I consider myself a relatively competent shadetree mechanic. But, I do have cheap roadside assistance through my auto insurance company for those "oh shit, there's smoke coming out from under the hood" situations.
Jump starting the car, I can do and have done. Changing a tire I could do, in theory, but then again I have this 800 number I can call and an expert will come for free and make sure I don't drop the car on me. Anything beyond that and I'm way out of my league.
I've had to change quite a few tires over the last few years. I was terrible at it at first, but by the last one I had my technique down. It feels oddly satisfying to change a couple of tires by yourself with only a tire iron and jack.
When we pay car insurance then why shouldn't we use it. In last 10 years, I had 3 situations when I needed assistance and every time I called roadside.
Water pump cracked on a road trip in my wagon. No cell coverage back in rural areas those days, but I did run across a payphone in town (population, 31), so I was at least able to call AAA for a tow to a larger city with some auto parts stores.
The next day, I replaced the water pump in the motel parking lot. With my luck, though, the gasket included was miscut, and I wasn't about to walk another 8 miles round trip to replace it, so I cut my own out of a root beer box.
That was 9 years ago, and the root beer box gasket is still in place.
@mehjohnson DIY auto repairs of any sort is a fading skill set, PERIOD. In some cases, it's because of them being over computerized and it's simply not up to a DIY-er to wrench; other times, it's so cramped that any serious work requires dropping the powertrain. For some cars, even replacing a headlight bulb can be complicated, like necessitating the removal of the bumper to gain access.
My roadside assistance is my husband. The conversation is usually something like Me-Remember I told you the car was acting up weeks ago and you said you would look at it? him - umm (either says he forgot, or lies and says he fixed it) Me- It just died on me at (whatever intersection) He- I'll be there in 10 minutes Either I get it restarted before he shows up, or he shows up and it starts right away.
This went on for over a year with his truck, so I only drove it when absolutely needed. And ended up sitting dead somewhere more than once. When he finally replaced the distributor (told 8 months prior from the codes that were read) no problems since then. He just didn't bother to fix it until it gave him problems. If me or my son had problems he claimed it was because we weren't driving it right, or starting it right. WTF?
Find a pen and paper.. Get out of the junker.. Scribble down "Free Car".. stick it on the windshield and find a waffle house to chill out till my bestest buddy comes to pick me up.
@unkabob I swear this happens all the time in Texas. One of the weird things I've noticed since moving here is that there are TONS of abandoned cars sitting on the side of freeways. Always makes me scratch my head.
@JonT Lots of abandoned cars in Hawaii too. The military people stationed there move in 3 to 4 years and when they are unsuccessful in selling their car at the last moment, they abandon it instead of trying to get it shipped to their new destination. They even created a whole set of laws to handle the situation. http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/histatutes/1/17/290/notes
@JonT ... Yeah, I'm in Utah but I recall seeing the very thing your talking about as I was raised in North Texas. One specific time was in my 20s, I went to this mall and actually saw a note on a windshield stating "Free car" which gave me the idea to write the above. I never took advantage of it (thinking it was a hoax) but abandonment does occur often hench the constant over-flow at the city impound.
Roadside assistance is included for a couple years with my new car, so I hit the OnStar button. Also, the drivetrain isn't anything like any other car I have ever owned: it's a Volt.
It could simply need to be re-cranked or ran out of kerosine. In any case I'd have my driver go out and see what's wrong. That toolbox on the running board isn't just for style, you know.
The first time I had to change a flat tire it was Christmas day midway between Ozona and Fort Stockton on I10 . It is pretty much literally the middle of nowhere. Maybe 30 miles of empty desert in all directions with one mostly deserted (due to the holiday) highway ribboning through it. Just me and the dog, and I had no idea how to do it. I sat in the car for a few minutes thinking, "I am so screwed." Then I realized, "I am in a Honda, there will be directions". I had to completely unload the entire hatchback full of gifts onto the highway and tie my Great Dane to the car door (we made a pretty funny sight) to get to the jack and donut. But sure enough, there were directions printed right on the jack.
The only time I can remember having a flat, it was before everyone had a cell phone. I was driving my new car to meet friends for a river trip . Tire blew. I pulled over. The tire was in a weird place. I couldn't find the tools. I sat there w/ the manual trying to figure it out. My friends were going to be PO'd. I was upset. That's how the nice cute CHiPs officer found me. I told him of my plight. He said I'm not suppose to change tires, don't tell anyone. Since it's been a few years, I figure it's ok now. Point is, Chivalry works for me as far as break downs ! BTW, I don't think that at all has anything to do w/ women's rights, it's about manners.
And I made the river trip. I was only a little late, but I got the blame for a lot more -- b/c ITMT, another officer decided to inspect the bus{ it was during a period of time when a lot of buses were having issues => bad crashes} that delayed the trip, cause they found something wrong {maybe my flat saved everyone from blow.ing up ? } But there was a keg on board and food. And the rafting was a blast. I was forgiven.
I consider myself a relatively competent shadetree mechanic. But, I do have cheap roadside assistance through my auto insurance company for those "oh shit, there's smoke coming out from under the hood" situations.
Jump starting the car, I can do and have done. Changing a tire I could do, in theory, but then again I have this 800 number I can call and an expert will come for free and make sure I don't drop the car on me.
Anything beyond that and I'm way out of my league.
Press the OnStar button
I've had to change quite a few tires over the last few years. I was terrible at it at first, but by the last one I had my technique down. It feels oddly satisfying to change a couple of tires by yourself with only a tire iron and jack.
