#how many miles do brakes last

[autoandfleetmechanic]

Wondering how do you know when your brakes need replacing? Ask the professionals at Auto & Fleet Mechanic if it’s time for a brake repair.

[garysautorepair]

How often should you get your brakes replaced? Call the brake replacement specialists at Gary's Quality Automotive for professional advice.

[expresscareautomn]

Wonder how often should you get your brakes serviced? A timely inspection of your brakes will help prevent an unexpected brake repair service.

[revelboo]

Everything is alright- expanded cut

Starscream x reader

One more mile to get it together. Except, you’ve been telling yourself that for how many miles now? It’s been halfheartedly misting rain for the last several minutes, but you don’t bother to roll the windows up on your old sedan. Not when you desperately need the chilly feel of the wind sinking icy fingers into your hair and tearing at your ponytail to help numb the anger and stress just there under the surface.

But even with the speedometer pushing 65 on the wooded country road, there’s no outrunning yourself. Or stopping your mind from sifting through the fallout from your latest boyfriend. Letting the intrusive thoughts in. Like maybe he’d been right, and you hadn’t really made enough time for him. Even if you both worked crappy, full-time jobs that consumed more than their fair share of your time and energy.

If anything, it was as much his fault as yours, right? Hands going white knuckled on the wheel, you crank the rock and roll even higher to let the thump of the bass roll through your bones and send your thoughts flying. You’re out past the county line now, the road just an inky ribbon of asphalt snaking through the woods. Occasionally, the setting sun dazzles you through the gaps in the trees in piercing, painful flares of red and gold.

From the depths of your mind comes the thought that you could just keep driving. See where the road went until it ended somewhere on the coast. It was a lovely dream, but just that. You weren’t brave enough to just go. That’s why you still lived in the nowhere town you’d grown up in. Your foot settles a little more firmly on the gas pedal, slaloming around lazy curves as you try to shake off the mellow ache, because now you’re angry with him and yourself.

You could do it. Flip the proverbial bird to everything you know, especially your awful boss, and just nope off into the sunset without a plan. Probably end up living in the car if it didn’t break down before you even managed to cross the state line. It was funny in a decidedly unfunny way, because your own worst enemy? You. It’s always you.

Snorting at yourself, it takes a minute to register the new sound over the wail of an electric guitar pouring tinnily through your speakers. What is that? The fine hair at your nape prickles as it rolls over you, a thunderous scream that locks the breath in your lungs. Eyes darting up to your mirror there’s a moment of blank disbelief, because no. That’s not a jet right behind you, flying lower than a jet has any reason to as its huge wingspan sheers off branches in its wake.

There’s no time to argue with the impossible vision because the belly of the jet slams and scrapes along the roof of your car with an awful shriek, and panic lights you up. You haul at the wheel, foot slamming down on the brake and then you’re sliding on the wet road. Things get a bit funny after that. Trees right there and the noise of the impact. Your forehead bouncing off the wheel and then slamming back as the airbag deploys with enough force you’re stunned again.

Your world blurs into a confusing smear of impossibility when you lift your head and feel your heartbeat throbbing at your temple. For a moment, you can’t figure out the seatbelt, everything hurts, and your mouth tastes like old pennies.

In the distance, a rumble of thunder rolls as the buckle finally unclips. The door is partially dented in by the impact, so you crawl out the window, head pounding to match the thunder. But thunder doesn’t sound like that. This is a staccato thumping that makes no sense. Guns? Probably that jet exploding. Your awkward slide out of the car via the window isn’t dignified or graceful. Twisting to land on your hip instead of your face, you lift your head. Everything’s muddled and you definitely have a concussion. That’s the only way to explain whatever the hell it is you’re looking at. There are giant robots in the road and one of them has wings painted like the stupid, low flying jet that had tried to kill you. And they have guns. You don’t even know what to make of this particular hallucination playing out in front of you. Staggering up out of the ditch and onto the road, it feels like you’re on a ship, the ground pitching and rolling under your feet as your stare up at the nonsense. You definitely brained yourself good. Most likely, you’re still in the car bleeding out and this was your mind’s idea of a consolation prize. Except you’d never actually liked sci-fi or robots.

Turning unsteadily as your whole body screams in pain, you stare from the jet and its fiery red eyes to the other two imaginary head trauma robots. One’s yellow and the other is white with red and blue accents. And they’re not shooting the jet anymore. They’re just staring down at you in the same kind of dumb stupor that's weighing you down. Your legs get a bit cute on you and your knee thumps onto the road. Feeling the grit and loose gravel digging into you cuts through the hazy fog of pain and disbelief.

Because it’s real. And then the panic rears its head, screaming at you to run even as you freeze. You’d always kind of assumed you’d do well under pressure. That you’d at least do something. Kneeling there as the misty rain slowly chills your skin, you don’t move. You can’t. Not even when you see the jet lunge right at you.

****

It's almost serendipity when the human staggers up into the road between him and the two Autobots. Gaping up at them with no sense of self-preservation or fear. Staring at him in the optics like he was no threat to it. Brave, but so stupid.

Because his options are limited even though he’s not exactly outgunned. No doubt the Autobots have called in for backup. Even bleeding energon and one wing hanging on by sheer spite and a prayer, he could handle two of them. Several, though?

And calling in his own backup? Having to beg for help even from his own trine? Weak. He’d never live it down. Or survive it. Weakness didn’t last long among the Decepticon ranks.

Feeling the wound in his side pulling as he lunges, he’s only barely aware of Jazz’s cry. The human is softer than he expects, that soft flesh giving horribly against his servos as he catches it and lifts it out in front of him like the most ineffective shield ever. Aside from a wheezing sound halfway between a gasp and a moan, the human just hangs there in his grip, unresisting. Maybe broken.

All that matters is that Jazz and Bumblebee have frozen. Maybe it isn’t so ineffective. Because the Autobots are forbidden from harming organics. Especially humans. Baring his denta in a feral smile, he backs away from the two.

“Let the human go, Starscream,” Bumblebee says, voice as steady as the weapon still raised toward him in threat.

An empty threat. A laugh escapes him, his smile turning nasty. “No, I don’t think so.”

Whatever is inside humans is hot, sticky, and leaking unpleasantly against his servos. The sensation is almost enough to make him chuck the thing at the two idiots to buy himself some time. Small hands push at his servos as the thing in his grip shudders. It’s silent, though as it looks up at him with big, terrified eyes.

