It was around the fall of 1995 when Brian purchased an Eddie Bauer, 2 door, Ford Bronco II, navy blue with cream trim. It even had a sunroof with it. He bought it after his older pick-up truck, that we called Big Blue, went out. He had to take a loan out for it and he was nervous on doing so because he never had a loan from a bank before. He looked at the sales man who wanted to offer us a 2 year loan contract and Brian said, "Two years? I don't know if I can make a commitment that long!" He said that meaning more of where the economy might be in two years and where he would be financially.
I looked at him wide-eyed, "You CAN'T make a two year commitment yet you want me to marry you? At least I am finding this out now!" We all laughed.
He eventually made the purchase and he was enslaved for a little over $220 a month for the next few years. While he was out trucking over the road he let me use it at college as long as I would pick him up when he returned back home. My mom's husband's family was having a get together at Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon. Brian said I could use the Bronco to drive there. While leaving the park I noticed the beige tire cover on the back was missing. I felt horrible. When I told Brian about it he laughed and said we could get another one and that it was no big deal, We never did replace it. Even now as we see a Bronco similar to what ours was we check to see if the tire cover is on theirs.
I remember my sister and I would go shopping and we would try to fit her daughter's infant car seat in the back. She had to hold her daughter while I had to twist the car seat around at different angles and upside down and wiggle its way to the back seat. After I got it in the backseat I had to climb in the back myself to buckle it in. My sister would pass her daughter over to me and I would place her in the infant car seat and buckle her in. It really took some talent and time get the infant car seat all set up properly.
Fast forward several months to late summer in 1996. I was 19 and finished off my first year at Grand Valley State University and I moved in with Brian. We lived on the boarder line of Gobles and Allegan in Michigan. We just found out we were expecting our first little baby in April the following year. He was busy trucking for TML out of Grand Rapids and I worked for Family Dollar in Allegan. Things were going good for us.
It was a Sunday when the unthinkable happened. I had my friend Rhonda over and we were watching Scott (Brian's brother's son) who was around 11 or 12 at the time. Brian called from a payphone to tell me that he was on his way to Grand Rapids and to come and pick him up from the TML terminal. I was so excited. It was a week since I had seen him last. We all piled into the Bronco and made our way north to Grand Rapids.
We were having a good ol' time of singing to the radio songs and driving north on U.S. 131 coming near the Cutlerville area when the Bronco started to shake real bad and make loud noises. I reached over and shut off the radio so I can hear the sounds better. The steering wheel wobbled heavily in my hand. Something was seriously wrong. A rest area was just coming up on our right (the rest area has now been torn down for the construction of M-6). I managed to work the wheel to pull into there and find a parking spot.
We all get out and I lift the hood and look into the engine. I had no idea what I was looking at. The parts I was looking at were dark and dirty looking. I didn't know what to do. Rhonda and Scott were just clueless at what was going on. I knew something wasn't right and that I shouldn't be driving it. Even if I could drive it the Bronco was nearly impossible to control. I was so close to Grand Rapids yet too far to tempt to drive it or to walk. We were stuck there at the rest area.
I go over to the pay phones and called my sister. I was running low on coins so I had to be specific and brief in what I said. I told her the Bronco broke down and that she needed to have her husband Doug drive out to where Brian worked, pick him up and tell him we are broke down. The downside was that they didn't know exactly where Brian's terminal was and I didn't know the street names to tell her. I just remembered the route by going with Brian several times before. The task couldn't be done.
We went back to the Bronco and stared at the engine as if by magic it would fix itself and remove us from this horrible situation. A middle aged man nearby was going through the garbage bins looking for soda bottles. He noticed our drama and started to make his way towards us. He said he knew a little bit about cars and asked if he could help. I figured it couldn't hurt any if he looked at it. I motioned for him to take a glance. He started to twist off caps and pull some sort of measuring sticks out of the engine.
I just wanted to take this moment to explain my background knowledge of cars. The only thing I knew about cars was put the key in the ignition, how to put in gas, mover the shifter bar to drive and reverse, how to break, how to press on the gas pedal, how to use my blinker, how to turn on the lights, how to use my wipers and how to turn on the radio. Outside of my little circle of knowledge about cars I knew nothing. I was completely ignorant. I didn't care to learn about it. I just want a car to go from point A to point B. I had no interest in the mechanics of how it worked.
