#road to mechanical engineer license :)

[jellyfishbug]

POP THE HOOD F'ME

pairing. chris x reader genre. smut with plot. MDNI. word count [5.2k]

content; mechanic!chris, flirty!chris, smoking (they share a cig), sex with a stranger ig? semi public, car head (m recieving), face fucking, big dick chris, reader has an eyebrow piercing, use of pet names, dirty talk, swearing

Maybe it was just dumb luck.

My dad has been promising me that his old ford pickup was gonna be mine when I got my license since I was ten. However, not long after my sixteenth birthday, he randomly decided that his promise had conditions.

I had to fix it myself.

I had been putting off working on it for years. I just didn't have the time, and it needed a lot of work. The list of things to be fixed was long, and I knew if I started then, I wouldn't have finished.

Finally, the time presented itself for me to start. I finally had a summer that wasn't so busy, so I decided in May of this year I was finally going to do it.

I was finally going to get my own truck.

So I did; I worked on it for two long months. Two long months spent in the garage on my back under the heavy pickup with my hands covered in soot and oil whilst sweat dripped down my face. Two long months spent fixing the paint job and fiddling around under the hood, my hair tied back to keep it off my neck while the sun beamed through the opened garage door.

I finally felt confident enough to take it out for a test drive today. It was starting fine in the garage, and I'd driven it around the block a number of times without fail.

I excitedly hopped in the driver's seat and shut the heavy door, jamming my keys into the ignition and grinning at the sound of the roar when the engine started. I made it pretty much across town without a single problem, and I thought I was in the clear.

So, maybe it was just dumb luck when not even an hour later, here I am, standing on the side of the road next to said pickup with the hood popped and smoke coming out of the cabin.

Or maybe, just maybe, it was dumb luck when I realized I was only three blocks away from an auto shop, and a guy pulled over to help drag my car there.

It felt like forever when we finally reached the parking lot. The red and white sign that hung over the opened garage doors read 'sturniolo's auto-repair".

For the most part, the slots were empty, except for a 58' baby blue Impala that was suspended off the ground, and a brand new silver Subaru outback that sat right next to it.

As we finally pushed it into the open slot on the far end of the garage, I let out a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat off my forehead with one hand and letting them both rest at my sides.

I thanked the stranger for his assistance and he wished me luck, mumbling about how much a repair on a truck like this was going to cost before wandering off. I scowled at him as soon as he turned away from me.

Walking away from the smokey and damaged shell of a car, I pushed open the clear glass door into the entry-way of the shop, and the sound of the ringing bells that were carefully tied at the top of the door filled my ears.

Near the desk stood two boys, both were brunettes that roughly stood at the same height. The first was wearing a red toyota nascar cap backwards over his brown hair, as well as a black tank top and a navy blue mechanic's suit that hugged his frame. The name patch on the chest of it read "Matt". He was speaking to another customer, flailing the rag around as he emphasized his points with his hands.

The other was standing behind the counter, a gray bandana tied around his head. He wore a navy blue button up that he left completely open with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, making the white tank top he wore under it visible.

The name patch on his chest read "Chris", and a white rag was thrown over his shoulder. A plethora of keys were hooked to a red carabiner that hung around the belt loop of his jeans. The desk hid his lower half below his waistline, and as I stepped closer, I saw a toothpick in between his teeth and his eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he jotted down words on a yellow notepad with a pencil.

I slowly walked up to the desk, my arms at my sides. He didn't raise his head to look at me, he just continued writing, so I cleared my throat.

His head shot up, and his expression fell into embarrassment.

"Fuck- sorry, I didn't hear you come in. How long ‘v you been standing there?"

I laughed lightly and shook my head. "Not long, I just walked in."

A smile painted itself onto his face as he set the pencil down and put his hands in his pockets just far enough that his thumbs still stuck out. "What can i do for ya?" He asked kindly, the toothpick in his mouth moving as he spoke.

"My truck broke down three blocks ago and wouldn't start. I tried looking under the hood to see the problem, but it was smoking, so I pushed it here." I explained, my hands finding each other and clasping together at my front.

He raised his eyebrows and tilted his head slightly. "Jesus, you wheeled it all the way here?" He asked, laughing breathily when I nodded my head in response. "Atta girl. What kind of truck is it?"

"A ford pickup," I responded all too quickly, my voice strained as I tried to ignore how my heart swelled in my chest from the impressed look on his face. He nodded as he opened the drawer next to him and pulled out a ballpoint pen, picking up the notepad once again to start writing. "What year and license plate?"

"85', boston plate, the number is 289 BTO. " I watched as he wrote mindlessly, the handwriting barely coherent.

"'M kay, I'll take a look at it for you." he said, setting the notepad and pen back down on the counter. He opened his palm, gesturing for my keys, and I dropped them into his grasp. He hooked the ring that held them together around his index finger.

"Wait here, should only be a couple minutes."

I nodded as he circled around to the end of the desk, walking past me and pushing open the door to the garage.

His absence gave me a chance to examine the decor of the office space. Family and baby portraits crowded on top of the counter below the window behind the desk. A mickey mouse clock sat above the side door, and a large OPEN sign hung in the window.

The wall was crowded with plates and signs. One that caught my eye was an eagle with its claws digging into a hanging mirror, the name HARLEY DAVIDSON displayed in bright orange letters above the eagle's head. Next to the register was a small bell with a sign that said "ring for service" and the words 'don't actually' were scribbled in sharpie above.

Just when I was getting lost in thought, I heard the door bells jingle a second time, and Chris walked back in. The rag was now hanging loosely in his palm as he approached the counter. He stood right next to me, reaching over for the notepad and throwing the rag back over his now bare shoulder, which is when I realized he had discarded his button up. My eyes dart down to see the keys to my truck now hanging on a different belt loop on his jeans.

"From what I can see," he starts, popping the cap of the pen off and leaving it in between his teeth as he spoke. "It looks like a coolant leak. The combination from the antifreeze leaking and the heat of the engine is enough to make it smoke, but it's not enough to cause the engine freeze up." he explains, his eyes meeting mine every couple of words to make sure i understand. "So, it could also be a fuel pump problem combined with the leak."

I nodded, chewing my lip nervously as he went on to explain the time the repair would take as well as the cost. When the words, "not finished until at least tomorrow" left his lips, I huffed in defeat, and tried to make my disappointment less evident as i crossed my arms in front of my chest.

"How long have you had it?" He asked, now leaning against the counter next to us with one elbow, crossing one foot over the other.

"I've only started to work on it this summer, but it's been my dads since before i was born."

He nodded. "It's a pretty ride," he confessed. "I honestly expected it to look worse when you said 85', but the conditions not bad. You been workin' on it a lot?"

"As much as I can." I shrugged.

He complimented the paint job, to which i confessed i'd done it, and he gushed. "Christ, you should work here. Matt can't paint to save his life. You could probably get him out of a job,"

Matt sent a glare his way. "Shut up, kid. Dad would fire you over me any day, especially if you keep sleeping in."

Chris laughed, a genuine sound that made Matt's glare turn into a small smile before he went back to rifling through the file cabinet.

He turned back to me, pausing to look back over the notes he'd written down. "If i had to guess, I'd say we can probably have it to you by tomorrow evening." he said, looking away from the paper and averting his gaze to instead look me right in the eye. "That work for you?"

I nodded slowly. Suddenly, the issue of a ride home became extremely apparent, and an anxious feeling started to blossom in my chest.

"Good. Just one more thing. . ." he pauses to take the pen cap out of his mouth and place it back on the pen, tapping it against the curve of his hand and grinning wildly at me.

"i'm gonna need your number to let you know when its finished."

He's just asking because he's supposed to; because he literally has to in order for me to get my car back. But regardless, i felt heat rise to my cheeks as i started shifting uncomfortably in place.

"Right," I said, moving to reach for the pen. He points to a blank part of the notepad, tapping lightly to tell me where to write it.

Quickly and shakily, i write out the numbers with dashes. I hand it back to him, and a smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. He rips the sheet off the notepad in one swift motion and folds it in half, placing it in his back pocket.

He glances towards the clock. Its nearing seven. He turns back to me, "d'you have a ride home?"

My eyes went wide. I'm reminded of my attempt to call my dad three times when the truck initially broke down, and how my shoulders slumped in defeat at the sound of his voicemail playing repeatedly.

I glance back over to him, ". . . Not exactly. I'll probably just catch the bu-"

"I can drive you,"

I swallowed, my lips slightly parted in surprise. His grin was still wide, awaiting my response.

It was a sweet offer, really. But considering my house was across town, partnered with the fact that he was literally on the job, i shook my head. "That's really sweet, thank you, but I'm far. And you're working, anyway." He shrugs, glancing at the clock once more. "It's fine, Matt's on desk duty and he's closing tonight. I don't mind."

I chew my lip. I'd be stupid to pass up on a ride, but i barely know this kid, and if my dad sees me rolling up with him and no truck, it wouldn't look great.

And then I think about the hour long bus ride that would be in the near future if I declined.

I screw my eyes shut. "You know what? Why not."

Despite the scenario i was in, my mind was pushing out any and all nerves as I watched Chris collect his things from behind the desk. He pulled his wallet, shop keys and jacket out of a cubby.

The two of us walked back into the garage and over to Matt, who was washing his hands in a sink bellow the tool shelves.

Chris bid goodbye to his brother, who looked at the clock and then frowned, turning the faucet off and reaching for the roll of papers towels.

"You're seriously slacking off? I already covered for you and Nate leaving early last weekend." He complained, discarding the wad of paper towels he'd used to dry his hands into the trash bin below.

Chris shot him a look. "And then i covered your sunday morning shift because you were hungover. You owe me."

Matt rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just put your tools away when you open tomorrow. It drives me fucking insane when you leave them everywhere."

Chris salutes. "Roger that." He turned to me and winked, gesturing to follow him through the garage with a tilt of his head.

I followed behind him as he went out a different exit; this one leading to a parking lot on the back of the building. A large EMPLOYEE PARKING sign hung on the fence near the driveway.

He fiddled with the many keys on his carabiner before finally finding his and walking towards a car near the opening in the gate.

A blue, four-seater, convertible 65' mustang. The light from the setting sun literally reflected off of it. He mindlessly stuck the key into the passenger side door, twisting and pulling it open with a faint click.

He gestured his hand towards the seat playfully, "Ladies first."

I rolled my eyes, placing one foot on the floor of the car and ducking my head to sit down. "How gentlemanly of you,"

He grinned at me, closing the door and walking around the back of the car before popping into the driver's seat.

"This is.. wow." I mutter, admiring the small details and cleanliness of the car as he closed his door and threw his belongings in the back. "Jesus, this is yours?"