Spark thrumming, he keeps moving back. They were really going to let him go just because he’d nabbed a human with no survival instincts whatsoever. Who still was eerily quiet as they sluggishly leaked red fluid from a gash on their head. Turning on his heel, he pulls it into his chassis as he transforms, pain rippling through him. There’s a terrifying moment of very real fear that his wing won’t hold. That he and his hostage will crash back down, but his turbines roar and he’s gone.

It's no longer silent, he can hear its rasping gasps. Maybe transforming around it had finally broke through its shock. Something definitely had. He could feel its little hands scrabbling at his interior in a panic, the sensation causing his metal flesh to crawl all over. It was inside him. Touching everything. Leaking that sticky red stuff inside him. The only consolation at all was that it wasn’t screaming.

Yet.

“Keep your filthy little hands to yourself,” he snarls as it paws at the seam of his cockpit as if it wants to be jettisoned. Was nearly begging for it. As tempting as that thought was, the docile, little thing had potential. Namely as a way to keep the Autobots from firing at him.

Snatching its hands back, its wide eyes dart around his interior. So, it isn’t quite as addled as he’d thought. Surprising. “It’s talking. The giant, metal death robot is talking,” it mutters, voice soft and raspy with pain as it tucks its hands against its chest.

“Starscream.” The annoyance is immediate and the human flinches at his tone, hunching its shoulders. It doesn’t respond, though. Just makes that weird, gasping sound as it looks around for an escape.

Aside from a low, moaning when he transforms around them a second time, it’s silent as he keeps it trapped inside his canopy. One of its soft hands slaps against the glass to make him shudder, its breathing becoming louder and more frantic. There’s the fear he’d expected. By some miracle, he makes it inside the base and to his quarters without getting stopped. Though, Skywarp gave him a look as he limped past. A low growl and a flash of denta had been enough to discourage his trine brother from needling him for the moment.

Closing the door behind himself, the pain of his ruined wing crests and threatens to wash over him. Servos gingerly touching his side and wincing when they come away wet with energon, he picks up an empty energon cube and pops his canopy. With a startled cry, the human falls out into his palm, and he drops them into the cube. The walls are high enough that he doubts they can manage to get free. Placing it on a shelf, his optics narrow as it scrambles to the far side of its prison, eyes wide.

Huffing out a low vent, he turns and leaves the human to go find the medic.

****

You slide slowly down the smooth glass wall to land on your butt as your legs just give up. The apparently not hallucinatory, brain trauma induced, giant robot stuck you in a big, square aquarium and even though the top is open, you can’t get enough air. Or stop shaking as panic sank its teeth into your throat.

Reaching up, you gingerly touch your temple. There’s blood there, but sticky and not actively bleeding you think. And even if you’re not imagining all this, you probably, definitely, do have a concussion. You can’t motivate your shaking, noodle legs to stand, so you crane your neck to study your prison. The walls are much higher than you are tall and featureless. No way to get a good grip to climb out, even as you very briefly entertain and dismiss the idea of parkouring up the corner of the box to freedom, because that isn’t happening, and you know it.

Which leaves you all alone to wander the shores of melancholy regret in the silence of the empty room. There’ll be no seeing where any other roads go now. No second chances. You tunnel your fingers through your hair, pulling on it as you try to gather yourself. To think it out. Feeling miserable, you look around the big room. It's giant robot sized and surprisingly spartan. There’s a flat metal berth along one wall, a desk and chair, what might be storage drawers, but blessedly little else. No mementos of a life lived. No trinkets. Something about that bothers you, but you don’t dwell on it.

You’re not sure how long your big, evil robot, Starscream, is gone. Hours? You’re almost drowsing in your corner even as you shiver uncontrollably in the icy room. Apparently cold didn’t bother giant robots, but then, it’d been very warm when you’d been trapped inside its interior. Any other time you’d have been ecstatic about riding in a jet. Fear for your life had soured the experience.

You bang your head on the glass wall of your cage when the door opens, and your kidnapper returns. Those glowing red eyes slide your way before dismissing you. Shifting to drag your legs against yourself, you watch it move to an oversized chair and slump. Teeth chattering, a new concern surfaces. This thing knew you needed food and water, right?

“Almost brought down by two weak Autobots,” it mutters, dragging a hand down its face in a disturbingly human gesture. For an alien robot murder machine, its face is uncannily human. It reaches back to prod at one of its wings. It looked better than it had, you realize. “Nearly ripped my wing off.”

Was it talking to you? Unsure, you dart your tongue out to wet your lips. Somehow you hadn’t yet won yourself a Darwin Award even though you’d blundered into the middle of a fire fight between huge, angry robots while gawping like a hick tourist. Did you dare push your luck? “How dare they,” you say, voice a barely-there, raspy whisper.

It hears you, though. That big head turns to stare at you, and you wilt as its wings flit up a little higher and the silence stretches.

“Right?” Starscream demands suddenly, growling voice full of irritation. It sounds like a he, you decide. Though since it was whatever the hell it was, who knew. “I could have destroyed them then and there with one servo.”

It’s almost funny as the alien death machine actually puffs out his chest a bit when you nod in agreement, teeth chattering. And then you run with it, playing devil’s advocate, because staying on his good side? Definitely a good idea. “They wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Of course not,” he sneers, rising to tip his head at you with almost predatory interest. Drifting away to a wall, he retrieves a huge blanket and drops it unceremoniously on you. The material is soft as silk, but some chemical smell clings faintly to it. You still cocoon yourself in it, face poking out to watch your evil robot return to his chair and his sprawl. And falls silent, staring at you in return.

The shivers slowly ease, but don’t go away altogether. That doesn’t stop you from drifting off, though. Your sleep is thankfully a dreamless void that sinks its claws in and drags you under. It’s almost pleasant up until something bounces off your head and the pain you’d left behind in sleep screams through you. Along with the realization that you’re being buried alive. Clawing your way free, you fall on your face, swearing.

And look up to find Starscream staring down at you, his lips twitching in cruel amusement at your expense. Your heart runs wild, rabbit-fast in fear. His red eyes shift behind you then back. Wary, you turn to look and find he’d buried you in a mountain of beef jerky, chips, soda, and- its food. He’s brought you food. That has to be a good sign, right? Why bother to feed you if he’s just going to squish you.

Sure, he could have not dropped it all on your head, but you aren’t about to tell him that. Just like you aren’t going to think too deeply about where the food came from either. It’s not like he can just waltz into a store and buy stuff. You’re snapped out of thoughts of sirens and explosions when you realize those fearsome eyes are scrutinizing you. Waiting for your reaction?