The man looks up with a grim look on his face. "Your dipstick is dry."
I look at him blankly, "and that means....."
He shot me a glace to see if I seriously didn't know or if I was being sarcastic. "You are without oil. Do you have any on you?"
I still didn't know what to think. I told him I didn't have any on me. I couldn't even tell anyone where to pick any up at. He said he would see if he had any in his car. I walked over with him and he had a son about 8 or 9 years old in the old rundown car. I felt bad for him and his misfortune but ironically he was the one who seemed to feel bad for me and expressed concern. He fumbled through his trunk and pulled out a few black bottles. He tried to add it to the Bronco. He asked for me to start it up and it sounded loud and shook violently. He immediately told me to shut it off.
"I think you have blown a rod." Again I give him a blank look as I have no clue to what he is talking about, "Do you have far to go?"
"I am on my way to pick up my boyfriend. He's a truck driver." I reply back.
"How about if I give you all a ride to him?" he asks.
I look over at Rhonda and Scott. I didn't know what to do. I know we are not supposed to take rides from strangers. His car looked like it was ready to fall apart as it is and we just seen him go through the garbage. Do we dare go with him? I know if bad things happen Rhonda and I are old enough to take care of ourselves but I had my nephew to think about. It wasn't just my life I was putting at risk if I took the offer for a ride, it was another person's life. On the other hand I couldn't just stay there with everyone either. I said a little prayer of protection from God. "Alright." I said.
Before we left I called my sister one last time to let her know I was getting a ride to Brian's work. She thought I was crazy for getting a ride but I felt as if I didn't have a choice.
We proceeded our way north down the highway. Rhonda and Scott sat in the back along with his son. I felt secure keeping my hand on the door's handle. I found myself concentrating to keep breathing. I was so scared. I kept looking back at Scott and Rhonda making sure they were okay. The man obeyed every direction I gave him. I started to feel relieved that he was truly going to take us to Brian's work and not kidnap us. I was very thankful when he turned into the trucking terminal and Brian was there waiting for us.
He talked with the man about the condition of the Bronco. It all seemed like doctor's jargon - a language only they can understand. All of it seemed so foreign to me. Shortly, the man and his son left. Brian told us that TML granted us permission to take the semi home and we should hop in. Rhonda and Scott were excited about getting into the semi truck. I had already been in a semi before and I do enjoy the rides. But I knew Brian was upset and I wasn't going to enjoy this ride home.
He asked me why I didn't check the oil. I told him I never knew I had to check the oil. I also told him I never knew how or where to check the oil. He grew up working around cars and trucks so for him it was all second nature. He didn't understand how I didn't know. He explained to me that oil is like the car's blood and without it a car cannot run. I still didn't understand the depths of it all. I kept thinking just add more oil and it will be okay. But Brian further explained that by not having oil in the Bronco it kills the engine and the whole engine would need to be replaced which is very expensive. We still owed on the Bronco and we couldn't even use it. Now I was starting to see how major of a deal this whole thing was. I felt beyond horrible.
He made his way around Grand Rapids so we could head back to the rest stop. He looks the Bronco over and declares that the engine is blown. He wasn't happy to say the least and I don't blame him for being mad. It was silent for a moment as we made our way back home. Rhonda, sitting on the bed in the bunk, broke the silence to ask Brian a bunch of questions about the trucking industry. It sort of calmed him down talking about it.
We did make it back home and eventually purchased another vehicle from the side of the road and that is a whole other blog in itself. The Bronco wouldn't of made a good use for a family vehicle anyway but I would of rather tried selling it rather than having the motor blow out on it. Now I am a little wiser in checking the oil and learning where to take the car for oil changes. It was an expensive lessoned learned.
Showing posts with label Semi Trucks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Semi Trucks. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Useful Driving Tips
Being in a trucking family we have learned a few tips and tricks of the road that most people don't think about or forgot from driver's training long ago. Some of the tips may sound so simple but there are a lot of people who don't follow the basic rules of the road and that can lead to road rage.
