MishisM

In Pennsylvania, we have to have yearly vehicle inspections to keep our cars on the road.  I think a few other states may do this too, but I know in Maryland you only had to have an inspection once, when you first bought the car.  In PA, however, with far fewer cars on the road and more open Appalachiany space to drive in, it’s an annual ass raping.  I guess the fine governing body of PA is concerned for our safety, labelling us all as stupid motorists who would drive until we explode were it not for this preventative measure that is the annual inspection…

Really, it’s a big damn scam.  The state gets a good chunk of change by making this a law, and the auto body shops licensed to do the inspections will always find something wrong, even if it isn’t, so they can charge you to fix it.  My brothers, both savvy in automobile workings, told me that they really get you with brakes and tires.  In point of fact, last year when I went for my inspection, they told me my brakes and brake pads needed replaced, to a cost of $400, and that my rear tires passed that day but if I had brought it in a week or so later, they wouldn’t have.  Let it be known that this station, Tire Town, sells tires as it’s primary source of income.
I kept it in the back of my mind that my tires would need replaced before the next inspection, but didn’t worry too much more about it until right before Thanksgiving when my coworker pointed out how bald they were.  When I told him I was driving to Florida and back for the holidays, he told me it was ill-advised.

My inspection was up in December, but as I was in some financial despair and knew I’d have to put out at least $300 for two new tires and the cost of inspection itself, I went to Florida anyway, worrying the entire time that I’d have a blow-out.  Once there, I asked my brothers to look at the tires, and they said they’re fine and would hold up.  That relieved me for the duration of the 3500+ mile trip, but I was still concerned about inspection as I was completely broke and living off of peanut butter sandwiches.

I drove under the speed limit for three months, fearing being pulled over and fined for being out of inspection.

Finally, my tax refund arrived, as well as a goodly chunk of change I was nearly screwed out of (and threatened to sue over just to scare the dude into paying me).  Relief! At last!  I could eat real food again!  I got my bills all caught up and headed to Wal-mart to get two new rear tires.  Once there, the mechanic checked to see what size I’d need, then asked what the hell I was replacing them for.

“Because I was told they wouldn’t pass inspection?”
“By who?”
“Tire Town?”

The mechanic took out this little measuring device and checked the tread, telling me that they were both .7 and to pass inspection I only needed .2.  Apparently, the tread on the flat part of the tire was fine, and the seemingly bald tread on the sides of the tires was just the design of that brand of tire… tapering off.  So, I left, without new tires, and went somewhere that wasn’t Tire Town to get inspection.  I passed, without so much as a streaky wiper blade.

I texted my co-worker to let him know my crap tires had passed, and he had me all worried for nothing.  Really, though, I just count myself lucky.  The $250 I saved by not having to get new tires will buy a lot of peanut butter sandwiches.