“Thank you?” Your voice is soft and uncertain, but the big, scary robot freezes all the same. Those wings on his back flip up then back down. Like he’s surprised that you’d thanked him. Just like the complete 360 he’d pulled when you’d agreed with him before. Like your captor isn’t too used to being listened to or appreciated. And he not only loves the attention, he might just crave it. Fawning over him is a small price to pay for your life. And that smug, preening smirk paired with those little wing flutters? For a kidnapping, killer robot, he’s kind of adorable. Not that you’re ever going to admit that out loud. You like living too much for that.

You freeze when he reaches into your cage before scooting back from that massive hand. Unwilling to give up your warm blanket, you drag it with you and suck in a sharp breath when he cages you in his hand and lifts you out. His grip isn’t as rib crushing as the last time he’d snatched you up and you cling to his fingers, heart racing as he places you on the desk.

****

Scrolling through reports, Starscream keeps an optic on his new- what, pet? Yes. A pet. Letting out a long-drawn vent, he works and tracks the human as it stands up still wrapped in the cleaning cloth he’d given it and dragging it along as they cautiously move around his desk. It only takes a low growl under his breath to discourage the human from getting near the edge. Those big eyes dart up to him in surprise before moving away from the drop.

Satisfied that it’s not going to launch itself to a stupid death, he resumes perusing reports. “Can you believe those idiots?” He grumbles to himself out of habit. “I told them that mine was unstable.”

He hears the human’s quiet steps as it moves closer to him, little face tipped up toward him. “They should have listened to you,” it says, the words surprising him.

Because they were true. Were humans usually this astute or had he just picked a particularly smart one? His wings adjust slightly as he turns his attention to the tiny creature. “They never listen to me.” Reaching out he ghosts the tip of a servo over their head, surprised by how soft their hair is. It goes still under his touch, head lowering as he slides that finger down its back.

He'd had a petro rabbit once, the tiny, fragile thing so trusting. It would eat from his hand and come willingly to him. Petro rabbits weren’t exactly clever, though. Couldn’t distinguish him from Skywarp. And even though Skywarp had claimed it had been an accident, Starscream had never really let it go. Or believed him. Suddenly unsettled, he gently strokes over the human’s head again. Soothing himself and his new pet.

Because this time would be different. He freezes as it leans into his palm, slowly relaxing. Its skin is colder than he remembered, and he frowns as he carefully curls his servos around it. And it leans eagerly into his warmth with a little noise of pleasure. His optics flit to the empty energon cube as it relaxes further against him, its own big eyes peering up at him trustingly. He'd never actually been this close to a human, he realizes. Certainly never touched one.

Venting softly, he uses his free hand to pull his datapad closer so he can finish going through the reports. Stiffening when the human lays its head on his servo, little hands clinging as it soaks up his warmth.

[sssammich]

fic: if only today had been any other day

hello hello

this is inspired by @ekingston's flash fiction challenge! she was so right tho like i ended up making my wip list worse by adding this on there. but whatever it's off the wip list and now on the complete list, so!

ANYWAY here's what i spun:

genre: tragedy premise: in a fender bender trope: idiots to lovers subject: bandaids

word count: 1000

(LINK TO AO3)

pls enjoy thx love u bye

--

"Kara, there's something I want to tell you."

"Everything okay?"

"Yes. I think so."

"You think so?"

"It's a good thing. I hope."

"Lena, you're—ah, sorry, hang on a sec, I'm getting a call."

"Answer it."

"But—"

"It could be important."

"Lena…"

"It's okay. We have time."

She pushed the dilapidated convenience store door open. Relieved the shelves somehow hadn't been completely ransacked, she only took what she needed, the rest for anyone else who showed up after. She stopped by the makeshift pharmacy shelf, eyeing a first-aid kit that dangled on its broken handle. It couldn't hurt to retrieve it, benefiting from a few extra bandaids. The kit was soon buried under all the provisions she could stomach for the rest of her travels.

Finally she headed to the register, hoisted the basket onto the counter until she remembered.

Tears pricked at her eyes, but she knew it wouldn't do to dwell. She retrieved the basket and left.

—

"Come with me."

"Lena."

"Please. Please, Kara. Please."

"I'm sorry, Lena. But I can't leave, not until I know they can't get to you."

—

The accident would have been ruled as a simple fender bender. Unfortunate, yet unsurprising: trudging through slick rain, the car hydroplaning just to slide and crash against whatever was ahead. Incurred damage wouldn't have cost more than a small pittance in her coffers before the fender was fixed anew.

It would have been an ordinary thing.

Except nothing was the same and hadn't been for a long time.

—

"Breaking news: National City has been invaded by an aggressive alien race known as the Daxamites. Supergirl and Superman stand at the helm of the fight, backed by various military forces while officials evacuate as many of the citizens to safety."

—

Her hands shook from the adrenaline more than the impact, glancing at the stationary car in front of her.

She gripped the wheel as she focused on evening her breathing and calming her pulse.

Had anything else happened, the back of that car could have been the last thing she ever saw. Slamming the brakes and bracing for impact could have been the last thing she ever did. Regret wrapped so viciously around her mind, her heart, when she thought instead of what she wished she'd done, what she wished she'd said.

Before it had been too late.

Fat drops of tears fell in succession down her cheeks unable to stop the outpour of her emotions, of her grief, at the world that once was.

—

"You have to go, Lena. There's no time."

"Tell me she's okay."

"She's okay."

"Alex—"

"They have her, but she's alive. They have her and they'll use her to get to you. Please, just—go for now and once we figure out what's really going on, I'll find you."

"How?"

"Because you'll find me first and let me know where you are. Isn't that how this works?"

"…"

"…"

"I never got to tell her."

"Ten bucks says she already knows."

—

She arrived at the sanctuary early the next morning, just after dawn, her body exhausted from more than just the drive. She stood by the side of her car, glad to stretch out the ache in her limbs, her joints. Before her was an old church, stained glass windows bright against the rising sun.

She'd lost her faith somewhere along the way, somewhere around the time a flash of blonde, red, and blue dropped from the sky and failed to get back up again. Somewhere along the thousands of miles she'd traveled all over the country, making herself useful, making herself forget.

She hoisted the small basket of supplies and water from the backseat and took a forward step towards the large wooden doors. She paused when said doors creaked open and out came an empathetic face and a welcoming smile.

"Kelly, hi."

"You made it."

—

"Name?"

"Kieran Walsh."

"Where you coming from?"

"Metropolis."

"A long ways away."

"There's nothing left there."

"Where you headed?"

"North."

"…"

"…"

"Let her through. Safe driving out there, Kieran Walsh."

"Thanks."

—

Kelly gathered up her meager basket of offerings and placed them in the pantry before seating her at the large table with a cup of tea.

