Car breakdowns
Discussion
Just last week, I was thinking to myself how few cars I now see broken down by the side of the road particularly on motorways. Today driving home, I saw 3 cars waiting for breakdown assistance and had a vehicle in front of me have a tyre blow out within the space of 4 miles.
Is modern technology perceived as being more reliable along with the recession meaning that generally people are scrimping on maintenance, or was it conincidence or just because it was a Bank Holiday weekend with more traffic?
Is modern technology perceived as being more reliable along with the recession meaning that generally people are scrimping on maintenance, or was it conincidence or just because it was a Bank Holiday weekend with more traffic?
Who knows. I lost count at around 12 or 13 broken down sensible, "reliable" reasonably young family cars on my world tour of England last summer.
My boss rang last night to tell me his 6 year old XC90 had broken down spectacularly.
It happens to everyone. Those who loudly chose a car for its reliability sometimes don't want to advertise it incase all their mates and colleagues laugh at them and tell them they should have bought some other dull brand which is just as liable to suffer the odd mechanical or electrical failure.
It's entirely normal, but nowadays people seem to be astonished and outraged that a complicated piece of machinery may on occasion not work properly.
My boss rang last night to tell me his 6 year old XC90 had broken down spectacularly.
It happens to everyone. Those who loudly chose a car for its reliability sometimes don't want to advertise it incase all their mates and colleagues laugh at them and tell them they should have bought some other dull brand which is just as liable to suffer the odd mechanical or electrical failure.
It's entirely normal, but nowadays people seem to be astonished and outraged that a complicated piece of machinery may on occasion not work properly.
Probably coincidence with a lot of cars being used over the bank holiday that normally wouldn't get much day-to-day use.
In terms of seeing less breakdowns on the roads generally these days, I'd say it was a combination of better reliability, and the improved efficiency of the breakdown services in getting cars going again or towing them off the motorway.
In terms of seeing less breakdowns on the roads generally these days, I'd say it was a combination of better reliability, and the improved efficiency of the breakdown services in getting cars going again or towing them off the motorway.
barker22 said:
I believe I have seen a massive increase in the number of cars on the hs!
Many people won't change a tyre themselves (or even know how)so its easier to pay someone else to do it.
Well hardshoulder cases in particular - it would be disingenious to set about changing your own wheel and tyre without the benefit of protection from a big van parked 100 yards back with lots of flashing amber lights all over it and hi-viz clothing to make sure you're not creamed by other traffic.Many people won't change a tyre themselves (or even know how)so its easier to pay someone else to do it.
jamieduff1981 said:
barker22 said:
I believe I have seen a massive increase in the number of cars on the hs!
Many people won't change a tyre themselves (or even know how)so its easier to pay someone else to do it.
Well hardshoulder cases in particular - it would be disingenious to set about changing your own wheel and tyre without the benefit of protection from a big van parked 100 yards back with lots of flashing amber lights all over it and hi-viz clothing to make sure you're not creamed by other traffic.Many people won't change a tyre themselves (or even know how)so its easier to pay someone else to do it.
surveyor said:
I would not consider changing my own offside wheel without some protection. Last time this happened to me, it was on the M5, with a barrier stopping me putting two wheels on the verge. Let me tell you I have never ever seen anyone change a wheel as quickly as that AA man.
Yup, I would never even consider it. And I do feel for the recovery agents who do the job at the roadside. I can't help think that if an artic strays onto the hard shoulder an AA Transit would suddenly look like a very small, very light and very moveable barrier. I guess they just have to hope that lighting them up like a christmas tree gives everyone plenty of advance warning.
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