On Wednesday, for the first time in over 30 years, my car breaks down and I am stranded by the side of the road.
I had a meeting in Fredricksburg, VA and after the meeting hop on I-95 south off of route 17.
A mile or so on the highway the my 2005 F150 starts running really rough. I do the quick scan of the gauges and all is well. The big engine light starts flashing and I'm looking to get off the highway. Up ahead is a rest stop, by the time I can get over I'm coasting up the ramp and park.
Since I am all suited and gussied up, I pop the hood just in case something is obviously wrong. Nada.
AAA. I have the premium whatever, 150 miles tow radius. They are there in less than 20 minutes. Driver is great and really funny. He takes the truck the 65 miles to the dealer I use. Wow.
USAA and Hertz. Rental car secured and paid for in 5 minutes.
I call the guy I had the meeting with (old friend, retired Senior Chief) He gets to the rest stop when the tow truck does, wears me out about what a piece of garbage I drive, and takes me to the rental car place, about five miles away, tells me I owe him (all in jest) and skedaddles.
I call ahead and let the Ford dealer know the truck was on it's way and the symptoms I saw and heard when the truck started having issues. By the time I get to the dealership in Leonardtown, the truck is off the tow and a a tech has done a preliminary inspection: Fuel injector issues.
Eek.
Maintenance head comes out, tells me the truck is still under an extended warranty for this known problem (11 years or 120k miles - 112K on mine!) Parts are here and it should be ready Friday. No charge.
I get a warm feeling all over. I'm like Jimmy V. looking for someone to hug.
...fall together again!