"Can I get you anything else?"

She shook her head, satisfied with simply taking a deep breath of the soothing tea and the warmth of a familiar face. Kelly placed a hand atop hers.

"Alex is coming back in a week. Last I heard."

Lena clasped Kelly's hand between hers, anchoring herself in case she dared to hope too much. Too soon. Too fast. "You think she…" afraid to finish.

"I hope so."

—

"I miss you."

—

The rumble of a vehicle startled her awake, having pulled up in front of the church. She rushed from her cot, but lingered by the door when Kelly greeted Alex with a tight hug. Alex pulled away and caught Lena's eye, tilting her head towards the backseat of the black tinted van.

She didn't move, not right away, not until Alex nudged her with a tap on her hand arm and, "You owe me ten bucks, Luthor."

—

"There's a sanctuary ten hours north of National City. Head there as soon as you can."

—

A trembling hand pulled the van door open and revealed a face she'd missed for nine grueling months. After the world had been turned upside down and she'd lost everything she'd ever known and loved while on the lam just to survive.

In the middle of it all was Kara who now sat with her arm in a sling and whose visage bore a long scar that sliced through the right side of her face, shutting her eye permanently. Still, the smile was there, directed at her.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"You wanted to tell me something?"

Lena laughed, despite the anguish and grief that had carved a cathedral inside of her, and simply wrapped her arms around her heart's greatest wish before she kissed Kara soundly on the mouth. A taste of homecoming.

[briarwulf]

GoFundMe text below for more Info.

"Hi there, thanks for clicking on my page. My name is Valerie and I'm from the Bible Belt. I have lived in Texas for the last seven years with no issues for the most part. However, the past two years I've been doing HRT as I'm a transwoman. The landscape in Texas has steadily become unwelcoming to me. This is why I need help to move out of state to somewhere I can safely live.

Due to various setbacks (issues with selling my RV, unexpected rental charges from my landlord, etc.), I am setting up this donation page for help with moving funds and about two to three months of expenses. While I’ve luckily already got a job lined up, that won’t help with the initial transfer out of state.

Various costs in relation to the full moving out are also part of the help with these donations. Things such as car maintenance for the trip (brakes, tires, etc.), movers fees for larger items that I need assistance with, and a deposit for the apartment I’ve currently got lined up.

As someone who is openly trans in a very rural area. It has become unsafe for me to live here any longer. While Ohio isn't the first on many people's list of safe states to go. I have an existing support system there, a potential job, and an LGBT safe neighborhood in a major city. Which is a lot more than I have currently. All of this together has led me to make this GoFundMe. I'm in dire need of help to get to a safer space to simply exist and live. I've lined out where the money would go towards below. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and even if you cannot donate, sharing this is so appreciated.

This is How the funds will be used:

Car Note: $470 x2

Rent: $600-800* x2

Moving Fee: $1-2k (For furniture)**

Gas for Trip to Ohio: $170-180

Val's Food Expenses: $160 x2

Which comes out to around $5020.

*This is the low end of the rentals I'm seeing in the area I'd be moving. The $600 option depends on Availability. The $800 option is more likely and comparative to multiple potential rentals.

**Movers fee is according to current quotes I've looked into from multiple movers. I had considered hauling it myself via a Uhaul trailer. However, I've never hauled anything and it would be a 1,340 mile trip. While potentially a cheaper option, I’m hoping to be able to go the path that will ensure everything I need gets to my new home and to lessen just a little of the stress of this ordeal. The support system I have is providing all they are able in this moment, and I've explored every avenue I can otherwise. I am not turning to donations lightly.

Thank you again for your time, attention, and support. It means the world to me."

[trivialbob]

I was tagged by @mstacobelle and @littlerunnergurl: Name 5 things that really irritate you, and what you do to keep that irritation from turning you into a serial killer, or just slapping people on a street corner in your town.

Let's see.

When the grocery store has a sign that says 4 for $10 or $2.99 each. I am accustomed to that horrible pricing at convenience stores but hate that my grocery store has started to adopt the "or" practice. So I simply refuse to buy one OR four of that item at the grocery store, no matter how much I want it. I have many little personal boycotts. They bring me much satisfaction, even if store managers don't notice it.

When the grocery store has a sign that says 4 for $10. Period. Bob! What's the problem? The problem is when my wife wants to buy all four items even if we only need one. No, no, no. 4 for $10 with no footnote means we can buy one item for $2.50. Yet she still wants to buy four. This is why I never complain if she hands me a grocery list, and I shop by myself. The savings are in my control!

Drivers who disrupt the smooth flow of traffic. Those who drive way too fast or a bit slower or even the speed limit if the rest of the vehicles are going faster. Awful. Or the people who brake on the highway, start to exit, and only then use a turn signal. Isn't there some sort of social contract or state law that says be predictable and don't disrupt your fellow travelers' lives, even if you are hyper-miling in your hybrid or pleasing Gaia by making that turn signal bulb last longer by using it less? I cope by thinking these drivers are someone's lovable grandparents. I wouldn't have lost my shit at my grandparents. When I'm following a slow driver and being tailgated by an aggressive one, I love to simply move over and watch the two jerks annoy each other.

Centipedes. Damn, even if every insect is one of God's creatures, centipedes creep me out beyond belief. Any living thing with more legs than a tarantula is heinous, except those puffy green caterpillars. A centipede in my house makes me shriek. Satisfaction is derived from spinning the monster to death in the vacuum cleaner or feeling a satisfying smush from stepping on it. They're only targets inside the house. Outside they are fine.

"Special" episodes of TV shows. A black and white episode, to be artistic? Ick. A musical version? Yawn. Seinfeld S09E08, with the Indian wedding where the timeline was in reverse? Not for me. Even worse are "Very Special" episodes, often with music-less endings and nowadays a toll-free number appearing on screen. The Bicycle Man episode of Diff'rent Strokes was one of the first. It was a "sit-com" episode about child molestation. Just because a comedy show is (or used to be) entertaining and popular doesn't mean it has to "start a conversation." The remote control, or the round knob on the TV when I was 12-years-old, provided relief.

