On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 17:26:01 -0400, James Silverton
> wrote:

>As I've said
>before, it's a long time since I saw someone changing a *tire*.

Australia and America might as well be in different universes in this
case. You will never hear that statement coming from an Australian.

On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 09:19:09 -0700, "Cheri" >
wrote:

>
>"Jeßus" > wrote in message
.. .
>> On Sat, 14 Jun 2014 20:02:51 -1000, dsi1
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>I don't think that people not experienced with changing tires should
>>>change tire along the side of the road. They should instead call a tow
>>>truck or have a pro do it. Changing tires on the highway is way too
>>>dangerous.
>>
>> You must have both lots of money and these 'pros' every couple of
>> miles of highway to make that viable. Plus a cell phone to call the
>> 'pro'... plus cell phone coverage.
>>
>> Is there some reason licensed drivers can't apply common sense? If
>> they're too dense to safely change a tyre, should they be let loose on
>> public roads to begin with? It's just a tyre. It's not hard to teach
>> safe practices.
>
>That's why I pay Triple A for roadside service yearly, including long
>distance towing if need be.

Roadside assistance isn't viable here and even if it was, most people
wouldn't consider such a thing. In the cities, yes, more so.

"Jeßus" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 08:39:37 -0400, Nancy Young
> > wrote:
>
>>On 6/14/2014 10:51 PM, Jeßus wrote:
>>> On Sat, 14 Jun 2014 22:12:52 -0400, James Silverton
>>
>>>> I wonder if the stick waggers have ever had to commute in a crowded
>>>> city? I've driven with a stick in Frankfurt, Zurich and Paris and you
>>>> can keep it!
>>>
>>> Yeah, it's such a trauma, isn't it...
>>
>>It didn't bother me in the least.
>
> Nor me. it's not *that* hard, assuming there's nothing wrong with your
> arms and legs.

Since I've had an auto for a long time, I find with the manual in slow and
heavy traffic I am wishing I was in my auto again <g>

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 11:45:00 -0400, jmcquown >
wrote:

>On 6/15/2014 1:11 AM, Jeßus wrote:
>> On Sat, 14 Jun 2014 21:25:55 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> I never learned to drive one. When I took Driver's Ed, for some reason, we
>>> didn't have one. We had a simulator that was supposed to be a stick, but
>>> mine was totally broken. They showed you a film. You were supposed to
>>> start and stop the car when they told you to and react to whatever was on
>>> the screen. I think it also told you to do things like turn corners or
>>> change lanes. But since mine wasn't recording anything, it was all very
>>> useless. My friend and I got passed because the teacher didn't observe us
>>> doing anything wrong.
>>
>> Passed, as in issuing you a drivers licence?
>
>No, passed as in she passed the Driver's Ed course. They don't issue
>drivers licenses.

Okay, thanks.

>> If so, I find that very hard to believe, even though I'm not familiar
>> with how things work 'over there' in regards to driver training and
>> licensing.
>>
>Please don't judge the US on what she writes. Driver's Education is an
>optional class for high school students. You still have to take a
>driving test at the Dept. of Motor Vehicles. Both a written and road test.

Fair enough, I wasn't sure about what Julie said.

>>> Not long after that, she parked it on the street and a drunk driver hit it
>>> and some other cars. Hit them very badly. She found pieces of it all over
>>> in people's yards for about a block.
>>
>> ROTFL. How could a collision between two cars possibly spread debris
>> over an entire block? Especially in a built up area.
>>
>Pretty funny. Of course all cars explode when they're hit, too. Just
>like on television. LOL

I'd like to know how the debris was spread through people's *yards*
for a block without an explosion

>>> The main part of it and the other cars
>>> got towed away because there was so little left of them.
>>
>> And presumably all buildings and people in the area, going on the
>> inexplicable amount of energy released during this collision, as well.
>>
>Inexplicable, isn't it?

As always

"James Silverton" > wrote in message
...
> On 6/15/2014 2:56 PM, Ophelia wrote:
>>
>>
>> "sf" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 18:25:04 +0100, "Ophelia"
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "James Silverton" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>> > On 6/15/2014 2:37 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>>> >> On 6/14/2014 10:50 PM, Jeßus wrote:
>>>> >>
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>> If you truly believe that, I suspect you're a very ordinary driver.
>>>> >>> Sorry. Steerer.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> If you live anywhere near CT, I'm up to any challenge you can
>>>> >> devise.
>>>> >> Pick a road.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> Using you left leg to drive does not make you a better driver.
>>>> >
>>>> > Jeßus says that high performance crs don't have paddles but they
>>>> > have
>>>> > them even on racing cars now.
>>>>
>>>> Explain 'paddle' please?
>>>
>>> http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/news/...hift-gearboxes
>>>
>>
>> Thanks. Never seen that. Discussed it with DH and he said he has used
>> one in USA but that was a long time ago.
>>
>
> Those cute little "Smart" cars have paddles. I actually rented one while
> my car was being worked on but I don't think I would own one myself.
>
This is what I have. Would that be the same thing?

http://social.ford.com/our-articles/...-transmission/

I know that it says "Fiesta" but the Focus also has it.

"Jeßus" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 18:53:52 -0300, wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 12:18:27 -0700, sf > wrote:
>>
>>>On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 14:57:07 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 6/15/2014 12:32 PM, sf wrote:
>>>>
>>>> >>> And be able to put chains on in 5 minutes or less.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> That's what you pay the chain installers to do. They need to
>>>> >> supplement
>>>> >> their salary too, or they wouldn't be out there in that kind of
>>>> >> weather..
>>>> >> :-)
>>>> >>
>>>> > Heh. I thought I'd up the anti with a skill people might actually
>>>> > *need* sometime. Can't remember the last flat I had and never had a
>>>> > blowout, but I could always opt to drive in the snow.
>>>> >
>>>>
>>>> Here in the northeast, you don't see chains any more. They do a pretty
>>>> good job of plowing though. Last time I saw chains was in the 60's.
>>>> Maybe in the far northern regions, but not MA and south.
>>>
>>>You've never driven in a blizzard? Snow tires or chains are required
>>>for mountain driving when snow is falling. People who live in the
>>>snow use snow tires. People who commute to the snow for a day or
>>>three use chains.
>>
>>You mean you are serious ?? What states still allow the use of
>>chains?
>
> We use chains here in Aus.

