Mobility rocks
This morning, I got into my car, and went on my way from my home to Nieuwegein for work.
After succesfully reaching the Rotterdam Ring, I took the southern route as the northern had 1km queue on it.
Nothing bad there, and all’s well.
Then, without previous warning I heard a somewhat muffled bang and saw quite large clouds of what appeared to be white smoke drifting from under my bonnet whilst driving 120km/h.
I quickly took my foot of the accellerator and hit the emergency lights. With all sides blinking I carefully headed for the safety lane and stopped on it. I turned my engine off, grabbed my phone, turned my wheels to the right and got out of the car.
Cold. Windy. Busy.
After reaching the space between the crash barriers, I got out the ANWB-registration card and dialled the number.
"ANWB alarmcentrale, can I help you?"
"Uhm, yes, most likely! I’m right now standing between the crash barriers on the main highway A16, whilst looking at my car, which broke down just a minute ago!"
"Yes, I seem to be able to help you sir.." and the conversation went on.
Long story short: I got towed (by th ANWB) from the A16 to a repair-partner, where another guy popped out of his van and went on to help me back on my way.
I never got to Nieuwegein, but returned home. Unfortunately, the neccessairy repairs to do long-range travels again will cost me dearly. I’m considering them, but am not directly willing to churn out the €300 needed.
Oh well, we’ll see what happens.
Oooh… that sucks…
Is your car totaled now?
And don’t forget, if you get a decent job with a lease car… what point is keeping your own? Unless you want your girlfriend to be able to drive it, but I wouldn’t want her to drive in an unreliable heap…
I’m not tempted to call it an unreliable heap just yet, but it is getting old and shabby pretty quick these days.
Also, I’m not keeping it when I’m offered a lease car. I’ve already decided to say farewell (with pain in the heart that is) to the car.
Luckily, it’s not totaled. It runs, yet on the longer trips I’m risking overheating as my radiator is leaking. The easy solution is to refill it after each trip, which I’ll do from now on. However, it’ll probably get annoying pretty soon, since working with water in the conditions outside like the last few days isn’t the most pleasant activity imaginable. 😉
My girlfriend has her own car, and a pretty neat one too I might add!