[delopsia]

how much of the truck do you think Rhett has replaced over the years? (maybe the better question is what hasnt been replaced at this point) like do you think hes completely rebuilt the transmission and engine? is there a point that he will give up on it? or do you think hes the person that will say that as long as the seat is the same one its the same truck? cuz it isnt going to last forever because that truck is how old and its also been a farm truck all its life. regardless of what state we are all living in now its safe to say that the Wyoming winters have taken a toll on the truck in the form of rust and wear and tear. if he rusts through the frame (a death sentence for vehicles) will he buy the same make in model that has had an easier life and just take his transmission and engine (he just put those in less than 80,000 miles ago god danmit!!) out and put it into the one with the good frame. i think if he ever does throw the towel in on the truck hes going to keep the seat and put it in his room in the house because theres too many memories on that seat for the thruple

I am so happy that someone is asking me about the trucks because I have put so much unnecessary thought and work into them. But Rhett's truck... Jesus Christ, it is the bane of my existence. I cannot figure out what year it is, and it's been driving me up the wall, but I'll admit I've been using this sale listing as a reference.

I'm in trouble if this truck ever sells.

That old truck has close to 225,000 miles on it at this point; it's practically gone everywhere, and for some damn reason, it's still alive and kicking. Had about 100,000 miles when Rhett bought it, and he's driven it to all hell ever since.

He's replaced the front and rear wheel hubs three times now. Had to put in new ball joints, and rust essentially forced him to replace the transmission, fuel, and brake lines after a couple of years. Shortly after that, the transmission failed and forced Rhett to gather a few buddies to help him rebuild it. But it's been a lot of small fixes here and there, the forgettable things that take an afternoon, and that's it.

The old truck was built to last, and even though nobody is 100% sure where it spent its early years, it's been well taken care of. If there's an odd noise or it starts to act out of character, the problem is located and found within the week. It's always best to fix the issue when its small, rather than wait until it gets worse.

Trucks last on the Abbott ranch. Royal's vehicle is older than Rhett's, and it's still alive and kicking! I haven't done a ton of research into what Royal drives, but I think it's an '80s GMC C/K Sierra Classic.

Honorary comparisons.

Nifty how Rhett and his Dad both seem to have Sierra's, lmao.

Regardless, it's an old truck. If Royal's truck can make it, so can Rhett's

Unless it becomes a money pit that can't stand to run for more than a few hours at a time, then Rhett's going to be hanging onto it. He could replace the whole vehicle over the course of time and still believe it's the exact same truck. But if it does fail, he'd likely go with another older-model truck with a bench seat. Maybe not the same make and model, but he'd be happy to bring home another in a different color.

As of the "current time" in the story, the Sierra is living herself a nice little life in the garage. Her Pavement Princess era, if you want me to start sounding cripplingly Gen-Z. Rhett's new work requires a lot of trailer pulling and things that the Sierra just couldn't keep up with, which means a new truck!

In Whispers In The Dark, I vaguely hinted that Rhett left the Sierra in Wyoming for a period of time because he'd bought a new truck after moving out.

This was the truck!

A 2019 Ford F-350 that I picked out back in February and simply never mentioned to anyone 😭 it never made sense to mention the exact make and model, so it got reduced to "Rhett's other truck."

After the Sierra comes home, she gets to become the official date night vehicle, alongside Bob's. It's her only job now!

I haven't mentioned a ton about Bob's truck, but since we're already on the topic, he's got a 2021 Toyota Tundra in the color Midnight Black Metallic. I exclusively picked this truck for him because some models come with a front-row bench seat.

Who would have thought that I'd have so much truck lore 🧍‍♂️

[things-about-cars-in-posts]

What would you consider the best, most reliable, low maintenance car? Bonus points for affordability. After having to take my 2011 Corsa to the garage for the fourth time this year due to a faulty temp sensor (this car just runs on a constant fever I swear. I'm in the UK for goodness sakes it shouldn't get that hot!!!), I'm curious as to whether there are any cars that don't have expiry dates outside of carefully maintained classics.

Well someone's not read my shooting brake post that thoroughly eh! :P

Jokes aside, I've touched on reliability a couple of times so those could be interesting reads for you, but I can tell you that, you'll hear it a lot, Toyota Land Cruisers are usually what you see when a dozen people need to cross a desert and camels aren't an option. And I cannot talk about the durability of old Toyotas without bringing up a piece of television that has been burned into my mind from when I was six or seven to this day and has never faded or faltered in clarity for a single of the seconds between them. Like, genuinely, you go pay me a visit eight years since I last saw it to hit me with a trick question about shot composition details and as you open the door shouting it you walk in on me losing my virginity and I shoo you away yelling "Piss off with your trick questions, I'm getting laid here".

But in terms of advice that is more actionable for you, I would as noted in other posts advise Toyotas and Hondas, and by extension Toyota's luxury brand Lexus (but please don't consider this advice against anything else, especially because these brands, Toyota and Lexus especially, have in some contexts developed a bit of a premium due to their reputation). And I know what you're thinking: "Mate I've a Corsa ya think I could get me a Lexus?" And the answer is yes. And other positively splendid pieces of kit.

I mean, you can find yourself plenty of first generation Lexus LSs in various states of rattiness, and one of those most famously did literally a million miles so I'm pretty sure you're going to be good on that front.

...but if you're not in the extremely lucky position of ULEZ compliance not being a dealbreaker, while looking for those, I also found some second generations...

...and I saw an ad for a third generation, and you know when you see an item and a price and you go through the description just to find out what the deal is and as you comb through you slowly realize that the part where they explain how this is not actually a functioning, usable product isn't there you start whispering "what the fuck? what the fuck?" and you put your hands in your hair and- yeah this is that level. Like genuinely I do not CARE if you were not asking purchasing advice and are not interested in changing your car you go phone your insurance for a quote and if it is anything below "This insurance price will actually ruin my life" you go click on that "Buy it now" button before someone else does.

But of course you may want a smaller car, what with coming from a Corsa and all that. Well, if that's the case, there's a little beauty that you're going to love love, and needs no TLC you and my help can't tackle. Remember my kei sportscars post? Well guess what it just so happens to turn out:

(if you are actually interested in getting a new car but have requirements these don't fulfill don't hesitate to drop me a line, there is little I love more than window shopping car ads and I have plenty other great ideas. If you want a new car you are going to end up with something cool whether you like it or not.)

Links in blue are posts of mine explaining the words in question - if you liked this post, you might like those!