He smiled proudly, his tongue darting out to dampen his bottom lip. "All mine,"

His fingers twisted the key into the ignition and the roar of the engine made the car buzz against my feet. He rolled both of our windows down, the summer air blowing smoothly through the car.

His smile was wider and prouder than ever as he glanced into the rear view mirror, throwing an arm over the back of my seat to glance behind him as he reversed. We pulled out of the parking lot and turned left onto the main road, Chris letting the steering wheel slide back into place under his palm by itself once he'd done so.

"You said you were far," he mumbled. "What area are you in?"

The question pulled me back into reality. I'd gotten so distracted by the way he drove so carelessly, like he was completely relaxed and in control of everything movement the car made, like fear didn't even exist to him as he pressed harder onto the gas pedal with his foot, my eyes choosing to ignore the way the tic on the speed meter start to spike.

His jawline was illuminated in the dim light, and the toothpick that was still resting on his lips stayed moving as he spoke gently, waiting patiently for me to answer.

I started giving him directions, and he listened carefully and intently, glancing over to look at me to make sure he understood my instructions. Once we were on the freeway, he went even faster, lane switching if someone in front of him wasn't going as fast as he'd like them to.

Soft giggles left me as he did, basking in the view of his lips parted into a smile, showcasing pearly teeth between pink lips.

Once he pulled onto the off ramp and we were stopped at a red light, he turned to look at me again, the bright red turning the car a faint shade of crimson.

"What time do you need to be back?"

He asked with a tone of voice he hadn't used till now. The sudden lowness caught me off guard as I shrugged, "'Dunno, not for a while."

He hummed in acknowledgement. "You wanna stay on the road for a bit?"

I pull my knees up to my chest and let my head fall against the headrest, a careless smile on my face. "Definitely."

And we did; we ended up back on the highway pretty quickly, blasting music through a speaker Chris had propped against the dashboard.

His speed only got higher and higher as time went on, carelessly resting one hand on the wheel whilst the other gripped the gear shift. At some point, his hand had mindlessly traveled to rest on my upper bare thigh below the hem of my shorts, cold and partially ringed fingers pressing against my skin.

"Will you do me a favor?"

I raised my eyebrows and hummed in response. He gestured towards the glove box. "Theres a pack of camel blue 99s in the glove box, would you grab em for me?"

I bit my lip. "Depends, you sharing?"

"Duh."

I leaned forward, feeling my stomach flip when his hand didn't much as move an inch on my thigh, brushing against my lower stomach as I lurched forward to fiddle with the glovebox.

I propped it open and grabbed the pack and paused, "d'you have a light?"

He nodded. "Should be one in there."

I learned more forward and reached farther back, glancing around before locking my eyes on a silver flip top lighter and grabbing it. Once i lean back up, Chris is pulling into an empty lot. His hand leaves my leg to push the gear into park, and i try not to frown.

I flick the top of the cig carton open and hastily pull one out, dropping it into Chris's palm.

He places it hazardly between his lips and turns to face me, silently asking for me to light it.

I pop the lid of the zippo open and hold the flam to the end of his cig, waiting to pull away until his expression signifies that its lit enough. His expression relaxes as he breathes in before pulling it away from his mouth with two fingers and exhaling, the smoke filling the car.

"If I'm honest, I prefer marlboro reds." I say quietly in an attempt to break the silence, watching Chris flick the ash out the window lazily with his thumb and index finger. He shakes his head. "Camels are undeniably better."

I laugh lightly and raise my eyebrows in amusement. "No accounting for taste, I suppose."

He takes another drag before holding it in between his fingers in front of my face, and Instead of reaching for it, I place my lips around the filter while it's still in his hand. Our eyes lock while I breath in sharper, the cool feel of the smoke filling my chest.

He licks his lips, and for a moment, his eyes dart down to look at mine, and he's starts he's studying my face. I'm doing the same.

His eyes are bright blue, surrounded by thick lashes, which are barely visible with stray pieces of his hair hanging down below the bandana on his head. Freckles lightly paint his noise, and his pink lips are slightly parted as his eyes scan my face.

"I like your piercing," he finally says, pressing his one hand to his eyebrow as if he had one himself. I breathe out the smoke i'd been holding in my lungs and smile at him. He's still looking at it as he speaks again, "Did it hurt?"

I shrug. "Not really," Because it didn't, but also because I'd feel like an idiot saying it did. "Just a pinch."

He nodded slowly. "Hm."

I take another hit from the cig which he's still holding up to my lips. Our faces are closer now. One of my elbows is resting on the center console as I look at him through my lashes.

"You should get one." I say.

He laughs, breathy and genuine. "Yeah? You think so?"

"Mhm," i reach my hand up to graze above his eye with two fingers. "It would look good on you." He watches my movements. "We'd match, too."

He digs his teeth into his bottom lip, finally moving the cig back to his own lips and taking one more long drag before carelessly discarding it out the window.

All too quick, he's facing me again, and he leans even closer. I can feel the warmth of his breath on my face. My heart is thumping loudly in my chest, and a part of me thinks he can hear it.

Before I can even blink, he places his fingers on my chin and tilts his head, smashing his lips against mine hard.

Its all teeth at first, clashing messily as his hand leaves my chin and rests as the base of my neck. My hands are on his face, my fingers messing with the curls at the back of his neck while he grins against my lips.

He lightly bites my bottom lip, taking the opportunity to slide his tongue into my mouth. He tastes like cherry and camels, and I feel myself whimpering at the contact.

"Fuck," he mumbles into my mouth, and his tone is exasperated, partly because the console between us is making it harder for him to kiss me like he wants to, and partly because his attempts to pull me close enough for our chests to press together have been unsuccessful.

His hands reach down to tug at the belt loops of my shorts, trying to pull me onto his lap. I pull away for a second to push myself over the console, Chris's grip on my hips staying firm to assist me. I duck to avoid hitting my head on the roof of the car, and Chris giggles lowly.

I finally relax once I'm comfortable in his lap, straddling his legs below me. One of his hands is across my lower half, sliding his hand into my back pocket, and the other rests in the middle of my back, holding me in place.

We're kissing again, and this time it's more lips and tongue then teeth, but he's still lightly tugging at my lip.

I'm tugging at his hair as I push myself closer to his lower abdomen, pressing down, which elicits a groan from him. He pulls away from me, and I try to follow his lips with a whine, but he tugs at the back of my hair lightly so he can press kisses from my jaw down to my neck.

I'm already whimpering as soon as his teeth press against my throat, and he digs them deep, kissing the mark once he's satisfied with the shade of purple its turned before finding a different spot to do the same thing.

"Chris, fuck- please."

I can feel him below me, and it's making me crazy. He doesn't budge, even as I continue to whine breathlessly at him.

He only grins as he continues to nip at my skin, and i felt the smirk on his face against my throat. I tangle my fingers in his hair and tug as a silent plea. "What s' it, baby?"

Baby.

I practically keen at the nickname. He finally pulls away, a string of saliva connecting his lips to his previous spot on my neck. He grins proudly at the marks he's left before looking at me again.

"What d'you want?" his tone is cocky and assertive. His lips look red and bitten, and I start to feel embarrassed at the fact that we were sucking face so lewdly in a literal parking lot.

I want to squirm and writhe away under his gaze, but his knuckle tight grip on me won't let me. I fiddle with the neck of his shirt and avoid looking at him as i whisper, "I need you."

He grins madly. "How d'you need me, sweetheart?"

I lean forward and press my lips back against his, and he entertains for a little before tugging my hair lightly to pull me back. His fingers grip my chin, holding me in place to look at him.

"Tell me what you want."

I brush my hand against his belt buckle. "I wanna suck you off,"

It came out in a mumble, but he understood, nodding somewhat cockily with a shit-eating grin on his lips. A groan left him as he tugged me even closer so our chests were pressed together. "Yeah?"

I nod eagerly, another 'please' ready to escape my mouth as my impatience grows. He ducks his hand between the seat and the door to push it farther back, "On your knees, then."

I obliged immediately, sliding off his lap to rest on my knees below him. My elbows rest on either side of his legs as my hands flew to his belt, unbuckling it and tugging at his jeans and boxers.

He lifted his hips lightly to assist me. I pulled them down until they rested around his ankles, and I feel myself gawk.

He's big. Bigger then I expected.

A nervous feeling bubbles in the pit of my stomach, but the way he's looking down at me through hazy vision makes it vanish even quicker, and I wrap my hands around his length.

"You okay?" He asks, moving his hand to rest on my cheek, his thumb soothingly pressed on my temple.

"No- yeah, i'm good." I breathe. I hover myself over him, finally taking him into my mouth. A string of curses leave him in a hushed breath, and his head moves to rest at the back of my head to coax me farther down.

I pull back slightly, wrapping my lips around his tip and sucking lightly. His chest is rising and falling quickly above me, and his labored breathing is music to my ears.

His cock is heavy on my tongue, and its addicting. I take him farther down my throat, hollowing my cheeks to fit as much of him as i can while my hand is in a fist around his base. I bob my head and twist my hand, looking up at him to see his flushed face as he pants.

"Fuck, you look so pretty like this." He babbles, a throaty moan leaving him when I twist my hand faster, swirling my tongue along his cock as my head rises and falls.

I hum around his dick at the compliment, the slight sting on my scalp from him pulling my hair only pushing me to do more. He pushes me down slightly, and i choke at the burn of his tip making contact with my uvula.

I moan loudly on him at the feeling, tears building in my eyes as the vibration from the noises i'm making cause him to throw his head back, a blissed out expression on his face. "Fuck, so good. Just like that, god."

Drool seeps from the corners of my mouth as I speed up all my movements. Chris is a breathy, moaning mess above me, watching me through lidded eyes as I glance up at him.

He moves his other hand to rest on the side of my face, grinning at my fucked out appearance. "Fucking filthy girl, aren't you, baby." He says through gritted teeth. "You love this, don't you?"

I whine at him, furrowing my eyebrows in pleasure to say "yes', and watching as his eyes roll lightly back in his head when i start to suck lightly at his tip again.

My hand falls from his base to lay on his leg, the other holding the bottom of his shirt in my fist. I try to push my head farther down, whimpering faintly at the stretch.

Chris's hips jerk up lightly at the sensation, causing him to push himself down my throat until my lips hit the base. I start to choke, but I breathe heavily through my nose, screwing my eyes shut and hallowing my cheeks out to stop myself from pulling off.

"Fuck!" he grunts loudly, his grip on my hair turning animalistic. He mindlessly mutters out curses and praise as he pushes my head up and down with his hands, 'good girl', 'don't stop', 'takin' me so good, baby' 'just like that' . . .

