Having just had to get help changing a tire on a Sunday--

I think it would be a great business for someone to start the equivalent of the AAA roadside service lakeside.

For some reason I couldn't get the lug nuts off; and yes, I was doing it in the right direction. I have changed well near 100 tires in my lifetime so I still don't know why they wouldn't move.

I finally drive it flat (it was trashed anyway) to a Pemex that was only a block away and got one of the attendants to change it for me. He asked for $50 and I didn't think that was fair, so I gave him $100.

IMO, a AAA clone would go over well. I can't be the only one Lakeside that occasionally needs roadside assistance.

I have the business card for a tire sell/repair place that I can call any time to come and help me.

Most of us do, Gamina, most of us do.
Most of us also have networks of friends, neighbors and others who we call for assistance. That would not include strangers who pop up to help whenever something goes wrong.

Lady Otter Latté wrote:Most of us do, Gamina, most of us do.
Most of us also have networks of friends, neighbors and others who we call for assistance. That would not include strangers who pop up to help whenever something goes wrong.

I've been lucky about tires, but I'm thinking that a card such as Gamina suggested would be good, since so many of my friends are in no shape to move a sticky lug nut, etc.

I have always been rescued by Roberto Hernandez. 766 0612

Trailrunner wrote:I have always been rescued by Roberto Hernandez. 766 0612

Does he speak English and where is he located. Might be a good name/number for me to carry.

Thanks.

Really, if you live in Mexico, you should learn rudimentary Spanish!

Numbers, names of streets/towns and Pinchazo

Bilingual tire changers, as well as most bilingual craftsmen in Mexico charge more. Bilingual shrinks charge a small fortune!

gringomojado wrote:Really, if you live in Mexico, you should learn rudimentary Spanish!

Numbers, names of streets/towns and Pinchazo

I know enough Spanish for very basic communication; if in person, I can usually get the idea across with pantomime.

Some ppl are great on learning languages, I'm not one of them, and my poor memory sure doesn't help.

I've survived for 12 years, now my wife has Spanish as her first language so that is a great benefit.

Clueless wrote:For some reason I couldn't get the lug nuts off; and yes, I was doing it in the right direction. I have changed well near 100 tires in my lifetime so I still don't know why they wouldn't move.

When the problem is with the nuts it helps to carry an 18 inch piece of pipe that snugly slides over that short, dinky tire wrench that comes with most cars.    The extra length at least doubles the force you can put on it.    The mechanical advantage depends on the degree of overlap of the two pieces.    It will loosen anything an impact wrench has tightened.     You still may have to use a big rubber mallet or kick the tire to get the wheel loose from the car.

Yes to pipe, and might have to jump down on or kick the pipe!

Have wife teach you (best way to learn), or don't leave home without her!
gm

I won't break a sweat changing a tire or lug around any pipes as long as there are the many that want to earn a few pesos. A flat with an old person standing beside it gets lots of offers to help. I could get my work done much faster than a "AAA" type membership person could get them on the phone.

Clueless wrote:

Trailrunner wrote:I have always been rescued by Roberto Hernandez. 766 0612

Does he speak English and where is he located. Might be a good name/number for me to carry.

Thanks.

He speaks perfect English and so does his 2 brothers.  Roberto (Beto) operates "Hernandez Llantera" - right beside Tony's.  Drop in and get his cell phone number(s).

RicoSuave wrote:I won't break a sweat changing a tire or lug around any pipes as long as there are the many that want to earn a few pesos. A flat with an old person standing beside it gets lots of offers to help. I could get my work done much faster than a "AAA" type membership person could get them on the phone.

Amen to that. We've broken down or had flats or ran out of gas more than a few times over the years, and someone has always stopped to help. They fix the problem and won't take a peso for their efforts. Then they will smile and waive as you drive off. What an incredible people living in a magic land. Lucky us.

We have even had the policia help us......eh Oncesubtle.

So, how is it that someone can live here for 12 years and not know ANY of this? It is fascinating.

CanuckBob wrote:We have even had the policia help us......eh Oncesubtle.

Hahaha, oh yeah I had forgotten about that one. And not just your local yokels but state police or were they Federalies? Seems to me you had some difficulty maneuvering around the back seat with their machine guns. But what the heck, they were nice guys eh?

And that reminds me, the cops across the street have been here more than a few times helping our elderly residents with their groceries or whatever they see as a need. Oh an just yesterday our resident paraplegic mentioned one of our boys in blue helped lift him into bed and locked the front door on the way out.

I guess I should also mention their patience as back in my drinking days I could never seem to get the key to work the lock on our gate. Yet with never a word a cop would come over and unlock it. Muchas gracias mumbled me.

Those who have auto insurance, most policies include road-side service. You call the number on your policy and ask for someone who speaks English. Happened in Guadalajara and I called on my cell and a Qualitas rep showed up on a motorcycle to change the tire. I had a dead battery in Me Bodega parking lot and called Qualitas and they showed up to start the car. Check and see if you have roadside assistance in your auto coverage.

That is good to know.

"Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world remove that tire".
-Joe Archimedes, The Tire Guy

A little WD40 and/or some heat work nicely as well.