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Car Emergency Gear!

Started by HighwayStar, March 07, 2022, 09:11:56 PM

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HighwayStar

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 08, 2022, 10:07:33 AM
I haven't ever had to replace fuses on the fly on the side of a road.  That seems like a really oddly specific choice and kind of unnecessary with how many more resources are out east.

I do not drive exclusively in the east, I sometimes drive in very desolate parts of the west that lack cell phone service.

I think I have replaced all of one fuse, but considering they take up almost no room, weigh virtually nothing, and don't expire its not a bad thing to have.
There are those who travel, and those who travel well


HighwayStar

Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 08, 2022, 10:09:31 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 08, 2022, 10:07:33 AM
I haven't ever had to replace fuses on the fly on the side of a road.  That seems like a really oddly specific choice and kind of unnecessary with how many more resources are out east.

And if your car is that unreliable, maybe take the thousands of dollars spent on a massive emergency kit and just put it towards a new car.

Actually my vehicles are some of the most reliable models ever made, with excellent track records generally and in my ownership. And I have only ever replaced 1 fuse that I can remember.
However, the reliability of your car is not a reason to skip the fuses, since electrical faults do occur, sometimes for transient operating conditions that would affect any vehicle.

Also no new car on the market is going to be more reliable than mine electrically speaking, just in terms of the number of components and the complexity of the system you are looking at a  higher component fail rate.
There are those who travel, and those who travel well

US 89

Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:17:52 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.

Its actually not that hard to fit that into even a compact sedan.

I'd rather be able to fit my groceries in the trunk than have a bunch of random crap that I might have a 0.001% chance of ever using.

abefroman329

Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:17:52 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.

Its actually not that hard to fit that into even a compact sedan.
Sure, if it's just you and all that gear.

kphoger

Quote from: US 89 on March 08, 2022, 11:24:30 AM
I'd rather be able to fit my groceries in the trunk than have a bunch of random crap that I might have a 0.001% chance of ever using.

The list of what I keep in the car isn't necessarily the same for a road trip as for a trip to the grocery store.

He Is Already Here! Let's Go, Flamingo!
Dost thou understand the graveness of the circumstances?
Deut 23:13
Male pronouns, please.

Quote from: PKDIf you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use them.

HighwayStar

Quote from: US 89 on March 08, 2022, 11:24:30 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:17:52 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.

Its actually not that hard to fit that into even a compact sedan.

I'd rather be able to fit my groceries in the trunk than have a bunch of random crap that I might have a 0.001% chance of ever using.

False dichotomy fallacy, there is no reason they need be mutually exclusive. Most of my gear goes in the spare tire well, which is space you would never be putting your groceries anyway. A small box of other items in the trunk and a handful stashed in the glove box and that is it. I can still put $400 worth of groceries in the trunk with ease. And that is in the small car.
Nor is that stuff "random" it is chosen to fulfill particular purposes.
There are those who travel, and those who travel well

HighwayStar

Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:25:27 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:17:52 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.

Its actually not that hard to fit that into even a compact sedan.
Sure, if it's just you and all that gear.

Read the above. I have carried this gear in the car while also carrying 4 other people and a trunk full of groceries or other cargo. Its just in how its packed.
There are those who travel, and those who travel well

abefroman329

Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:29:45 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:25:27 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:17:52 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.

Its actually not that hard to fit that into even a compact sedan.
Sure, if it's just you and all that gear.

Read the above. I have carried this gear in the car while also carrying 4 other people and a trunk full of groceries or other cargo. Its just in how its packed.
Yeah, well, I've carried that gear and 4 other people and groceries or other cargo inside of me.  If it's on the Internet, it must be true.

kphoger

Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:25:27 AM

Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:17:52 AM

Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.

Its actually not that hard to fit that into even a compact sedan.

Sure, if it's just you and all that gear.

Most of what he listed doesn't really take up all that much space and/or are fairly easy to pack efficiently.  The bulky items are the spare tire (no extra space on many vehicles, as it's already mounted somewhere else), tire inflator, jump box, sand, and utility wire (depending on how much he carries).  I'm guessing his kit probably only takes up about twice as much space as mine.

The issue I see, however, is that his kit doesn't include any engine fluids.

He Is Already Here! Let's Go, Flamingo!
Dost thou understand the graveness of the circumstances?
Deut 23:13
Male pronouns, please.