My hands are resting completely at his sides as he guides my mouth on his cock, slightly bucking his hips to push himself as far as I can take him. His strokes turn sloppy, and I look up at him again to see him looking at me with a broken glance, bottom lip between his teeth. "Fuck, gonna cum," he gasps.

I begin to swirl my tongue around him, moaning messily on him as if to say, 'in my mouth, please', but he's already reading my mind, digging his nails into my scalp as he spurts coats of white down my throat, an incoherent string of "fuck fuck fuck"'s spilling out of him. Im swallowing as quickly as i can.

I pull off of him with a lewd pop, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. I know i look completely ruined, but I'm still focused on catching my breath and looking at Chris's flushed pink face above me.

His hand rests on my face again, and his thumb soothingly rubs my cheek. "You okay? Was that too much?" he asks, his expression full of concern as he wipes the tears from under my eyes.

I smile, leaning into his touch. "I'm good, it was really good."

He nods, smiling dumbly. "Good."

He pulls his jeans and boxers back up, bucking his belt before pulling me off my knees and back onto his lap. He presses a soft, passionate kiss on my lips, and then trails kisses down the side of my face, pulling my hair back off my shoulders as we both catch our breath.

We're both startled by the loud ringing of my phone in the passenger seat. I reach over the console, sighing in relief when i flip it over and see my dad's name at the top of my screen.

I put the phone up to my ear, watching as Chris rubs circles into my side with his cold fingers.

"Hi," I breath out. I listen as my dad apologizes for not answering earlier. He tells me he heard my voicemail and asks if I'm okay. "M' fine, I just wheeled it to a shop a couple blocks over. I'm on the bus home now, should only be a bit."

Chris pouts at me, and i roll my eyes at him. My dad talks for a couple for seconds before hanging up, and i leave my phone in the drink compartment next to Chris's forgotten lighter.

"D'you need to get home?" He asked. I nodded, and he frowns. "I was gonna get you off in the backseat,"

part two? :)

thank you for reading! reblogs are DEEPLY appreciated. I hope you enjoyed. links below !

about me ! masterlists ! guidelines / info !

[shotmrmiller]

need simon to be retired and living in the middle of nowhere with a car-fixing hobby, and you're pulling into his 'shop' because you were road-tripping across the country and now some funky noises are happening underneath the hood.

you tentatively walk towards the open garage, only to spot him under some run-down vehicle that has more rust than sun-faded paint, deflated tires, and a license plate that's also got rust gnawing at the edges, the numbers on it barely discernable.

you rap your knuckles gently on the weathered car, and the wheels of the creeper he's on squeak in protest under him as he rolls out to look at you, filthy gloves smearing the dust on his brow instead of wiping it away.

"err, hi. uh, i was pointed this way by some lovely folk that work in that diner down the way, and they said that you could take a look at my car."

he rises smoothly, even though his joints pop as he does, dark eyes squinting against the sun. he towers over you with broad shoulders and thick arms. a tough-as-teak country man.

you start when he speaks, deep voice echoing off of dusty walls. "they said tha', did they?" he lifts the hem of his grease-stained wife beater to wipe at the beads of sweat on his forehead, and your gaze involuntarily wanders to the thick trail of coarse, dark hair under his navel.

"what's wrong with it?"

if you knew that, you wouldn't be here, blatantly ogling him in some decrepit workshop located in a sleepy corner of the countryside. "i don't know. it's making some scary popping noises and figured that it needed to be looked at, asap."

your grimace is involuntary when he extends an oil-streaked gloved hand. you really hope he's not expecting you to-

"keys."

right. you wordlessly hand them over and walk a few steps behind him as he heads toward the front of your car. "did ya get it looked at before your trip?"

you want to snap at him, that obviously you did. you may not be some car wizard, however, you can do the bare minimum for it but he's your only hope for getting the hell out of here, so you press your tongue against the back of your teeth for a moment before answering.

"yes. i did prepare for it. got new tires, an oil change, and anything else it may have needed."

he hums at your answer, a low sound in the back of his throat, and curls his fingers under the hood and begins to feel for the release. your mind is in the gutter as your eyes linger on his sun-kissed skin, watching the tendons on his inked forearm ripple with each movement.

your mind is snapped back to reality when he mutters, "i hope ya don't think i'm doin' this for free."

"wouldn't dream of it. you don't seem the charitable type."

the latch yields under his fingertips, and the hood springs open. "i'd say i'm pretty charitable, considerin' i'm even helpin' ya with this."

your eyebrows furrow, corners of your lips pulling downward. "what, were you closed or something?"

he gives you a small smirk while his hand searches for the prop rod inside the engine bay. "do i look like a business, sweetheart?"

embarrassment burns your cheeks, and your mouth gapes unprettily as you turn around to truly take in the place. past the grease-smeared floors, there's rust blooming on the only workbench in the garage, a single red toolbox resting on the ground. there's a car jack tossed in a corner, a vibrant blue cooler by the door, and a few firearms on pegboard shelves. it looks like a simple garage. a personal one.

"oh my god," you stammer, "i'm so sorry, i just- the townsfolk, they led me to believe that you're a mechanic." how bloody mortifying.

he ducks his head under the hood, bending at the waist to lean over the engine, eyes swiftly scanning the machinery. "it's a hobby. i fix my own vehicles... and now yours, i reckon."

eventually, he turns the car on and listens to the engine roar to life before it begins to pop, standing over the open hood with thinned lips and furrowed brows.

he tells you that he can fix it, it'll just take a bit for the part to get here, obviously, so he recommends staying at a rented cabin in town for a few days— maybe even a week— and he'll give you a ride over.

he gets you there in no time, unsurprising because he drove the motorcycle far too fast— illegal, really. he helps you off the bike, your clammy hand in his much bigger, roughened one.

you rip off his helmet, pushing it into his barrel chest. "please never drive me around that fast again." he gives you a couple of pats to the shoulder, chuckling under his breath.

"unless you're plannin' on walkin' to get your car back, i can't promise tha'."

grrrreat.

(the issue was the serpentine belt, it was slightly frayed but the man kept you around for 2.5 weeks under the excuse of something taking too long, or the car being under worse condition. maybe he charges you a kidney for fixing it, and since you can't obviously pay that ridiculous amt of money, he tells you to go on a date with him. gross. or maybe he's a sane man and he just sends you on your way in 2 days time. idk. installs a gps in your car? keepin' tabs on ya cuz he plans on passing by wherever you live by complete coincidence.)

[bonebrokebuddy]

@kodedgeekthings eyo you mentioned wanting a dpxdc prompt for Howard, Batman’s mechanic!

Harold misses fixing toys for kids and in his off hours has taken up the habit of answering questions on forums about machining, electrical, engineering, mechanics, and mechanical design that are often frequented by students.

One day, he comes across a request by a college student who is trying to assemble his own car out of scrap he bought from a local wrecking yard.

Ghostly_Boy states that he has previous experience in machining and can make replacements for broken or too-damaged parts if need be, but he doesn’t know where to start and what specific requirements he needs to reach to ensure it’s street legal.

Harold willing to help, he answers a few of Ghostly Boy’s clarifying questions:

- Great questions!

It’s good to note that if you’re not careful, fixing or making your own car from parts can be a moneysink and can cost you more than a brand new vehicle. - That being said, your first major step to ensuring you can drive the car is to get the title of the body/frame of the car you plan to build. It’ll have the VIN on a plate welded to the frame usually near the lower edge of the windshield wipers on the drivers side. It’s how the DMV identifies vehicles for licensing.

- Generally, you’ll at first get a “wreck out” title that shows the vehicle is listed as a total loss, but if you can assemble the parts for the car with that frame, the DMV can check if it’s properly running and road worthy & license for you to use it on public roads if you’ve done the proper paperwork.

- Once that is done, it’s largely a case of getting the right parts and assembling them. Depending on how much you have to repair, you could be taking on a task that could give a challenge to even a seasoned mechanic. There may be additional paperwork depending on what exactly you need to repair, like the breaks, lights, steering, etc.

- If you want to build the car entirely from scratch, chassis and all, that’s an entirely different story with a much more complicated list of requirements to make it street legal, so getting a frame from a junkyard is a great first step!

- Make sure to keep all bills of sale, junkyard receipts, invoices and manufacturers’ certificates on any major parts you used in building the vehicle to prove its road worthy to the DMV when it’s complete!

Harold doesn’t always answer first but over time he’s found the adventures of this kid amusing and keeps up with it.

Ghostly_Boy keeps the forum updated with his progress:

The kid spontaneously deciding to scrap the wiring system and make his own in a span of 3 days, leaving experienced mechanics on the forum practically screaming at the kid for his updates showing him using random wires he salvaged and pigtailing them together to get the length of wire he needed.

Mixing not only multiple types of wires but ones that didn’t have the protection needed for auto use. DIY-ing his own relay and fuses he didn’t have and connecting the wrong grounds and switches. And planning on leaving the wires unwrapped and loose.

Leaving Ghost to promptly redo the wiring, correctly this time, within 78 hours.

Making a repair of a massive rusted hole on the passenger side by the bumper and the front tire via cutting 1/2in past the rust, grinding it pretty and clean, tac & seam welding the vintage aluminum housing material of a toaster to cover the hole to the response of Harold and many others in the forum just going “… I guess that would work?”

Harold and many others telling the kid that this “ectoplasm” material wasn’t cleared through the EPA’s Clear Air Act and could be illegal to drive with it as it’s fuel source unless he got the emissions tested & the center of gravity of the car adjusted to have the center of gravity a gas car has, it wouldn’t pass Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Nor would the previously untested on material make it easy or quick to get an Emissions testing certificate. Best to just stick with gas.

Removing what he thought was a “skid plate” that turned out to be another rusted out section on the frame on the bottom of his car and repairing it with steel he salvaged from an old medical table he had laying around. (To the multiple slightly confused commenters asking how Ghost had a spare medical table, he replied, “eh, my folks visit every so often and they’ve been giving me things they’re clearing out of the house so they can move closer to my older sister. I just so happened to get the ye olde medical table. They’re an odd couple of folks but that’s why I love them.”)

People just crying at the kid to go to rockauto.com and just buy the damn parts he needs for his car. (A good resource btw)

The kid kept cutting corners to save cash but through the badgering of Harold and many others that he actually would have to spend money to make this car be safe to drive in, he finally got it completed.

Ghost’s post of him leaving DMV waving the updated title to the car in its envelope in the air, titled, “THE DMV FINALLY SAID IT WASN’T A FIRE HAZARD! ONLY TOOK 2 YEARS! THANKS EVERYONE!” Got the most amount of responses he’d ever had with congratulations from lurkers and previous commenters.

Over the course of those two years, Danny learned how to draw his own wiring diagrams, properly solder and weld, and learning to actually plan out his projects so he got it right at least the fifth time instead of the 20th. Not bad for a kid that went straight from graduating high school with a 1.5GPA to construction jobs.