So do we.

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Nancy Young" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 6/15/2014 2:02 AM, dsi1 wrote:
>>> On 6/14/2014 3:27 PM, Sky wrote:
>>
>>>> And, change a flat tire, too! Er, barring any physical challenges . .
>>>> .
>>
>>> I don't think that people not experienced with changing tires should
>>> change tire along the side of the road. They should instead call a tow
>>> truck or have a pro do it. Changing tires on the highway is way too
>>> dangerous.
>>
>> I only had one blowout in my life, so of course I was in the
>> fast lane in bumper to bumper cars going 75. I got over and
>> started to change the tire. Must have been a sight in my
>> skirt and heels trying to loosen the first nut.
>>
>> An irritated man pulled over and changed it for me post haste.
>> He was very nice but I had the idea he had to be somewhere
>> but couldn't leave me there.
>>
>> I could have done it but that wasn't the greatest spot with
>> wall to wall traffic going by, I grant you that. But call
>> a tow truck? No cell phones in those days, and I would have
>> sat there for hours before a cop came by.
>>
>> nancy
>
> The only time I had a blow out was on an off ramp with a full service
> station in view. Thankfully.
>
> Cheri

I've only ever had flat tires in the driveway. Mine started as slow leaks
so it wasn't traumatic.

On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 18:20:21 +0100, "Ophelia"
> wrote:

>"gregz" > wrote in message
...
>>
>> The stick is a nightmare in stop and go rush hour traffic. Add hills,
>> forget it.
>
>Only if you are not used to it.

Fancy describing driving a manual as a 'nightmare'. If it's *that*
difficult for a normal, able person to do - you'd have to wonder about
their driving skills. I mean really.

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> "Gary" > wrote in message
> ...
>> sf wrote:
>>>
>>> Which reminds me of the time hubby was driving on fumes and ran out of
>>> gas on the off ramp. Same set up and it was downhill to the gas
>>> station, so pushing it was easy.
>>
>> And for that fear/reason, I always fill up the gas tank when it gets
>> to 1/4 tank left showing.
>
> We fill ours when they get down to 1/2 a tank.

I try to but sometimes it dips a bit lower.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "James Silverton" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 6/15/2014 2:56 PM, Ophelia wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> "sf" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 18:25:04 +0100, "Ophelia"
>>>> > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "James Silverton" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>> > On 6/15/2014 2:37 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>>>> >> On 6/14/2014 10:50 PM, Jeßus wrote:
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>> If you truly believe that, I suspect you're a very ordinary
>>>>> >>> driver.
>>>>> >>> Sorry. Steerer.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> If you live anywhere near CT, I'm up to any challenge you can
>>>>> >> devise.
>>>>> >> Pick a road.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> Using you left leg to drive does not make you a better driver.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Jeßus says that high performance crs don't have paddles but they
>>>>> > have
>>>>> > them even on racing cars now.
>>>>>
>>>>> Explain 'paddle' please?
>>>>
>>>> http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/news/...hift-gearboxes
>>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks. Never seen that. Discussed it with DH and he said he has used
>>> one in USA but that was a long time ago.
>>>
>>
>> Those cute little "Smart" cars have paddles. I actually rented one while
>> my car was being worked on but I don't think I would own one myself.
>>
> This is what I have. Would that be the same thing?
>
> http://social.ford.com/our-articles/...-transmission/
>
> I know that it says "Fiesta" but the Focus also has it.

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "James Silverton" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 6/15/2014 2:56 PM, Ophelia wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> "sf" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 18:25:04 +0100, "Ophelia"
>>>> > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "James Silverton" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>> > On 6/15/2014 2:37 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>>>> >> On 6/14/2014 10:50 PM, Jeßus wrote:
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>>
>>>>> >>> If you truly believe that, I suspect you're a very ordinary
>>>>> >>> driver.
>>>>> >>> Sorry. Steerer.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> If you live anywhere near CT, I'm up to any challenge you can
>>>>> >> devise.
>>>>> >> Pick a road.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> Using you left leg to drive does not make you a better driver.
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Jeßus says that high performance crs don't have paddles but they
>>>>> > have
>>>>> > them even on racing cars now.
>>>>>
>>>>> Explain 'paddle' please?
>>>>
>>>> http://www.roadandtrack.com/go/news/...hift-gearboxes
>>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks. Never seen that. Discussed it with DH and he said he has used
>>> one in USA but that was a long time ago.
>>>
>>
>> Those cute little "Smart" cars have paddles. I actually rented one while
>> my car was being worked on but I don't think I would own one myself.
>>
> This is what I have. Would that be the same thing?
>
> http://social.ford.com/our-articles/...-transmission/
>
> I know that it says "Fiesta" but the Focus also has it.

A Fiesta or Focus is not a Smart car here. These are our Smart Cars:

http://www.smart.com/is-bin/INTERSHO...thesmart_url_\

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On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 17:54:31 +0100, "Ophelia"
> wrote:

>
>
>"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
>>
>> "Jeßus" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On Sat, 14 Jun 2014 20:55:23 -0400, jmcquown >
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>On 6/12/2014 4:24 PM, Nancy Young wrote:
>>>>> On 6/12/2014 2:08 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>>>>> Nancy Young wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>> They'd ban stick shifts, too, if that was the problem.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Not nearly the same thing... once learned driving stick is like riding
>>>>>> a bicycle or swimming, requires no more consious thought than
>>>>>> breathing... takes more consious thought to urinate than drive stick.
>>>>>> You obviously don't drive stick.
>>>>>
>>>>> SIGH.
>>>>>
>>>>> I can drive a stick better than an automatic. I never did
>>>>> get used to an automatic, and it's no fun to drive.
>>>>>
>>>>I dislike automatic transmissions. When my car was in the shop a few
>>>>years back after some old lady hit it in the Walgreen's parking lot, the
>>>>rental car was an automatic. It took me a couple of days to get used to
>>>>it. I was glad to get my car back.
>>>
>>> Automatics are for steerers, not drivers.
>>>
>>> Nobody apart from those with a disability should be able to get a
>>> licence unless you pass the test in a car with a manual box.
>>
>> I did pass the test with a stick, and you also had to parallel park or you
>> didn't pass. To this day, I'm a great parallel parker, but the stick shift
>> is a nightmare in hilly places like San Francisco. I love automatics.
>
>I did parallel parking on my test way back in the dark ages, but I am still
>rubbish parallel parking<g>

