It was a little after 5 in the morning when I got in my car one recent Saturday, as I went over in my mind the busy weekend I had ahead of me. My plans got a little more complicated when I started the car up and was greeted by the dashboard’s friendly “check engine” sign. It occurred to me that glaring dashboard signs never seem to come on when you have time to deal with them. It’s always when you’ve got lots of places to go and things to do.

The Boy Scouts among you are probably saying, “Well, John, you should always be prepared no matter where or when your check engine light comes on.

Yes, I know, and thanks for the reminder. In the past I was prepared for such things, carrying a roll of duct tape in the glove compartment. When something like the check engine light came on I just tore off a piece of tape and slapped it over the annoying message. Problem solved.

That always worked for a while, but a vehicle with its check engine light on doesn’t like being ignored. Eventually, it will again demand your full attention.

Over the years we’ve all learned that a check engine light can mean anything from the water bottle in the cup holder is empty, to the transportation system is about to experience a major malfunction.

As it turned out on this particular weekend, I was able to secure the use of another vehicle and get to my scheduled events without any more unfortunate incidents. Then on Monday morning, I made an appointment to take my vehicle into the shop.

Taking a car into the shop can be daunting, but it can also be a “learning experience.” There are more than 10,000 parts in the average car and any one of them can go at any minute, triggering the ceremonial lighting of the dreaded check engine light. The fact that 99.9 percent of those parts never give any trouble is a credit to the automotive industry.

But let’s get back to the story.

By taking my cars to different shops through the years I have learned the names of about a dozen or so of those 10,000 auto parts. But I’m always anxious to learn new words and an auto repair shop is a great – although expensive – place to learn them.

An hour after I brought my troubled car in, my cell phone rang.

“John, we found the problem. Your driver’s side hydraulic discronificator needs to be replaced. With parts and labor we’re looking at $650,” the friendly shop guy said.

“The hydraulic discronificator?” I asked. “I didn’t even know my car had one of those. What does it do?”

“Well, it’s part of your fuel injection and anti-pollution systems. Basically, it emulsifies the unused residue from your crytonic-adapter before sending it on to your ironic expostulator. It’s pretty important.”

“Oh,” I said, “It does sound important, but why is it so expensive?”

“Well, John, the part itself costs a little over 100 bucks and that’s only because it’s digital. The old ones were analog and cost less than 50 bucks. But, it’ll take us the rest of the day to get at the part, replace it and put your car back together, so we’re looking at mostly labor.”

When I drove away in my repaired vehicle, it was good to see that the annoying check engine light had been dimmed for now and I had learned a little more about the mysterious vehicle I drive. Also, I couldn’t wait for a chance to use my new words, “hydrolic discronificator,” in a conversation.

John McDonald is the author of “A Moose and a Lobster Walk into a Bar,” “Down the road a piece” and “The Maine Dictionary.” He also hosts Portland’s No. 1 rated weekend radio show and directs the Maine Storytellers Festival. Contact him at Mainestoryteller@yahoo.com.