The other day, my boyfriend was cleaning things out of my car for me because he is really thoughtful and if I have to concentrate on cleaning part of our place and myself, then my car is usually an after thought.
Thankfully, he knows about cars because I won't even pretend like I have an inkling. I know the basic things, like that I should get my oil changed and if the little engine light that looks like a helicopter comes on, then I should probably have it looked at by a professional. But I am not one of those cool girls in a leather jacket, leaning against the hood of her car flipping a wrench. Honestly, I am not even sure if you would ever need a wrench in car repair. Just the vision I've made for cool car gals everywhere.
So, he came back inside, and asked me if I realized that I had been using my air conditioning all winter as opposed to my heater.
Me: But hot air comes out? I have the air turned on, and the dial is all the way on the red, so it's heat.
Tobias: The air might be hot, but it's actually your air conditioning, just turned to a hotter setting.
Me: I don't understand. The air is hot - I think you're mistaken.
Tobias: No, your dial is turned to the setting with a snowflake. Like, for cold.
Me: No, the snowflake means that when it's winter, I turn it to that setting so my car can be warm! That is the winter setting!
Tobias: ....
Me: What?
Tobias: The snowflake is for COLD. Cold as in air conditioning. You should use that setting during the summer, and the heater during the winter.
Me: Well that's dumb! Cold air should be little wavy lines or something. Like air blowing.
Tobias: That's the sign for heat, or hot air.
Me: THEN THE HOT AIR SIGN SHOULD BE A SUN WITH THIS CURRENT SYSTEM SINCE APPARENTLY WE ARE DEALING WITH OPPOSITES AND STRANGE CAR SYMBOLOGY THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND!
Tobias: I will just put it on the right setting for you. You'll be warmer, and it'll be better for you car. I know you're going to want to turn it to the little person with the snowflake, but leave it.
Moral of the story is, after 10 years of driving my car, I finally learned how to properly use the heating system. And realized that I should probably petition for little car pictures that actually make sense. I think I found my new calling.