Parallel parking my Landcruiser ute can be difficult in Launceston,
it's quite a bit higher than standard and the ute tray blocks any rear
vision, especially of these newfangled tiny 'shopping trolley' cars,
as they are referred to here as. I just use my mirrors and shop window
reflections to see how close I am to the car behind.

"Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
> On 6/15/2014 7:34 AM, Dave Smith wrote:
>
> .
>>
>> That was a head on crash with a combined speed of over 100 mph. A drunk
>> hitting a parked car and leaving debris for a block???? Not in this
>> world.
>>
>>
> It would not be scattered from impact, but dragging a bug and it
> components is very possible.

And since nobody saw the accident, we'll never know what really happened.
The car was so totally smashed that it wound up at the scrap yard.

"Jeßus" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 18:20:21 +0100, "Ophelia"
> > wrote:
>
>>"gregz" > wrote in message
...
>>>
>>> The stick is a nightmare in stop and go rush hour traffic. Add hills,
>>> forget it.
>>
>>Only if you are not used to it.
>
> Fancy describing driving a manual as a 'nightmare'. If it's *that*
> difficult for a normal, able person to do - you'd have to wonder about
> their driving skills. I mean really.

I suppose it is what you learn with and get used to but I would hate to be
restricted.

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Jeßus" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 17:54:31 +0100, "Ophelia"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
>>>
>>> "Jeßus" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> On Sat, 14 Jun 2014 20:55:23 -0400, jmcquown >
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>On 6/12/2014 4:24 PM, Nancy Young wrote:
>>>>>> On 6/12/2014 2:08 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>>>>>> Nancy Young wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> They'd ban stick shifts, too, if that was the problem.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Not nearly the same thing... once learned driving stick is like
>>>>>>> riding
>>>>>>> a bicycle or swimming, requires no more consious thought than
>>>>>>> breathing... takes more consious thought to urinate than drive
>>>>>>> stick.
>>>>>>> You obviously don't drive stick.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> SIGH.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I can drive a stick better than an automatic. I never did
>>>>>> get used to an automatic, and it's no fun to drive.
>>>>>>
>>>>>I dislike automatic transmissions. When my car was in the shop a few
>>>>>years back after some old lady hit it in the Walgreen's parking lot,
>>>>>the
>>>>>rental car was an automatic. It took me a couple of days to get used
>>>>>to
>>>>>it. I was glad to get my car back.
>>>>
>>>> Automatics are for steerers, not drivers.
>>>>
>>>> Nobody apart from those with a disability should be able to get a
>>>> licence unless you pass the test in a car with a manual box.
>>>
>>> I did pass the test with a stick, and you also had to parallel park or
>>> you
>>> didn't pass. To this day, I'm a great parallel parker, but the stick
>>> shift
>>> is a nightmare in hilly places like San Francisco. I love automatics.
>>
>>I did parallel parking on my test way back in the dark ages, but I am
>>still
>>rubbish parallel parking<g>
>
> Parallel parking my Landcruiser ute can be difficult in Launceston,
> it's quite a bit higher than standard and the ute tray blocks any rear
> vision, especially of these newfangled tiny 'shopping trolley' cars,
> as they are referred to here as. I just use my mirrors and shop window
> reflections to see how close I am to the car behind.

I am having probs with my Kia. I am used to being much higher and having a
definite 'front' and 'back' The front of this slopes down fast and I can't
work out where it stops!!! Well it is still fairly new to me and I tend not
to drive it too often ... I am much lower down now and it is hard to see
the back BUT I now have a wee camera on the back and I can see on a screen
inside how near I am behind.

See he

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yada-BT53328.../dp/B007AAUTG8

Now if I could just get the hang of that damned bonnet ...



--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Gary" > wrote in message ...
> Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> I do know that when a car is hit by a drunk driver, those parts can go
>> everywhere! My husband's Buick was hit and so was my neighbor's van.
>> Hitting a parked car is not the same as rear ending someone. Of course
>> it
>> is possible for a drunk to rear end even a parked car but more likely
>> they
>> sort of swipe them from the side. Or hit them from an angle because they
>> are swerving. My husband's car was hit so hard that not only did it spin
>> around slightly but it was pushed clear up by the neighbor's house. And
>> we
>> are still finding bits of car parts years later. They likely wound up in
>> a
>> tree or bush and eventually came out due to wind or rain or maybe some
>> passerby picked them out.
>
> And you are still finding car parts years later? LMAO!

Yes. Little bits from the rear lights and things. Not like big huge car
parts. We have thick, Dwarf Alberta Spruces along where the car was hit.
It got pushed very close to them. We're always finding things popping out
of them. I found a Christmas ornament the other day. They're so dense that
things get pushed inside and you can't see them.
>
> I know you claim to be a writer but if you want to write fiction, you
> need to learn some real life experiences to make it believable.

This isn't fiction.
>
> Here's a real story. One night a drunk driver (at evidently very high
> speed) hit the rear left fender of my old van. Going so fast, it
> pushed the rear of my van into the car parked next to me...and it
> continued to push us both in a third car.....and all 3 of our cars got
> pushed against a 4th parked car. Then the drunken driver sped off and
> never got caught.
>
> The police knocked on my door at like 2:00 am and told me my van was
> involved in a hit and run accident and that I needed to get dressed
> and come outside. They told the other car owners the same. We all
> went outside and had to unstick our cars with police supervision.
>
> The only debris on the road was my van's left tail light broken on the
> street. No debris from the other 3 cars. Just many smashed fenders.