LOOK FOR ANIMALS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD: At night keep panning yours eyes to both shoulders of the road. Animals eyes will give a glowing look when the headlights shine upon them. When you see something glow slow down. You know an animal is the area and you never know what they are going to do. A few weeks ago I was driving down the highway late at night. I caught a glimpse of a raccoon on the side of the road. I tried to slow down in hopes that it would scurry off the opposite direction. As I got closer the raccoon turned around and went right for my tire. Thump! Thump! There went the raccoon. NEVER! NEVER! NEVER SWERVE FOR AN ANIMAL! There were no other cars around when I hit the raccoon but I knew if I were to try to swerve I could of flipped the van causing more damage than what the raccoon did. If you can safely come to a stop before you hit the animal than do so.
SEEING ANIMALS IN THE ROAD AT NIGHT: If there is a car in front of you at night pay attention to the headlights or taillights (depending on the direction of the vehicle is traveling). If the lights "blink" then that is a good indicator that something passed on the road between you and the other car. Proceed with extra caution. Some animals, like deer, travel in packs and there may be more deer that follow. Again I stress NEVER SWERVE FOR AN ANIMAL! If you do hit an animal pull off to the side of the road. Check the animal carefully. If the animal is dead please pull it off to the side of the road. Also check your car for damages and your insurance company may need a police report for damages the animal may have done to your car. Know your location so you can tell police (or tow truck if need be) where you are located.
IS THE ROAD ICY OR WET: Winter driving can be tricky. The sun could be shinning down and the heat of the cars can melt the snow. However, depending on the temperatures and wind chills that wet look can easily turn to ice. If you are in doubt look at the car in front of you. If there is spray coming from the tires the road is just wet. However if there isn't a spray coming off from the back of the tires of the car in front of you than the road is icy and proceed with caution. If you don't see a spray do not panic and hit your breaks hard. That will only cause your car to start spinning and it could be the start of an accident. Slowly lift your foot off the accelerator and slow down gradually. As a reminder, in the spring, frost in the underground layers starts to melt. It gives the road a wet look during a sunny, spring day. At night, as the temperatures drop, that melted frost freezes back up again causing icy roads. Be very cautious.
IS IT WORTH IT TO PASS THE SEMI: You are driving down the highway and it is snowing out. You come upon a semi truck blowing the snow around making the road hard to see. Should you fall back or pass the semi? Most people will pass but here is something to think about next time you debate on whether to pass or not. Semi trucks have CB's. They radio back to let other drivers know where the slick spots are on the road and other hazzards they come across. Also semi trucks can be up to 80 tons. That heaviness can help give a truck traction and manuever easier on the road that a car cannot do. Now say you pass the semi. You now have 80 tons driving behind you. If you start to spin out due to a patch of black ice that truck that you just passed isn't going to stop quickly and will run over you. Look back in your rearview mirror and look at that precious cargo you have in the backseat, your children. Again, is it worth it to take that chance? I am not saying to never pass a semi truck but if the roads are bad think twice about it. It is easier for you to stop behind a semi than a semi to stop behind you. If you don't like the snow blinding you as you drive than slow down and pull back from the flurries the truck makes in it's wind path.
HIGHWAY MERGING FROM THE ONRAMP: Driving law has it when a car enters the highway it has to merge with the traffic already traveling on the highway. Everyone get's a little stressed coming on the highway and having to merge with traffic. Here are a few pointers to make the transition smoother for all. It is polite if the car (red car) in the right lane can move over to the left lane if possible. The car (green car) who just merged to the right lane should either speed up so the car (red car) can get back into the right lane again or slow down, let the car (red car) get back into the right lane and then pass the car (red car) on the left. In most states it is the law for trucks to stay in the right lane (or designated lanes) expect when passing. Many times, especially in the city, a semi will be polite and move over to the left lane to let a car onto the highway. The car will not speed up or slow down leaving the semi out in the left lane (hammer lane). If you get into the semi's blind spot it makes it that much harder to have the semi get back into the right lane safely. Cars will also fill in the gap left from the semi making it impossible for the semi to get back over. If you cannot speed up in time then slow down. Let the semi pass you on the left and let the semi merge back over into the right lane and you can speed up and pass on the left. To let a semi know it's okay to get back over to the lane flash the lights on and off. DO NOT BRIGHT THEM! The truck driver wants to make sure there is clearence and brighting them distorts their vision. While driving down the on-ramp look to see if there is a gap in traffic and aim for that spot. Look for cars to pull back to let you in or speed up to put more room behind them. It's a hard dance to learn but when everyone knows the steps it can be done gracefully.
