Why did you need to use roadside assistance?

Never had to use it on any of my vehicles, but I locked a key in a rental car once...

 

I haven't needed it in the last million miles of driving...

 

haven't needed it but thought I would once...Bought my truck and then took it on a trip from san diego to vegas. made it ALL the way there and had gas to spare. on the way back, I was about 10 miles from home and look down and realize the needle is damn near bottomed out and the little gas light was on...this was when I learned toyota didn't spend the extra couple bucks for a "hey dummy you're low on gas chime". Stopped and filled up and realized that I damn near ran it dry, took slightly 20 gallons to fill er up.

It happens to the best of us, you're on a long trip, get into the cruise control motions, paying attention to everything but your gas gage.

 

The last time I needed help due to out of gas was when the gas gauge failed...

 

I have roadside assistance through the AMA, not through the manufacturer or dealer.

I've never needed it in the Tacoma.

I have used it twice in my Honda Civic, for the same reason. I used to commute 85 miles to work, one way, on secondary roads. I drove like a maniac, because a 2 hour commute blows donkey dick, and I wanted to shave off as much time as possible. I would typically go 80 in a 55 as conditions allowed. Anyway, on two instances at 80 mph I hit animals large enough to disable the car, both happened the same way. I hit a large raccoon one time, and a medium size dog the other time; they went under the front bumper and air dam without damaging the exterior, then bounced up into the radiator and ripped out the radiator and the air conditioning compressor.

In both instances, I called AMA, they dispatched a local wrecker immediately, and I was towed home. One of those tows was the entire 85 miles, as the crash happened right as I was getting to work so I just pulled in the lot, worked my shift, and then called roadside assistance at the conclusion of the shift.

I believe they covered the first 35 miles of both tows and my insurance comped me for the rest.

No complaints, and in fact I was impressed enough with their response and friendliness that I sent a thank you email to the AMA.

Now that I have the Tacoma, and have moved, I walk to and from work; and I pretty much set my cruise at 55 mph when I do go somewhere (mainly to save gas under the guise of being more safe....). I do miss the Honda's ability to go 55 or 85 miles an hour and still get 35 mpg...

Doubtful I'd need RA for anything other than a crash, since I know how to read a gas gauge, I maintain my shit, and I have a manual tranny that I can push start with one other person if I have a dead battery...

 

Drunk as fuck I had to jump my battery after killing it with a stereo plugged into the back. Went positive to negative and blew the main fuse.

Bridged the fuse and drove 20km on a back road in limp home mode. Called roadside soon as I hit pavement and sent her to Toyota.

 

I had roadside from my insurance fpr years, and I used it, a lot. It covers towing and even trip interuption on my motorcycle. Having a 97 nissan with almost 300k on it and a handfull of old bikes, I would get a tow about once a month. I was driving 90 miles one way to school/work 4 days a week and 30 miles one way on the weekends to work so i was on the road a lot with issues popping up. It was totally worth the $14 a year. Never any cost, and never any issues with the insurance company, but the just called whatever company was close by and they could be rude, or worse, stupid. Still have it, but never needed it for the tacoma.

 

Ive been lucky the last few year. I keep tools in all 3 of my cars. I was able to fix the last two road side flats easy. I had a battery die and I asked someone if I could jump off their car. The next day it died agian in my driveway so I took another car to get a battery. The only time Ive used road side assistance is when my wife ECU went out in our driveway and we got it towed to the dealer.

 

Worthless without pics...

 

Yeah I understand that, mine does that too. Sometimes she makes me want to pull my hair out, but deep down, I know I have it pretty damn good and idk where I'd be without her keeping me in line.