But after finally getting the car approved, Ghostly_Boy returns to the forum with a new problem. Lamenting that his parents keep coming over and “modifying” his car to no longer make it street legal.

At this point, about half of the answers to the submission think it’s either a joke project taken very, very seriously with a good chunk of money behind it, or a kid with parents that have narrowly avoided falling completely down the mad scientist rogue rabbit hole.

After all, what sort of parent would think that the DMV would approve to “anti-ghost missiles” being attached to the outer body of the car? Either way, the submissions always had video attached showing a demonstration, proving that Ghost wasn’t just completely yanking their chain. And a good amount of money would have to be sunken in to not only pay for the fines Ghostly continued to get from the additions to his car, but to actually manufacture and make a unique working product for each plea for help request.

Harold is not only taking notes on some of these defense measures but also decides to bring up the boy to Alfred. Intrigued, they together keep an eye on Ghostly_Boy. Bruce may be their employer, but they can handle a case or two on their own.

- I wanted Danny to try to make smth for himself now that he doesn’t have access to his parent’s lab anymore but he also doesn’t have access to ectoplasm so he’s fairly unfamiliar how to wire things Not for ectoplasmic standards.

Also I wanted to make a prompt where Danny had a good relationship with his parents & went into a fairly realistic job after high school with his fairly bad GPA so he’s saving up for a technical school via construction jobs as he doesn’t like the idea of working fast food for understandable reasons.

[feralrabidcrow]

Can The Mercs Drive

Scout: He doesn't have a drivers license, but in like, a desperate situation, he would know enough of the basics to get a car to move. He would be absolutely horrible at it, though. And his probability of crashing is high. He loves riding shotgun in cars and talks about how one day he's gonna get a super fancy sports car and impress all the girls, but he's never going to get around to actually learning how to drive.

Soldier: He cannot legally drive, he should not drive, he should be kept as far away from a driver's seat as possible, and yet he has stolen the company van on multiple occasions to go get McDonald's with Demo. Most of the dents and scratches on the van are from Soldier. He is far too confident for his own good.

Pyro: Pyro has never been seen driving, it seems safe enough to assume that Pyro cannot drive, but also I think it would be funny if they could, they just never have because no one trusts them to. Imagining Pyro driving like, a massive monster truck with flame decals.

Demo: He can technically drive, it's just that most of the time he's too drunk to drive. If he manages to get sober enough to be in a state of competence, he's an impressively responsible driver.

Heavy: The problem for Heavy isn't driving, it's finding vehicles with driver's seats that he can comfortably fit into. His driving skill is pretty average, nothing special but he's reliable when you need to get somewhere.

Engineer: Not only is he able to drive just about any vehicle you put him in, he's the team's mechanic and loves to work on modifying vehicles. Spy was hesitant to let Engineer mess around with his car, but it goes a hell of a lot faster now so he can't really complain.

Medic: He knows how to drive, but he's not legally allowed to. Not that he would let that stop him. He has a makeshift 'ambulance' that he likes to drive around in, complete with organ fridges for emergencies. He also has a history of stealing cars, including a catering van from a wedding that came with a certain little dove.

Sniper: As a guy who lives in a camper van, he definitely can drive well. He's especially skilled at driving large vehicles. He's one of the teams go to drivers when they have somewhere they need to be, alongside Engineer.

Spy: He has an expensive convertible sports car that's his pride and joy. It's a total speed demon after whatever Engineer did to it, and he likes to go out speeding down the long roads in it. However, he doesn't know how to drive larger vehicles.

[jellypawss]

idea for sims 4 pack

The Sims 4: Let's Drive Game Pack

Get Ready to Hit the Road with The Sims 4: Let's Drive!

Are your Sims ready to roll? The Sims 4: Let's Drive Game Pack brings the thrill of the open road to your Sims' lives. From cruising in style to mastering car maintenance, this pack is packed with all things automotive!

Features:

1. Drive and Customize Your Ride:

Cars Galore: Choose from a variety of cars ranging from sleek sports cars to rugged SUVs. Each car comes with unique customization options.

Car Customization: Upgrade your car's performance and appearance with new paint jobs, rims, spoilers, and more.

Personalized Plates: Give your Sim's car a unique touch with custom license plates.

2. Hit the Road:

Driving Skills: Your Sims can now learn to drive and improve their driving skills. Start with learner's permits and work up to advanced driving techniques.

Road Trips: Plan exciting road trips with friends and family. Discover new locations, scenic routes, and roadside attractions.

Commute in Style: Choose your car as the preferred mode of transport. Say goodbye to carpooling and hello to personalized commutes.

3. Car Maintenance and Repairs:

Mechanic Skills: Sims can now learn mechanic skills to maintain and repair their cars. Change the oil, fix engines, and upgrade parts.

Car Troubles: Experience realistic car problems like flat tires and engine breakdowns. Keep your car in top shape to avoid these issues.

4. Car-Related Activities:

Car Shows: Enter your customized car in car shows and compete for the title of Best in Show.

Races: Participate in street races and track events. Win trophies and bragging rights!

Date Nights: Take your Sim's romance to the next level with special date night car activities like drive-in movies and scenic drives.

5. New Lots and Venues:

Mechanic Shops: Visit mechanic shops for repairs, upgrades, and car-related activities.

Drive-In Theaters: Enjoy classic movies under the stars at new drive-in theater lots.

Race Tracks: Test your Sim's driving skills at the new race track venues.

New Build/Buy Items:

Garages and Workshops: Build the perfect space for your Sim's car collection and mechanic hobbies.

Driveways and Carports: Add functional driveways and carports to your Sim's home.

Car-Themed Decor: Decorate your Sim's space with car-themed furniture, wall art, and more.

[driftrz]

「  ₊  ☆  ﾟ  ning  yizhuo,  she / her,  cis  woman  」  INCOMING  TEXT: omg  hv  u  met  TEMPERANCE  '  TEM  '  KUANG  of  the  RODANI  PROWLERS  yet  ?  they’re  one  of  the  crew’s  street  racer  n  actually  go  by  COLA.  the  twenty  three  y/o  is  typically  seen  hanging  arnd  vogue  videos.  allegedly  they’re  frm  queens,  nyc  n  hv  been  w/  the  crew  for  THREE  YEARS.  wtvr.  just  watch  out  for  them,  k  ?  ttyl  ! 

name : temperance kuang. no middle name. nickname (s) : tem alias : cola age : twenty3 birthday : january 1st zodiac : capricorn #signofevil gender & prns : cis woman & she / her orientation : bisexual hometown : technically born in the otherworldly hellscape tht is buffalo ny, but lived in queens nyc for most of her life height : 5'2 LMFAOOO hair color : currently dyed a verrry dark purple. eye color : dark brown. markings / scars : lil birthmark shaped like a crescent roll on her right shoulder. body mods : ears pierced but that's it because she's scared of needles occupation : employee at vogue videos ( ask her abt kill bill ! ) crew : rodani prowlers education : high school diploma, current uni of miami student ( aerospace engineering )

tw : parental death.

tem is quite sure that she had a mother, once, if only because two people are needed to make a baby. she's never met her mom, though : for her entire life, it's been just her & her dad. because of this, he had a penchant for teaching her independence in his own way. maybe neither of them could cook, but at least they both knew how to fix a leak.

it was tem's father that made her realize her love for cars. he was a mechanic who insisted she start learning to drive with him at 10. he'd teach her the inner workings of the car & the basics that everyone knew, too. would point out cars he liked on the road. & tem, impressionable & adoring her father, would listen. she was the first of her friends to get her license because of him, and he gifted her the first ever car she got.

a few weeks after her 18th birthday, her father died. the last lesson he'd ever teach tem was loneliness. for a year, she worked as hard as she could to save up as much as she could, working on college applications in the meantime. now that her dad was gone, she wanted to leave new york city. she wanted to go somewhere far from all the memories of him. & she wanted somewhere she could drive fast.

loving a challenge & the rush of doing things on a whim, tem moved to miami.

INTERVIEW :

when  did  your  first  realize  you  had  a  passion  for  cars  /  racing?

“  when  i  turned  ten,  my  dad  put  me  behind  the  wheel.  i  know,  i know,  but  relax  !  he  just  wanted  to  teach  me  to  drive.  something  about  not  wanting  to  pay  for  a  driving  instructor.  but  it  was  super  dangerous,  of  course.  i  could  barely  reach  the  brakes  and  he  was  a  little  impatient.  we'd  go  out  every  weekend  and  he'd  tell  me  everything  about  the  car.  he  made  it  sound  so  fascinating,  even  the  little  simple  things.  ”  she  laughs.  there’s  a  lightness  in  the  air,  in  her  eyes  :  love  for  her  father  blooms  clear  on  her  face.  “  he  was  right,  in  the  end.  i  didn’t  need  an  instructor,  and  i  was  the  first  of  my  friends  to  get  my  license.  my  dad  hated  when  i  would  go  fast,  though.  still,  if  it  wasn’t  for  him,  i  wouldn’t  have  ever  realized  how  much  i  liked  being  in  a  car,  the  independence  it  gave  me.  racing  just  came  from  that  naturally.  i  hated  new  york  traffic  because  it  was  constant.  the  city's  more  for  walking  than  driving,  so  i  knew  when  i  was  looking  at  colleges  that  i  wanted  somewhere  i  could  go  fast.  ”

how  do  you  feel  about  the  establishment  of  the  nariza  bois,  particularly  in  relation  to  their  split  from  the  rodani  prowlers?

she  glances  around  like  someone  might  be  listening  in.  “  ‘kay,  so,  listen,  all  of  that  happened  before  i  even  came  on  the  scene,  you  know  ?  i  got  here  in  august,  the  mess  happened  in  march,  that  sort  of  thing.  so  it’s  really  none  of  my  business.  i  just  like  to  go  so  fast  enough  i  make  someone  else  nauseous  and  i  like  to  win.  to  be  honest —  ”  she  shares  a  secret  smile  &  a  wink  with  the  interviewer— “  to  be  honest,  i  don’t  really  care  about  the  rivalry.  but  it’s  fun  to  pretend,  huh  ?  and  call  people  names  ?  plus,  the  history  between  the  prowlers  and  the  bois  makes  races  extra  fun.  they  take  it  so  seriously  !  ”  she  makes  a  sweet  exterior,  but  there’s  scars  on  her  knuckles  from  the  first  time  she  knocked  out  a  rival  racer.  the  beef  she  inherited  is  more  serious  to  her  than  she'd  like  to  admit. 

you're  often  seen  around  vogue  videos–  what  does  a  typical  visit  look  like  for  you?

cheeks  dot  with  red  ;  she’s  unusually  embarrassed  to  answer  the  question.  “  i  work  there  part  time  to  help  pay  for  school.  apparently  i  talk  too  much  about  kill  bill  ?  but  listen,  it’s  a  masterpiece  !  okay,  yes,  tarantino  is  a  loser—  i mean,  have  you  seen  him  try  to  act  in  from  dusk  til  dawn  ?  it’s  a  disgrace—  but  you  have  to  look  beyond  the  director  when  it  comes  to  movies.  they're  group  projects.  i  think  that's  why  directors  are  all  a  little  shady.  'cause  they  know  it's  not  solely  their  project,  and  the  movie  will  live  on  apart  from  them.  and  i  think  it’s  a  great  film.  what’s  so  wrong  about  recommending  it  ?  it's  definitely  a  top  ten  for  me,  and  when  i  say  kill  bill,  of  course  i  mean  volume  one  &  two  together.  separating  them  instead  of  seeing  the  vision  of  it  being  one  giant  movie  that  you  need  to  watch  intentionally  is  wild  !  so,  anyway,  my  personal  favorite  scene  is  when—  ”

do  you  ever  have  the  urge  to  swap  positions?

