Feeling Flat
Friday started normally. Hal and I got dressed and started for our chiropractor appointments. As we rolled out of the parking lot, I heard an unusual sound coming from the back of the vehicle. I pulled over, and Hal got out and checked the back of the SUV to make sure that nothing was loose and rolling around. He didn’t find anything, so we continued on our way.
We got to the chiropractor, and when I parked the car, I found the noise source. The left rear tire had deflated and shredded. We were lucky we didn’t have a sudden blowout on the highway. I called AAA, and we went in for our chiropractic visit.
When we came out, AAA notified me that we had to wait approximately an hour before they could get someone out to us. Thankfully, there was plenty of shade, so we could wait without getting too hot.
When the AAA roadside pickup arrived, they first attempted to remove the flat tire and install the spare. Unfortunately, the nuts were so tight that he couldn’t remove them with his tools. He struggled for approximately thirty minutes in 100-degree heat. We dragged him away every ten minutes into the shade so he didn’t become ill.
A woman from a nearby office graciously gave us three bottles of cold water, which we appreciated.
Finally, the roadside tech told us he couldn’t remove the tire, so he called a tow truck. We gave the tech a cash tip and thanked him. Then we waited for another hour for the tow truck. He loaded the SUV quickly and took us to the AAA repair shop because I bought a complete set of tires there only two years ago.
We spent another hour waiting for news on the tire removal and replacement. Finally, they told us that the tire needed to match the other three wasn’t in stock, but it would be available Saturday morning. AAA gave us a certificate for a free ride home via Lyft. We were hot, sweaty, and exhausted.
Saturday morning, I called AAA, and they told me the tire arrived and would be replaced before the close of business. They called back just after lunch, and we got another Lyft ride that we paid for. AAA honored their guarantee on the tire and replaced it free of charge. So the traumatic experience was over.
Hal and I went to look at a few new cars. We didn’t get into serious negotiations with the dealers because I always finance through my credit union. At least none of the salespeople were pushy. We aren’t sure about trading in right now, but it never hurts to have options.
All in all, the last two days were an adventure. Hal and I hope that it will be the last adventure for a while.