Need to purchase AAA or some other roadside assistance service... (and, anyone in AZ?)

[imported_Tomato]

I'm thinking about driving to Arizona this weekend... it's about 800 miles roundtrip, and I'm not sure my salvage Civic will make it. Gonna pick up a AAA card or something to that effect, just in case my car explodes... any recommendations?

Oh, and... what is there to do in Phoenix, AX?

 

[conjur]

Go to Tempe and hang out in the clubs/go to restaurants...there's an Improv there. Probably some concerts.

How long will you be there?

And check with your cell phone carrier and see if they have roadside assistance..usually like $3/mo...cheaper than AAA.

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: conjur
Go to Tempe and hang out in the clubs/go to restaurants...there's an Improv there. Probably some concerts.

How long will you be there?

And check with your cell phone carrier and see if they have roadside assistance..usually like $3/mo...cheaper than AAA.

I'll be in AZ from Friday night to Sunday morning... really just a weekend trip. Thanks for the recommendations... are there any good restaurants in the city?

 

[Phuz]

I purchased CAA for all my long trips last winter..... in a terribly unsafe car... :disgust:

Anyway, look for something that has an X/miles of free towing.
When you think about it, the cost of the tow alone justifies the cost of the service.
Even though I haven't used my CAA yet, I've got 200km towing on anyones vehicle... and towing in Canada is about $2/km.. sooo...

 

[pyonir]

Dezign:
Check this place out...the menu is online and it is really great food. Make sure you have the Eddie?s Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich with Vanilla Ice Cream (best desert EVER).
Eddie Matney's

What kind of food do you like? Steamer's is really good if you like seafood.

Check out this site

As far as clubs and stuff...I'm not the one to talk to really. I can ask around tomorrow at work though...if you want.

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: Phuz
I purchased CAA for all my long trips last winter..... in a terribly unsafe car... :disgust:

Anyway, look for something that has an X/miles of free towing.
When you think about it, the cost of the tow alone justifies the cost of the service.
Even though I haven't used my CAA yet, I've got 200km towing on anyones vehicle... and towing in Canada is about $2/km.. sooo...

Ahhh, good point... does AAA offer X/miles of free towing? I have some research to do... thanks for the tips!

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: pyonir
Dezign:
Check this place out...the menu is online and it is really great food. Make sure you have the Eddie?s Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich with Vanilla Ice Cream (best desert EVER).
Eddie Matney's

What kind of food do you like? Steamer's is really good if you like seafood.

Check out this site

As far as clubs and stuff...I'm not the one to talk to really. I can ask around tomorrow at work though...if you want.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, chocolate chip cookie sandwich... That'll be PERFECT, given the weather... apparently it's going to be 110-120 this weekend. Any other recommendations will be great... preferably more low-key, I don't have that much energy in such heat.

 

[pyonir]

nah, it should only be 110-115. It's a dry heat.

Would you rather i listed bars, clubs, pubs, college bars, huge clubs, small clubs....etc?

What part of town are you going to be in?

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: pyonir
nah, it should only be 110-115. It's a dry heat.

Would you rather i listed bars, clubs, pubs, college bars, huge clubs, small clubs....etc?

What part of town are you going to be in?

Hmm... actually, instead of bars/clubs/etc, could you recommend something fun (and relatively cool) to do during the day? A really funky bowling alley, waterpark, etc.?

I'm going to be in Glendale, AZ.... zip code 85302, if that helps. Are you nearby?

 

[pyonir]

I'm about 45 mins to an hour east of Glendale. opposite side of the valley.

Castles and coasters waterpark is a popular waterpark.

If you like Zoo's there is a cool zoo, but it is a little bit out of town...called Out of Africa Wildlife Park.

Ummmm Phoenix is kind of a dull area really.... There is always Sedona if you want to drive about ~2 hours north. About all i can think of at the moment....

 

[RossMAN]

AAA roadside assistance info

 

[The Stigenator]

Ivy,

I would suggest starting late in the or when traffic calms down.. that way if your car wont have a chance of over heating.. make sure oil is in the engine and you got coolant. Take a bottle of water (gallon) for the car, and another for yourself.. you will need water and some food if you get stranded.

Have a safe drive.

Manjul

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Dezign

Originally posted by: pyonir
nah, it should only be 110-115. It's a dry heat.

Would you rather i listed bars, clubs, pubs, college bars, huge clubs, small clubs....etc?

What part of town are you going to be in?

Hmm... actually, instead of bars/clubs/etc, could you recommend something fun (and relatively cool) to do during the day? A really funky bowling alley, waterpark, etc.?