I guess it depends on how the car was hit. Nobody saw this accident. But I
heard the horrible sound of a car out of control, screeching and then a very
loud crash. The damage that it caused was so bad that it was in the shop
for about three weeks. And at the time, there were no rental cars
available. The really sad thing is that he had just gotten it back after
having a new (used) engine put in it.

I called the police. A man and his adult son that we did not know had run
over to see what had happened. This was around 2:00 a.m. They were still
up and heard the crash. I don't even know where they lived. I know the
people up to 4 doors down and it wasn't any of them.

The driver was an adult living with his parents. He just went to bed. Next
morning (Sunday), his dad got up, saw the smashed car in the garage and
demanded to know what happened. He drove the son over here and had him
apologize to my husband and also contacted the police. So we were very
lucky. The driver did have insurance and his insurance paid for it. My
husband was paid to get a rental car, but since he could not, he had to take
the bus to work. Cost him nothing to take the bus as he got a free bus pass
from work. However it was a bit of a hardship to have to walk to where the
bus is as we are not on a bus route.

On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 19:53:00 +0100, "Ophelia"
> wrote:

>"Gary" > wrote in message ...
>> sf wrote:
>>>
>>> Which reminds me of the time hubby was driving on fumes and ran out of
>>> gas on the off ramp. Same set up and it was downhill to the gas
>>> station, so pushing it was easy.
>>
>> And for that fear/reason, I always fill up the gas tank when it gets
>> to 1/4 tank left showing.
>
>We fill ours when they get down to 1/2 a tank.

I fill whenever I go to town, and usually fill 3 or 4 20L Jerry cans
as well.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 11:34:30 -0400, Gary > wrote:
>
>> The only debris on the road was my van's left tail light broken on the
>> street. No debris from the other 3 cars. Just many smashed fenders.
>
> I know someone whose car was hit in the middle of the night by some
> drunk driver who was playing car pinball down the street... except his
> car was inside the garage and the door was closed. Score!
>
I love the episode of Cops where the guy drives into a house. He is so out
of it but seems happy that he didn't hit any people. But then the cop tells
him, "Your car went into the house!"

There is a house near where my parents used to live that has had a lot of
misfortune because of its placement in relation to another street. That
other street comes straight along and forms like a letter T with the road
going across where they intersect. The house is across the street from that
stop sign. Can't tell you how many drivers (some drunk, some not), managed
to run the stop sign and went through their fence.

So what do they have there now? A big bunch of cement blocks, forming a
fence.

On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 15:33:19 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

>I've only ever had flat tires in the driveway.

LOL, your neighbour must be another fan of yours

"Brooklyn1" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 07:40:45 -0300, wrote:
>
>>On Sat, 14 Jun 2014 19:57:43 -0700, "Cheri" >
>>wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>"Jeßus" > wrote in message
...
>>>
>>>> Autos have their place of course. If I lived in a city with heavy
>>>> traffic, I'd have one myself. The main reason for my opinion
>>>> learning/passing a test is that autos don't really teach you to feel
>>>> what's going on with the car like a manual gearbox does.
>>>>
>>>> Learning in a manual or 'stick' (autos also have a 'stick' but
>>>> anyway...) will make you a better and safer driver, rather than merely
>>>> learning to point the car and press the pedal with an auto.
>>>
>>>One of the good things about learning on a stick is that you can get in
>>>and
>>>drive away in any car if the need arises. It has come in handy at times.
>>>
>>>Cheri
>>
>>That's about the only benefit I can think of - I would also give it a
>>slight plus for snowy/icy road control though today with good quality
>>snow tires applied, even that doesn't count too much.
>
> Snow tires are lousy on ice, worse than ordinary road tires. Snow
> tires help a little in moderate snow (less than 6") but in deep snow
> will give a false sense of security and get you stuck. Snow tires do
> no good at all on today's smaller/lighter vehicals, best to stay home.

That's what I do. If there is snow, I do not go.

"Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
> On 6/15/2014 12:32 PM, sf wrote:
>
>>>> And be able to put chains on in 5 minutes or less.
>>>
>>> That's what you pay the chain installers to do. They need to supplement
>>> their salary too, or they wouldn't be out there in that kind of
>>> weather..
>>> :-)
>>>
>> Heh. I thought I'd up the anti with a skill people might actually
>> *need* sometime. Can't remember the last flat I had and never had a
>> blowout, but I could always opt to drive in the snow.
>>
>
> Here in the northeast, you don't see chains any more. They do a pretty
> good job of plowing though. Last time I saw chains was in the 60's. Maybe
> in the far northern regions, but not MA and south.

Here, they are used in the mountains.

"Jeßus" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 19:53:00 +0100, "Ophelia"
> > wrote:
>
>>"Gary" > wrote in message
...
>>> sf wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Which reminds me of the time hubby was driving on fumes and ran out of
>>>> gas on the off ramp. Same set up and it was downhill to the gas
>>>> station, so pushing it was easy.
>>>
>>> And for that fear/reason, I always fill up the gas tank when it gets
>>> to 1/4 tank left showing.
>>
>>We fill ours when they get down to 1/2 a tank.
>
> I fill whenever I go to town, and usually fill 3 or 4 20L Jerry cans
> as well.

I would if we were not near petrol stations


--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 18:15:29 +0100, "Ophelia"
> wrote:

>
>
>"Jeßus" > wrote in message
.. .
>> On Sat, 14 Jun 2014 20:09:40 -1000, dsi1
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>On 6/14/2014 4:03 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>>> On 6/14/2014 9:35 PM, Cheri wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I did pass the test with a stick, and you also had to parallel park or
>>>>> you didn't pass. To this day, I'm a great parallel parker, but the
>>>>> stick
>>>>> shift is a nightmare in hilly places like San Francisco. I love
>>>>> automatics.
>>>>>
>>>>> Cheri
>>>>
>>>> Some have a "hill holder" that keeps the brake on when you put the
>>>> clutch in. Very handy on a steep incline.
>>>
>>>My Subaru used to have one of those. I'm probably one of the few people
>>>that know how to adjust those things. When set up correctly, it's pretty
>>>slick but who the heck knows how to do that?
>>
>> My Forester also had it (manual gearbox). All you have to do is
>> release the clutch as you normally would and away you go.
>
>On a hill though you have to hold it on the clutch and accelerator when you
>release the handbrake before you can pull away.

