A used-car buying tip from your Uncle Richardo...

[Richardo]

...Check the size of the #$%%#%^% spare tire to make sure it fits the #$%#$$%%^ car. :grr:

Also, be sure there is a lug wrench in the trunk.

You may surmise that this tip is based on recent personal experience. You would be right.

I bought a used car a year and a half ago and, just the other night, had the rather critical need for a spare tire. Got everything unloaded from the trunk, got the donut spare tire out (it's full of air - great!), got the little accordion jack out, and then looked in vain for the lug wrench. No wrench :mad: OK, called a buddy, who came out with a wrench and the little crank-thingy to raise the jack. Great.

Got flat tire off, went to put the spare on, and it doesn't #@%^@#$^@ fit. :grr: After closer inspection it turns out to be a 13" spare for a 14" tire. :eyes:

So then after all that I had to call AAA, they took 75 minutes to arrive, then had to have my car towed all the way home so I could go get a new tire using my wife's car. :nuke:

Yeesh!

[DulceDecorum]

1. A sweet car tip.

Get AAA.
It WORKS.
EVERY TIME.

[Richardo]

2. I have certainly gotten my money's worth from AAA.

I just wish they wouldn't take so long to get there.

[DulceDecorum]

3. Me too.

But all the same,
I love those guys.
:hug:

[Technowitch]

5. I love AAA.

I especially like their "DMV substitution service" here in Cali. Much shorter lines, friendlier people.

[fudge stripe cookays]

6. AAA sucks.

I $%^&*( hate those idiots with a purple passion. At least here in Texas.

Every time I called them, they $$%^&ed up where I was!!! EVERY BLEEPING TIME. Their operators are MORANS.

You call them, and they have you give them "where you're calling from", then "WHERE THE CAR IS". Even if you tell them you're going to go wait AT the car, they send the truck to the WRONG PLACE.

Once, I'd had to get a ride to a phone that was a mile or so from my car. They went to the phone instead of my car. We were waiting in the freezing cold car for over 3 hours.

The last time, they asked me where I was calling from, and I had to talk to a manager to tell them they didn't need to know that since I wasn't going to be there, that I was going back to the car. HE got snippy with me, but I wouldn't back down. Wouldn't you know, the truck found me just FINE that time.

After having this happen to me 4 times over the course of 6 years, I finally told them to #$%^& themselves. I bought a new car and got the emergency service agreement.

Sorry about your tire, Richardo! Sucks!
FSC

[DulceDecorum]

7. Ya know, the more I hear about TEXAS

the more I understand certain things.

[fudge stripe cookays]

8. What things?

{{Innocent look}}

I'm not saying everyone here has problems, because we don't, I'm just saying AAA needs to re-examine their hiring principles, is all.

FSC

[DulceDecorum]

9. I am going to tell them that

Because I think it would be just terrible if my car broke down in Texas and I met up with the same people that you did.

[fudge stripe cookays]

11. Aha!

I wish you much luck and no idiots to deal with.

FSC

[DS1]

12. Best plan ever

[Historic NY]

4. Don't you hate when that happens.........

most cars have those crappy jack and lug wrench jack lifters that tend to not loose lugs.

A Second tip for Toyota owners and or small imports carry a small hammer or sledge hammer also. The front tire rims tend to weld themselves onto the hubs and need something heavy to strike them from behind. Kicking does not work.....I've seen this now at least 3-4 times. It has something to do with high temperatures and different compositions of metals.

[Floogeldy]

10. Also . . .

Make sure there is a key and ignition to place the key in, instead of just two wires dangling that you have to touch together to start the car.

B-)