moving process. In addition to this issue of not having the title, I have my dashboard lit with the "check engine" light... This is show-stopper for emission test, 'coz the car would fail the test when the light is on...

So, I have two issues now... title and "check engine" light.. I said to myself, nothing comes as easy. I will have to take the car to a mechanic, dole out some money, get the check-engine light fixed, take it to the registration office and try my luck for registering without a title...

This seems to be a too tedious, boring and simply irritating process. But, not much I can do. Car has to be registered and there are limited ways to accomplishing it..

Tomorrow (Saturday) will be dedicated for setting my car free. Let us see how things will roll out.. Best..

Almost...... ran into the car....

Like any morning, this morning was a sunny bright day. I started a little late to work today too. I was cruising on sparsely populated road at decent speeds and was enjoying the early morning drive.

After driving for about 10 minutes on the local roads, I merged onto a freeway. As soon as I hit my accelerator pedal, I realized that my car came too close to the vehicle in front of it. It took a couple of seconds to sink in my mind that the traffic has come to dead stop. My speedometer, however, was rushing to 65mph and above. 65 is a decent speed, but not in a situation with stalled traffic. Blood gushed towards my brain and I knew its time for an instant action. Panic stricken, I raised my foot and rushed it, in as much speed as my car was traveling, towards the brake. I pushed it so hard that my car started wobbling and moving like a serpentine.... bhuuuuzzzzzz... trying to come to a squeaking halt... Good for me that I was driving in the right most lane that I had leeway to suddenly maneuver my car into the right most lane (that cops and ambulances use for rush delivery!!). Though I stopped at a comfortable distance from the other car, my heart was still busy pumping loads of blood and brain still coming to grips. My eyes were fading and my legs were shaking.

After a few moments I realized I was safe and my car was ok. I slowly pushed the accelerator pedal.... this time very cautiously and looking around few times for any jammed traffic, drove slowly thinking about what could have happened. After about 20 minutes I reached my work safely.

In hindsight, I could have been diligent and drive safe in that strip of the highway, for I knew that the strip was dangerous. I have seen at least two accidents at the very same location and glad to not see myself the source of the third one!!.

Now I know where to use my driving skills and where to be a little safe. I am happy to be writing this blog on this very same day...

After almost an year, I started to write something... but that's ok.

Things have changed a lot.

One disappointment is that I applied for b-schools, but failed to convert interviews to admits.... and thinking of other options now. Other options such as starting a company, moving to India or doing nothing.

It is easy to rule out the third option. The other two options have a (remote possibility) partner - to try for b-school one last time. Have not decided anything yet...

If I succeed in getting my permanent residency at least this year, I will seriously pursue the option of starting a company here. Else, it will be either moving to India and/or applying (and getting admitted) to a b-school.

BTW, my headache has not gone away. It had not set me free. Now, I strongly believe that I am a victim of migraine headaches...

That's the gist of the last year.

Will write on a constant basis now..

Later..