“absolutely  not.  doesn’t  everyone  wanna  be  a  racer  in  their  hearts  ?  behind  the  wheel  feels  like  home.  behind  the  wheel  is  everything.  i  guess  being  a  mechanic  wouldn’t  be  that  bad.  knowing  a  car  you  worked  on  won  is  an  accomplishment.  and  i'm  studying  engineering,  so  it's  not  like  i'd  be  miserable.  but  driving  the  winning  car  ?  that’s  striking  gold.  anyone  who  says  otherwise  is  either  lying  or  they  can’t  drive,  and  if  you  can’t  drive,  you  shouldn’t  even  be  here.  ”  the  words  come  out  in  a  jumbled  rush  &  take  a  moment  to  register.  she's  spoken  without  thinking  !  quickly,  she  flusters.  “  well,  except  for  the  import  models,  i  guess.  ”

HCS :

tem's  car  is  her  baby.  she  races  to  honor  her  father,  so  it  feels  like  her  car  is  an  extension  of  her  and  any  insult  against  her  car  is  an  insult  towards  her.  it's  pink  &  garish  &  instantly  recognizable  as  hers,  &  she  absolutely  loves  it.  she's  modded  it  heavily  &  is  extremely  picky  about  which  mechanics  are  allowed  to  touch  her  car.  tem  is  notoriously  bad  at  taking  care  of  herself,  but  when  it  comes  to  her  car,  it's  always  spotless  &  without  a  scratch.

her alias is cola bc she loves cherry coke & has one before every race. if she doesn't, she swears she will lose.

overly  knowledgeable  about  three  things  :  movies  (  the  bloodier  the  better  ),  mass  market  paperback  romance  novels  with  shirtless  men  painted  on  the  covers,  and  petty  crime.  if  you  need  something  shoplifted,  she's  your  girl.

is  a  polyglot  !  tem  is  fluent  in  english,  mandarin,  cantonese,  &  spanish.  she  also  knows  a  few  curse  words  in  italian.  she  loves  linguistics  (  have  i  mentioned  she's  a  little  smartass  )  &  the  process  of  learning  about  languages  and  learning  the  languages  themselves. 

WCS :

crushes of the week : tem loves hard & falls out of love just as quickly. she has a new crush every week & every week she's convinced this person is the one. bonus points if u take up whoever she wrote this love letter to.

mentor : someone from the rodani prowlers who took tem in while she was puppy dog-eyeing her way thru the scene. doesn't have to be a racer : just someone who helped her get on her feet & who she still comes to for basic life problems.

mortal enemy : in the same way she loves hard, she hates like nothing else. this person managed to annoy her so much that they've been declared her worst enemy. cld be anything from a rival racer to someone to just likes bothering her at work.

roommate (s) : self explanatory ! the person / ppl tem is living with rn. how they feel about her is up in the air, but in her eyes this is her bestie (s)

[formerlyashkatom]

Now that I have gained license the time has come to get a car. After perusing various websites with my mechanic father, we settled on a car about two hours away and went to test drive it yesterday.

When we got there the battery was flat. An ill omen of things to come. The owner of the car charged it off a portable little kit while we went to find a coffee.

Dad's ute broke down halfway to the coffee place.

With much cursing, we were able to push the ute into a parking spot of a local business and call roadside assist. They make it out in 40 minutes and then inform us because Dad's ute runs on LPG, they need a Special Licensed Mechanic for it.

Dad calls roadside assist back to get a quote for a tow and gets disconnected. Eventually we get a quote for $600 (!!!) to make it back to Dad's place. We go 'ummmmmm.....' and say we'll call back. Meanwhile the guy selling the car has got the battery running again and agrees to come meet us where we're stranded so we can still fit in a test drive. We also spend some time googling and calling every local mechanic with a phone number to try to find somewhere local that can be towed to.

The test drive goes well and we like the car. Guy selling the car and I shake hands on it and organise a deposit and safety certificate. Then, being an absolute legend, he's like 'you can tow your ute to my place for the weekend.'

We organise the tow, which is covered for free under roadside assist because it's just up the road. Then when we get back to the place and arrange the ute nicely, Dad gets a call back from one of the mechanics. He's six beers deep so he can't come out and look at it, but this man enters his mind palace and walks dad through disassembling part of the engine to check on a bit that's the likely culprit. I cannot overstate how impressive this man was, he knew everything down to the spanner sizes needed for each itty bitty part.

Unfortunately despite the prowess of this mechanic the ute still isn't running. It's left for tomorrow and we still have to get home. I beg Dad to just let me pay for an expensive Uber, but he insists on the train. We quickly realise the problem with the train: Travis Scott is playing in the city, and it's free travel. We spend an hour and a half packed in like sardines and I remain bitter about the Uber.

We get to the city station where we have to switch lines and get some dinner, because it's dinner time by now. Then, for the final kick in the teeth, we discover the train line we need has been replaced by busses.

I put my foot down and we get an Uber.

Had all gone well, we should have made it home about 3pm. We crawled through my door at 7pm instead.

But: I am now the proud almost-owner of a Hyundai ix35, the biggest purchase I have ever made in my life, and soon I will get to start the journey of driving on my own.

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

Repo Man – Chevy Malibu

Alex Cox’s Repo Man is one weird, satirical ‘80s classic. That it centers on car repossession (in addition to government conspiracies, rampant criminality, and radioactive alien corpses) makes it a car movie, of sorts. A lot of cars get broken into, stolen, and repossessed over the course of the film, but the most important car plot-wise is a beige Chevy Malibu driven by a sweaty, one-eyed mad scientist. What makes this Malibu one of the worst cars in movie history? For one, it is super hot inside even with the windows down and AC cranked up. And two, the decaying alien corpses in the trunk are so radioactive that anyone unfortunate enough to open the back end is instantly fried to powder, leaving nothing but a pair of smoldering shoes to tell the tale. For the final scene, the car was painted in 3M reflective paint (at $600 a can!) and hit with spotlights to give it that ghostly glow.

Maximum Overdrive – Happy Toyz Semi

It turns out Emilo Esteves has a knack for appearing in bad car movies as he followed up Repo Man by starring in Stephen King’s Maximum Overdrive. Tired of Hollywood directors butchering his ideas, King directed the movie himself (his first and last attempt at directing). Maximum Overdrive kicks off a consistent theme on this list: killer cars. The premise is hokey and never actually scary (seriously, 1974’s Killdozer is about a killer bulldozer that stalks its victims at 5 mph). In the case of Maximum Overdrive, it isn’t just cars, but all mechanical objects become possessed and homicidal, including one very grumpy toaster. A marauding group of killer semis is led by a Happy Toyz truck with a big fiberglass Green Goblin face on the radiator. Why Marvel’s Green Goblin? We’d ask Stephen King, but the author says he was drinking too much at the time to remember much of anything about the filming.

The Car – Lincoln Continental Mk III

Within the genre of killer cars, The Car ranks … among them. This low budget 1977 horror flick stars James Brolin as Deputy Wade Parent and a very dower looking 1971 Lincoln Continental Mk III. The car of The Car (inventive title, no?) is barely recognizable as a Lincoln thanks to extensive custom work by George Barris, famed customizer of the Hirohata Merc and the 1960s TV Batmobile. Barris added a high belt line, blacked out windows to match a black paint job, massive fenders, and a lowered roof line that gives the car a menacing glower. But rather than scary, the car of The Car ends up looking as corny as the movie’s dialogue, earning it a spot on our list.

Jeepers Creepers – Chevy COE

Far scarier than a possessed car is a car driven by a people-eating demon as seen in Jeepers Creepers. The grim rust bucket in question is a 1941 Chevy cab-over-engine (COE) with a blaring horn and a gnarly cowcatcher used to ram unsuspecting motorists off the road. This being the horror genre, there’s a little bit of tongue-in-cheek humor with the addition of a vanity license plate that reads BEATNU. The Creeper’s Chevy COE is simultaneously one of the best scary movies cars of all time and one of the worst cars to see in your review mirror.

Corvette Summer – C3 Corvette

In between iconic performances in Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back Mark Hamill starred in a little movie called Corvette Summer. The “adventure comedy,” as it was billed, follows a California teenager as he travels to Las Vegas in search of his stolen customized Corvette. Like many custom cars, the Corvette in question has clearly been an ambitious labor of love that got wildly out of control. The elaborate customization included a fiberglass nose shell, candy red paint with flame decals, side pipe exhaust, and a custom rear end with a large Chevy bowtie logo brake light. The car’s custom clamshell hood arrived before the feature debuted on the next-generation (fourth) Corvette. The car was also swapped from left hand to right hand drive to make it easier for the ladies’ man Hamill to chat up girls on the sidewalk while cruising. It boggles the mind how anyone could get a date driving this Hot Wheels-in-real-life monstrosity, but hey, the ‘70s were a weird time.

Dumb and Dumber – Mutts Cutts Van

In Dumb and Dumber, Harry (Jeff Daniels) and Lloyd (Jim Carey) travel from Rhode Island to Aspen, Colorado to deliver a “lost” briefcase. A good many of the miles are covered in Harry’s Ford Ecoline panel van customized for his work as a dog groomer. Like all committed dog groomers, Harry fitted his car with end-to-end shag carpeting, a nose, mouth (with tongue), ears, legs, and a tail. And that isn’t even the extent of the Mutts Cutts van, it also includes free samples of the most annoying sound in the world, plenty bottles of warm “beer,” and $200 car alarm. The duo ends up out of gas and desperate enough to trade the van for a minibike aka the perfect mode of transport for high-elevation mountain travel. What makes this one of the worst movie cars of all time? Just image the smell once you take it through the car wash…

[crushandbreak]

MISC HCs I thought while watching the show

It took her time to open her very own repair shop. You bet she worked her ass off for purchasing the property. That's why, I also doubt she is too young, since opening a business needs some funding, and potential loans. She also seems to have plenty of experience in her backpocket, def older in years than Vinnie. So, before her business, she probably worked as a mechanic in other repair companies, various rent garages, or offered emergency services on road etc.

