Often Overlooked Part Of Survival

JK Knives

JK Knives

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I`m always amazed at how many vehicles I see broke down on the road, especially in the winter months. I spent this past weekend changing oil in our vehicles, checking antifreeze, tire pressure, belts, and making sure our winter gear was in the Ranger and Equinox. I wrapped it all up by waxing these two today,the Equinox is at wife`s work, did that one yesterday. It`s amazing, one week ago we had snow showers, today it`s 71 degrees! Now it`s time for a cold beer. :thumbup:

My 2005 Ranger 4X4
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Our "toy", 2006 Mustang GT, 300 horsepower of fun, still gets 25 mpg on the highway. This one gets stored for the winter, but all preps are still done to it.
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My Subaru Forrester is getting the once-over to prepare for winter real soon. I know it's around the corner, but I'm amazed that the weather is so nice here. 60's all week. Not like the November's I used to know.

I also stash a shovel, extra clothes, supplies and a blanket in there. Not that I get far off the beaten path, but some extra comfort goes a long way if you do get stranded.
 
Got to admit that vehicle maintenance and repair is a weak spot of mine. In fact, when I lurked around with bike clubs and they started going all mechanic my standard reply to demonstrate my disinterest was; "I can ride a horse but I've no desire to be a vet". I really ought to take at least a bit of action to fix this up because I am ignorant, but the subject leaves me cold.
 
One of the handiest things I have is a small air compresser in my trunk. Saved me from walking more than once...
 
orrey45 said:
I think its when it dips into the high 70's
Click to expand...

Yeah, and that's when EVERY true Texan pulls out the jackets, you can spot the snow birds a mile away 'cause they are still wearing shorts when it goes below 75 farenheit :D.
 
Really good point Stomper. We all get so focused on a few small aspects of survival, specifically around here with wilderness survival when in reality most of us are much more likely to need urban survival skills than wilderness.

Preparation, in all aspects is so important.

Charlie
 
Yes, for all our 'getting lost in the woods' survival scenarios - car accident and running out of gas in a rural area is the most likely survival situation we are likely going to experience.

Not just having a vehicle in good running shape, but also a very good first aid - trauma kit, and the appropriate materials to wait it out for help to arrive are necessities. In thinking about his, it is perhaps a good reflection that in a car, most of us would put the 'emergency' sleeping bag/blanket in the trunk, but in an accident there is a good likelyhood that you won't be able to access the trunk because a) a rear-ender prevents you from accessing it; b) you are having a hard time opening your own door or c) you are stuck in your seat.

So maybe one of those heavy, insulated space blankets under the seat and a trauma first aid kit in the glove box would be useful.
 
Hey! I still wear shorts when it is below 75, am I am no snowbird!
I am just strange. :D

I do my best to keep on top of vehicle maintenance out of fear...
my Dad put the fear of God into me when I got my first car... punishment for not maintaining it would result in having nothing to maintain... he wasnt kidding.
He still asks me when I checked the oil/tires/ect last. :rolleyes:
 
Here is a quote I made up that I impart to folks on occasion...

"Three words separate Professionals from Amateurs... Check, Test, and Rehearse."
 
Damn important in North Dakota. We get those crazy chill factors like the one last winter in Minot, 49 below zero with 50 MPH winds and gusts to 65. The chill factor was not even on their charts. Several people died in their stranded cars right on the interstate a quarter of a mile from several houses but there was a complete white out. The weather gut said your skin would frost bite in just a minute or less. Great time to stay home.
 
A few years ago I aquired two video tapes on Desert Survival and Mountain Survival. They both started out with vehicle maintenance and that made a lot of sense to me! Good thread.

-RB
 
both my wifes and my vehicles have a "vehicle survival kit" spare fluids, parts, food, water, spare clothing, blanket, stove, cards, pre paid phone card, pre paid cell phone, flares, shovel, saw, knive, flashlights+ batteries, gas can, cash, and I'm probably forgetting some stuff off the top of my head, I am also in the process of putting together an actual grab pack, fully loaded and ready to go. I'm using LL bean's Bigelow for me and the Celia for her
 
Very good thread John. People often overlook the simplest things. Prevent the bad before it happens.:thumbup:
 
My latest outdoors rig. I just spent $1200 getting some work done on it that was out of my capabilities (meaning the right tools). I do the brakes, servicing and tune-ups on this and my wife's Tahoe and keep them both stocked with some minimal tools and parts along with not so minimal BOBs.
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I'm a firm believer in keeping a little spare fuel on the premises as well.

Good thread John! Thanks for kickin' it in.
 
This one is my wife`s winter vehicle, 2008 AWD Equinox, all stocked up also. We keep a minimum amount of gear in the Mustang, because it never sees winter.

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