Boltage: Day One

First, the bad news: we are taking a rain check on that first, full day of ownership road trip. We'd hoped for a jaunt up the coast to Santa Barbara, about 100 mile roundtrip from here. Seemed like a perfect first go in the Bolt. But the weather today is once again kind of piss-awful. Not just wet but cold.

By California standards, mind you. The rest of the country can call us weather wimps if you like. We don't mind, because it's true. The other truth is, we need the rain way more than I needed a Bolt shakedown cruise, or so the fates decided. 

Not that this means the Bolt will stay in the garage for the day. Oh, no. It was out for brunch this morning, and we're headed for a movie later this afternoon. That will be about 30 miles, roundtrip. It'll do.

Second, let's get this out of the way. It's the mandatory driveway cheesecake shot. I mean the car, not me, wise guy. I'm just in it. 

Though today is my birthday. Really, it is. (I know, this was awful family planning on my parents' part but I have decided I can live with it.) I tried to talk someone into buying me a Bolt as a birthday present, but you can guess how that worked out. I look pretty happy anyway.

My biggest niggle with the Bolt so far is the shifter. I realize some of my frustration is a function of a lack of familiarity, but how much familiarity should be required to use such an essential piece of driving equipment? The little instructional sign they hang from it tells me maybe it was the Ergonomics Cop's day off at Chevy when they came up with this goofy solution.

Maybe you've read about this one already. To hit reverse, the handle has to be bumped up, then left. This I get, sort of—accidentally shifting into reverse could produce many needless thrills. Yet, to shift back into the forward propulsion position, the lever only gets bumped down, not right, and down as you might expect, especially if you are accustomed to manual shifting.

It's been only a day, and I'll get used to it. But good grief, what a face palm moment.

Here's another Bolt puzzle. I've never owned a car with a backup camera before, and after once backing and smacking my Mini into a brick planter, I was determined to never own another car without one. The Bolt has a dandy backup camera system, and that big display to view it, not to mention the bird's-eye view camera (on the Premier).

This is where old school meets new tech, and the reunion is not entirely a joyful one. A hugely ingrained habit of anyone who learned to drive before 2005 is throwing your right arm behind the passenger seat, and pivoting around to look behind as you back up (and the one time you get lazy, smackeroo!).

Of course, if you keep on doing what you learned, a backup camera seems kind of pointless. What do I do now? Can I trust this piece of technology with my rear bumper and anybody or thing behind me?

I dunno. Suggestions are welcomed.

Speaking of which,  I know folks are reading this blog. So why not leave me a comment or two? You know, some words of discouragement. We can all use some of those.

Either way, see you tomorrow—Bolt willing!