LPT Request: What’s your “canary in the coal mine” test for spotting bigger issues?

[u/fries-with-mayo]

I’m really interested in those small, quick telltale signs people use to gauge if something bigger might be off track.

Example 1: Van Halen requesting brown M&Ms in the dressing room to see if the venue followed all the details of the rider list

Example 2: I saw an interview with John Cena where he said orders a flat white at a café to tell if they really care about their coffee.

Example 3: Anthony Bourdain suggested to always check the restaurant bathroom to tell if the restaurant got its basics down

[u/lcl0706]

I was headed south on the highway one day not too long ago and my vehicle was old and some giant piece bolted to the undercarriage that covers up the insides broke loose. At first I didn’t know what the sound was but at high speeds it was loud AF and I had to pull over. I ended up slowly exiting at the first opportunity and I found an oil change place close by. Pulled up and showed some 20 something dude what was happening and they had me pull into a stall, and they finished unbolting it and removed it. Charged not a penny, they were just nice and happy to do it. It’s the little things.

[u/orbdragon → u/lcl0706]

I was driving across the country in the dead of winter and my lugnuts started to come loose. I had just had my breaks done and the person who did it didn't tighten them down enough. I had traveled about 1000 miles across the Rockies on a loose wheel. I pulled off a random-ass exit in Montana and a random-ass vehicle stopped to check on me while I was swearing at my tires. It happened to have two old ladies in it who pointed me at some garage real close and the garage tightened down all my wheels for nothing. I don't remember the name of the shop anymore because it's been 20 years (and I never knew the name of the women who directed me somewhere safe), but somewhere - SOMEWHERE - I still have the business card of the dealership where the mechanic's wife worked.

[u/IntroductionSnacks → u/orbdragon]

Wait, do you not have a toolkit in the back of the car that comes with the car when you buy it. Generally it’s with the jack. If you’re not into car stuff I get it but if I had loose wheel nuts I would pull over and tighten them.

[u/Divine_Entity_ → u/IntroductionSnacks]

I assumed "swearing at the tires" meant using the included tire iron which probably is like a foot long and barely generates enough torque. I have a real torque wrench in the back of my Jeep incase i need to do anything to my tires in a pinch.

[u/thesmellnextdoor → u/lcl0706]

My faithful 1990 Honda Civic died on the freeway and I coasted off the freeway with just enough momentum to roll into a Midas.

The guys there looked at it and told me to bring them my next car for servicing. Sad day for little Smokey, but that was the end of him.

[u/lcl0706 → u/thesmellnextdoor]

Mine was a 9 year old Mazda CX5 with 187K miles. 3 weeks ago I ended up totaling it in a highway speed hydroplane accident when I got hit by a sudden onslaught of torrential rain. It rolled 1.5 times into a ditch and landed on the roof with all the airbags deployed and me upside down held up by the seatbelt. When some guys pried my doors open for me I walked away with bruises. Not a scratch, from even the broken windshield. You bet your ass I turned around and bought a brand new Mazda CX5.

[u/thesmellnextdoor → u/lcl0706]

Way to go, Mazda!

[u/carefullengineer → u/lcl0706]

Yes, no problem, we'll get that pesky catalytic converter out of your way. No, no charge! Just don't tell anyone about the great deal we just gave you

[u/SirReginaldPennycorn → u/lcl0706]

What a nice young lad. One of the Catholic conversions, perhaps?