Damsel in distress - what to do when you can't change a flat tire

[peacetraveler22]

Comments

[allanyan]

One better learn how to change a flat tire. Plan B - use tires, that allow you to drive at least 10 or 20 miles after getting flat to the nearest service.

[peacetraveler22]

If there were no resources to help, I'm certain I could have changed the tire. Somehow I would have found a way - fight or flight instinct. :) But in a dress and heels, it was simply easier to rely on someone else in this case. If something similar would have happened on my road trip in Montana, I would have been forced to deal with it on my own given the remoteness of the region.

[allanyan]

You should have tried to look for help from good Samaritan (who knows?) from passing cars.

[peacetraveler22]

It was still dark, people could not even see the flat tire, or the reason why I was pulled over on the shoulder. If time was not of the essence, I simply would have waited for roadside assistance, as I wrote in the post. But there were pressing business matters to handle...thus, limited options. We can't control all things in life. :))

[oskanov]

Heh, some years ago I went in distant and dessolated region when faced the same problem. It was dark starless night, no light on the road, no passing by cars. Only darkness, mountains and forest. Kinda spooky environment we see usualy in Hollywood scary movies. It was rain and edges of the road brought my mind to thoughts about prehistoric swamps. The reason of flat tyre was pit on the road where the wheel got in. After two hours of hopeless struggle with weather, dirt, darkness, childish fears and my hooky arms I'd finally managed to install spare tyre and continued driving.

Five minutes after I was lucky to find one more pit on the road that slayed my other tyre. It was really funny to get into situation where you have no options at all: neither emergency service nor skillful father. I didn't have another spare tyre and my cell phone was outside the coverage area...

[peacetraveler22]

So, how did the story end? :)) I guess not in the typical horror movie fashion, with you being slashed to death or abducted by a maniac, since you're obviously still alive to leave comments to my posts. :)

[oskanov]

Sometimes the story wins if you leave suspension points instead of clear end ;)

[peacetraveler22]

Man of mystery? :)) Okay, I'll think of some creative ending to the dark tale on my own!

[redheadrat]

My approach is simpler.

Roadside assistance from the car manufacturer (available while under warranty free of charge) and AAA later ;-)

[peacetraveler22]

I just paid off my car in January. I now own it, warranty has long expired. :) It was very stupid of me not to have AAA, but before I lived very close to the city and didn't drive so far to work. Now I'm far off in the suburbs...

[peacetraveler22]

This is an expensive car, so it came with a spare in the trunk and all necessary tools. :) I've had to use the spare twice already.

[moskitow]

I used to carry a manual in my car (a "donut" and a portable jack in the trunk) - I can figure it out :)
My daughter uses the road assistance from the dealership she bought her car from. She can call them.....if her phone is charged!
I like AAA idea as well. Currently, I go by without a car for several months (since my child totaled my car). I love the life without a car payment! I will postpone buying a car as long as I can. I'm using my bicycle while it's summer. Healthy and fun.

[peacetraveler22]

I have all those things in my Audi - a user manual, donut and jack. :)) I no longer have car payments on this vehicle, and it is now paid off - I own it. It's horrible your daughter wrecked your car! I'm the type of person who keeps cars until they totally die. Prior to this Audi, I owned Hondas - a Prelude and Civic. I don't think they even make the former anymore. :)) I drove these for over a decade each.

[pin_gwin]

I was not impressed by AAA service, they failed to help me and some of my friends. My opinion is that they became more a marketing channel rather than assistance union. Some auto insurers provide complimentary free road assistance, it's a better deal. My wife would hesitate to change a tire even I've trained her.... she would rather call me or service. It's also a dirty work and her minivan tires are heavy.

[peacetraveler22]

Yes, it's dirty work! But it's okay to get rough and dirty sometimes. :) Just not on the way to work, when I'm wearing heels and a suit. :)) I've heard mostly good things about AAA, although everyone's experience differs of course.

[pin_gwin]

BTW - he charged you for towing, not for labor.

[peacetraveler22]

There was no towing involved...on the receipt it says "roadside service tire". This is the normal fee in the DC area for immediate rescue. He didn't try to rip me off. :)