She might have driven different types of trucks in a way or another for work at some point, as she seems very confident handling one. Some types require special licenses too depending on the state.

She also studied coding at some point, but brushed off the idea of making SW engineering as her sole career... gather dust in office from nine to five? No thanks! She had passion for hardware and cars. Since young, she likes to get her hands dirty and see her work finished, right there before her eyes.

On the other hand, she can appreciate a good play and storybook of a fantasy landscape - a bit of a dreamer, isn't she?

She probably dropped out of college despite being a good student (she has very good general knowledge over different subjects and is smart problem solver, she could have gone far). However, her dream of owning a repair shop won. She rather skipped the extra debts to pay. As a mechanic she wouldn't need more papers than she already had. So why to waste time and money?

[hcartcorruptcd]

ELLINGTON "EL" TAYLOR survived another night. The town would certainly feel less safe without a them close by. Not to mention, we can’t lose another LEVEL THREE MECHANIC, plus they’re only THIRTY-THREE years old. Crazy to think, it’s been TWO YEARS since their arrival, though in a place like Oblitus it can feel much longer. Good thing they’re staying at the RESIDENTIAL AREA. Almost like it happened yesterday, they still remember LONDON, ENGLAND, and where they came from. It’s no secret, they were LEAVING THE AIRPORT FROM A WORK TRIP when they came across the tree, and is still keeping them up at night. Truth be told, they’re awfully COMEDIC and DISTANT, but they’ve survived this long. Well, it’s almost day light again, maybe they’ll play SITTIN ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY by OTIS REDDING this time. Welcome to another night in Oblitus, please don’t open the doors. (fitz, 27, he/him, est)

BASIC INFORMATION

NAME: Ellington "El" Taylor GENDER: Non-binary (they/them) NICKNAMES: El BIRTHDAY: April 23, 1991 AGE: 33 ASTROLOGY: Taurus Sun, Taurus Moon, Cancer Rising SEXUALITY: Lesbian HOMETOWN: London, England BIRTHPLACE: London, England RELIGION: Agnostic EDUCATION: Master of Engineering (MEng) in Aerospace Engineering from Imperial College London RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

HEIGHT: 5'8' EYES: Green HAIR: Brown BUILD: Slim DISTINGUISHING MARKS: Large back tattoo of an airplane

PERSONALITY & BEHAVIOR

HOBBIES: Model Plane Building, Stargazing, Gardening, Cooking/Baking, Vinyl Record Collecting, Photography LIKES: Routine, Neatness, Reading, Meaningful Conversations DISLIKES: Rashness, Superficiality, Crowds, Loud Noises. QUIRKS: Fidgets, Slightly Mismatched clothing, Ritualistic morning routine, Collects small objects. STRENGTHS: Patient, reliable, empathetic, determined WEAKNESSES: Stubborn, overly-cautious, emotional absorption.

BACKSTORY:

you can find the full story here.

BACKSTORY BULLET POINTS ( tw: addiction. overdose. death. )

Family: Youngest of three; parents instilled a love for precision (mother was a nurse, father an engineer). Childhood: Quiet, introverted, obsessed with model planes; early fascination with aircraft due to father’s influence; El's mother hurts her back lifting a patient and begins on a tumultuous path with prescription pain killers. Teen Years: Developed a passion for aviation; earned a private pilot's license at 18; inspired by father's military stories to join the Royal Air Force (RAF). Tragedy: Just before leaving for basic training for the RAF, El's mother overdoses on heroin. Military Career: Served as an aircraft technician in the RAF, excelling in aircraft quality assurance; served for five years. Education: Left the RAF and earned a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Aerospace Engineering from Imperial College London in 2019. Post-Military: Worked as a global aerospace quality assurance engineer, conducting aircraft inspections. Personal Life: Had a serious relationship with Maude, a fellow servicewoman, but they broke up due to emotional differences. Trapped: On their way back from a work trip in 2023, encountered the mysterious tree in the road and became trapped in a strange town with no way out. Life in Town: Struggles with anxiety and the loss of routine but uses their problem-solving skills and military training to contribute to the community.

WHERE WAS YOUR CHARACTER WHEN THEY SAW THE TREE AND THE MURDER OF CROWS? WHERE WERE THEY GOING? WERE THEY TRAVELLING ALONE? HOW DID THEY FEEL?

As El returned from a work trip, their mind was still filled with thoughts of quality checks on the latest aircraft. The long day at the facility had drained them, yet the routine of their job had provided a comforting structure amid the chaos of the town they found themselves in. The evening air was cool as they drove, the familiar route easing their mind, but the calm was shattered when they encountered a massive fallen tree blocking the road. “Of course there’s a tree in the road,” El muttered, rubbing the back of their neck as they slowed the car. The sight felt surreal—like something out of a horror film rather than the mundane reality they had come to accept. The tree lay sprawled across the asphalt, roots exposed like the twisted fingers of a buried hand clawing for freedom. They parked a few feet away and stepped out, heart racing as the cawing of a murder of crows echoed ominously overhead. “What now?” El sighed, running a hand through their brown hair. The tree, large and menacing, seemed to loom over them, its presence a stark reminder that this town was anything but ordinary. El's analytical mind, trained to assess and diagnose issues in aircraft systems, began to work overtime. “This must have fallen recently,” they thought, observing the fresh splintering at the base and the disturbed ground. Their engineer instincts kicked in, but an unsettling feeling prickled at their skin. The air felt heavy, as if the tree had absorbed the darkness of the night. Stepping closer, El felt a wave of anxiety wash over them. The crows’ caws intensified, and they glanced up, trying to read the sky for answers. “It’s just a tree, right?” they reasoned, but something in their gut whispered otherwise. They took a deep breath, trying to shake off the discomfort that had settled in. “Just get past it, El,” they urged themselves, but the sight of the tree held them captive. The serene world of aircraft engineering felt a million miles away. “What if this is a sign?” El took a step back, the urge to turn around growing stronger. Their practical nature battled with an emotional intuition that had been sharpened by their experiences in this strange place. “No need to tempt fate,” they decided, finally pivoting on their heel, ready to find another route.

DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTERS FIRST DAY/NIGHT IN TOWN. DID THEY ARRIVE IN THE DAYTIME? WERE THEY WARNED BY THE RESIDENTS? DID THEY HAVE TO BE RESTRAINED?

El's first day in town was a slow descent into confusion and dread. After arriving in the late afternoon, they felt an uneasy air of anticipation wrapping around them. The sun hung low, casting an orange hue over the streets, but as they drove through, an unsettling realization struck: every turn led them back to the same spot. It was as if the town itself conspired against them, trapping them within its confines. After several frustrating attempts to leave, El began to feel the weight of impending nightfall pressing down on them. Just as the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, they spotted a townsfolk wandering by—a woman with wide eyes, her demeanor frantic and wild. Desperation surged through El as they pulled over, stepping out of the car and rushing toward her. “Please, can you help me? I can’t leave!” they exclaimed, shaking her shoulders gently. “What is happening here? Why can’t I get out?” The woman’s eyes widened in alarm, and she took a step back, her hands trembling. “You have to stay away from the trees and—” she started, but El’s mind raced, logic slipping away as panic gripped their chest. In an instant, the serene engineer was replaced by a whirlwind of anxiety. “No! This doesn’t make sense!” El gasped, their breath coming in quick bursts. The world around them began to spin, shadows stretching and creeping closer, and they could feel the pressure building in their chest as the realization of their captivity hit home. “Breathe, El! Just breathe!” they muttered to themselves, trying to cling to the remnants of their calm nature, but it felt futile. The anxiety attack washed over them like a tidal wave, and they stumbled back, disoriented and gasping for air. Within moments, the townspeople had gathered, understanding the urgency of the situation. They moved in, gentle but firm, restraining El as the darkness thickened around them. “You can’t be out here when it’s dark,” one of them said, voice steady, almost soothing amidst the chaos. El's heart raced, and they fought against their hold, a mixture of fear and frustration coursing through them. “I just want to go home!” they cried out, but deep down, they knew that was no longer an option. The sun had set, and with it, the true nature of this place began to reveal itself. As night enveloped the town, El felt the reality of their situation sink in, the comforting familiarity of their engineer’s mind now a distant memory.

WHAT DID THEY LEAVE BEHIND? WHAT WAS THEIR LIFE LIKE ON THE OUTSIDE?

Before El found themselves trapped in the mysterious town, their life outside was one of structured routine and quiet heartache. As an aerospace engineer, El thrived in their work, meticulously overseeing quality checks on aircraft and collaborating with a dedicated team. Their days were filled with problem-solving and innovation, but the weight of a recent breakup lingered heavily on their shoulders. El's life was centered in London, where they lived in a cozy apartment adorned with model planes, vinyl records, and a small herb garden that they tended to with care. Although they cherished the serene evenings spent stargazing from their balcony, contemplating the vastness of the universe, the shadows of their past relationship cast a long pall over their thoughts. El had recently broken up with Lila, an artist whose vibrant spirit had once breathed life into their more structured world. Their relationship had been passionate and creative, but the differences that once attracted them eventually created rifts that were too wide to bridge. Lila’s spontaneity and free-spirited nature often clashed with El’s need for stability and routine, leading to a heartbreaking conclusion. Their last conversation still echoed in El’s mind—an emotional farewell that left them feeling adrift, yearning for the connection they had lost. Now, facing the horrors of their new reality, El felt the ache of what they had left behind—an unfulfilled life, a job they loved, and the memories of laughter and friendship shared with Lila. Those recollections became increasingly distant, tantalizing yet painfully unreachable, as they grappled with the chilling thought of whether they would ever return to that life or if they were destined to remain in this endless nightmare, haunted by both the town and the echoes of a lost love.