Quote from: PKDIf you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use them.

abefroman329

Quote from: kphoger on March 08, 2022, 11:33:20 AMThe bulky items are the spare tire (no extra space on many vehicles, as it's already mounted somewhere else), tire inflator, jump box, sand, and utility wire (depending on how much he carries).
And the following:

Blankets
Winter Coat
Winter Gloves
Work Gloves
Winter Hats

Although all of that can be stored in those vacuum-sealed bags, which would help.

Still seems like a lot - our Tucson came with a first aid kit, and we own jumper cables, but I've used those to jump-start someone else's car far more than I've used them to jump-start my own car.    I can check fluids when I stop for gas, and if the car is losing fluids due to a leak, it's not like I can repair that myself.  But I've also never taken a roadtrip that wasn't mainly on Interstates or any other road where it's likely there will be cell service, and I know how to put up my hood to signal to the highway patrol that I'm in need of help.

HighwayStar

Quote from: kphoger on March 08, 2022, 11:33:20 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:25:27 AM

Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:17:52 AM

Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.

Its actually not that hard to fit that into even a compact sedan.

Sure, if it's just you and all that gear.

Most of what he listed doesn't really take up all that much space and/or are fairly easy to pack efficiently.  The bulky items are the spare tire (no extra space on many vehicles, as it's already mounted somewhere else), tire inflator, jump box, sand, and utility wire (depending on how much he carries).  I'm guessing his kit probably only takes up about twice as much space as mine.

The issue I see, however, is that his kit doesn't include any engine fluids.

I will say that on some longer trips I have carried oil and distilled water (the latter being dual purpose) when I was in more desolate parts of the country.
I don't carry the brake fluid, steering fluid, etc. because generally if either has leaked enough to need refilling it will be a requirement to fix the leak which although it can sometimes be done roadside is more than I might be able to do without more tools.
There are those who travel, and those who travel well

HighwayStar

Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:40:32 AM
Quote from: kphoger on March 08, 2022, 11:33:20 AMThe bulky items are the spare tire (no extra space on many vehicles, as it's already mounted somewhere else), tire inflator, jump box, sand, and utility wire (depending on how much he carries).
And the following:

Blankets
Winter Coat
Winter Gloves
Work Gloves
Winter Hats

Although all of that can be stored in those vacuum-sealed bags, which would help.

Still seems like a lot - our Tucson came with a first aid kit, and we own jumper cables, but I've used those to jump-start someone else's car far more than I've used them to jump-start my own car.    I can check fluids when I stop for gas, and if the car is losing fluids due to a leak, it's not like I can repair that myself.  But I've also never taken a roadtrip that wasn't mainly on Interstates or any other road where it's likely there will be cell service, and I know how to put up my hood to signal to the highway patrol that I'm in need of help.

Although it is possible to wait for or call for help, it is in many cases much faster to fix it yourself. I can jump my own car or change a tire faster than AAA can get to me, even in town.
There are those who travel, and those who travel well

abefroman329

Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:42:40 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:40:32 AM
Quote from: kphoger on March 08, 2022, 11:33:20 AMThe bulky items are the spare tire (no extra space on many vehicles, as it's already mounted somewhere else), tire inflator, jump box, sand, and utility wire (depending on how much he carries).
And the following:

Blankets
Winter Coat
Winter Gloves
Work Gloves
Winter Hats

Although all of that can be stored in those vacuum-sealed bags, which would help.

Still seems like a lot - our Tucson came with a first aid kit, and we own jumper cables, but I've used those to jump-start someone else's car far more than I've used them to jump-start my own car.    I can check fluids when I stop for gas, and if the car is losing fluids due to a leak, it's not like I can repair that myself.  But I've also never taken a roadtrip that wasn't mainly on Interstates or any other road where it's likely there will be cell service, and I know how to put up my hood to signal to the highway patrol that I'm in need of help.

Although it is possible to wait for or call for help, it is in many cases much faster to fix it yourself. I can jump my own car or change a tire faster than AAA can get to me, even in town.

Re jumping your own car, yes, that's why I said I carry jumper cables.

Re changing a tire, most of the time, yes, but there have been a few times where I couldn't do it myself, and that happens so infrequently, my AAA membership will do.

kphoger

Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:40:32 AM
And the following:

Blankets
Winter Coat
Winter Gloves
Work Gloves
Winter Hats

Hopefully, if the weather is cold enough to require those, then you're already packing them anyway.  And I keep a blanket in my car at all times anyway;  it keeps my other emergency kit items covered up.

Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 11:40:32 AM
I can check fluids when I stop for gas, and if the car is losing fluids due to a leak, it's not like I can repair that myself.