Yes, normally. But my Forester has the 'hill holder', which means no
need for the handbrake when on an incline. I didn't even know it had
it, until I stopped at some lights on a hill for the first time.

To disengage it, all you need to do is let the clutch pedal out a
little bit, doesnt need to be enough to engage the clutch though.

On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 23:09:28 +0100, "Ophelia"
> wrote:

>
>
>"Jeßus" > wrote in message
.. .
>> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 08:59:32 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
>>
>>>On 6/15/2014 3:53 AM, Jeßus wrote:
>>>> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 02:21:08 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On 6/14/2014 10:31 PM, Jeßus wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Learning in a manual or 'stick' (autos also have a 'stick' but
>>>>>> anyway...)
>>>>>
>>>>> Except for the ones that don't.
>>>>
>>>> True. If you're being a pedant for the sake of it.
>>>>
>>>
>>>Well, you made an incorrect generalization. In 1955 some Chrysler cars
>>>had a lever. Couple of years later, push buttons, as did the Edsel.
>>
>> I could have been a pendant to you too - several times. Grow up.
>
>A swinger too huh ;-) Aye them were the days )

Pendant... LOL

On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 23:15:22 +0100, "Ophelia"
> wrote:

>
>
>"Jeßus" > wrote in message
.. .
>> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 18:01:35 +0100, "Ophelia"
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>"Jeßus" > wrote in message
...
>>>> On Sat, 14 Jun 2014 18:35:59 -0700, "Cheri" >
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>"Jeßus" > wrote in message
om...
>>>>>> On Sat, 14 Jun 2014 20:55:23 -0400, jmcquown >
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>On 6/12/2014 4:24 PM, Nancy Young wrote:
>>>>>>>> On 6/12/2014 2:08 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>>>>>>>> Nancy Young wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> They'd ban stick shifts, too, if that was the problem.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Not nearly the same thing... once learned driving stick is like
>>>>>>>>> riding
>>>>>>>>> a bicycle or swimming, requires no more consious thought than
>>>>>>>>> breathing... takes more consious thought to urinate than drive
>>>>>>>>> stick.
>>>>>>>>> You obviously don't drive stick.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> SIGH.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I can drive a stick better than an automatic. I never did
>>>>>>>> get used to an automatic, and it's no fun to drive.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I dislike automatic transmissions. When my car was in the shop a few
>>>>>>>years back after some old lady hit it in the Walgreen's parking lot,
>>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>rental car was an automatic. It took me a couple of days to get used
>>>>>>>to
>>>>>>>it. I was glad to get my car back.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Automatics are for steerers, not drivers.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Nobody apart from those with a disability should be able to get a
>>>>>> licence unless you pass the test in a car with a manual box.
>>>>>
>>>>> I did pass the test with a stick, and you also had to parallel park or
>>>>> you
>>>>>didn't pass. To this day, I'm a great parallel parker, but the stick
>>>>>shift
>>>>>is a nightmare in hilly places like San Francisco. I love automatics.
>>>>
>>>> Autos have their place of course. If I lived in a city with heavy
>>>> traffic, I'd have one myself. The main reason for my opinion
>>>> learning/passing a test is that autos don't really teach you to feel
>>>> what's going on with the car like a manual gearbox does.
>>>>
>>>> Learning in a manual or 'stick' (autos also have a 'stick' but
>>>> anyway...) will make you a better and safer driver, rather than merely
>>>> learning to point the car and press the pedal with an auto.
>>>
>>>We call them 'manual' too, but I have learned to say 'stick' here so I am
>>>understood.
>>
>> Yep. Well, I've learned something from this thread, namely that manual
>> cars are very rare in the U.S. Done some looking into it and now
>> realising that most Americans learn in an auto, drive autos and
>> probably never get to drive a manual. It's always been the exact
>> opposite here and remains so to this day. Particularly where I am,
>> autos are very rare and are more a liability than anything else.
>
>Autos are not rare here but manual cars are the norm.
>
>If we get a licence using a manual, we can then drive autos too on that
>licence. If we get a licence with an auto, we must take an extra test for a
>manual which sounds good to me.

That is how it should be, and is the case here in Aus.

Hard to understand why anyone would see a flaw in that reasoning.
Who wants somebody inexperienced/incompetent behind the wheel of a car
if they can't change gears in properly? Especially in a situation
where they have to think fast.

"Jeßus" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 18:15:29 +0100, "Ophelia"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>"Jeßus" > wrote in message
. ..
>>> On Sat, 14 Jun 2014 20:09:40 -1000, dsi1
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>>On 6/14/2014 4:03 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>>>> On 6/14/2014 9:35 PM, Cheri wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I did pass the test with a stick, and you also had to parallel park
>>>>>> or
>>>>>> you didn't pass. To this day, I'm a great parallel parker, but the
>>>>>> stick
>>>>>> shift is a nightmare in hilly places like San Francisco. I love
>>>>>> automatics.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Cheri
>>>>>
>>>>> Some have a "hill holder" that keeps the brake on when you put the
>>>>> clutch in. Very handy on a steep incline.
>>>>
>>>>My Subaru used to have one of those. I'm probably one of the few people
>>>>that know how to adjust those things. When set up correctly, it's pretty
>>>>slick but who the heck knows how to do that?
>>>
>>> My Forester also had it (manual gearbox). All you have to do is
>>> release the clutch as you normally would and away you go.
>>
>>On a hill though you have to hold it on the clutch and accelerator when
>>you
>>release the handbrake before you can pull away.
>
> Yes, normally. But my Forester has the 'hill holder', which means no
> need for the handbrake when on an incline. I didn't even know it had
> it, until I stopped at some lights on a hill for the first time.