CONNECTIONS IDEAS

Mentor-Like Figure: El has bonded with an older resident who has been stuck in the town for much longer. This person could serve as a mentor, helping El navigate the strange rules and creatures that roam at night. Close Confidants: After two years, El has found people they trust deeply and they all rely on each other for survival. A Rivalry Turned Alliance: This is another resident who challenges El’s way of thinking, maybe someone more impulsive or emotionally driven. They clash over how to handle their entrapment, but after a crisis (like a close encounter with the night creatures), they realize that working together is the only way forward. Unspoken Romantic Tension: El develops a complex connection with someone in town who reminds them of what it is like caring for someone else romantically, sparking a mix of nostalgia and hesitation. Their connection could be subtle and unspoken for a long time, with moments of vulnerability and near-confession. The town’s dangerous environment could keep them from pursuing anything deeper out of fear of attachment and loss. Sibling Dynamic: El has taken a protective role over someone younger, perhaps a teenager or a young adult who stumbled into the town recently. This person could look up to El, relying on their patience and problem-solving abilities. Resource Exchange: El has a transactional relationship with another resident (neighbor?), where they trade resources, skills, or information. This person might be particularly good at scavenging or making life in the town bearable, while El offers practical engineering skills, such as maintaining equipment or building makeshift defenses against the night creatures. Newcomers: After being trapped for two years, El encounters a new arrival who refuses to accept the reality of the town, mirroring El's own initial reaction. The newcomer’s optimism might trigger memories of when El still believed in escape, creating a bittersweet dynamic.

LEARN & LISTEN: pinterest, playlist.

[laimabynight]

✭ Camilla 'Georgia' Soledad ✭

Georgia—not her real name, but the one the city came to know—was born as Camilla Soledad in 1975, daughter of second generation Mexican immigrants and granddaughter of a man who could coax poetry from carburetors. Her childhood may not have included riches or roses, but it had rhythm—thanks largely to her abuelito, whose workshop smelled of oil, iron, and quiet rebellion. It was there, with grease under her nails and her grandfather's stories in her ears, that Camilla’s obsession with machines was forged—steel, speed, and the roar of engines in her veins.

Of course, passion alone doesn't buy you horsepower. As a teenager tangled up with a questionable crowd in East L.A., she was surrounded by cars she couldn’t afford and egos she could outwit. Her family’s dented compact car was off-limits for joyrides (unless you counted Sunday errands), so she got creative—offering her mechanical talents for pocket change, fixing busted transmissions and tuning engines for local street racers too lazy or too clueless to do it themselves. Word spread. She didn’t need a car to earn respect—just a wrench and a wicked instinct.

At twenty, she finally bought her first ride: a beaten-up Nissan 240SX that looked more rust than road. But Camilla, with the patience of a surgeon and the intensity of someone who had something to prove, brought it back from the brink. The car became her armor, her identity. She slapped on a fake Georgia license plate one night for a race—and the name stuck. After that, she was just Georgia: elusive, razor-fast, and not someone you wanted behind you at the start line.

She tore through the underground circuit with quiet fury, burning rubber through midnight alleys and forgotten highways. She wasn’t the loudest racer—but she was the one they watched. Then, of course, came him: the man with a jawline like a curse and eyes that didn’t blink, sporting a Cowboy attire. He challenged her to a race. She almost beat him, too—if not for the inconvenient presence of a lamppost and a brief conversation with her own mortality.

She should’ve died that night. Instead, she woke up with bones intact, a pulse that stuttered strangely, and a hunger that wasn’t for gasoline. Her mysterious rival—impressed, amused, or just bored—had decided her story shouldn’t end with a crash. He gave her immortality. Or maybe he just gave her a new engine.

Art by Polyanitsa

[abboudlawfirm-omaha]

How can I prove fault in a truck accident?

Truck accidents in Omaha can lead to severe injuries and complex legal challenges. Proving fault is crucial for securing compensation, and understanding the process can be daunting, especially for those unfamiliar with legal proceedings. This article provides a comprehensive guide on establishing fault in truck accidents, emphasizing the importance of hiring a local truck accident lawyer in Omaha.

Understanding Fault in Truck Accidents

Determining fault in truck accidents involves identifying the party responsible for causing the collision. This process requires a thorough investigation of various factors, including driver behavior, vehicle maintenance records, and adherence to traffic laws. In Omaha, specific regulations govern trucking operations, making it essential to work with professionals familiar with local laws.

Steps to Prove Fault in a Truck Accident

Gather Evidence at the Scene

Photographs and Videos: Capture images of vehicle positions, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible damages.

Witness Statements: Collect contact information and statements from witnesses present at the scene.

Police Reports: Obtain a copy of the official accident report filed by law enforcement.

Examine Driver Records

Logbooks: Review the truck driver's logbooks to ensure compliance with hours-of-service regulations.

Licensing and Training: Verify the driver's qualifications and training records.

Inspect Vehicle Maintenance Records

Maintenance Logs: Check for regular maintenance and any reported mechanical issues.

Inspection Reports: Review records of routine inspections and any necessary repairs.

Analyze Electronic Data

Event Data Recorder (EDR): Access data from the truck's EDR, which records information like speed, braking, and engine performance.

GPS Data: Utilize GPS information to track the truck's route and movements leading up to the accident.

Consult Experts

Accident Reconstruction Specialists: Engage professionals to recreate the accident scenario and determine contributing factors.

Medical Experts: Obtain medical evaluations to link injuries directly to the accident.

The Importance of Hiring a Local Truck Accident Lawyer in Omaha

Navigating the complexities of truck accident cases requires specialized legal expertise. Hiring a local truck accident lawyer in Omaha offers several advantages:

Knowledge of Local Regulations: Local attorneys are well-versed in Nebraska's trucking laws and regulations, ensuring compliance and effective case strategies.

Familiarity with Local Courts: An Omaha-based lawyer understands the local court system, including procedures and personnel, which can be beneficial during litigation.

Access to Local Resources: Local attorneys have established networks with experts and investigators in the area, facilitating a thorough investigation.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Truck Accident Lawyer in Omaha

Selecting the right attorney is crucial for a successful outcome. Consider the following factors:

Expertise in Truck Accident Cases: Ensure the lawyer specializes in truck accident claims and has a track record of successful outcomes.

Success Rates: Inquire about the attorney's history of settlements and verdicts in similar cases.

Local Knowledge: A lawyer familiar with Omaha's legal landscape can navigate the system more effectively.

Tips for Evaluating Omaha-Based Truck Accident Lawyers

Check Local Reviews: Research client testimonials and reviews to gauge the attorney's reputation and client satisfaction.

Assess Credentials: Verify the lawyer's education, certifications, and memberships in professional organizations.

Discuss Case Strategies: During consultations, ask about the proposed approach to your case and assess their communication style.

Benefits of Hiring an Omaha Truck Accident Attorney

Understanding of Regional Regulations: Local attorneys are adept at navigating Nebraska's specific trucking laws.

Established Networks: They have connections with local experts, which can be instrumental in building a strong case.

Personalized Attention: A local lawyer is more accessible for meetings and updates, ensuring personalized service.

Key Features to Look for in a Truck Accident Lawyer

Experience with Truck Accident Cases

Strong Negotiation Skills

Trial Experience

Transparent Fee Structure

Compassionate Approach

Conclusion

Proving fault in a truck accident in Omaha necessitates a comprehensive approach and the expertise of a seasoned attorney. By hiring a local truck accident lawyer in Omaha, you benefit from their knowledge of regional regulations, local court systems, and established networks, all of which are pivotal in securing a favorable outcome. Take the time to evaluate potential lawyers based on their expertise, success rates, and client reviews to ensure you choose the best representation for your case.

For a directory of reputable attorneys in Omaha, visit the Nebraska State Bar Association.

[aceatlife]

Safety Driving Tips for Transport Without Worry

If you're driving the car yourself, safety on the road is just as important as preparation. Stick to speed limits and maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles. Long trips may require frequent breaks, so plan rest stops to avoid fatigue.

For those relying on an open air car shipping services, ask about their safety policies and guidelines. Verify that drivers are licensed and insured. Reputable companies take precautions to make sure vehicles are delivered without unnecessary risks.

Safety Driving Tips

Road safety plays a key role in minimizing risks during car transport. Lucky Star Auto Transport follows strict safety guidelines to keep accidents at bay and vehicles secure.

Inspect the Vehicle Before Transport

Inspecting your car before shipment is essential. A thorough inspection helps document the vehicle’s existing condition, which is important if potential claims arise.

Start by washing the car so scratches or dents are easier to spot. Take clear photographs from various angles to maintain an accurate record. These images will serve as proof in the unlikely event of damage during transport. It’s also wise to verify that the car’s interior and exterior components, such as mirrors or wipers, are in proper shape.

Make Sure That All the Car Fluids Are Topped Off

Checking the car's fluids before transport is a simple yet critical step. Make sure that oil, coolant, and brake fluid levels are adequate. Keeping fluids topped off not only helps maintain the car’s mechanical health but also prevents leaks during shipment.

Low fluid levels can make the engine vulnerable to wear and tear, especially if it needs to be started for any reason. By taking care of this step beforehand, you reduce potential problems and keep the vehicle ready to run after delivery.

Properly Remove Personal Belongings from the Car

For safety reasons, always remove personal belongings from your car before transport. Items left inside can shift during transit, increasing the risk of damage to the vehicle's interior. Loose objects may also create safety hazards if they break or become dislodged.

Clearing your car also lightens its weight, which can improve transport efficiency. Additionally, most car shipping companies do not take responsibility for damages caused by personal items left inside. A clean slate ensures both your car’s safety and compliance with shipping regulations.

Secure Loose Parts and Accessories in Your Car

Secure all loose parts to avoid damage during transit. Items like antennas, spoilers, and rearview mirrors need attention, as they are prone to movement. If possible, detach these components or fold them in to ensure stability.

Non-fixed accessories, like bike racks or custom attachments, should also be removed. This precaution reduces the risk of scratching or breaking parts due to vibration while the vehicle is in motion.

Maintain Proper Car Tire Pressure

Keeping tires inflated to the recommended car tire pressure is just as important as securing the car itself. Properly inflated tires provide stability during loading and unloading. Under- or overinflated tires may cause handling issues, and in worst cases, they can burst under strain.

Check the tire pressure using a reliable gauge and adjust it according to your car manufacturer's specifications. This proactive measure guarantees your car is secure during all steps of the transport process.

Proper preparation, regular maintenance and safety checks, with a clear communication are important to keep your car safe before and during transport, whether driven by you or a professional carrier. Lucky Star Auto Transport shows how proper planning makes car shipping a safe and secure process.

The important source every car owner must know when it comes to safely shipping your car with a reliable car shipping service! Find out how to guarantee it! You won’t believe how easy it is to make sure your car’s safety while shipping!

[theblogjota]

How Car Carrier Truck Drivers Maintain the Safe Delivery of Your Car

Transporting a vehicle over long distances requires precision, skill, and a commitment to safety. When trusting a car transport company to handle your vehicle, understanding the safety measures involved can provide peace of mind. Nationwide car shipping companies, such as Florida car shipping companies offer fully insured car carrier service, rely on experienced drivers and strict guidelines to guarantee reliable service.

