What piece of car advice can't you shake no matter what?

"505Turbeaux" (505turbeaux)
09/24/2014 at 10:59 • Filed to: None

In 505's inaugural driving years I had a lifted 68 Bronco with a 289 and a 3 on the tree. I never minded running over stuff on the road if it was in my way...until I ran over a cardboard box in the road. My passenger said to me, "what if that was a box full of kittens?" No matter how many times I drive by a box on the road I cannot stop thinking of this bit of advice, like 18 years later. Does OPPO have any similar story that you cant shake?

DISCUSSION (71)

RickyD > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:06

as someone who has ran in the middle of I-5 to retrieve a box with kittens I never run over boxes.

Big Bubba Ray > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:06

Every fall we collect all the leaves in our yard and drag them out to the curb on the street. We make a massive pile that stretches from one end of our yard to the other. My parents, ever since I was kid, told me not to play in the leaves or bury myself underneath them because if someone were to drive through them, I'd be run over.

To this day, I don't run over my neighbor's leaf piles because I'm always scared there's going to be some kid hanging out buried beneath the leaves.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:07

I know someone that once hit what they thought was a cardboard box, it turned out to be a toolbox and did a number on the underside of their car. Which brings me to my point, you never know what's in the box, what if it's got a bunch of bricks in it or a tube-tv?

But what I'll never forget is what my dad was taught by his dad, "don't merge back into the right lane until you can see both headlights of the car behind you". Pretty solid advice. One of those unshakable bits of advice passed down a couple generations, haha.

505Turbeaux > Big Bubba Ray
09/24/2014 at 11:09

yup, that would stick

jvirgs drives a Subaru > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:10

same thing. I never run over boxes unless its clear that its empty.

CAR_IS_MI > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:12

No but I go out of my way to avoid running over anything on the road. even in my trucks. 2 reasons.

1. I once drove over a harmless 8" water main cover in my Mustang. The cover wasn't properly secured. the tires were sticky enough that the front tire lifted the cover and put it on an angle so that it went directly into my rear tire and sliced the tire and damaged the wheel. City wouldn't pay for it either as they had no way to prove (or dis-prove) that someone else hadn't messed with the cover so they weren't liable.

2. I had a friend in HS with a beater truck who used to run over everything in sight (boxes, bags, stop signs, you know...). One day he ran over what looked like plastic or foam wrap. Well it had fallen off a contractors truck and had a ton of short, black drywall screws (couldn't see them from a distance). It was effectively a spike strip. Took out 3 of his tires.

Sweet Trav > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:18

If you want to act like a jackass on a public road and turn yourself into a greasy spot on the highway that's one thing, but never do it with a passenger in your car or at a place and time where there is even the possibility of others being forced to be part of your stupidity!

Said by the Washtenaw County Sherrif's deputy who pulled my friend over while i was riding shotgun for doing 130 in a 70 in his Neon SRT-4 on US23 at 3am. He said that he had a 68 Charger when he was kid rolled it and in the process killed his best friend. (whether this was true or not I cannot verify but the message has rung true regardless)

Tl:DR Cop pulled us over for being jackasses, gave my friend a ticket for doing 10 over and a life lesson.

Nibbles > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:18

I dunno. I just try to not run over shit

CalzoneGolem > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:19

I was told to avoid plastic/paper bags if at all possible because they can get trapped on hot parts and catch on fire. If I run over a bag and I don't see it floating behind me I will pull over as soon as possible and search under the car.

Mattbob > RickyD
09/24/2014 at 11:20

why exactly was there a box of kittens in the middle of I-5?

505Turbeaux > Sweet Trav
09/24/2014 at 11:21

sounds like that was worth the lesson

Sweet Trav > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:21

Yeah, I try to keep my stupidity on the track now. But ricers man....

