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99 Ford Contour - How to get to shop


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Uncle Perky
New User

Dec 17, 2013, 1:17 PM

Post #1 of 6 (1569 views)
99 Ford Contour - How to get to shop Sign In

I know someone with a 99 Contour with a blown rear wheel cylinder, so the brakes are almost nonexistent. She says she can pump them a few times and get _some_ braking but not anything like full power (obviously). She insists on driving it to the shop to get it fixed because she says she can't afford a tow. I know this is stupid, but she _is_ going to do it.

So my question is this: is there any combination of refilling the brake fluid and doing anything else that might get her one or two manageable stops before she loses all braking again? Options that involve jacking up up the car are probably no go, as she has no garage and it's winter in Cleveland.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Dec 17, 2013, 2:00 PM

Post #2 of 6 (1560 views)
Re: 99 Ford Contour - How to get to shop Sign In

TOW IT! If someone can't afford the tow then I guess affording the repair of unknown expense will be a trick too. If I suggested anything else with that info it would be plain irresponsible.


Good grief. People should join a motor club of your local choice even thru auto insurance may offer it for this too. Too late now,


T



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Dec 17, 2013, 4:48 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1547 views)
Re: 99 Ford Contour - How to get to shop Sign In

Wonder if she is stubborn as a mule and won't listen to what you have to say anyway?





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
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Dec 17, 2013, 7:24 PM

Post #4 of 6 (1539 views)
Re: 99 Ford Contour - How to get to shop Sign In

I sure hope she doesn't kill someone......


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Dec 17, 2013, 8:04 PM

Post #5 of 6 (1533 views)
Re: 99 Ford Contour - How to get to shop Sign In

OP - Please talk her into towing it. Nobody can know what the total problem is and Winter driving at that! NO! Tow companies talk cash on the barrel vs getting towed for parking violations etc.


I have AAA "plus" gives % off of so many things even non automotive it's free! That plan is 100 miles of included towing for well under $100 bucks to any place you wish not just their own places. Only problem with them is the driver must be with the car when picked up which is a problem for those who abandoned a car I suppose never happened to anyone I know yet but who knows?


Don't let this car be driven if you can help it please, Tom



nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
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Dec 17, 2013, 11:25 PM

Post #6 of 6 (1523 views)
Re: 99 Ford Contour - How to get to shop Sign In

If she is too dumb to realize the immense danger she is placing everyone else on the road in by driving this or too selfish to care then do the right thing and yank the fuel pump fuse out of the fuse panel under the hood so it won't start. Nobody needs to spend their christmas identifying the corpse of their loved one because she is intent on saving a buck.

Going is optional, stopping is not. That is absolutely non-negotiable. That very line of selfish thinking is why I had to bury my best friend and his girlfriend. Realize also that since she knows she has a severe brake issue making this unsafe, if she operates this and hurts or kills someone that is criminal negligence and she can be prosecuted for it. The guy who killed my friend went to jail for driving his truck with bad brakes.

With that in mind, I really don't give a damn about her finances. If she can't afford to pay a tow she can't likely afford to pay a repair bill anyhow. We all use public roads, and they are a priviledge to use just like having a driver's license is a priviledge to have. It comes with a responsibilty to keep one's vehicle in a safe condition to operate with other cars full of other people who are likewise expected to keep their cars safe. Nobody has the right to endanger the safety of others when their are very safe methods of transporting this car to a shop to be made safe again.






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