From comprehensive training to post-delivery inspections, every step ensures your car arrives in the same condition as when it left, giving you confidence in those companies with reliable nationwide car transportation reviews. Below, we explore the detailed procedures and practices involved.

Extensive Driver Training and Qualifications

The backbone of a secure vehicle transfer lies in the expertise of car carrier truck drivers who undergo rigorous training. This training emphasizes core driving competence, attention to detail, and familiarity with handling delicate cargo.

Meeting Industry Standards through Safety Training

Truck drivers play a critical role in maintaining safety throughout the car transport process. Companies prioritize driver training and qualifications to ensure drivers meet or exceed industry standards.

Drivers are educated on safety protocols covering traffic laws, defensive driving, and operating large vehicles. The importance of safety training cannot be overstated—proper instruction reduces accidents and fosters safe work habits. Training programs also include classroom lessons on hazard awareness, preparing drivers for unforeseen challenges.

Physical and Technical Driver Requirements

Beyond training, physical health and technical expertise are key requirements for drivers. Drivers must meet strict health standards, including vision, reflexes, and endurance tests, to handle long trips.

Additionally, technical skills, such as understanding vehicle mechanics and operating hydraulic systems, are critical. Licensed and fully insured car carrier operators enhance reliability by addressing potential tech issues on the road, ensuring uninterrupted service.

Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspections and Maintenance Protocols

Before every journey, nationwide auto transport companies implement thorough inspections and maintenance guidelines. These practices minimize risks and uphold performance standards, helping companies remain trusted within the industry.

Inspecting Equipment Before Every Journey

Every successful trip begins with pre-trip vehicle inspections performed by the driver and technical teams. These checks include reviewing brakes, axles, lights, and tire pressure.

By carefully inspecting every component, including hydraulic ramps and securing straps, they identify potential risks before departure. Pre-trip vehicle inspections act as a first line of defense against breakdowns, contributing to overall safety and reliability.

Scheduled Maintenance for Vehicle Longevity

Apart from pre-trip checks, scheduled maintenance ensures trucks remain in optimal condition. From oil changes to engine tune-ups, routine service extends the lifespan of transport vehicles while improving safety. The importance of proper vehicle maintenance is clear—broken equipment can disrupt routes or cause delays, compromising delivery timelines.

By prioritizing maintenance, companies add an additional layer of confidence and professionalism.

Secure Loading and Weight Distribution Techniques

The safe delivery of vehicles heavily depends on how cars are loaded and secured. Proper and secure loading procedures and balanced weight distribution are important for avoiding complications during transit.

Taking these steps ensures your vehicle arrives safely and in excellent condition. Right preparations and proper planning made by a reliable car shipping services will lead to safe and secured transport experience.

When it’s time to ship your car, you can rely in these procedures for a safe and hassle-free auto transport experience. Get started today and transport your vehicle with confidence.

[seriously-mike]

Elephant on the Road

or, How I Had To Re-Learn How To Drive After Two Decades

As you know, my father died over a year ago, leaving not only his apartment with a fully-stocked fridge, but also his car - a 2000 Nissan Patrol, at that point disassembled and split between a mechanic and a body shop, with the extensive repairs paid only halfway. A year later, it was finally put back together, with 3/4s of the drivetrain replaced, the frame rust-proofed and a new coat of Raptor finish in graphite color. Then, it stood at the local parking lot for five goddamn months before I got the courage to get behind the wheel and drive it.

So holy shit, there I was, trying to wriggle a two-ton War Elephant out of its parking space, some guy's shiny new Mercedes to the left, three trucks behind me and zero knowledge how the whole thing behaves - acceleration, braking, turn radius, I knew fuck-all about that. But, with some slight fettling, I got out of the parking space, out of the parking lot's gate and OHMOTHERFUCKERITURNEDTOOHARD. Literally, I turned the steering wheel too hard, jumped the curb, ran over the remnants of a decorative fence all of four inches tall and swung the car back onto the road in the initial stages of a heart attack.

Fuck. And I mean, FFFFFFFUCK. Turned out that the two-ton War Elephant has really nice power steering for a beast slightly more than half my age and I need to turn gently. So, down the street I go, letting the pedestrians cross the road as they have the right of way on crossings without traffic lights, the brakes aren't that bad either, the soundtrack from Brutal Legend is blasting from the radio because my dad bought one with an USB port long ago and then asked me to make a thumb drive with his favorite songs on it (which I, sadly, failed to do), I'm GOING. Baby, am I going. But then, I have to turn into the large avenue and I'm all kinds of afraid what's gonna happen then.

So, apparently, the first rule of the road is "act like everyone else, and nobody will suspect you don't have a driver's license" (I actually do, for the record, I just didn't have a car for the last two decades and the last one I had to drive was a rusted-out fifth-gen Nissan Sunny with a busted manual gearbox that had issues with switching gears). So I'm rolling down the avenue, regulation 50 per (km/h, mind you), and I haven't even killed anyone yet. I'm even using turn signals, correctly, because the War Elephant has an American dashboard with two separate turn indicator lights so I know whether I'm flashing left or right. So, off to the right lane and I tuuuurn right into another avenue.

Much to my joy, I see a "Speed Limit: 80" sign on the overpass (this one is a part of the large transit road through the town), so I floor it. I floor it so eagerly to keep on the tail of the guy before me that I go all the way to 100 per before noticing and gently slow down back to 80 before hitting the tunnel.

I fucking knew I forgot something, and that something were the headlights. Halfway into the tunnel, I turn the headlight knob, swearing and hoping that no undercover cop car saw me. Okay, now we're driving 100% legit, only one car honked at me, no hits, no scrapes, I stay in my line like a motherfucking tram. Off a roundabout that isn't a fucking roundabout (who even named it like that?!), down another street and after some more uneventful ride I arrive at my dad's former apartment to pick up some junk from the basement. Hell, even parallel parking was easy because someone was nice enough to leave a car and a half's worth of space between the two already there.

I forgot to turn off the lights, as you can see in the photo, because I'm a derp and I haven't figured out what the incessant pinging after turning the engine off meant. So I take the photo, notice the lights on, open the car again, turn the lights off and head to the basement to pick up the junk.

Coming back was a bit more difficult, mostly due to me being unable to tell which of the three turns left was the correct one (note to self, it's the third one, the largest), but it resulted in an "always wanted to say that" moment when some absolute fuckwad decided to cut from the right lane all the way to the left and up the overpass, prompting me to go "Turning left from the right lane, you unschooled dickwad?! Last time I've seen idiots like you in Night City!"

[eauditor-audits-inspections]

Scania Bus Inspection Using eAuditor Audits & Inspections

Scania Bus Inspection Using eAuditor Audits & Inspections

A Practical Scania Bus Inspection Guide for Fleet Managers, Inspectors, and Maintenance Teams When you're responsible for a fleet of Scania buses, keeping them safe, reliable, and road-ready is non-negotiable. Downtime hurts schedules. Missed issues cost money. And safety lapses? They can be devastating. That’s where eAuditor Audits & Inspections steps in—transforming how you manage inspections, catch problems early, and stay compliant with ease. This guide walks you through how to perform thorough Scania bus inspections using eAuditor, along with practical examples and lessons from the field.   

Why Scania Bus Inspections Matter Scania buses are known for their durability and performance, but like any commercial vehicle, they demand regular checks. Safety first: Daily passenger operations depend on fully functioning brakes, clear signage, and working emergency systems. Cost control: Spotting a minor oil leak today can save you thousands in engine repairs later. Compliance made easy: Transport authorities and insurers expect routine documentation and accountability. Using eAuditor: A Digital Shift That Makes Inspections Easier Gone are the days of scribbling notes on paper and trying to track maintenance history through spreadsheets. With eAuditor, you can: Customize checklists to match Scania specs Capture photos and comments on the spot Get automatic timestamps, GPS location, and digital signatures Assign follow-up actions to maintenance staff in real time Case in Point: At MetroLink Transit, a fleet supervisor named Darrell switched from paper inspections to digital inspections in 2023. Within three months, they reduced mechanical failures by 40%—simply because they started catching small issues faster.

The Scania Bus Inspection Workflow in eAuditor Let’s break it down step by step, using a real-world example. Step 1: Start with Basic Vehicle Info When you open the eAuditor app, start the Scania Bus Inspection form and enter: Bus number or license plate VIN Odometer reading Date and time Your name (auto-filled if logged in) This step ensures each inspection links to the right vehicle record. Tip: Set these fields as mandatory in eAuditor to prevent incomplete inspections. Step 2: Exterior Walkaround Start outside the bus and inspect: Headlights and indicators Windshield condition Tires (check pressure and tread depth) Mirrors, doors, and reflectors Body damage or rust Take photos directly in the app if you see damage or wear. Example: During a surprise audit in Michigan, a maintenance crew flagged a cracked rear reflector with a photo and note. That simple act helped the team avoid a citation during a DOT spot check. Step 3: Mechanical and Electrical Checks Pop the hood. Turn the ignition. Listen. Check that: Engine starts cleanly and idles steady No strange sounds from transmission or suspension Brake pressure builds correctly Battery is clean and secure Gauges and warning lights behave as expected You can mark each item as Pass, Fail, or Needs Attention, with optional notes. Anecdote: One veteran inspector, Angela, swears by listening to the engine for 60 seconds before moving on. “You can hear things the dashboard won’t tell you,” she says. eAuditor lets her jot that down without putting her clipboard down—because it's all on her phone. Step 4: Interior and Safety Features

Get inside the bus and check: Driver seat, mirrors, and seatbelts Emergency exits labeled and accessible Passenger seats secure and clean First aid kit stocked Fire extinguisher charged and within date HVAC blowing cold/hot as needed If the bus has a wheelchair ramp, test it. eAuditor lets you log special equipment checks separately if needed. Step 5: Road Test (Optional but Valuable) If your protocol allows it, take the bus on a short drive. During the test: Check steering responsiveness Test brakes at low and medium speeds Listen for clunks or dragging sounds Watch the dashboard for warning lights Add comments in eAuditor about your driving impression—sometimes your gut feeling is worth recording. Step 6: Review and Submit Before wrapping up: Add any final notes or concerns Tag maintenance if follow-up is needed Sign the inspection digitally Hit Submit The data instantly syncs to your dashboard—no waiting, no paperwork, no “lost” records. Bonus Features That Add Value Automated Reminders: Set inspection schedules by mileage or days Photo Evidence: Reduce finger-pointing with timestamped images QR Code Scanning: Speed up vehicle lookup by scanning a QR code inside the bus Dashboard Reports: Spot trends like recurring brake issues or HVAC complaints Final Thoughts Scania buses deliver exceptional performance, but only when we give them the attention they deserve. With eAuditor, you make inspections faster, more thorough, and easier to track. You don't just tick boxes—you build a culture of accountability and safety. Read the full article