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Mississippi Family Of 7 Living In Their Car Goes To Mechanic. Then He Does Something That May Have Saved Their Lives

"It was pretty obvious..."

Mississippi Family Living In Their Car Goes To Mechanic. Then The Mechanic Decides To Take Care Of Them

Photo by: shittytire & Christian Buehner

Alexandra Samuels

By: Alexandra Samuels

Feb 10, at 6:00pm ET

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Mechanics often get a bad rap. One mechanic's recent random act of kindness is giving people hope for both the profession and humanity at large. That’s because he stepped up to help a family struggling in the aftermath of the ice storm that swept across much of the US a few weeks ago.

TikTok creator City Tire, whose bio states he's based in northern Mississippi, says he recently serviced a large family—two adults and five children—who he suspected were homeless. He didn’t press them about their financial situation, he says, but the circumstances spoke for themselves.

"It was pretty obvious that they were living in their truck and that they didn’t have any heat," City Tire shares.

With temperatures dropping and storm damage piling up across the region, he decided to step in. He said he installed a resistor to restore heat, doing the work "at no charge."

He also used the moment to encourage nearby residents to help where they can, noting that the ice storm has wreaked havoc across Mississippi. For his part, he said he has been volunteering in the community and has seen firsthand how many people are still struggling, including some who go days without electricity.

The video clearly resonated online, with commenters praising the gesture and the decision to help a family in need. As of this writing, the clip had drawn more than 26,100 views.

How Could A Resistor Fix Help A Family In Need?

In this case, the fix likely involved the truck’s blower motor resistor, a small but critical component of the heating and cooling system. It helps regulate the electrical current that controls the fan pushing air through the vents.

When the resistor is working properly, it allows the blower motor to run at different speeds. That is what allows drivers to adjust airflow from low to medium to high, rather than being stuck with a single setting. When it fails, the system usually defaults to blowing only on high or stops working altogether. In cold weather, that can mean little to no usable heat inside the vehicle.

Replacing the resistor can restore full control of the fan, thereby bringing the heating system back online. For a family living out of a truck during a record-breaking winter, that kind of repair can make an immediate difference in comfort and safety—or even save their lives.

Resistors also play a broader role in vehicle electrical systems. They help limit voltage and prevent components from drawing excessive power. Without that regulation, components such as the blower motor can overheat or fail prematurely.

There are a few telltale signs when a blower motor resistor goes bad. Air may only blow at the highest setting, airflow can cut in and out, or the vents may stop pushing air entirely. Some drivers even notice a burnt or smoky smell when the component fails.

The part itself is usually tucked into the HVAC ductwork near the blower motor, where passing air helps keep it from overheating. It is a relatively small repair, but in situations like this one, it can have an outsized impact.

Viewers Applaud Mechanic

Commenters who came across City Tire’s post were quick to commend him for stepping up to help a family in need. Many said they wished more mechanics would do the same when people are going through hard times.

"Great guy right here, we need more like him!" one person shared.

"Prayers to you and your family," another added.

"God bless u," a third wrote.

"You are one heck of a guy," a fourth person said. "Prayers coming to you."

Some viewers also said they planned to keep boosting his content.

"Thank you, sharing and following," one person posted.

"Commenting so bro gets paid," another said.

"Commenting so you can keep paying it forward," a third added.

Others zoomed out, saying moments like this show why communities need to look out for one another, especially during disasters.

"Been bad here in Columbia TN, we all need to do what we can for each other," one man wrote.

What do you think?

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Comments

"Oxford Mississippi here… Day 14… no power," another shared. "Please send prayers."

Motor1 has reached out to City Tire via a direct message on TikTok. We’ll update this post if he responds.

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