Big Bubba Ray > Sweet Trav
09/24/2014 at 11:22

Only 10 over? You are some lucky bastards haha

505Turbeaux > Nibbles
09/24/2014 at 11:23

yeah, this was 18 year old me though

MonkeePuzzle > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:25

"never roll in neutral" probably good advice for a new driver so they aren't surprised by a need to suddenly be in gear, or perhaps good advice based on some old tech about older transmissions designs, or good advice because it stops noobs from attempting to get going in first when they really need to reinsert fifth.

but I'm ok with rolling in neutral, but always hear this advice in my head in like a creepy echoey ghost voice "shaddup! I know waht I'm doing!" I yell at the nothing

Crocket Bernet > Mattbob
09/24/2014 at 11:26

Because the box walked there.

MonkeePuzzle > Sweet Trav
09/24/2014 at 11:26

ricers, we more often than not deserve all the negativity we get

EL_ULY > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:28

If the wipers are on, the headlight have to be on!

I got pulled over once a looong time ago and the officer told me, "if it's dark enough to rain, it's dark enough to have your lights on" He just gave me a warning. DRL's do not cut it, if it rains (even sunny showers), I have to turn my lights on.

EL_ULY > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:28

Kinja'd!!!

SOON!!!!

505Turbeaux > EL_ULY
09/24/2014 at 11:29

hahaha!

MonkeePuzzle > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:29

random box of kittens, isn't this sorta how Air Bud starts?

Kinja'd!!!

MonkeePuzzle > MonkeePuzzle
09/24/2014 at 11:29

also, having watched this movie with my kids recently, as traumatizing as it would have been for them, if Air Bud had ENDED with a tragic box on road incident I would have been saved the trauma of watching that movie again

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:32

One of the best bits of advice I ever received was from my mom actually, not my dad (mechanic/epic car guy).

Everyone on the road is an idiot. Assume every car you are anywhere near is going to try and kill you. This especially applies to bad weather. I know you are a great driver and do really well in the snow. You have no idea if they are good drivers, assume the worst.

Over the top? Maybe. But she was teaching her youngest to drive in the hell of New Jersey Traffic lol.

It reminds me when I get out in the snow in Michigan that despite being one of the snowiest states, people have no idea how to drive in it. I leave more room than I need to- all the time. I make sure to keep an eye on everyone at all times, not just my actions. You know, because they're trying to kill me.

roflcopter > EL_ULY
09/24/2014 at 11:32

It's not about being able to see, it's about other people being able to see you!

jariten1781 > Big Bubba Ray
09/24/2014 at 11:34

That's actually happened a few times:

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/grueso…

MonkeePuzzle > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:34

that's dark Monkey, real dark

Kinja'd!!!

EL_ULY > roflcopter
09/24/2014 at 11:35

EEEEExactly sir! If it starts raining, even in the bright afternoon, drivers without their lights on tick me off

505Turbeaux > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/24/2014 at 11:36

first snow every year here...good lord is it a mess. Good advice

505Turbeaux > MonkeePuzzle
09/24/2014 at 11:36

oh man this is going to haunt me further

roflcopter > EL_ULY
09/24/2014 at 11:36

I've been rocking a bright freaking yellow car for the last few years, and now am dd'ing the silver Volvo and I know that if I get people cutting me off in the yellow one, then there's no way in hell I'm reducing my ability to be seen in the silver one.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 11:37

God it even happens in the rain here.

kills me.

But then again they all still think 4x4 means better stopping power.

I learned that my first year driving in a 4x4 that didn't even have ABS.

EL_ULY > roflcopter
09/24/2014 at 11:38

Beige and silver cars are sometime impossible to see in an afternoon shower. That's why our sales manager for Lotus does NOT order those colors

505Turbeaux > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/24/2014 at 11:39

yep, the power of the downshift is underrated in a 4x4. And dont jam on the brakes in slick weather no matter what!

jariten1781 > MonkeePuzzle
09/24/2014 at 11:41

I always assumed that advice came up because coasting on a downgrade is illegal in ~50% of the states.

