A car-related PSA

[neadods]

Say you're driving happily down the road and one of your radio stations stops playing. Just stops. Wierd, right? So you switch to another and listen for a while, until it, too, goes silent. In fact, the whole radio has stopped working.

Shortly thereafter, the fan in your heater/AC spins down.

And you notice that the indicator lights on your dash - including the one that's supposed to be on, the one for your running lights - are dark.

Folks, it's time to look for a nice safe spot on the side of the road, because you're driving on borrowed time. Your alternator is about to DIE!

Third time is sorta the charm; this is the third time I've had an alternator blow, and this time I did get somewhere safe. Somewhere off the road, close to a food vendor and a bathroom. Somewhere I was meeting someone with an AAA membership. Mind you, the bus lane of the New Carrolton Metro Kiss and Ride isn't the coziest spot in the world to spend almost two hours of your life, but it could have been much, much worse. I didn't even have to push the car; it croaked blocking the construction exit just as two trucks were pulling out, so four beefy men climbed out and and shoved me out of their way.

I would like to take a moment to mourn the much-anticipated breadmaking class maureen_the_mad and I were originally heading to, and to thank my brother for leaning over while I was learning how to drive in a parking lot, yanking out the keys, and saying "Now steer around that lamp post and brake." I also want to thank Smap for coming to rescue the two of us when we finally ended up at the repair shop (which was, to my shock, still open at 7:30 pm! The guy at the desk told us sick but hilarious stories about having watergun fights with headless chickens at the family farm. You may have had to have been there.)

Two pieces of advice, that I have decided in retrospect are very good ones, so I'm passing them on, since I had to rely on the kindness of my marooned passenger for both:

1) AAA membership may not be used very often, but when you need it, you need it. I've called on someone else's card twice in 5 months. I just rejoined.

2) Someone I know carries a $100 bill for emergencies; it's too big to spend lightly, but big enough to handle common emergencies. Like being towed from New Carrolton to Annapolis.

He swore last night that the car would be fixed today. I took a taxi to work, so now I'm huddled by the phone waiting for the call that says I'm mobile again...

Comments

[karentoe.livejournal.com]

I'm a proud 15 year member of AAA. And you know, they have a great online mapping system which you can use if you're a member. AAA towed me back from Milwaukee to Madison a few years ago when my car died, got me out of a ditch when I hit a patch of ice on the interstate, has unlocked my car when I locked them into the car, changed a flat tire four or five times, and jumped started the engine on some very cold, cold days.

Plus, free maps.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

See comment below - I was a member and I got pissed off at them. So this is a watershed moment in my life.

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

I am SO with you about AAA! We just renewed ours yesterday, and discovered one of the little "aha" perks that go with it: Russ was able to leave his car at the Park & Fly for only $6.50/day, which is the same rate as the City Economy Lot and much more convenient. There's no way I would ever be without it.

I like the idea of the $100 bill for emergencies, but I'm going to noodle it a bit before implementing it.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

You have to understand, I had a mad-on at AAA for years now - in part because I felt shaken down in much poorer days when I was told that their tow truck people only took cash up front. Especially after the gypsy tow trucker who picked me up billed my insurance and I never paid a dime.

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

Say WHAT??? Of all the occasions I've ever had to call AAA for a tow, the only time I was ever asked to pay anything was when the tire blew on the interstate just east of Mounteagle and I had to have the car towed to Nashville (rather over 100 miles, and the resulting spin off the road had rendered the vehicle undriveable). Normally they just get you to sign a form. When/where was this happening?

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Every time I've asked them for a tow. Like, ever. First time was 1996ish and they wouldn't even take a credit card. Now they take credit, but I paid this tow truck in cash @ $3 a mile.

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

That's just bizarre as shit. It must be a regional thing. Given that you live in the DC area, maybe it's not so surprising...

Further Tip

[ferragus.livejournal.com]

If your built in cell phone stops working, it just might be the battery going dead.

Happened to me, but it was another 3 months before the battery finally died completely and had to be replaced. Most amazingly of all was that the cell phone started working again.

[faireraven.livejournal.com]

I have had a AAA plus membership since I got my learner's permit. I have never regretted it, especially with my old car that had battery problems, because it never told me when the lights were left on...

I always keep a spare $20 in my car. It might not get me much, but it'll get me most of the stupid little shit expenses, and it'll get me to get someone to drive me to an ATM.

Cell phones are your friend. If nothing else, that's why I originally got a cell phone. Everything else above and beyond that was just bonus.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

There are times when I regretted my AAA membership, but I recognize a clue-by-four when it swings at my head. So, back to membership I go.

The other, more troubling thing is that my car is rapidly approaching "repairs equal car payment." And I know I have to replace the suspension soon too.

On the other hand, once *that's* done, just about everything will have been replaced but the body, so hopefully it can stagger on a little longer.

[tchwrtr.livejournal.com]

Last night was a meeting--I was out of the house and at a well-known library when you called. Glad you got home safe, darling!

[shawan-7.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you made it home safely because I sure wouldn't have been any help this week with my cold. I have the tape of the breadmaking class which I'll give you sometime when it doesn't have to transit NYC to get there. Unless you want to lug it there and back again...

I haven't had AAA for years only because the two times I've called, they don't show up. I may rejoin based on this. They may have improved.