Ok but that is unknown to me. I bet that was a nice surprise

But do you not need to balance it with the accelerator?

> To disengage it, all you need to do is let the clutch pedal out a
> little bit, doesnt need to be enough to engage the clutch though.

I just hold it on the clutch and accelerator but I don't actually need the
handbrake. I would only use that if it were an extended wait.

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Jeßus" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 23:09:28 +0100, "Ophelia"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>"Jeßus" > wrote in message
. ..
>>> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 08:59:32 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
>>>
>>>>On 6/15/2014 3:53 AM, Jeßus wrote:
>>>>> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 02:21:08 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 6/14/2014 10:31 PM, Jeßus wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Learning in a manual or 'stick' (autos also have a 'stick' but
>>>>>>> anyway...)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Except for the ones that don't.
>>>>>
>>>>> True. If you're being a pedant for the sake of it.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Well, you made an incorrect generalization. In 1955 some Chrysler cars
>>>>had a lever. Couple of years later, push buttons, as did the Edsel.
>>>
>>> I could have been a pendant to you too - several times. Grow up.
>>
>>A swinger too huh ;-) Aye them were the days )
>
> Pendant... LOL

<g>



--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Jeßus" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 23:15:22 +0100, "Ophelia"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>"Jeßus" > wrote in message
. ..
>>> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 18:01:35 +0100, "Ophelia"
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>"Jeßus" > wrote in message
m...
>>>>> On Sat, 14 Jun 2014 18:35:59 -0700, "Cheri" >
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>"Jeßus" > wrote in message
>>>>>>news:rhspp9d31qeumubrn45vhc66apl3o8om5l@4ax. com...
>>>>>>> On Sat, 14 Jun 2014 20:55:23 -0400, jmcquown >
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>On 6/12/2014 4:24 PM, Nancy Young wrote:
>>>>>>>>> On 6/12/2014 2:08 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> Nancy Young wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> They'd ban stick shifts, too, if that was the problem.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Not nearly the same thing... once learned driving stick is like
>>>>>>>>>> riding
>>>>>>>>>> a bicycle or swimming, requires no more consious thought than
>>>>>>>>>> breathing... takes more consious thought to urinate than drive
>>>>>>>>>> stick.
>>>>>>>>>> You obviously don't drive stick.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> SIGH.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I can drive a stick better than an automatic. I never did
>>>>>>>>> get used to an automatic, and it's no fun to drive.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I dislike automatic transmissions. When my car was in the shop a
>>>>>>>>few
>>>>>>>>years back after some old lady hit it in the Walgreen's parking lot,
>>>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>rental car was an automatic. It took me a couple of days to get
>>>>>>>>used
>>>>>>>>to
>>>>>>>>it. I was glad to get my car back.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Automatics are for steerers, not drivers.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Nobody apart from those with a disability should be able to get a
>>>>>>> licence unless you pass the test in a car with a manual box.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I did pass the test with a stick, and you also had to parallel park
>>>>>> or
>>>>>> you
>>>>>>didn't pass. To this day, I'm a great parallel parker, but the stick
>>>>>>shift
>>>>>>is a nightmare in hilly places like San Francisco. I love automatics.
>>>>>
>>>>> Autos have their place of course. If I lived in a city with heavy
>>>>> traffic, I'd have one myself. The main reason for my opinion
>>>>> learning/passing a test is that autos don't really teach you to feel
>>>>> what's going on with the car like a manual gearbox does.
>>>>>
>>>>> Learning in a manual or 'stick' (autos also have a 'stick' but
>>>>> anyway...) will make you a better and safer driver, rather than merely
>>>>> learning to point the car and press the pedal with an auto.
>>>>
>>>>We call them 'manual' too, but I have learned to say 'stick' here so I
>>>>am
>>>>understood.
>>>
>>> Yep. Well, I've learned something from this thread, namely that manual
>>> cars are very rare in the U.S. Done some looking into it and now
>>> realising that most Americans learn in an auto, drive autos and
>>> probably never get to drive a manual. It's always been the exact
>>> opposite here and remains so to this day. Particularly where I am,
>>> autos are very rare and are more a liability than anything else.
>>
>>Autos are not rare here but manual cars are the norm.
>>
>>If we get a licence using a manual, we can then drive autos too on that
>>licence. If we get a licence with an auto, we must take an extra test for
>>a
>>manual which sounds good to me.
>
> That is how it should be, and is the case here in Aus.
>
> Hard to understand why anyone would see a flaw in that reasoning.
> Who wants somebody inexperienced/incompetent behind the wheel of a car
> if they can't change gears in properly? Especially in a situation
> where they have to think fast.

I guess it would be a worry if they had no choice but to drive a manual
car That could be dangerous.

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Brooklyn1" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 09:49:03 -0300, wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 07:40:52 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>I think all drivers should be able to drive a manual transmission in
>>>order to get their license. Otherwise, their licenses should be
>>>restricted to automatics. You should not be licensed to drive a vehicle
>>>of a particular class unless you can drive all vehicles in that class.
>>>Truck drivers here have to have an endorsement for air brakes, and when
>>>you do your practical test you have to have a vehicle in that class.....
>>>no truck driving tests in cars.
>>>
>>>I worked for a short time as a driving instructor and we had a lot of
>>>old folks who could not pass their over 80 re-test. One old girl
>>>finally got an instructor and the instructor tried to talk us into
>>>passing her.... she only has trouble on city streets and she lives in
>>>the country. No way. I had her out on a test and she made a left turn
>>>and almost hit a bicyclist. She said there was no bicyclist. She
>>>didn't see it.
>>>
>>>IMO... if you are licensed you should be able to drive anything.
>>
>>Elderly drivers are a problem.
>
> Relatively few. Youngsters are a far greater problem.
> The vast majority of older drivers are experienced and know their
> limitations. At 71 my night vision isn't what it used to be so I
> don't drive at night except if it's absolutely necessary, and then I'm
> extra cautious... and I don't go over the speed limit anymore anyway,
> I'm retired, what's my hurry... when I see someone riding my tail I
> move over and let them pass, I'd rather have the young punks doing
> their reckless driving in front of me. However I will agree that some
> older people have medical problems that make them a menace on the
> road, like a heart condition, that's why MDs are obligated to notify
> the DMV to pull their license... but young people have medical
> problems that make them a menace behind the wheel too, and they are
> much less disposed to go to doctors regularly. I don't drive much
> anymore, I have no need... I drive under a thousand miles a year. I
> drive my tractor more, under 5 mph and no traffic.