[toomuchsky]

got a new car. having a lot of feelings abt it that i’m journaling abt on tumblr instead of processing internally. (lots of very privileged Big Money Feelings fair warning) but also look at him. momo. 🥹🥹🥹

basically after the insane amt of car troubles the last car gave me and the extra 4k it was asking from me in repairs, my dad finally was like “can you let me help you” and offered to help me buy out the loan on appa. one contingency was that i had to buy a new car, not anything used. so my car payment basically more than doubled, but i do have a car now that can take me from point a to point b and will hopefully ! not break down on me anytime soon. (with my luck tho who knows). i also still have the credit card debt from the engine but he was like “do your best to pay it off but if there is a difference at the end of the 0% apr period well see what i can help with”

i’m having! weird feelings abt it! lots of shame around having to accept money from my parents, lots of guilt around having parents that can afford to do this, also a lot of like. relief right?? i have a car that works! and he’s cute!

but also new cars freak me out dude. cars should all be dumber in my opinion. why is there an ipad on a vehicle that i can also drive at 90mph??? why is it yelling at me to brake leave me alone let me brake on my own terms!!! and every single thing is electronics. and they break so often and are so expensive to fix!! and everything these days is built to break!!! it makes me so mad and angry!!!!

but also on the other hand! i feel like i understand every single rich person neuroses now. every single speck of dust on this car is tantamount to a dent on another car. if i even scratch this car i’ll be so sad bc it’s NEW! she has 10 MILES ON HER. and there’s too many features!!! how am i supposed to learn them all!! feeling very old man yells at cloud abt it all!!! like normally i am also very generous with my car! i’ll let people drive it i don’t care etc but with this one i’m feeling extremely like don’t even breathe on him actually please don’t even look in his direction. like i’m feeling insane. u know that monopoly study they do where people become more stingy the richer they get. that’s how i’m feeling.

also having some feelings about what a new car like this looks like to people idk. like what will people perceive me as???? like this wasn’t my choice!!! tbf the car market is still insane and even a slightly used car would be abt the same price tbh but. feeling like i need to process these feelings with everyone so that no one judges me for having a new car or feels weird abt my parents having the ability and willingness to help me out here. like i understand this is mostly projection bc IM feeling weird about it and wealth (lol at the thought of wealth. i’m like 40k in debt not including student loans at 29 which feels insane.) and all that but.

he’s smaller than a lot of the suv’s i’ve had before but honestly probably enough size!!!! also the car payment is so much and idk how i’m gonna afford it for 6 years. i love him so much i can’t wait to go on a million road trips now that i can trust my car won’t break down on me in the middle of the road AGAIN. i also wanna throw up whenever i look at him. i love feeling safe and cozy and playing with all the new features. if it gives me a lane warning again i’ll blow it up myself.

dualities man. here we are.

[petit-papillion]

But that's what I'm saying, It's about the car not the driver. After a race where charles engines had issues and Lando car was great, how come are they concluding that Lando is surpassing charles in skills? Based on what exactly?

And in a season while McLaren car is being overall superior, charles is still ahead of him. Sure it will probably change if ferrari doesn't fix their issues, but the fact mclaren had a faster car in multiple races and charles is still ahead of lando should be enough to people not to be claiming he's overrated and Lando is surpassing him in skills.

Yeah, I don't know where anon sees Lando surpassing Charles in racing skills. Winning or finishing higher does not always equate being a more skilled driver. Just like stats don't tell the whole story. There are so many things that come into play in racing. Staying calm under pressure, thinking on your feet, reaction speed (hello Nico Hulkenberg not hitting Yuki last race), planning ahead, moving on/learning from your mistakes, etc., etc. And I still see Lando making more mistakes than Charles, but that could definitely be my personal bias kicking in.

When your car is superior, you can spend your time and energy perfecting your laps (like we've seen Max do). Because when you are miles out in front of everyone else, you don't have to worry about other cars hitting you, overtaking you, having to plan different strategies to keep your lead, etc. So a superior car can increase your race craft, in a different way than an inferior car can.

And in that way, I suppose Lando could surpass Charles, but Charles would just have a different skillset than Lando. I feel the same is true with Max. When things are not great on his car, he seems to get flustered a lot more easily than Charles does. Charles is unfortunately too used to having to deal with car issues (imbalance, tyre deg, sensitive to wind, throttle issues, brake issues, no grip, etc., etc.), which then also have made it hard for him to perfect some other skills. He often wants a lot more from his car than it can give him, plus you definitely cannot work on improving your driving skills when 1) you are fighting your car, or 2) you are standing in the garage after another DNF...

[autoandfleetmechanic]

Wondering about what are the signs of bad brake? Ask the brake replacement specialists at Auto & Fleet Mechanic to inspect your braking system.

[bylightofdawn]

After gods know how many words I have FINALLY gotten to the actual kissing. And now I'm torn between having Reeve stop because this is so not the time for a dozen of reasons. (This is prolly the more IC reaction)

Or going with the horny side and having them (aka Reeve) deal with the repercussions of being horny and this being the worst possible time for them to fall into bed for the aforementioned dozens of reasons.

My original plan was for Reeve to put the brakes on it.

But the angst goblin that lives inside of me kinda loves the idea of Rufus, who is convinced he's going to die in the near future anyway, wants to go the whole mile and satisfy more than a decade worth of wanting. They get into disagreement where Reeve assumes this is just one last pity fuck at the end of the world for Rufus and he's conveniently there.

(Aka Reeve's crippling self-esteem issues pick the worst fucking time to rear their ugly head)

Meanwhile Rufus just wants one good thing before he shakes off this mortal coil and he's been lowkey pining for this dumb, oblivious nerd for more than a decade GDI. He's not happy about his terrible tastes either but could they please go back to kissing and hopefully fucking and hang the repercussions.

And then there's a whole bunch of other reasons why this is a terrible time for them to hook up. But both are lonely, touch-starved and the bed is literally right there. Ahem.

Either way is going to end in some form of conflict that will be resolved in the next (hopefully final) chapter.

I'm gonna force myself to take a break and work on editing Seeds instead. I thought about maybe doing a poll but I don't think anyone would actually care enough to participate in it. LOL

Shhhh Reeve isn't the only one with crippling self-esteem issues.

[superkilometerfilter]

When to Replace Tires Mileage and How Long Do Tires Last?

As a car owner, you understand how important maintenance is for your vehicle’s safety, performance, and lifetime. Mileage is an important factor in deciding how long your tires will last, but it is not the only thing to consider. If you’re wondering when you should replace your old tires, the answer isn’t just a number on your odometer. Many factors can impact the durability of your tires, including road conditions and driving habits. Then, how do you know when you should replace them? More factors than you realize might affect your road safety. This article will analyze several crucial signals and factors that go beyond the distance you’ve driven and help you determine the perfect time for tire replacement.

How Long Do Tires Last?

