Magazine for the auto service professional
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4 | February 2016 Y ears ago, I wrote an article for our sister publication Modern Tire Dealer. I had the opportunity to spend a bit of time with the folks who ran a communi- ty-help program that was conducted by a tire dealer in cooperation with a local radio station, all based in a western New York state metropolitan area. The program was called "Captain Friendly." A full-size van, emblazoned with the tire dealer's name, was provided by the dealer and driven by one of its technicians. The van cruised the freeways in and around the town, constantly on the lookout for stranded motorists. A radio station's traf- fc helicopter also few around the area, providing traffc reports and helping to spot stranded vehicles. The helicopter was manned by an experienced ex-military chopper pilot and a local police offcer who provided the traffc reports. Once the chopper spotted a motorist in distress, the offcer radioed the tire dealer's van with the location. The van then pulled up to the vehicle and offered assistance. This may have involved an out-of-fuel problem, a blown tire or other malady. In addition to a selection of tools and miscellaneous parts, the van carried spare gas, which was provided free to the motor- ist. If a failed tire was the issue, the tech would change the wheel and tire (assuming the stranded driver had a spare). Basically, the tech would help in any way he could to get the vehicle back onto the road. If the problem was one that could not be addressed roadside, the tech called a tow truck and waited with the motorist until the truck arrived. While motorists weren't pressured to have the vehicle towed to the tire dealer's location, in most cases, that's where the vehicle was towed, primarily because the motorist would be so impressed by the good-Samaritan approach that he or she felt comfortable in having their vehicle repaired at the dealer's shop. Bear in mind that this was before every- one had a cell phone. When a driver was forced to pull over to the roadside, if they couldn't fx the problem on their own, they were simply stuck, hoping that a police car would happen upon their emergency. All of the tire dealer's roadside help was provided free of charge. Naturally, any repairs performed at the tire dealer's shop would be charged in the normal fashion. My time in the van involved stopping to aid six stranded motorists, with issues ranging from blown tires, to out of gas, to an engine overheat. Cars were refueled Straight Talk Mike Mavrigian | Editor Doing the right thing