Roadside Assistance Response times

Quentin

takman wrote: »

From that list the only the only reason that would be acceptable to me is if your in a dangerous location.

But this is MSE.

Why would we want to pay for a wheel changing service and not use it?

takman

Quentin wrote: »

But this is MSE.

Why would we want to pay for a wheel changing service and not use it?

If I ever had a puncture I would much rather spend less than 10 minutes changing it myself that wait an hour for someone else to come and change it "just because I have paid for the service".

Your not really saving any money by wasting time just to use a service you have paid for.

Quentin

Not everyone has been trained by Ferrari on changing wheels!

BeenThroughItAll

Quentin wrote: »

Not everyone has been trained by Ferrari on changing wheels!

If it takes more than 10 minutes, you're doing it wrong.

sheramber

We had to call out the breakdown service when neither my husband nor another driver , who insisted he knew what to do , could not release the wheel nuts.

Since then the first thing my husband does when new tyres are fitted is check that he can release them.

mchale

wazza99 wrote: »

Because he's paid a hefty premium to cover such things ?

Not suitably dressed ?

In a dangerous location ?

Some gorilla has tight tightened the wheel nuts to 1000lbs ?

Its raining ?

Or simply doesn't know how ?

I think you will find the clue is in the title, they are breakdown companies not convenience companies

onomatopoeia99

takman wrote: »

Why would you waste their time with flat tyres?, why not just change them yourself?.

There are occasions where it's impossible with the tools provided in the car. On one of my old cars (Audi Quattro) the wheel bolts tended to self tighten, particularly on the front - I could never figure out why but I had a theory it was something to do with the four wheel drive system. I always cleaned the threads when removing and refitting wheels and torqued them correctly using a torque wrench, but when one tyre deflated on the M5 I was only able to undo four of the five bolts using the 6" long wrench provided by Audi, despite jumping up and down on it in the rain (and sliding off and bashing my ankles several times) on the hard shoulder.

I eventually had to admit defeat and call the AA. He struggled enough using his meter long extending wrench to make me realise that it had gone very tight.

takman

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

There are occasions where it's impossible with the tools provided in the car. On one of my old cars (Audi Quattro) the wheel bolts tended to self tighten, particularly on the front - I could never figure out why but I had a theory it was something to do with the four wheel drive system. I always cleaned the threads when removing and refitting wheels and torqued them correctly using a torque wrench, but when one tyre deflated on the M5 I was only able to undo four of the five bolts using the 6" long wrench provided by Audi, despite jumping up and down on it in the rain (and sliding off and bashing my ankles several times) on the hard shoulder.

I eventually had to admit defeat and call the AA. He struggled enough using his meter long extending wrench to make me realise that it had gone very tight.

Yes i agree the tools are not very good in most cars!. I always keep my Torque Wrench in my main car plus i have a socket with a plastic sleeve that i keep with it to prevent damage to the alloy wheels.

vikingaero

I imagine most of the motoring companies are swamped at the moment. Freezing fog, near zero temps in the South East, Freezing Ooop North and batteries are failing left right and centre.

I wouldn't say 2 hours is excessive when it is busy. I've waited 4 or 6 hours in the past.

Some breakdown companies do prioritise lone females, infants, disabled and where the Police instruct them on a dangerously located vehicle.

If you're safe and warm at home, in a shopping centre or at work then waiting a couple of hours isn't ideal but it's a first world problem.

Chomeur

vikingaero wrote: »

I imagine most of the motoring companies are swamped at the moment. Freezing fog, near zero temps in the South East, Freezing Ooop North and batteries are failing left right and centre.

I wouldn't say 2 hours is excessive when it is busy. I've waited 4 or 6 hours in the past.

Some breakdown companies do prioritise lone females, infants, disabled and where the Police instruct them on a dangerously located vehicle.

If you're safe and warm at home, in a shopping centre or at work then waiting a couple of hours isn't ideal but it's a first world problem.

The thing is, I find out that the car isn't working when I have somewhere particular to go to. If two hours is normal then I will know next time to get a taxi and call the assistance service when I'm back home and planning to be there for several hours.