MERGING FOR A CONSTRUCTION ZONE: This is a pet peeve that I have. It is when cars fly down one lane of the road before it ends because of construstion and then try to merge over. It happens all the time. By right the car can use the lane up until the point of merging. People start merging to one lane way before that point and a few cars just think they can beat the wait by zooming up to the front. That is rude. When cars start moving to a certain lane it is polite to get in that lane as soon as you can. In doing so it makes traffic run smoother even though it is still slow. It is when the one lane has to stop to let in other cars that creates the slinky effect where cars have to stop and go before the construction zone begins. I have noticed cars and semi's huddle over both lanes to stop cars from zooming up too far. I guess these people who cannot wait their turn get upset by cars and semi's who are forcing them to wait. This is a good brew for road rage so be careful around these areas. Mind the road workers, slow down and give them space.
DO NOT OVERUSE THE BRIGHT LIGHTS: Brights can help you see better in the dark, especially in the country. Be courteous to other drivers around you. If you see lights from the car in front of you, dim your lights. Do not wait until the last quarter mile to dim them. You never know what kind of vision the other driver has. That bright light will make them unable to see the road properly. If that other driver does not dim the lights after giving a quick "bright light flash" then look to the white line or roads edge on the far right side of the road and focus on that until the other car passes. If you are coming up behind a car double check to see if you have your brights on. The bright lights reflect on the mirrors and makes it harder for them to see the road in front. Try tapping on your breaks to let the driver behind know about the brights. If that doesn't work then adjust your mirrors slightly so the glare from the bright lights isn't fully in your eyes. Slow down and let them pass. DO NOT BRIGHT THEM BACK! Some people do forget and this can cause road rage. Just let them be on their way. When traveling on the highway and you can see the opposite side of the highway TURN OFF YOUR BRIGHTS! There isn't some light force field in the median of the road that stops the bright lights from one side of the highway. It still can impare the vision of the driver. Rule of thumb, if you can see lights from another car, shut the bright lights off.
DON'T BE CAUGHT WITHOUT BLINKER FLUID: Okay, I do know there isn't such a thing but there is a small bar that protrudes from the left side of the steering wheel. This is called your turn signal. It is easy to use. Lift it up to signal right; pull it down to signal left. USE IT! Until we are all telepathic the driver behind you has no clue on your intensions. This is another part of being polite while driving.
TRAVELING DOWN DIRT ROADS: You are not Bo and Luke Duke. Do not speed down them causing dust and leaves to fly up and around when there is another car heading in your direction. Slow down enough to cause the dust to settle and pass by slowly. If there are people walking do not dust them as well. Slow down. No one wants to be coughing on the dust long after you leave the area.
HOW TO CHECK YOUR FUEL MILAGE: Fill up your gas tank and either write down your odometer milage or reset your trip odometer. Drive around normally and fill back up when your tank gets to be about half full. Divide the number of miles driven to the number of gallons you put in your tank. This will give you your fuel milage. Do this several times and you will know the average of miles per gallon you get.
102 miles / 7.842 gallons = 13 miles per gallon
Using different octane's can change your fuel milage. Try different octane's to see which one gives you the best fuel milage. Perhaps the higher octane can increase your fuel milage enough to save money. Driving a lot in the city will have a different outcome or going on a long trip and you do a lot of highway driving. You will also use more fuel if hauling a boat or camper. Weather can also play games on your fuel milage. If the wind is blowing against you, you will have a lower fuel milage than if the wind is blowing with you.