I must disagree. Elderly people forget things. Like what lane they are in,
what a traffic light is for, etc. BDTD.

"dsi1" > wrote in message
...
> On 6/14/2014 11:06 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> I had a cousin killed by his own car. He was working on it in the
>> driveway and didn't have it jacked up properly. It fell on him.
>> Perhaps if someone else had been home at the time, he could have been
>> saved. But this was in Southern CA in the roasting sun. By the time he
>> was found, he was sort of cooked to death. He hadn't had his license
>> for long either. So still young.
>
> Sorry to hear of this. That's pretty horrible.
>
> I almost got kilt while working under a car when I disconnected a fuel
> line and spilled a bunch of gas on the floor. I watched with dismay as the
> gas made it's way towards the exposed bulb of the shop light on the
> ground. Moving the light and turning it off would be difficult because I
> was holding the two ends of the fuel line together to stop the leaking. In
> the end, I had to let go of the lines and grab the light and shut it off.
> That was pretty scary - I just hoped that the switch on the light didn't
> generate a spark, cause that would mean it that my funeral would have to
> be closed casket.
>
> Letting the lines go did drop a lot of fuel but sometimes you just got to
> let the lines go. What I learned about gasoline is that if the back of
> your shirt is saturated with gas, it could cause some nasty chemical
> burns. My back looked like alligator skin for a while. What they say is
> true - the experience didn't kill me and it did make me stronger. Well,
> smarter, at least.

How awful!

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 6/15/2014 12:33 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
>> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 02:21:08 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
>>
>>> On 6/14/2014 10:31 PM, Jeßus wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Learning in a manual or 'stick' (autos also have a 'stick' but
>>>> anyway...)
>>>
>>> Except for the ones that don't.
>>
>> A couple had push buttons.
>>
> My grandpa's car had push buttons. Seems to me it was some sort of
> Chrysler. I was a kid so I didn't pay attention, but I thought it was
> sort of nifty. A friend of mine in high school had a Rambler with the
> stick shift on steering wheel.

My husband's car has a push button start.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 13:16:30 -0400, jmcquown >
> wrote:
>
>> A friend of mine in high school had a Rambler with
>> the stick shift on steering wheel.
>
> There was a time when all sedans had shifts (both auto and manual) on
> the column. The gear shift was switched to the floor after bucket
> seats became popular. That way men who drove sedans could pretend
> they were driving sports cars, even if the car was an automatic.
>
I remember that.

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 6/15/2014 12:33 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 02:21:08 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 6/14/2014 10:31 PM, Jeßus wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Learning in a manual or 'stick' (autos also have a 'stick' but
>>>>> anyway...)
>>>>
>>>> Except for the ones that don't.
>>>
>>> A couple had push buttons.
>>>
>> My grandpa's car had push buttons. Seems to me it was some sort of
>> Chrysler. I was a kid so I didn't pay attention, but I thought it was
>> sort of nifty. A friend of mine in high school had a Rambler with the
>> stick shift on steering wheel.
>>
>
> I had a car once with the gear stick on the steering wheel!

Most of mine were like that.

On 6/15/2014 12:05 PM, Ophelia wrote:
>
>
> "dsi1" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 6/15/2014 10:14 AM, James Silverton wrote:
>>> On 6/15/2014 1:23 PM, sf wrote:
>>>> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 18:04:04 +0100, "Ophelia"
>>>> > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I find the auto much slower to drive. I can pull away much faster if
>>>>> I need
>>>>> to in my manual.
>>>>
>>>> That's what they love to say, but in fact it's a fallacy. I remember
>>>> many informal drag races that pitted auto against stick and auto
>>>> transmissions won too.
>>>>
>>> I wonder why there is a yellow light for a second or so before the
>>> change to green In Germany? I thought it was to give enough time to
>>> shift into gear.
>>>
>>
>> It's done in the UK too. I like getting a warning before a light
>> change. I think they should do it in this country but we do like to
>> catch our drivers with their pants down if at all possible.
>
> Ahh the Amber lights?
>
> This is the sequence:
>
> Goes from: Green - Amber - Red (STOP)
>
> If as you arrive at the lights it turns to Amber, and you are too
> close when it changes to stop safely then you continue. Otherwise you stop.
>
> Goes from Red - Red and Amber (together) - Green (GO)
>
> (However, at some pedestrian crossings you will get a flashing amber
> before green, and if there is nobody on the crossing then you can go)
>
> If anyone is travelling here and driving, I would suggest they read a
> copy of the Highway Code which will explain all this
>

I was able to figure it the first time I saw one. It makes a whole lot
of sense. My guess is that we'll adopt that system in the states sooner
or later.

