December 30, 2024
Since I bought the Volt in 2016 I've had some pretty bad luck when visiting the family over holidays. I'm beginning to think it doesn't like going on long trips.
Coming back from Thanksgiving in 2018 I hit what I assume was a piece of construction debris on I-66. It ripped the sidewall out of one of my tires, which resulted in me getting towed to the AAA garage on the other side of town while Ginger rode in the car since she wasn't allowed in the tow truck.
Last year, coming back from Christmas, my EGR valve toasted itself on the PA Turnpike. Since GM discontinued the Volt and is trying to avoid supporting it any more, they're not making replacement parts despite this being a well-known issue. Compounding things, the dealership "forgot" to request the part until October (10 months after it died) so if I get a replacement at all it probably won't be until 2026.
And now this year, while driving to my stepmother's house from where we'd had dinner the day after Christmas, I hit a pothole hard enough to blow out the front right tire. Luckily it wasn't one of the ones I'd just replaced in September, which would have been annoying. (On the other hand, maybe the warranty would have covered the replacement.) Its partner on the left side was down to 3/32" of tread, so at least I've got a full set of new and almost-new tires. Not enjoying being a few hundred bucks lighter though.
Just in case, I'm thinking that next year maybe I'll ask the family to come visit me instead.