If my car is losing fluids due to a leak, then I probably can't fix it myself either.  But fixing the leak isn't the point of carrying fluids.  The point is to keep the reservoir full until you're done with your trip–at which point you can take it to a mechanic.  I've done plenty of road trips with vehicles that slowly leaked oil and/or coolant before, and those extra bottles sure have come in handy on occasion.  Before my last vehicle threw a rod last year, our family took a trip to Galveston Island;  once along the way in each direction, and once while we were there, I topped off the motor oil.  Heck, I now carry five gallons of water on every road trip we take because we were once stranded in far western Colorado in 100°F heat, a radiator run dry, and no cell reception;  the only reason we were able to drive to Grand Junction is that we were able to put three gallons of water in the radiator.

He Is Already Here! Let's Go, Flamingo!
Dost thou understand the graveness of the circumstances?
Deut 23:13
Male pronouns, please.

Quote from: PKDIf you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use them.

Rothman

I have had to replace two or three car fuses over 30 years of driving.  Last time was a few years ago for a 2016 Nissan Versa.

That said, I don't keep spares in the car.  As someone else said, I haven't had one go out that was driving critical.  I just go to a parts store and pick one up when needed...which obviously hasn't been that often.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

Scott5114

#40
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.

Can't help but notice the lack of a spool of barbed wire.

Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:23:18 AM
Actually my vehicles are some of the most reliable models ever made, with excellent track records generally and in my ownership.

Now that you mention it, I can't really think of any times the Carpenter school bus I rode when I was a kid broke down.
uncontrollable freak sardine salad chef

HighwayStar

Quote from: Scott5114 on March 08, 2022, 05:37:22 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.

Can't help but notice the lack of a spool of barbed wire.

Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:23:18 AM
Actually my vehicles are some of the most reliable models ever made, with excellent track records generally and in my ownership.

Now that you mention it, I can't really think of any times the Carpenter school bus I rode when I was a kid broke down.

I am really starting to feel some projection here, like perhaps you do drive a school bus but want to make everyone think I do?
There are those who travel, and those who travel well

Scott5114

Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 05:43:05 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 08, 2022, 05:37:22 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.

Can't help but notice the lack of a spool of barbed wire.

Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:23:18 AM
Actually my vehicles are some of the most reliable models ever made, with excellent track records generally and in my ownership.

Now that you mention it, I can't really think of any times the Carpenter school bus I rode when I was a kid broke down.

I am really starting to feel some projection here, like perhaps you do drive a school bus but want to make everyone think I do?

Nah, I drive a 2009 Pontiac G6, as I've said multiple times on this forum. I just don't get all pretentious and call my car the Ultimate Roadtrip Car and act like it's God's gift to the Eisenhower Interstate System.
uncontrollable freak sardine salad chef

abefroman329

Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 05:43:05 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on March 08, 2022, 05:37:22 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 08:57:38 AM
If this is your car emergency kit, then a school bus really is the best vehicle for you.

Can't help but notice the lack of a spool of barbed wire.

Quote from: HighwayStar on March 08, 2022, 11:23:18 AM
Actually my vehicles are some of the most reliable models ever made, with excellent track records generally and in my ownership.

Now that you mention it, I can't really think of any times the Carpenter school bus I rode when I was a kid broke down.

I am really starting to feel some projection here, like perhaps you do drive a school bus but want to make everyone think I do?
Mouthing off to an admin may not end the way you want it to.

hotdogPi

Quote from: abefroman329 on March 08, 2022, 06:37:07 PM
Mouthing off to an admin may not end the way you want it to.

Admins are regular users here. I got into a debate with Scott5114 about probability a few months ago, and there was nothing even resembling a warning.
Clinched

Traveled, plus
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NH 27, 78, 111A(E); CA 90; NY 366; GA 42, 140; FL A1A, 7; CT 32, 320; VT 2A, 5A; PA 3, 51, 60, WA 202; QC 162, 165, 263; 🇬🇧A100, A3211, A3213, A3215, A4222; 🇫🇷95 D316

Lowest untraveled: 36

Scott5114

In general, my policy is if I'm involved in a heated discussion with someone else and they do something I feel like is sanctionable, I'll just message the other mods what I saw and one of them can act if they feel it's appropriate. I don't like giving the appearance of a conflict of interest.

In general, we tend to try to avoid warning anyone unless we can point to something on the list of rules that's been violated. Merely disagreeing with me is not on that list (and there are some people on here I disagree with all the time, but I still enjoy their presence on the forum).
uncontrollable freak sardine salad chef



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