On 6/15/2014 5:13 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2014-06-15 9:30 AM, sf wrote:
>
>>> Not everyone lives in San Francisco. I've driven that car across
>>> several states, more than once. Lots of stop and go driving, too. I
>>> know how to handle a clutch without burning it out quickly.
>>>
>> Like I said before, it's easy not to burn out a clutch when you live
>> in flatland. We drove sticks exclusively for 20-25 years and never
>> burned out a clutch either. I really do not see what the big deal is.
>> Only people who ride the clutch do that. People burn out their brakes
>> riding them too, but apparently it's some badge of honor not to burn
>> out a clutch. <shrug>
>
>
> I am sitting here wondering what hills have to do with clutch life.
> There is the occasional start on a hill that will cause a little more
> clutch wear. It is only when starting up that bad technique will really
> wear it down.
>
> The badge of honour is the money saved on an expensive repair that can
> be avoided with proper use.
>
I dunno, Dave. I figure 12 years of regular use is about average for
the repairs I paid for. I don't ride the clutch or the brake. I know
how to shift. <shrug>

Jill

"dsi1" > wrote in message
...
> On 6/14/2014 11:10 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> I live near a Les Schwab. Last time I had one, I just put some more air
>> in it and quickly drove it there. Actually my husband drove it and I
>> drove his car up there. I kept thinking that the tire didn't look
>> right. I could see a bulge it. I asked several people and they all
>> said the tire looked fine. Nope. It had a bulge because that part of
>> the tire had weakened. I bought "new" tires but...
>
> This kind of failure is pretty common. The tires might look fine but
> you'll get a thumping or vibration when driving. To check for this, you
> run your hand over the sidewalls of the tire on both sides. If there's a
> bulge, you'll feel it. Oddly enough, your fingers can feel things that
> your eyes can't see.

Thanks!
>
>>
>> My friend saw something on TV about hot tires should be stored.
>> Preferably indoors in a climate controlled environment. These were
>> indoors but had been in the cellar of a building that had gotten
>> flooded. That area routinely sees temps. below freezing in winter and
>> sometimes over 100 in the summer and it can get very humid. So even
>> though the tires had never been used and were new to me, they may well
>> have been in that building for 5 years before they were put on my van.
>> And keeping them in that environment was not a good thing.
>
> This sounds reasonable.

Yep.

On 6/14/2014 5:11 PM, Jeßus wrote:
> On Sat, 14 Jun 2014 16:14:13 -0400, Cheryl >
> wrote:
>
>> On 6/13/2014 6:37 PM, Ophelia wrote:
>>> "Jeßus" > wrote in message
>>
>>>> I've found the heated seats are good for my lower back pain sometimes,
>>>> a nice bonus.
>>>
>>> ahh you too huh? I don't have heated seats though but a wee back cushion
>>> helps.
>>
>> I had a physical therapist who showed me how to roll up a towel and
>> place it where your lumbar meets the back of your seat, just above your
>> butt. That kind of support was very helpful for my back on longish drives.
>
> That's a very good idea and I should start doing that myself, thanks.
> My back has been right on the edge of an 'episode' this past week...
> sigh. Had to take a painkiller this morning to keep me sane(er).
>
I hope it helps. Easy, inexpensive way to get more support.

--
ღ.¸¸.œ«*¨`*œ¶
Cheryl

On 6/15/2014 7:51 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 6/15/2014 12:33 PM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 02:21:08 -0400, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 6/14/2014 10:31 PM, Jeßus wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Learning in a manual or 'stick' (autos also have a 'stick' but
>>>>> anyway...)
>>>>
>>>> Except for the ones that don't.
>>>
>>> A couple had push buttons.
>>>
>> My grandpa's car had push buttons. Seems to me it was some sort of
>> Chrysler. I was a kid so I didn't pay attention, but I thought it was
>> sort of nifty. A friend of mine in high school had a Rambler with
>> the stick shift on steering wheel.
>
> My husband's car has a push button start.

We're talking about OLD cars, not new ones. Yes, some new cars have
keyless push button starters. But they aren't the old push button
transmissions. Someone mentioned Edsels. Yep, they had them, too.

Jill

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 09:22:34 -0700, "Cheri" >
> wrote:
>
>> The only time I had a blow out was on an off ramp with a full service
>> station in view. Thankfully.
>
> Which reminds me of the time hubby was driving on fumes and ran out of
> gas on the off ramp. Same set up and it was downhill to the gas
> station, so pushing it was easy.

That is called extremely good luck.

Cheri

"Brooklyn1" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 09:49:03 -0300, wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 07:40:52 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>I think all drivers should be able to drive a manual transmission in
>>>order to get their license. Otherwise, their licenses should be
>>>restricted to automatics. You should not be licensed to drive a vehicle
>>>of a particular class unless you can drive all vehicles in that class.
>>>Truck drivers here have to have an endorsement for air brakes, and when
>>>you do your practical test you have to have a vehicle in that class.....
>>>no truck driving tests in cars.
>>>
>>>I worked for a short time as a driving instructor and we had a lot of
>>>old folks who could not pass their over 80 re-test. One old girl
>>>finally got an instructor and the instructor tried to talk us into
>>>passing her.... she only has trouble on city streets and she lives in
>>>the country. No way. I had her out on a test and she made a left turn
>>>and almost hit a bicyclist. She said there was no bicyclist. She
>>>didn't see it.
>>>
>>>IMO... if you are licensed you should be able to drive anything.
>>
>>Elderly drivers are a problem.
>
> Relatively few. Youngsters are a far greater problem.
> The vast majority of older drivers are experienced and know their
> limitations. At 71 my night vision isn't what it used to be so I
> don't drive at night except if it's absolutely necessary, and then I'm
> extra cautious... and I don't go over the speed limit anymore anyway,
> I'm retired, what's my hurry... when I see someone riding my tail I
> move over and let them pass, I'd rather have the young punks doing
> their reckless driving in front of me. However I will agree that some
> older people have medical problems that make them a menace on the
> road, like a heart condition, that's why MDs are obligated to notify
> the DMV to pull their license... but young people have medical
> problems that make them a menace behind the wheel too, and they are
> much less disposed to go to doctors regularly. I don't drive much
> anymore, I have no need... I drive under a thousand miles a year. I
> drive my tractor more, under 5 mph and no traffic.

I don't drive much at all either and I have a hard time seeing at night now
too. We bought our Toyota Tacoma new in 2004 and it has well under 25,000
miles on it, hubby had a GMC for work and put a whole lot of miles on it. I
do live next door to a small mall with a Dollar Store, a couple of
restaurants, and Walgreen's so I mostly walk to them.

Cheri