Cars are such a necessary evil sometimes. Transportation is essential in today’s world to get most things done. Sure, I live close enough to my work that I walk most days.
However, on days where I have errands to run that aren’t within walking distance or it’s raining, I jump in my car and drive the short distance to work. My car is there when I need it, and I try to take care of it to the best of my ability.
My fiancé, Tim, is the epitome of a “car guy.” He has his truck for winter, car for nice weather months, plus two work vehicles and a Camaro he’s had since high school. Additionally, he has a Blazer that runs but is in storage, and two older trucks he hopes to restore. He does his own simple mechanic work and would do more of the bigger tasks if he had the room and the time. Needless to say, we are looking for a house with a large garage or a storage shed — both would be nice but that’s another topic.
It has been interesting being in a relationship with a mechanic. It’s is the type of skill that has been missing from life for awhile now.
My Grandpa Rodgers loved to tinker and work on his own cars and mowers, and once upon a time, his tractors and everything else on his farm. However, he was more of a doer than a teacher, so he never passed his skills down. When we lost him, we had to rely on outside help with any mechanical questions.
I love that Tim knows his stuff. I love him for more reasons than that of course, but I am still amazed at the things he can do. What makes it better is he is both humble and kind about it.
He isn’t afraid to lend a hand when it comes to being “Mr. Fixit.” My family has figured out that he is good at fixing stuff, because they have asked him questions and had him look at/fix vehicles on more than one occasion. Again, Tim doesn’t seem to mind.
Anyway, his knowledge has affected my own car as well. Tim does the majority of the driving when we are together, which is fine by me because I like riding in cars more than driving. The few times he has been in my car, he has pointed out a “howling” noise that is coming from the back tires.
I wouldn’t know because usually I have the radio on loud enough to drown it out — probably not the best idea, but I do love my music. He prefers the radio off, so we can talk, and so he can hear any weird sounds (I compromise by turning my music down). But I digress.
Back to that howling sound, when I asked Tim what the noise could mean, he said it could be the wheel bearing. I would have to take it into the Ford garage to find out for sure. Great, just what I wanted to hear. After delaying it as long as possible, I finally set up an appointment and dropped it off for them to check it out.
As it turns out, it was not a wheel bearing but the back two tires are going bad — big gulp. Tim wasn’t surprised by the news, telling me he didn’t want to annoy me by listing all things that could be wrong with my car every time he was in it. Thanks, honey.
So now my not-even-3-year-old tires are going to have to be replaced sooner rather than later. I haven’t been a fan of Goodyear tires, mainly cause my dad doesn’t like them, but this makes it easier for me to say it personally now.
Ah cars, they are great when they work and expensive when they don’t — thank God I don’t mind walking.
Contact Pam Rodgers at
prodgers@newtondailynews.com