‘Yup, can't start it from ‘drive’': Obtuse driver gives his mechanic friend the cold shoulder, ends up paying hundreds for a tow truck when nothing is wrong with his car

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Mar 5, 2024 9:00 AM EST

Car troubles can make people crazy. When there's a rattling under the hood or the engine light comes on (again), it's hard to keep your cool and stay level-headed. However, this guy in our next story completely unraveled when his car was "malfunctioning", but instead of consulting his mechanic friend for help, he dug his heels in on a totally incorrect theory. 

This obstinate dude learned his lesson the hard way… When it comes to car troubles, stay in your lane and consult the experts.

Let's be honest, we all know that things can get a little troublesome when we're in a frenzy over figuring out what's going wrong with our vehicles, but always remember to do a sanity check before jumping to call a tow truck. If you're anything like this guy, you may learn that your car has a safety feature not to start when you have the transmission in 'Drive'. 

Sometimes it's as simple as that. 

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  • 01
    "He wouldn't trust my automotive knowledge"
    via canva
  • 02
    Posted by u/Brewthirty17 A friend charged a tow fee because he wouldn't trust my automotive knowledge. A S OC
    via Brewthirty17
  • 03
    Back in the early 2000's my friend and I were at a bowling alley, as we went out to leave he couldn't get his car started. I asked if he wanted me to look at it since I have been working on cars since I was 14, and he said no, that he knows as much if not more about cars than I do.
    via Brewthirty17
  • 04
    So the tow truck arrived they asked me to steer as they pushed it out of the parking spot. I got in, put it in park, started the vehicle, backed it out, and asked the tow truck driver if he wanted me to drive it onto his flatbed or if he wanted to pull it up. Everyone including
    via Brewthirty17
  • 05
    the tow truck driver burst out in laughter. My friend was LIVID...Why didn't you tell me that was the problem, I said you told me you were more experienced than me and didn't need my help. From then on he never doubted my automotive knowledge.
    via Brewthirty17
  • 06
    barelylethal10. 3 days ago It took me 2 reads to figure out what even happened, I felt dumb but not nearly as dumb as your friend mustve 1.3k Reply Share Kitchen-Arm7300 3 days ago Yup! Can't start it from "drive".
    via barelylethal10
  • 07
    imverysneakysir. 3 days ago I call those "sanity checks". I've asked for them as many times as I've provided them. My usual response is "Maybe the button just likes your finger better today."
    via imverysneakysir
  • 08
    __wildwing__ 2 days ago When machines at work are uncooperative, sometimes the guys will ask me (40f) to take a look. I tease them that it just needed "a woman's touch".
    via __wildwing__
  • 09
    KevMenc1998 - 22 hr. ago Definitely did that with my dad's truck a couple times. He used to joke (back when he had a sense of humor) that I had a magic touch. ↑ Vote Reply Share AlexAndMcB 12 hr. ago That's what she said!
    via KevMenc1998
  • 10
    litza5472 3 days ago Understood. My husband came home once without our car. I asked where it was and walked (sick and in 30F-degree weather) to the car. Got to the car, he asks me, "What do you think you can do that I can't?" Answer: "I can see that it's out of gas."
    via litza5472
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    ChunkeeMunkee3001 3 days ago As someone who's never driven an automatic, thank you to the other commenters for explaining! Reply Share 45 GalxyofUs 3 days ago Same! !
    via ChunkeeMunkee3001
  • 12
    sherlockham 2 days ago I did something similar with a motorcycle once. Turns out I had it in first, so it took me an embarrassing amount of time trying to get it started with the kick stand down before I decided 1 last try after bringing the kick stand
    via sherlockham
  • 13
    up and ready to leave and it just worked, which confused me. So I shut off the bike and the cycle repeated again. That was the day I found out that kick stand down AND not in neutral means the starter switch won't do anything.
    via sherlockham
  • 14
    Belisarius-1262 2 days ago I remember as a kid sitting in the car for almost 10 minutes while my mother tried and failed to get the new automatic started because it had stalled. She couldn't even get the key out. Finally, we all unload and load into the backup vehicle to get where we're going.
    via Belisarius-1262
  • 15
    Come back two hours later, she goes out to try one more time in case the engine was flooded. Comes in frustrated and upset because as soon as she put it in park it started right up.
    via Belisarius-1262
  • 16
    ZeeebraLove. 3 days ago I had a similar problem when one day I was driving a manual and when it was time to go home from work I forgot to let go of the clutch to make the car move. I was so distraught I went inside and asked a coworker to help "fix my car". I was full damsel in distress mode when he showed me the problem was user error.
    via ZeeebraLove
  • 17
    Library Mouse4321 2 days ago The issue happened to me once. I was 18(f) and couldn't start my car to leave work after my shift. I only drive to my job around the corner from my house because my parents didn't want me walking home after 11 pm. My dad walked over and showed me what the issue was, without making me feel dumb as a bag of hair. I never made that mistake again.
    via Library Mouse4321
  • 18
    apachelives 3 days ago Sounds like me with a "friend" i knew. I was rebuilding an engine (not the first time). His comment "pay someone to do it properly". Me with the actual factory service manual following exact service procedures.
    via apachelives
  • 19
    Glum_Occasion_5686 2 days ago I hope you charge him a consultation fee every single time. Really punish him for being a jerk
    via Glum_Occasion_5686
  • 20
    RoyalZeal 2 days ago He learned a valuable lesson for a couple hundred bucks. Money well spent, I say.
    via RoyalZeal
  • 21
    User-no-relation 2 days ago wow I'm glad your friend then trusted your "automotive knowledge" of, put car in park to start. 3 Reply Share uppitywomyn - 2 days ago Mic drop
    via User-no-relation

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