Most passenger vehicle tires typically last between 50,000 and 80,000 miles, but this can vary widely. The lifespan of your tires depends on factors like the type of tire, the manufacturer, and how well you maintain them. For instance, high-performance tires might only last around 20,000 miles, while well-maintained all-season tires can exceed 100,000 miles. For example, if you regularly drive on traffic-free roads in moderate weather, your tires might last longer than those of someone who constantly deals with city streets or harsh weather conditions. Also, tire technology keeps evolving, and some manufacturers now offer tires that can last up to 80,000 miles or more under proper care. Keep in mind that even if your tires have not reached their mileage limitations, other variables, such as age, might require a replacement. Many experts recommend changing tires that are between 6 and 10 years old, regardless of tread depth, because the rubber naturally degrades with time. This aging process might occur even if the tires have seen little use or have been meticulously kept.

What Factors Affect Tire Lifespan?

A number of factors can affect how long your tires last:

Aggressive driving practices: such as quick acceleration, harsh braking, and high-speed turning, can cause tires to wear down more quickly.

Road conditions: Poor roads, potholes, and debris can all lead to early degradation of tires.

Climate: Extreme temperatures and weather can have an impact on tire efficiency and lifetime.

Vehicle type: Your automobile’s overall weight and shape influence how rapidly its tires wear down.

Tire rotation and balancing: Performing regular maintenance on your tires might help extend their life.

Tire quality: Higher-quality tires tend to last longer than cheaper alternatives.

When to Replace Tires Mileage in 2024?

You should replace tires after 50,000 – 80,000 miles, as passenger vehicle tires generally last up to 50-80k miles. The replacement period may vary according to various factors, and it is generally accepted to replace tires after 50,000 miles. Also, if your tires are over 6-10 years old, you need to replace them despite the accumulated mileage. However, replacement timing might vary significantly based on various factors:

Tire Types: tires typically last 50,000-80,000 miles, racing tires between 20,000-50,000 miles, and long-life tires for a maximum of 100,000 miles.

Driving habits: Driving recklessly shortens tire lifetime.

Road conditions: Rough roads cause faster depreciation.

How to determine if it’s time for replacement?

Check tread depth: Replace if less than 2/32 inch (penny test).

Check for irregular wear and tear.

Replace tires over 6-10 years old, even if they still have good tread.

Do not rely exclusively on mileage. You need to inspect tires regularly. Some tires may require replacement before achieving a certain mileage, while others may exceed it. Remember that changing tires on time improves your vehicle’s safety and overall performance.

What Are Signs for New Tires?

While mileage is a useful indicator, you should also look for additional signs that the tires need to be replaced:

Use the penny test to see if your tire tread is lower than 2/32 inches.

Check for uneven wear, such as bald areas or unusual patterns.

Check for obvious damages to the walls, such as cuts, cracks, or bulges in it.

Age: Tires over 6-10 years old may need replacement owing to rubber deterioration, even if they appear to have adequate tread.

Excessive vibration while driving may indicate tire issues.

The Importance of Timely Tire Replacement

Replacing tires in a timely manner is essential for your car’s safety. Worn tires minimize grip, extend stopping distance, and increase the likelihood of accidents. This is even more dangerous in wet or icy conditions. In an emergency, a weakened grasp might be the difference between avoiding an accident and becoming involved in one. Another element that will be affected by the tire is your vehicle’s performance. New tires improve handling, turning, and control. Improved performance guarantees that your car will operate without an issue in any scenario. This may surprise you, but replacing tires can be cost-effective in the long term. Do you wonder how? Changing tires before they become totally worn out will help avoid damage to other elements of your car. Hence, you will save money on future expensive repairs. By investing in fresh wheels at the right time, you improve safety and comfort and save money as well.

The Risks of Driving with Worn Tires

Continuing driving with worn-out tires might have disastrous results.

High risks of blowouts: When tires wear out, the chances of cuts and blowouts increase significantly.

Hydroplaning: Worn tires disperse water less effectively, increasing the danger of hydroplaning in rainy weather.

Reduced traction: Worn tires diminish grip, especially on slick ground.

Longer stopping distances: Aged tires take longer to stop completely, which might be harmful in an emergency.

Accident risk: When all of these elements are considered together, the probability of getting involved in an accident increases.

How to Increase the Tire Life: Tips and Recommendations

Maintain correct tire pressure: Check your tire pressure every month. If you notice a mismatch, readjust as necessary. Proper inflation lowers wear and increases fuel economy.

To maximize maintenance, replace tires regularly: Most manufacturers recommend doing so every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.

Get Frequent Alignments: Misaligned wheels can lead to unequal tire degradation. Evaluate your tire alignment at least once a year or if you detect any tugging or vibration.

Avoid Overloading: Excess weight adds pressure on your vehicle, causing tires to degrade faster.

Select the correct tires for your vehicle: This will help you have an optimal driving experience. To choose the appropriate tires for your needs, check your owner’s handbook or a tire technician.

How Are Car Tires and Mileage Connected?

Vehicle mileage and tire wear are tightly connected. The more miles you drive, the more your tires wear down. Hence, this directly affects the lifespan of your tires. This happens because of the constant friction between your tires and the road. Gradually, the process reduces the tread depth and impacts car safety. Manufacturers usually provide guidelines that indicate tires’ lifespans under normal conditions. However, this information is never precise, as various factors can change the actual lifespan. For instance, your driving habits, following maintenance guidelines, and the terrain can all significantly modify the tire’s longevity. Let’s discuss some examples. Consider a family vehicle with all-season tires rated to 60,000 miles. The owner usually drives on well-kept highways and complies with a regular maintenance plan. In this case, the tires might get close to or even surpass their allowed mileage, reaching 70,000 miles or more before needing to be replaced. Now, Imagine a sports car with high-performance summer tires. They are rated for 30,000 miles. If the car owner frequently drives on winding roads and participates in track days, the tires will wear out much faster. Such aggressive tire pressure and hard driving conditions may lead to required replacement just after 20,000 miles.

What Is Mileage Blocker?

The mileage blocker completely turns off the mileage tracking mechanism for all control devices. It is made in Germany using high-quality components. The gadget is exceptional in the market because of its features:

Altered data is completely untraceable.

The gadget doesn’t lead to any CAN Bus system defects.

The mileage blocker has multiple options to choose from.

The device has a mobile application. You can control the device from your mobile.

It has easy installation instructions.

In most nations, installing the device is lawful, and it was designed with ethics in mind. Thus, you should only utilize it in a controlled setting and always disclose its use to the future owner of your car. Moreover, the mileage blocker is suitable for almost all car models. The mileage blocker is immediately available for purchase on the SKF website. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with support or customer service if you require any details.

Takeaway

Understanding when to replace tires mileage is essential for maintaining your vehicle and improving safety. The general guidelines recommend changing tires after 50,000 miles. However, several factors can affect the final decision. Keep an eye on the condition of your tires and follow routine maintenance for maximum safety.