Ex New York:

Coasting prohibited. The driver of any motor vehicle when traveling upon a down grade shall not coast with the gears of such vehicle in neutral, nor with the clutch disengaged.

Sweet Trav > Big Bubba Ray
09/24/2014 at 11:41

Yeah in Virgina they lock you up lol

MonkeePuzzle > jariten1781
09/24/2014 at 11:46

good luck proving that one copper!

Big Bubba Ray > jariten1781
09/24/2014 at 11:46

Damn, scary shit.

Big Bubba Ray > Sweet Trav
09/24/2014 at 11:47

Kinja'd!!!

Oh, I know.

Agrajag > Nibbles
09/24/2014 at 11:51

In high school I had some friends who thought it would be funny to take a shit in a gift wrapped box and leave it in the road. They said almost everybody would stop, pick it up, drive off, come to an abrupt halt and chuck it out the window. So I guess don't pick up shit either.

BJ > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/24/2014 at 11:51

One of my Mom's cop friends gave similar advice: Assume everyone else on the road just died at the wheel. Be prepared for anything to happen.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > BJ
09/24/2014 at 11:52

that's a good way to phrase it too.

Sweet Trav > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
09/24/2014 at 11:59

Running over a big tube TV would be quite the spectacle though...

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 12:05

Kinja'd!!!

CATS! lksjlksjgkljsjlkgklfgkl

Bytemite > jariten1781
09/24/2014 at 12:05

Why the hell is that a law?

505Turbeaux > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
09/24/2014 at 12:06

hahaha

jariten1781 > Big Bubba Ray
09/24/2014 at 12:08

I've been following that second case. Turns out the lady that ran over the kids then fled the scene was an illegal. When she was convicted she was detained by ICE for deportation. Her lawyers fought it and now she's been released and granted a Social Security number and work authorization under the administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Wasn't expecting that when I first heard of it.

jariten1781 > Bytemite
09/24/2014 at 12:13

I've always assumed it's because people risk overcooking their brakes heading down a mountain when they don't take advantage of engine braking. Not sure though, didn't write the law and it's only law in about half the states so it's obviously not murdering people on a regular basis or anything. Also 100% unenforceable.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 12:19

Don't swerve for animals. It's horrible, but hit them.

Growing up in the country, the roads all have steep ditches on either side. Also generally the roads are just wide enough for two cars to pass, so not a lot of wiggle room.

A week after I got my new car, I was driving at night when a very large raccoon ran out at me. I hit it. I know I would have rolled the car if I had tried to avoid it. Ended up having to replace the bumper, radiator, AC condenser and heat exchanger. But that's better than the alternative.

505Turbeaux > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
09/24/2014 at 12:22

my stepbrother swerved to avoid a squirrel, and took his almost new Q45 out into a historic schoolhouse in my hometown. Squirrel vs a totalled Infiniti and history...yeah no doubt

RickyD > Mattbob
09/24/2014 at 12:24

Because people are awful.

RickyD > Crocket Bernet
09/24/2014 at 12:24

kitten powered box

Jayhawk Jake > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 13:00

Always setting the parking brake. Manual, automatic, hill, flat...I always do it. My parents taught me to, it stuck.

Oddly enough though, I've forgotten it in my manual far more often than I ever forgot in an automatic.

AUTOUNION > Big Bubba Ray
09/24/2014 at 13:02

When I was in high school the "fun" thing for kids to do was to go around hitting leaf piles with their cars/trucks. Until one of the home owners got fed up and put a couple of cinder blocks under a leaf pile. That put a stop to that pretty quick as soon as the word got around.

Jayhawk Jake > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 13:04

Another thing not car related, but interesting related kinda:

When I was a kid I never could keep my hands to myself. I wanted to touch everything. My parents at one point made me keep my hands in my pockets.

