[ianc]

So,

Yesterday I'm cruising to work in the morning. I'm in the left lane, doing about 70. I'm just about one carlength behind a Toyota truck going 55 or so in the #2 lane, when suddenly he decides that he needs to be in the left lane, even though though there's nobody in front of him for a good 10 car lengths. It was like one of those video games where someone's trying to block you for the sheer bloody-mindedness of it.

My heart leapt into my throat, and I stabbed quick at the brake pedal, locking up one or more wheels hard. I really thought I was going under his bumper, but I managed to haul her down in time (while laying into the horn), although not (admittedly) doing a very good job of it. Complete panic situation with only milliseconds to respond. After the distance had opened up a little, I glanced in the rear view mirror and spotted a pretty good rubber-smoke cloud behind me.

I didn't notice it on the fwy there or back, but after starting up from cold this AM, I noticed a little thwackety-thwack from the front on smooth pavement. Think I flatspotted one (or both) of the front tires. Have not had time to examine them yet. It wasn't noticeable on the fwy again either. Temperature related?

If a tire is flatspotted, does it every really recover over time, or am I just looking at a new set of front shoes? TIA,

ianc

Edit: One's usual reaction would be to veer radically back into the lane you came from, if you heard a horn wildly honking when making a lane change. This fellow did nothing of the sort; just serenely kept wandering into the left lane. He stayed there and after I fell back and regained my wits, I was finally forced to pass him on the right to get by him! #@$%!@ I think I may have resorted to a hand gesture to express my displeasure while passing. Kinda makes you think about what can happen at any time though...