I'm going to be in Glendale, AZ.... zip code 85302, if that helps. Are you nearby?

well, considering that is my zipcode, I am kinda scared now

See the stickied thread at the top of ATOT if you want to meet some of the AZ peeps. There will be a LAN part from Fri-Sat this weekend.

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy
Ivy,

I would suggest starting late in the or when traffic calms down.. that way if your car wont have a chance of over heating.. make sure oil is in the engine and you got coolant. Take a bottle of water (gallon) for the car, and another for yourself.. you will need water and some food if you get stranded.

Have a safe drive.

Manjul

Great tips, Manjul. Thank you. I'll be starting out at 7pm on Friday, and should arrive by 1am or so.

What do I do with coolant? I'm so car illiterate it's not even funny.

I'll take water for the car, but what should I do with it if I need it? I'll definitely be packing foodstuffs/water for myself...

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: DeathByAnts

Originally posted by: Dezign

Originally posted by: pyonir
nah, it should only be 110-115. It's a dry heat.

Would you rather i listed bars, clubs, pubs, college bars, huge clubs, small clubs....etc?

What part of town are you going to be in?

Hmm... actually, instead of bars/clubs/etc, could you recommend something fun (and relatively cool) to do during the day? A really funky bowling alley, waterpark, etc.?

I'm going to be in Glendale, AZ.... zip code 85302, if that helps. Are you nearby?

well, considering that is my zipcode, I am kinda scared now

See the stickied thread at the top of ATOT if you want to meet some of the AZ peeps. There will be a LAN part from Fri-Sat this weekend.

Whoa, what are the odds...? I'll be staying with a friend who lives on North 55th Drive, if you happen to know where that is... I may check out the party on Sat if I have time. Will it be air-conditioned?

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Dezign

Originally posted by: DeathByAnts

Originally posted by: Dezign

Originally posted by: pyonir
nah, it should only be 110-115. It's a dry heat.

Would you rather i listed bars, clubs, pubs, college bars, huge clubs, small clubs....etc?

What part of town are you going to be in?

Hmm... actually, instead of bars/clubs/etc, could you recommend something fun (and relatively cool) to do during the day? A really funky bowling alley, waterpark, etc.?

I'm going to be in Glendale, AZ.... zip code 85302, if that helps. Are you nearby?

well, considering that is my zipcode, I am kinda scared now

See the stickied thread at the top of ATOT if you want to meet some of the AZ peeps. There will be a LAN part from Fri-Sat this weekend.

Whoa, what are the odds...? I'll be staying with a friend who lives on North 55th Drive, if you happen to know where that is... I may check out the party on Sat if I have time. Will it be air-conditioned?

/me looks out front window. Yeah, I see it


59th Ave & Olive

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: DeathByAnts

Originally posted by: Dezign

Originally posted by: DeathByAnts

Originally posted by: Dezign

Originally posted by: pyonir
nah, it should only be 110-115. It's a dry heat.

Would you rather i listed bars, clubs, pubs, college bars, huge clubs, small clubs....etc?

What part of town are you going to be in?

Hmm... actually, instead of bars/clubs/etc, could you recommend something fun (and relatively cool) to do during the day? A really funky bowling alley, waterpark, etc.?

I'm going to be in Glendale, AZ.... zip code 85302, if that helps. Are you nearby?

well, considering that is my zipcode, I am kinda scared now

See the stickied thread at the top of ATOT if you want to meet some of the AZ peeps. There will be a LAN part from Fri-Sat this weekend.

Whoa, what are the odds...? I'll be staying with a friend who lives on North 55th Drive, if you happen to know where that is... I may check out the party on Sat if I have time. Will it be air-conditioned?

/me looks out front window. Yeah, I see it


59th Ave & Olive

Are you serious?????????????????????? Talk about a small world.

I just mapquested the event location, and my friend lives 5 minutes from the location. I don't have the funds to join in on the fun, but I'd be happy to meet up with some people before/afterwards for a drink or some food. I'll be staying around 9000 North 55th Drive...

 

[manly]

Drive safely. Why don't you have a friend look over your car to make sure the basics are covered? Honestly, I wouldn't even plan for disaster (but get roadside assistance anyway!). I'd make reasonably sure that the car could make the trip without incident. Being stranded could be an adventure for you; but being stranded in the desert is simply a nightmare.

It's only 800 miles RT away?

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: manly
Drive safely. Why don't you have a friend look over your car to make sure the basics are covered? Honestly, I wouldn't even plan for disaster (but get roadside assistance anyway!). I'd make reasonably sure that the car could make the trip without incident. Being stranded could be an adventure for you; but being stranded in the desert is simply a nightmare.

It's only 800 miles RT away?

Er... if any car-savvy ATOTer wants to stop by sometime this week, I'd be happy to make you dinner or something if you look over my car. I'll be buying an AAA membership tomorrow...