To this day I'll find myself walking around car dealerships/car shows/stores/etc with my hands instinctively in my pockets because it was ingrained so many years ago.

unpredictable_swerve > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 13:11

in my early years I ran over a kitten, my passenger said "what if the kitten was full of boxes?"

I don't run over kittens anymore.

n54 & s38 > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 13:18

My dad always reset the trip odometer every time he filled up with gas in his cars. And now I do it too. Partly because I like to know what my mileage is like. Partly out of sheer habit.

505Turbeaux > n54 & s38
09/24/2014 at 13:25

nice one

BZiel > Big Bubba Ray
09/24/2014 at 13:35

Along those same lines, I once lived in a neighborhood where everyone piled leaves up along the curb in the fall. Teenagers (mainly) would come barreling along the street and run through them scattering the leaves back into peoples yards.

Got to be a huge problem...until people started putting stacks of three or four cinder blocks into the piles of leaves.

Apparently, a lesson was learned real quickly, because for the next ten years I lived there it never happened again.

SOMA Drive > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
09/24/2014 at 13:39

I was on the freeway and saw a garbage bag on the road flapping, thinking it was just normal garbage I didn't shift from it. Turns out it was filled with empty paint cans. The car was drivable after the hit but the front bumper snapped , 3 panels under the engine, the windshield washer fluid tank all cracked. Nowadays I am very careful not to hit bags or boxes on the road....

Wurrwulf > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 14:30

My dad once chuckled and said, "What if the other side of the bridge isn't there?"

Now, I'm not afraid to drive across bridges, and I never hesitate to do so; but, sure as shit, every time that I'm on a bridge, I think about that. And I chuckle, too.

505Turbeaux > Wurrwulf
09/24/2014 at 14:32

haha oh man I would do the same thing

MrMerkur > Sweet Trav
09/24/2014 at 14:40

Huh. You still live in Washtenaw county? I've spent my entire life here... If you ever see a white 318ti missing bits of the rocker, say hi...

MrMerkur > Sweet Trav
09/24/2014 at 14:40

Huh. You still live in Washtenaw county? I've spent my entire life here... If you ever see a white 318ti missing bits of the rocker, say hi...

Sweet Trav > MrMerkur
09/24/2014 at 14:41

Not anymore moved more metro. still work there though.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > CalzoneGolem
09/24/2014 at 14:43

I did that once and it stuck to the headers. Smelled strongly of burning plastic for weeks. So I'll never do that again.

CalzoneGolem > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
09/24/2014 at 14:47

Justification!

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Bytemite
09/24/2014 at 15:10

In old manual cars (pre-synchromesh) it could be just about impossible to get the transmission back in gear and if the car isn't in gear you don't have full control of it.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 20:35

My stepdad always told me with car, "paint and chrome don't get you home." Basically, don't focus on the superficial aspects of looking at a potential car purchase, buy something reliable, and safe, it doesn't have to be flashy. I've tried to keep that stuck in my head, and I think it's worked. My current car is a 2000 Durango, very safe, 4x4, will keep my family and myself safe if we were to ever wreck it. It's advice I've heeded for some time now, and all the cars I've bought have generally been pretty good, and safe. (Except the 2001 Cavalier. That thing could have been a coffin on wheels easily)

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > 505Turbeaux
09/24/2014 at 22:07

My uncle was riding with his friend and his friend thought he saw a paper bag only for it to be a large piece of rectangular sandstone. The beetle was toast.

A friend thought he saw a cardboard box, only for to be a wooden box,, jamming underneath and almost catching his car on fire.

Mine: Always flip your sun visor all the way forward or all the way up. Source was one of those Red Asphalt movies of someone who left it angled towards them. Top 2" of the persons head was removed.

505Turbeaux > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
09/25/2014 at 07:17

tis a true thing

Tapas > 505Turbeaux
09/29/2014 at 14:11

.....or worse, it could be nails or spikes or a ouija board or a mirror (thats 7 years of bad luck fellas) !!

But on a serious note, no running over containers of any sort is solid advice.