[noah-luck-easterly]

Egotistically, I'm going to assume this is about my country.

So in 2016, the media found Trump's campaign so ridiculous that they essentially gave him free air time, which arguably helped win him the election. This year, they seem to have decided to treat the election as an apocalyptian fight between him and Biden, leading to lots of messaging from liberal outlets about needing to support Biden to protect democracy, which is where I'm guessing this is coming from. I think they're wrong. Biden can't protect democracy. Voting, as an idea, is one of my favorite things about the U.S. In theory, it's a non-violent revolution! To make a change we don't need to convince people to risk their lives, we just need to convince them that a certain idea is right and get them to vote for it. But this is of course not how it's actually worked. There's land-based representation in the Senate and Electoral College, gerrymandering and other shenanigans at the state level, and centuries of voter suppression tactics and outright denying the vote to various groups. Even so, the dream of democracy has helped protect this country. Enfranchised people, even if they didn't get their choice in a particular election, were promised that they'd have another chance to get their way if the system itself survived, if they maintained it. Every single one of the tactics that undermines democracy undermines that dream and the order it provides. And to those who've been disenfranchised, marginalized and suppressed, this is a good thing! The system has failed them, and the more people who are aware of that, perhaps the closer they are to fixing the system itself. My working definition of "Liberal", as the left uses the term, is people who are still under the dream's sway. People who, when they learn of the problems with voting, choose to bury their head in the sand. Who choose order over justice. I don't think voting can fix our system, not alone.

But I think it's my duty to use every tool in my toolkit to make things better, voting included. I don't believe in the brinksmanship of "let things get bad enough that we'll have to change." I believe in fighting for every foot of ground. Because, flawed as they are, elections still matter. Local officials wield enormous power at the local level and serve to reinforce and empower officials at higher levels. It's a mistake to frame Biden as the savior of democracy. This system won't be saved in the next election, but we can make things better for so many with the right people in school boards, city councils, as mayors, judges, state senators and house reps. And in concert they can do even more. Not enough, not fix, but fight for that next mile of progress. And to do that, I need to be pragmatic enough to choose the lesser of two evils when I'm given the chance.

If there's a runaway trolley full of people bearing down and another group tied to the tracks, I'm all for trying to save everyone. Let's put brakes on the tracks, let's get those people untied, whatever we can do. Let's send some people to the trolley factory, see why they keep sending out these defective trolleys. Let's get that guy who keeps tying people up.

But at the zero hour, if you put put me in that voting booth, I'm absolutely going to pull that lever to divert it to the track with one person tied down. It's not just, it's not good, and it's not going to be any comfort to the person run over or their loved ones.

I voted for Biden last time, and so what evils he does are in part on my hands. But I'm not willing to let everything fall down while I wait for perfection to come along.

libs are so damn annoying, if you have to choose one guy to “protect democracy”, your democracy is fucking dead. “If there is an election where you are forced to pick between two evils, then it’s your duty to pick the lesser evil” if there’s an election where you are forced to pick between two evils, then it’s your duty to rid of the system that’s producing them in the first place

[fenrislorsrai]

Although many cities, including Vienna, Philadelphia, and São Paulo, use regenerative braking to some degree, Barcelona is among the few to use it so extensively and the first to tap it for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Utilizing energy that is otherwise lost as heat when a train slows can significantly reduce a transit system’s energy consumption. (Other efforts, such as optimizing the settings for Barcelona’s semi-autonomous trains and using AI to optimize the ventilation in each car, have further reduced energy needs by double-digit margins.) With the adoption of MetroCHARGE, 33 percent of the energy used by the trains comes from regenerative braking, or enough to power 25 subway stations, said Jordi Picas, who leads the project and is director of metro systems at TMB. In subway systems that don’t deploy regenerative braking, “there’s so much energy that’s not being used, and not only is it lost, it also generates heat that spreads inside the tunnels and increases the temperature,” he said. Since implementing regenerative braking, the temperature in Barcelona’s subway system has decreased by 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit.

additional

Given that a single train costs about $6.6 million and has an average lifespan of 35 to 45 years, it’s essential that transit operators include them in medium- and long-term planning, he said. - - -

Cities like New York — which has the world’s fifth-largest metro system, with 472 stations and 665 miles of track — could see significant energy savings from regenerative braking due to the sheer scale of its subway network, said Ahmed Mohamed, director of graduate studies at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the City College of New York. In a 2018 study, Mohamed and his team found that the Metropolitan Transit Authority, or MTA, which runs New York’s subways, could cut its energy consumption by 35 percent if it adopted regenerative braking system-wide and used the electricity it generates to power trains and station amenities. As of 2022, just half of the city’s trains use the technology, according to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, although any new trains are required to have it. However, “there’s not necessarily a strategic plan for how they can be used for energy saving,” Mohamed said, adding that the MTA, which would not make anyone available to comment, favors regenerative braking because it requires less maintenance than conventional friction brakes.

Meanwhile in New York

Also New York:

NYC murders down, traffic deaths up and NYPD OT tops $1 Billion: Mayor’s report

The report pointed to an increased NYPD presence across several fronts. Enforcement of minor summonses like fare evasion and open container law violations have increased by 34% since last fiscal year, totaling 180,000, and by 210% since three years prior, before Adams took office. Summonses for drinking in parks and on stoops in particular rose by 13,000 since last year and by a whopping nearly 57,000 since fiscal year 2021.  Major felony crimes are slightly down since last year, largely driven by a 15% decrease in murders and an 18% decrease in shootings, but still up overall from pre-Covid — and grand larceny auto, robbery and felony crime in housing developments all increased from the year before. The stepped-up police presence across the city has come at a cost, with the NYPD paying out record overtime. This year, the number broke $1 billion for the first time.

I'm not great at math here, but this seems like you could probably take some of the money you were spending on cop overtime enforcing fare evasion and SPEND IT ON TRAINS and get a return on that investment for the next 35-40 years.

SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA.

My point of putting them all together here is partially just so New Yorkers can yell at their mayor and representatives in a constructive way. "Stop spending money on cops cracking down on fare evasion!" "well, how are we supposed to recoup the money from fare evasion?" "Finish installing regenerative breaking on the subway system!"

hyperspecific things like that can sometimes throw people for a loop on the standard arguments. No, it doesn't solve the fare evasion issue (and honestly its a public service, FUND IT LIKE ONE, making it free and funding it that way would be more effective!!!) but it DOES reduce operating cost for the next 35-40 years which just attacks the budgetary issue from a different angle.