I had an interesting experience last week. I used my American Automobile Association (AAA) club membership to get a vehicle towed. For the first time, ever.
Don't get me wrong. I'm neither complaining nor bragging. But I was astonished when I realized that, after paying for AAA service for at least the past 13 years, I'd never actually utilized it before last week. As someone who both owns and has the audacity (stupdity?) to drive old muscle cars and British motorycles, this amazes me.
It also reflects everything from my own stubborness to my wife's patience to a good deal of plain and simple luck. I've had several situations in which I could (and probably should) have utilized my AAA card, but it never actually happened until last week.
The situation that broke my streak was simple enough. My 1974 Pontiac Super Duty Trans Am hasn't run right since I bought it in April, but it's always run when I needed it to. However, an undeniable trend in running worse over the past two months should have been warning enough. Instead, when I fired it up last week and it seemed to be running fine I decided to use it for a DMV run. Big mistake.
The car was misbehaving by the time I got to the DMV (14 miles from my house). And when I was done waiting in line (over an hour later) it only started long enough to get me out of the parking lot. Then it stalled and simply would not run (it would start and sort of idle for maybe 2-4 seconds at most). I'm pretty sure it's a fuel starvation issue, but it might also be as simple as fouled plugs. I'll be posting with what I discover in the coming weeks under the "Editors' Personal Cars" heading.
In years past I've addressed such situations with everything from roadside fixes to calling the wife for fuel (that's happened sort of a lot with my motorcycles...) to having a friend come get me with a tow rope. On several of those occasions I'd actually forgotten I had AAA and only remembered after the car/motorcycle was back home.
Once I actually called AAA when I couldn't get my GTX started, but after waiting about 10 minutes the battery had recovered enough juice to start the car. I called AAA back with a "nevermind."
Because I hadn't used them before I didn't know what to expect. But I called the 800 number, gave them my location, requested a flatbed, and within 30 minutes a truck arrived and loaded the vehicle. Then it transported the car 14 miles to my house and unloaded it. The driver even helped me push the car into my garage so I could close the door and secure the vehicle.
And it was all free!
Who knew? (actually I did, but I never took advantage of it until now)
BTW, I have used my local AAA office to renew plates, transfer titles and get travel maps, so I'm well aware of their breadth of services.
I was only at the DMV in the Trans Am to pick up personalized plates, which (as far as I know) you can't do through AAA. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Anyway, if you don't have AAA you might consider it. More importantly, if you do have AAA, don't wait 13 years to use it if you're experiencing regular roadside issues. It's a good service.
By 6pakdave
on September 14, 2010
05:52 AM
Oh well Karl they are mechanical after-all! If it helps you any,the GTX is running fine and starts 1st time lol!.
Im sure it wont be much of an issue. Fuel or ign most of the time.Might see you at the Fling?
cheers Dave [OZ]
By editor_karl
on September 14, 2010
09:56 AM
You're correct Dave. I've since confirmed there's an ignition problem. Seems to involve the points for sure (already replaced them, along with plugs, coil and cap), but it might also involve something else as the spark still looks weak. Plus I'm not an expert on points adjustment so those may still be off, but at least I can get it to run now.
Despite the car's nearly 100% original status I'm seriously considering a switch to HEI just to take this variable out of the equation.
By moparbad
on September 14, 2010
10:07 AM
AAA plus RV, have not used it and hope I won't have to and I'll continue to renew year after year to know I won't be at the mercy of an unscrupulous tow operator if I ever do break down and need a tow.
I did get free passport photos from AAA recently when it was time to renew the passport.
By jdub53084
on September 14, 2010
12:26 PM
Karl, The Petronix products maybe an option to keep the factory look. I've read a lot about them, sounds like its the way to go if you like a stock look and a little more reliablity..
By editor_karl
on September 14, 2010
06:25 PM
It's true, and I can't believe I forgot that option considering it's what I did on my Challenger. According to a Super Duty expert I know the M&H product works better than Petronix in terms of ease of installation. But I'll probably go with one of them in the near term just to solve the issue once and for all.
By whoosierdaddy
on September 14, 2010
06:36 PM
I dropped AAA last year after about 20 years. Their price kept going up and my use of their services kept going down.
By 6pakdave
on September 15, 2010
01:27 AM
ya the Petronix kits or similar are a nice way to keep the orig look. Theres alot of 'tricks' with details to keep a car looking factory with upgraded item. Eg black MSD or similar wires still give a factory look, painted black aftermarket coil etc etc. You just have to 'trick' the eye of the purists!