Friday, March 21, 2008

Well, I blew it.

My tire, that is.

We had an early morning WIC appointment today, so we dropped off Oren at school and headed towards town. Halfway there I ran over something, there was a loud bang sound and a kind of bump. I didn't see any tire bits flying behind me, so kept driving, trying to spot what I had hit. A few minutes later, the "check tire" light came on, telling me my tire pressure had dropped. Uh oh.... I drove a little farther, thinking that it was probably just a slight drop and I would be okay until after my appointment, and that as soon as it was done I would go down to Les Shwab and have them take a look. Well, a minute or so later, I got the feeling that something wasn't right and I should turn my music off. As soon as I did I heard a horrible grating-like sound. I pulled over right away, and got out to check. Sure enough, my front right tire was COMPLETELY out of air. Totally flat! With 5 minutes until my appointment, I knew there was no way I'd make it, so I called and let them know, and got that rescheduled. Then I headed around to the trunk of the van and grabbed the jack/lug wrench. I called Mark to let him know my tire was flat, and to ask where the lug wrench was, apperantly it was attached to the jack. Okay, odd place for it, but whatever. I reassured him that I knew how to change a flat, and let him go. He was a little upset that I had been stopped with lights flashing for 5 whole minutes, and no chivalrous knight had stopped to help! How sweet of him.

I got the rim cover thing off and had just loosend the lug nuts, and just about to place the jack under the frame, when a van pulls up and a guy steps out. One of the brethren from church thought he recognized the red-head kicking the lug wrench (easier to loosen the lug nuts) and stopped to help. Now, what's funny is that I knew what I was doing, and was perfectly capable of changing the tire myself. But when a gentleman stops and offers help, you don't tell him "No buddy, back off, I'll do it myself!" No, you graciously let him pretend he knows more than you do, especially if you know his wife, that way he can score some brownie points later when he tells her about his daring rescue of the damsel in distress. He was very nice and followed me to Les Schwab just to make sure the donut tire didn't give me any problems, and hauled to flat in for me.

At last I was able to find out what I had run over. Some one, at some point, had left a rather large bolt on the road, and I just happened to run over it. We knew what it was, because it tore throught the tire and was lodged inside of it. So my tire was no good. This is where I became glad that we maintain a savings account. My other tire was wearing pretty thin, so I ended up just replacing both and getting them rotated while I was at it.

What an adventure, and all this before lunch! Makes me wonder what the rest of the day will be like. I did get some good news though. They had the tires in stock so I got to drive away with new ones on and won't have to go back later. And Mark's work called needing to leave a message, and I checked with them. Mark has the whole weekend off! So we get to have some family time for Easter. What a great Easter gift!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Flat tires are no fun. I actually have never changed one entirely by myself, although I understand how it's supposed to work. Most of the time Steve has handled it in some fashion for me, although I have started the job along by elevating the car and removing some of the bolts. Generally I just feel at a loss as to how to do the whole job, although I think I'd prefer to know it myself. It tends to make me feel helpless (not a comfortable feeling) when it's something I have to wait to have Steve do for me.

Sarah said...

I have never had to change a tire. I know I learned how in drivers ed...9 years ago. Hopefully I'll never be in that situation. I'm glad you were able to get it taken care of...and excited for you that Mark is home for the weekend. Have fun!

Stephanie said...

What an adventure! Yay for knowing how to change a tire, and for people who will pull over and help whether you know how or not!

Melinda said...

I don't think I've had to change a flat since driver's ed. Way to go for keeping that skill up, even if you didn't end up needing it today.

Hope you enjoy your long weekend with Mark home, and that Easter's wonderful for you!