Back from hiatus, I’ve got lots of stories and photos to share with y’all. Allow me to begin with the most recent turn of events; new tires are good for moving forward. I perused the Internet for tire sales from Temecula to Lake Elsinore. The first, mindful detail was obtaining the size of the needed tires. Donning my reading glasses, the alpha-numerics stamped on the driver’s side tire reads: P23570R16.
I didn’t want to spend more than $100 per tire including installation. Tires are rated for speed, for the type of vehicle, for mileage and tread wear. Generally, there’s myriad utility for tires as they’re necessary for most vehicles. Hence, I’ve a link to everything about tires that you didn’t really want to know, therefore, don’t care to ask: Translation of Tire Size Numbers.
I’ve got to share that I KNEW WHAT TIRES I WANTED and where to buy them before I left the house. I also knew a nail had been snuggly embedded in the left, front, miraculously inflated tire for about a week. However, my preparedness didn’t deter me from inquiring further as to the BEST QUALITY DEAL I could find in the area: Wal-Mart.
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It’s no surprise that the Dextero tires fit my budget and my purposes. Yes, yes! I checked my favorite place for BULK deals, galore: Costco. In fact, I have homeowner’s and vehicle insurance through Amex/Costco. My photo work and grocery shopping is done there – most of the time-- because I can simultaneously do both. Not to mention that the chicken salad with a diet coke is a Gonga food treat as I watch the peeps coming and going through the famed warehouse.
Anyway, I encountered some very knowledgeable technicians who freely and graciously shared their suggestions, for example:
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84T: The load and speed rating of the tires is helpful to know depending on the vehicle. In my case, the new tires will bear a load of 1102 pounds per tire at a speed of 118 miles-per-hour until they wear out: Tire Speed Rating and Load Index
I don’t think I’ll be driving over 70 miles-per-hour very often, though I do like to take nostalgic, high-speed, straight shots on undisclosed, open roads, every now and then.
In reading the fine print on a few, pricey tire warranties stealthily tacking on significant fees, I determined the probability of repairing a tire for ten bucks is more likely than replacing one for just under $100 -- once the shop calculates the tread wear and pro-rates the total, initial cost of the tire: Tire Warranty Info. I didn’t purchase diamond-studded tires, so I didn’t purchase the warranty. Rather, I’ve relied on AAA for more than 20 years. The spare tire is in good condition.
Should the tires be recalled, I’ll be met with a manufacturer / distributor resolution. Does anyone remember the Bridgestone / Firestone recall in 2000?
[Firestone spent more than $10 million advertising the 2001 recall and sent 2 million recall letters in 2003 to owners as part of a class-action settlement. The company has settled more than 2,300 lawsuits since August 2000 related to the recall. Copyright 2006 The Associated Press]
I appreciate certain, ebullient peeps serving customers at the Murrieta Wal-Mart. Gabriel, the tire technician, Steve and Hugh (Temecula) answered a multitude of questions BESIDES those pertaining to tires.
“We have the tires you want, in stock,” said Steve, scrolling through the inventory appearing on the computer’s monitor.
“That’s a fact, Jack. I checked your website,” I said.
“Hey! That’s what I’m talkin’ about. Do you watch, Duck Dynasty? Uncle Si is great,” said Steve.
“Yeah. I wish I could cook like Miss. Kay. They have a beautiful family. The show just makes me happy, happy, happy,” I said.
“Well, the price on these tires, including installation and balancing, is going to make you happy, too,” said Steve. Indeed.
So, while the tire techs worked in the excruciating heat, I perused some the wares I’ve come to know and love: exercise gear; craft supplies; electronics, DOLLS. I bought a small version of a Phil Roberston (Duck Dynasty) doll THAT SPEAKS when I push the button on the doll's chest. I paid for everything in the automotive department, Steve still manning the register.
“Y’all can come to Wal-Mart and pick yourself up a personality, right?” said Steve.
“No kidding,” I said, showing him the doll. “Tires, too,” I said, laughing.
Doll Video: Duck Dynasty Phil Doll
Duck Dynasty appears on the A&E channel: Phil-isms YouTube 2013
Happy, happy, happy!
