For weeks now, I've been putting off a trip to the mechanic. Right around the beginning of February, Leo & I started noticing that one of the Civic's tires kept getting low... and while Leo played his oh-so-logical self and said things like: "Maybe we should get that fixed." and "Laura, putting air in a tire once a week isn't normal," I said things like: "Ice storms can cause pressure changes, right?" and "Maybe it's just a fluke."
So while in denial, I found a gas station right down the street that gave out free air (imagine that!) and stopped in about once a week to pump up. It just so happens that the free air is located at a full service gas pump, and so every time I'd stop, this very cute little old man would come out to help. I tried repeatedly to tell him I knew how to use a tire guage (and even showed him that I carry one in the glove box!), but he would have none of it. However, our little arrangement came to an end last weekend. He clearly had spotted the trend in my visits, and said something along the lines of: "Ma'am, this tire has a problem."
Yeah, yeah.
First thing Monday morning, we headed to our friendly neighborhood Wal*Mart auto center. We pulled in, and found that three of the four bays were closed up tight. So we asked where we should park, and one of the workers showed us a spot right beside the open bay. So we parked and walked inside. There were three women standing at the counter-- one was actually helping a customer and appearing to care, while the other two were talking and laughing, admiring each others' shoes, playing on their cell phones, and generally being idiots. So we waited.
And then one of the mechanics poked his head through the door and announced that the Civic parked outside had to be moved. You mean our Civic? The Civic you TOLD US to park there?? Yeah- that Civic. As we walked out the door, one of the other men waiting to be helped leaned over and whispered: "They fix flats for free at Discount Tire." So after getting in the car, with the pretense of moving it to an open space, we just kept on driving...
Cue Discount Tire. Excellent service, nice staff, clean & comfy waiting area. Oh yeah.
Unfortunately, that "free" flat fix turned out to be anything but. After a quick look over, my new mechanic friend, Ralph, called us back to hear the verdict. Basically, the slow leak was being caused by three major holes (yes THREE). Two very ugly little pieces of metal, and one very shiny screw sticking through an otherwise beautiful tire... And because of the locations, patching wasn't an option. I made sure to exhaust that possibility thoroughly-- offering ideas (and a demonstration) of how they could put three patches on top of each other and make it work! Ralph had none of that, and so it was decided that at least two tires were going to be replaced. (Since you can't just replace one at a time).
Well, then we got to looking around at the others, and found that two of the non-punctured ones were getting pretty darn bald anyway. And since you can't just replace three, four it was! Ugh. I guess it's nice to be safe & have good, non-holey tires... but our bank account is still weeping from the damage. Double ugh.
Just one more check in the "pro" column for investing in a scooter! Only 2 tires, and MUCH cheaper to replace. Me likey.
So while in denial, I found a gas station right down the street that gave out free air (imagine that!) and stopped in about once a week to pump up. It just so happens that the free air is located at a full service gas pump, and so every time I'd stop, this very cute little old man would come out to help. I tried repeatedly to tell him I knew how to use a tire guage (and even showed him that I carry one in the glove box!), but he would have none of it. However, our little arrangement came to an end last weekend. He clearly had spotted the trend in my visits, and said something along the lines of: "Ma'am, this tire has a problem."
Yeah, yeah.
First thing Monday morning, we headed to our friendly neighborhood Wal*Mart auto center. We pulled in, and found that three of the four bays were closed up tight. So we asked where we should park, and one of the workers showed us a spot right beside the open bay. So we parked and walked inside. There were three women standing at the counter-- one was actually helping a customer and appearing to care, while the other two were talking and laughing, admiring each others' shoes, playing on their cell phones, and generally being idiots. So we waited.
And then one of the mechanics poked his head through the door and announced that the Civic parked outside had to be moved. You mean our Civic? The Civic you TOLD US to park there?? Yeah- that Civic. As we walked out the door, one of the other men waiting to be helped leaned over and whispered: "They fix flats for free at Discount Tire." So after getting in the car, with the pretense of moving it to an open space, we just kept on driving...
Cue Discount Tire. Excellent service, nice staff, clean & comfy waiting area. Oh yeah.
Unfortunately, that "free" flat fix turned out to be anything but. After a quick look over, my new mechanic friend, Ralph, called us back to hear the verdict. Basically, the slow leak was being caused by three major holes (yes THREE). Two very ugly little pieces of metal, and one very shiny screw sticking through an otherwise beautiful tire... And because of the locations, patching wasn't an option. I made sure to exhaust that possibility thoroughly-- offering ideas (and a demonstration) of how they could put three patches on top of each other and make it work! Ralph had none of that, and so it was decided that at least two tires were going to be replaced. (Since you can't just replace one at a time).
Well, then we got to looking around at the others, and found that two of the non-punctured ones were getting pretty darn bald anyway. And since you can't just replace three, four it was! Ugh. I guess it's nice to be safe & have good, non-holey tires... but our bank account is still weeping from the damage. Double ugh.
Just one more check in the "pro" column for investing in a scooter! Only 2 tires, and MUCH cheaper to replace. Me likey.
1 comment:
I have had good service at Discount Tire too. They do fix flats for free if it is an easy fix. They just wink at you and say remember us next time you need tires. :)
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