Went out this mornin to the bank and ta git my ears lowered by my fav barber.

Going WB on the I-8, I see a Mustang in the CD with a CHP behind it and figure “someone’s gittin a ticket.”

Coming back, I see a tow @ the Mustang and think ?? as I continue on my way.

Anyways — it’s a bit later morning now and and I’m agittin ready to go out to “play” fer a while on the freeway — I come over the rise WB agin, and there’s the Mustang — STILL there — someone small sittin on the passenger side — so I light up and pull off in front of it — back up to it and investigate.

Little girl’s been cryin.

She’s had a tread delamination blowout on her LR tire and the remaining tread, flailing around the wheel well had damaged the body as well.

CHP had stopped to help her and had requested a tow to change out the tire for her “courtesy” as she had no HE [help enroute], no funds to pay, and no one local to assist her.

Tow driver had done as requested and left but didn’t notice she couldn’t leave.

She said to me that the car “wouldn’t move” after the tire was changed.

I immediately suspected that the spare wasn’t correct and was jammed on the brake caliper. [ Seen that before. ] So, without further ado, I removed her blown tire from the trunk and told her I’d return with a good one for her in about 20 min.

She protested that she couldn’t pay. I assured her that that wasn’t an issue as I gave her my card and explained my reason for being there.

Now I’m sizing up her situation as I’m talking with her, and it looks to me like she’s got everything she owns packed into that car. I’m guessing she’s been having a REALLY bad day [or more]

Sooooo …

I got a tire of the same size from my stock I keep for these kinda situations, mounted it up on her wheel, and took it back to her on the freeway.

Took the spare off, installed the good tire, and tried to move the car.

Which wouldn’t start.

She’s looking pretty sad just now.

She had said it wouldn’t “move.”

It comes to me from past experience that the Mustang [ and other Ford vehicles ] have a “rollover” cutoff switch for the fuel pump located in the trunk on the LR wheel well. So, when the LR tire blows in this fashion it often trips that switch with the flailing of the tread against the body metal.

I locate the switch, press the button, and try to start it again…ROOOORHMMMMMM

The look on her face made my day!

Reason I didn’t *think* of that switch first? She REALLY needed a tire to continue her journey safely…the other 3 were okay…

Most folks meet me when they’re in unpleasent or dire circumstances.

I’m often “directed” to such, kinda hard to explain how it happens.

If one were to be admirin what it is I enjoy doin, and happen to need snowchains as well, then they could come see me fer the snowchains and git perfectly fitted, and be supportive in the bargain.

http://www.snowtraction.com

Thx fer the kind words.

Happy Trails,

Highwayman Thomas T

One visit to Mammoth, with snow reaching rooftops, we learned the value of chains!