LOOK FOR ANIMALS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD: At night keep panning yours eyes to both shoulders of the road. Animals eyes will give a glowing look when the headlights shine upon them. When you see something glow slow down. You know an animal is the area and you never know what they are going to do. A few weeks ago I was driving down the highway late at night. I caught a glimpse of a raccoon on the side of the road. I tried to slow down in hopes that it would scurry off the opposite direction. As I got closer the raccoon turned around and went right for my tire. Thump! Thump! There went the raccoon. NEVER! NEVER! NEVER SWERVE FOR AN ANIMAL! There were no other cars around when I hit the raccoon but I knew if I were to try to swerve I could of flipped the van causing more damage than what the raccoon did. If you can safely come to a stop before you hit the animal than do so. 
SEEING ANIMALS IN THE ROAD AT NIGHT: If there is a car in front of you at night pay attention to the headlights or taillights (depending on the direction of the vehicle is traveling). If the lights "blink" then that is a good indicator that something passed on the road between you and the other car. Proceed with extra caution. Some animals, like deer, travel in packs and there may be more deer that follow. Again I stress NEVER SWERVE FOR AN ANIMAL! If you do hit an animal pull off to the side of the road. Check the animal carefully. If the animal is dead please pull it off to the side of the road. Also check your car for damages and your insurance company may need a police report for damages the animal may have done to your car. Know your location so you can tell police (or tow truck if need be) where you are located. 
IS THE ROAD ICY OR WET: Winter driving can be tricky. The sun could be shinning down and the heat of the cars can melt the snow. However, depending on the temperatures and wind chills that wet look can easily turn to ice. If you are in doubt look at the car in front of you. If there is spray coming from the tires the road is just wet. However if there isn't a spray coming off from the back of the tires of the car in front of you than the road is icy and proceed with caution. If you don't see a spray do not panic and hit your breaks hard. That will only cause your car to start spinning and it could be the start of an accident. Slowly lift your foot off the accelerator and slow down gradually. As a reminder, in the spring, frost in the underground layers starts to melt. It gives the road a wet look during a sunny, spring day. At night, as the temperatures drop, that melted frost freezes back up again causing icy roads. Be very cautious.
IS IT WORTH IT TO PASS THE SEMI: You are driving down the highway and it is snowing out. You come upon a semi truck blowing the snow around making the road hard to see. Should you fall back or pass the semi? Most people will pass but here is something to think about next time you debate on whether to pass or not. Semi trucks have CB's. They radio back to let other drivers know where the slick spots are on the road and other hazzards they come across. Also semi trucks can be up to 80 tons. That heaviness can help give a truck traction and manuever easier on the road that a car cannot do. Now say you pass the semi. You now have 80 tons driving behind you. If you start to spin out due to a patch of black ice that truck that you just passed isn't going to stop quickly and will run over you. Look back in your rearview mirror and look at that precious cargo you have in the backseat, your children. Again, is it worth it to take that chance? I am not saying to never pass a semi truck but if the roads are bad think twice about it. It is easier for you to stop behind a semi than a semi to stop behind you. If you don't like the snow blinding you as you drive than slow down and pull back from the flurries the truck makes in it's wind path. 
HIGHWAY MERGING FROM THE ONRAMP: Driving law has it when a car enters the highway it has to merge with the traffic already traveling on the highway. Everyone get's a little stressed coming on the highway and having to merge with traffic. Here are a few pointers to make the transition smoother for all. It is polite if the car (red car) in the right lane can move over to the left lane if possible. The car (green car) who just merged to the right lane should either speed up so the car (red car) can get back into the right lane again or slow down, let the car (red car) get back into the right lane and then pass the car (red car) on the left. In most states it is the law for trucks to stay in the right lane (or designated lanes) expect when passing. Many times, especially in the city, a semi will be polite and move over to the left lane to let a car onto the highway. The car will not speed up or slow down leaving the semi out in the left lane (hammer lane). If you get into the semi's blind spot it makes it that much harder to have the semi get back into the right lane safely. Cars will also fill in the gap left from the semi making it impossible for the semi to get back over. If you cannot speed up in time then slow down. Let the semi pass you on the left and let the semi merge back over into the right lane and you can speed up and pass on the left. To let a semi know it's okay to get back over to the lane flash the lights on and off. DO NOT BRIGHT THEM! The truck driver wants to make sure there is clearence and brighting them distorts their vision. While driving down the on-ramp look to see if there is a gap in traffic and aim for that spot. Look for cars to pull back to let you in or speed up to put more room behind them. It's a hard dance to learn but when everyone knows the steps it can be done gracefully. 
