Vow to be a kinder, gentler finger pointer in future

A good many years ago, I was visiting a friend at his house and offered to move a load of freshly laundered clothing from his washer to his dryer. 

I asked where the lint trap was located so I could empty it before starting a new load. 

His response: “What’s a lint trap?” 

Suffice it to say, the fact that his dryer had never burst into flames would clearly qualify as a miracle. 

I gave him no small amount of grief for the oversight. After all, who wouldn’t know to empty a dryer lint trap? 

This week I realized I may have jumped on the ridicule wagon too quickly. 

My car hasn’t been cooling too well lately, even taking into account the ridiculously hot temperatures we have been experiencing. 

I decided it was worth exploring some of the possible problems. 

Number one on the list, it turns out, is a dirty “cabin air filter”… or basically, the vehicle equivalent of a lint trap. 

Who knew? 

Based on the condition of mine, clearly NOT ME. 

I’ve had this car for about eight years and something over 100,000 miles, mostly in eastern New Mexico and at least 10 percent on dirt roads. 

The manufacturer, I have learned, suggests that you replace (or at least clean) cabin air filters every 15,000 to 30,000 miles in “normal driving conditions,” but as frequently as every 10,000 miles in “extreme conditions,” such as … wait for it … dust. 

Sigh. 

Lesson learned. 

Humility swallowed. 

Filter cleaned. 

I vow to be a kinder, gentler finger pointer in the future.   

Except maybe where lint traps are concerned. 

Because, seriously, doesn’t everyone know to empty those? 

Betty Williamson has a fresh filter and one more lesson learned. Reach her at:

[email protected]