Mechanic's Error
There was a time when Barb thought she could help with routine vehicle maintenance, but this dates back to her 1990 Ford Aerostar. After all, she was the only one driving the vehicle, and she used windshield washer fluid excessively - not because it was cheap, but because it was fun.
Mike had used the last of the washer fluid to fill the front bottle, but the Aerostar also had a rear window reservoir to squirt down the backlight. She was only thinking of her own safety when she decided to refill the rear reservoir all by herself. Really, who knew that Mike would store antifreeze in the same garage as the fluid that she needed? Both come in gallon containers!
Typically, the directions tell you to dilute antifreeze with water. Does it make a difference, though, if you are going to use it on the windshield, instead of the radiator? Unfortunately, Barb couldn't tell the difference between the BLUE solvent and the pure GREEN antifreeze. She filled the Aerostar and was very disappointed that the window was more streaked and looked worse for the washing.
By the time Mike got home from work, antifreeze was running down his asphalt driveway, and Barb was still trying to figure things out, pumping Prestone everywhere. Barb didn't realize that this was not only hazardous to the driveway, but the local animals were also at risk.
Since the rear bottle was entirely inaccessible, it took several flushings to put things right again, and from that day forward, Barbara was banished from the garage. She is not allowed to help with any vehicle maintenance, no matter how simple the task. Tools are strictly off limits.
(John G. Custer submitted the above memory & yeah, it happened just like that)