h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well my car is, to use a technical term, bu**ered. I have a naive idea that I want to be insured in case things go wrong and that insurance should give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing that everything is covered. Silly me. As eny fule kno insurance doesn't pay to fix things when they break, and doesn't pay to have things moved when they're less than a mile from home.

Good news, though. Car was purchased with a 24 month warranty, and tomorrow I shall find out if that covers it.

Dang, Baggers. I sure hope your warranty is a comprehensive one.

Worse luck, my dear. I hope the warranty covers the worst of it.

Looks like I'm going to have to pay for someone to take the car to the garage, but apart from that I'm okay. This is probably going to cost less than the insurance excess and won't affect my no claims bonus (which will be an entire 1 year when I renew).

so whats happened to the motor?? details please

Okay, normally when you move a gearstick it only goes in specific directions, and when you put it in the right place and lift off the clutch, then pressing the accelerator makes the car move.

My gearstick doesn't do that stuff any more.

Is broke, in't it. *nods sagely*

And so is it gearbox or a clutch fault? *sucks air in like a mechanic*

Probably.

According to the tow truck driver it's the linkage, which I gather is a thing between the gearstick and the gearbox.

ahhh, simple thing then!

Everything is simple to those who understand it. Greek to me, however.

I live in a land where people generally drive cars with automatic transmissions, and don't have to worry about things like clutches and linkage.

Well you do cus you can have linkage to a auto box and the odd one way cluch inside !

RJR

Hint from the wise - *always* get breakdown cover that includes home service - you almost always breakdown within a mile of your house.
It's more expensive but hey - it's important.

Second. If you find a nice friendly and honest garage (they do exist -really) you might find they do a free pick up service.


Did I *really* just call myself wise?

I didn't realise I didn't have home service until I called them, but I shall bear that in mind in the future.

Well don't worry, that's how we all realise with that one.

There are other things you need to be careful of with breakdown cover too.

First they say 'we'll take it to the garage to get it fixed' at a certain level of cover.

That means - if you breakdown in Brighton (and you live in Carlisle) they'll take it to a garage in Brighton and you have to pick it up from there.

If you pay for 'relay service' (I think it's called ) they'll take it to a garage near where you live.

Also, they won't necessarily tranport *you* - just your car. You could be left stranded. Higher levels of cover will put you up in a local hotel - get you a train fare back home or a courtesy car.

You should check all this out as only their higher levels of cover are worth having in my opinion. Check what you get for each level of cover and balance it with what you think you might need, what you can afford and what may happen in a disaster scenario.

[Tries to deal with image of a bear called That in my mind..

Car is now all better. It was indeed the linkage.