MERGING FOR A CONSTRUCTION ZONE: This is a pet peeve that I have. It is when cars fly down one lane of the road before it ends because of construstion and then try to merge over. It happens all the time. By right the car can use the lane up until the point of merging. People start merging to one lane way before that point and a few cars just think they can beat the wait by zooming up to the front. That is rude. When cars start moving to a certain lane it is polite to get in that lane as soon as you can. In doing so it makes traffic run smoother even though it is still slow. It is when the one lane has to stop to let in other cars that creates the slinky effect where cars have to stop and go before the construction zone begins. I have noticed cars and semi's huddle over both lanes to stop cars from zooming up too far. I guess these people who cannot wait their turn get upset by cars and semi's who are forcing them to wait. This is a good brew for road rage so be careful around these areas. Mind the road workers, slow down and give them space.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE SEMI'S IN TRAFFIC JAMS: Sadly accidents happen all the time on the highways. Traffic jams can be miles long and tiresome. Remember that semi trucks can communicate with the use of the CB. Pay attention if you see a lot semi's moving to the left lane or the far right lane. It is a good indicator of what lane to be in. Start to move to that lane as soon as you can. This will reduce a lot of the stop and go traffic that the police try to control before the scene of the accident. Also, don't stop and stare at the accident. People are hurting. Let the medical crew, police and tow trucks do their job. Keep traffic going at a steady pace, say a small prayer and move on.
DO NOT OVERUSE THE BRIGHT LIGHTS: Brights can help you see better in the dark, especially in the country. Be courteous to other drivers around you. If you see lights from the car in front of you, dim your lights. Do not wait until the last quarter mile to dim them. You never know what kind of vision the other driver has. That bright light will make them unable to see the road properly. If that other driver does not dim the lights after giving a quick "bright light flash" then look to the white line or roads edge on the far right side of the road and focus on that until the other car passes. If you are coming up behind a car double check to see if you have your brights on. The bright lights reflect on the mirrors and makes it harder for them to see the road in front. Try tapping on your breaks to let the driver behind know about the brights. If that doesn't work then adjust your mirrors slightly so the glare from the bright lights isn't fully in your eyes. Slow down and let them pass. DO NOT BRIGHT THEM BACK! Some people do forget and this can cause road rage. Just let them be on their way. When traveling on the highway and you can see the opposite side of the highway TURN OFF YOUR BRIGHTS! There isn't some light force field in the median of the road that stops the bright lights from one side of the highway. It still can impare the vision of the driver. Rule of thumb, if you can see lights from another car, shut the bright lights off. 
DON'T BE CAUGHT WITHOUT BLINKER FLUID: Okay, I do know there isn't such a thing but there is a small bar that protrudes from the left side of the steering wheel. This is called your turn signal. It is easy to use. Lift it up to signal right; pull it down to signal left. USE IT! Until we are all telepathic the driver behind you has no clue on your intensions. This is another part of being polite while driving.
.
TRAVELING DOWN DIRT ROADS: You are not Bo and Luke Duke. Do not speed down them causing dust and leaves to fly up and around when there is another car heading in your direction. Slow down enough to cause the dust to settle and pass by slowly. If there are people walking do not dust them as well. Slow down. No one wants to be coughing on the dust long after you leave the area.
REMINDERS: DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE
DO NOT DRIVE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS
DO NOT LEAVE CHILDREN & PETS IN CARS (especially in the heat)
DO NOT TEXT AND DRIVE
DO NOT TALK ON THE CELL AND DRIVE
WEAR YOUR SEATBELT
BE ALERT WHILE DRIVING
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