According to mapquest, it's 384.1 miles one-way, which translates to a 6-hour drive. 12 hours round-trip, and I'll only be there from Friday-Sunday... Maybe I'll call in sick to work on Monday.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Dezign

Originally posted by: manly
Drive safely. Why don't you have a friend look over your car to make sure the basics are covered? Honestly, I wouldn't even plan for disaster (but get roadside assistance anyway!). I'd make reasonably sure that the car could make the trip without incident. Being stranded could be an adventure for you; but being stranded in the desert is simply a nightmare.

It's only 800 miles RT away?

Er... if any car-savvy ATOTer wants to stop by sometime this week, I'd be happy to make you dinner or something if you look over my car. I'll be buying an AAA membership tomorrow...

According to mapquest, it's 384.1 miles one-way, which translates to a 6-hour drive. 12 hours round-trip, and I'll only be there from Friday-Sunday... Maybe I'll call in sick to work on Monday.

Make sure you buy an AAA membership at a local AAA office so you get your membership card instantly instead of having it mailed to you.

 

[imported_Tomato]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Dezign

Originally posted by: manly
Drive safely. Why don't you have a friend look over your car to make sure the basics are covered? Honestly, I wouldn't even plan for disaster (but get roadside assistance anyway!). I'd make reasonably sure that the car could make the trip without incident. Being stranded could be an adventure for you; but being stranded in the desert is simply a nightmare.

It's only 800 miles RT away?

Er... if any car-savvy ATOTer wants to stop by sometime this week, I'd be happy to make you dinner or something if you look over my car. I'll be buying an AAA membership tomorrow...

According to mapquest, it's 384.1 miles one-way, which translates to a 6-hour drive. 12 hours round-trip, and I'll only be there from Friday-Sunday... Maybe I'll call in sick to work on Monday.

Make sure you buy an AAA membership at a local AAA office so you get your membership card instantly instead of having it mailed to you.

Excellent tip, thank you RossMAN. I'll see if there's anything nearby right now...

I can't believe I'm still at work.

 

[manly]

All right I'm headin' off to B&N to find _Car Mechanics for Dummies_ right away! Are you a good cook though?

That's a reasonably short drive; an economic Civic might even go the whole way without a fill-up.

Hope you're done toiling for the night soon!

 

[The Stigenator]

okay if your car starts to over heat..

First assess teh situation. can you pull over .. how far is the next town. . do you have cell signal?

Next.. bring down all windows. Turn the heater on at full blast air + max heat (put recycle air on too). Make sure you put the vents away from you its going to get mighty hot in there soon. This should help keep the engine cool.. Assuming you still have coolant it shouldnt rise.. or if it does it pull over and put hazards on.

Next open up the hood (i assume you know how to.. there is a lever on teh inside that will release bonnet and then you can unlatch it from front. The first thing up front with a pressure cap is your radiator.. DO NOT open it until the car has cooled suffiently. I suggest you stay off the roadway so you dont get hit. Once the engine is cooled enough you can slowly turn the thing (caution it will still be under pressure). This is where your coolant is.. if its bone dry fill her up.. if it isnt then carefully close it back to full tight.

Check your oil too while your waiting that way if your low on oil you can top her up (take oil with you too).

Also invest in some flares (its 2.50 for 2 in a box at autozone) you might need it.

All i can say is drive smart.. dont speed and if needed slow down to cool engine.. dont run ac if you dont need it. Worst comes to worst.... get some ATOT phone #'s so ppl can give you some help along the way.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Dezign

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Dezign

Originally posted by: manly
Drive safely. Why don't you have a friend look over your car to make sure the basics are covered? Honestly, I wouldn't even plan for disaster (but get roadside assistance anyway!). I'd make reasonably sure that the car could make the trip without incident. Being stranded could be an adventure for you; but being stranded in the desert is simply a nightmare.

It's only 800 miles RT away?

Er... if any car-savvy ATOTer wants to stop by sometime this week, I'd be happy to make you dinner or something if you look over my car. I'll be buying an AAA membership tomorrow...

According to mapquest, it's 384.1 miles one-way, which translates to a 6-hour drive. 12 hours round-trip, and I'll only be there from Friday-Sunday... Maybe I'll call in sick to work on Monday.

Make sure you buy an AAA membership at a local AAA office so you get your membership card instantly instead of having it mailed to you.

Excellent tip, thank you RossMAN. I'll see if there's anything nearby right now...

I can't believe I'm still at work.

Here are the AAA locations.

 

[pyonir]

Too bad you aren't staying through Tuesday night. I just got home from this small bar/resturant that features freestyle rapping on tuesday nights and it was VERY cool. Much cooler than i expected.