Jack not name...
When we pay car insurance then why shouldn't we use it. In last 10 years, I had 3 situations when I needed assistance and every time I called roadside.
"It's pitch dark.
You are likely to be eaten
By a grue."
My buddy's song about it for you:
I can change a tire and I can do a jump start with the portable battery I keep in the back of the car. Beyond that, I'd call AAA.
Water pump cracked on a road trip in my wagon. No cell coverage back in rural areas those days, but I did run across a payphone in town (population, 31), so I was at least able to call AAA for a tow to a larger city with some auto parts stores.
The next day, I replaced the water pump in the motel parking lot. With my luck, though, the gasket included was miscut, and I wasn't about to walk another 8 miles round trip to replace it, so I cut my own out of a root beer box.
That was 9 years ago, and the root beer box gasket is still in place.
@narfcake Nice job! A "real" gasket might have failed by now. Creative (root) beer can, etc. auto repairs are a fading skill set.
@mehjohnson DIY auto repairs of any sort is a fading skill set, PERIOD. In some cases, it's because of them being over computerized and it's simply not up to a DIY-er to wrench; other times, it's so cramped that any serious work requires dropping the powertrain. For some cars, even replacing a headlight bulb can be complicated, like necessitating the removal of the bumper to gain access.
@narfcake One of my side mirrors broke off a while back and I have to take off the entire door panel to fix it, so it just hasn't been fixed.
@JonT There I fixed it
"Call for roadside assistance without even bothering to get out of the car."
That is why I pay.... Triple A.
My roadside assistance is my husband. The conversation is usually something like
Me-Remember I told you the car was acting up weeks ago and you said you would look at it?
him - umm (either says he forgot, or lies and says he fixed it)
Me- It just died on me at (whatever intersection)
He- I'll be there in 10 minutes
Either I get it restarted before he shows up, or he shows up and it starts right away.
This went on for over a year with his truck, so I only drove it when absolutely needed. And ended up sitting dead somewhere more than once. When he finally replaced the distributor (told 8 months prior from the codes that were read) no problems since then. He just didn't bother to fix it until it gave him problems. If me or my son had problems he claimed it was because we weren't driving it right, or starting it right. WTF?
Find a pen and paper.. Get out of the junker.. Scribble down "Free Car".. stick it on the windshield and find a waffle house to chill out till my bestest buddy comes to pick me up.
@unkabob I swear this happens all the time in Texas. One of the weird things I've noticed since moving here is that there are TONS of abandoned cars sitting on the side of freeways. Always makes me scratch my head.
@JonT Lots of abandoned cars in Hawaii too. The military people stationed there move in 3 to 4 years and when they are unsuccessful in selling their car at the last moment, they abandon it instead of trying to get it shipped to their new destination. They even created a whole set of laws to handle the situation. http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/histatutes/1/17/290/notes
@JonT ... Yeah, I'm in Utah but I recall seeing the very thing your talking about as I was raised in North Texas. One specific time was in my 20s, I went to this mall and actually saw a note on a windshield stating "Free car" which gave me the idea to write the above. I never took advantage of it (thinking it was a hoax) but abandonment does occur often hench the constant over-flow at the city impound.
Roadside assistance is included for a couple years with my new car, so I hit the OnStar button. Also, the drivetrain isn't anything like any other car I have ever owned: it's a Volt.
I used to be a fix it where it lands kind of motorist, but then I moved somewhere cold and I don't work on my car anymore. I call roadside.
It could simply need to be re-cranked or ran out of kerosine. In any case I'd have my driver go out and see what's wrong. That toolbox on the running board isn't just for style, you know.
Good thing for me all my tools are in the trunk... so I can figure it out.
Issue is... parts. lol
The first time I had to change a flat tire it was Christmas day midway between Ozona and Fort Stockton on I10 . It is pretty much literally the middle of nowhere. Maybe 30 miles of empty desert in all directions with one mostly deserted (due to the holiday) highway ribboning through it. Just me and the dog, and I had no idea how to do it. I sat in the car for a few minutes thinking, "I am so screwed." Then I realized, "I am in a Honda, there will be directions". I had to completely unload the entire hatchback full of gifts onto the highway and tie my Great Dane to the car door (we made a pretty funny sight) to get to the jack and donut. But sure enough, there were directions printed right on the jack.
@moondrake If it was a Honda, could the Great Dane just pull it ? ;-)
The only time I can remember having a flat, it was before everyone had a cell phone. I was driving my new car to meet friends for a river trip . Tire blew. I pulled over. The tire was in a weird place. I couldn't find the tools. I sat there w/ the manual trying to figure it out. My friends were going to be PO'd. I was upset. That's how the nice cute CHiPs officer found me. I told him of my plight. He said I'm not suppose to change tires, don't tell anyone. Since it's been a few years, I figure it's ok now.
Point is, Chivalry works for me as far as break downs !
BTW, I don't think that at all has anything to do w/ women's rights, it's about manners.
And I made the river trip. I was only a little late, but I got the blame for a lot more -- b/c ITMT, another officer decided to inspect the bus{ it was during a period of time when a lot of buses were having issues => bad crashes} that delayed the trip, cause they found something wrong {maybe my flat saved everyone from blow.ing up ? } But there was a keg on board and food. And the rafting was a blast. I was forgiven.
TL;DR Cute CHiPs to the rescue. Went rafting