My "check engine" light was on in my car when I got in it to go home on Tuesday.

Even though my car's been driving fine and I have less than 15,000 miles on it, I took it in to the dealership today to have it checked out.

They replaced a temperature guage-part-thingy at no charge, since it's still under warranty.

But they got my 30 bucks for an oil change at the same time and managed to convince me that I needed my brake system flushed for another 109 dollars.

The skeptical side of me says that this whole "check engine" thing is just a way for them to get me in to the dealership for a service that I probably don't need.

On the other hand, being a single female, I need a reliable car and I'm at their mercy.

In my next life, I'm taking shop class instead of home ec.