I'm sure most of you have seen the topics on preparing the caravan for winter use but what about the car?
We all take it for granted these days that cars have the technology to be reliable, start every time and not break down.
Well there's the theory bit out of the window.!!??
Hands up, how many of you change the antifreeze every year, and put more than just the minimum concentration level in anyway.
UMMM, though so, not many.
What about the windscreen washer bottle 50-75% concentration of screen wash to stop freezing up.
Umm, down to about half left now.
How about a tow rope,Torch (wind up type so no batteries to go flat), Hazard triangle, First aid kit (and know how to use it), Fire extinguisher (same comment), spare trousers and a jumper, a blanket, And last but not least the car charger for the mobile.
By now were probably left with only 10% of you still saying yep got that.
Now then on top of that I carry, jump leads, high viz jacket, wolly hat & gloves, warm coat, and a brief case type tool kit with spare bulbs & fuses for the car.
All that kit is just for the daily commute from Leominster to Worcester on the A44 (30 miles). But when you travel predominately between midnight and 5am on this road you might find a handfull of passing vehicles. There are only two telephone boxes in the 12 miles from Bromyard to Leominster and that stretch goes over the highest point in Herefordshire which back in the 70's had regular road closures that could only be cleared by JCB and snow blowers.
Now just take time to think. What if the engine stopped and you could not get it started and your just 2 miles from the nearest house (if they're in) and you only have jeans and a sweatshirt on. How long before hyperthermia set's in? An hour, 30 mins? No it starts at 15 mins in minus 5 deg C.
How long to trudge through 6-8 inches of snow the 2 miles to that house, an hour plus.
Someone likened me to scott of the arctic when I said what I do to keep water flowing in the caravan.
I'd call it just being prepared for the worst case sinareo. Having learnt from a bitterly cold experience just how much we depend on technology and what a nightmare it is when it breaks down, I'd rather carry 25Kgs of emergencey kit that cost me £50 to ensure I can enjoy the next sunny day.
It's quite funny when I see my work mates broken down on the side of the road, and their faces light up when they see me because they know I'll have the kit to recover them back home.
But they never learn, and build their own rescue kit.
Most of the bits and pieces can be found at the local car boot or charity shop for loose change. Buy a new first aid kit, fire extinguisher, bulb & fuse kit and wind up torch.
Sure I hear you say £50 for stuff to clutter the car that I'll never use!!
Believe me, when the day comes, you'll be so glad you had taken the time to be prepared.
Steve L.
We all take it for granted these days that cars have the technology to be reliable, start every time and not break down.
Well there's the theory bit out of the window.!!??
Hands up, how many of you change the antifreeze every year, and put more than just the minimum concentration level in anyway.
UMMM, though so, not many.
What about the windscreen washer bottle 50-75% concentration of screen wash to stop freezing up.
Umm, down to about half left now.
How about a tow rope,Torch (wind up type so no batteries to go flat), Hazard triangle, First aid kit (and know how to use it), Fire extinguisher (same comment), spare trousers and a jumper, a blanket, And last but not least the car charger for the mobile.
By now were probably left with only 10% of you still saying yep got that.
Now then on top of that I carry, jump leads, high viz jacket, wolly hat & gloves, warm coat, and a brief case type tool kit with spare bulbs & fuses for the car.
All that kit is just for the daily commute from Leominster to Worcester on the A44 (30 miles). But when you travel predominately between midnight and 5am on this road you might find a handfull of passing vehicles. There are only two telephone boxes in the 12 miles from Bromyard to Leominster and that stretch goes over the highest point in Herefordshire which back in the 70's had regular road closures that could only be cleared by JCB and snow blowers.
Now just take time to think. What if the engine stopped and you could not get it started and your just 2 miles from the nearest house (if they're in) and you only have jeans and a sweatshirt on. How long before hyperthermia set's in? An hour, 30 mins? No it starts at 15 mins in minus 5 deg C.
How long to trudge through 6-8 inches of snow the 2 miles to that house, an hour plus.
Someone likened me to scott of the arctic when I said what I do to keep water flowing in the caravan.
I'd call it just being prepared for the worst case sinareo. Having learnt from a bitterly cold experience just how much we depend on technology and what a nightmare it is when it breaks down, I'd rather carry 25Kgs of emergencey kit that cost me £50 to ensure I can enjoy the next sunny day.
It's quite funny when I see my work mates broken down on the side of the road, and their faces light up when they see me because they know I'll have the kit to recover them back home.
But they never learn, and build their own rescue kit.
Most of the bits and pieces can be found at the local car boot or charity shop for loose change. Buy a new first aid kit, fire extinguisher, bulb & fuse kit and wind up torch.
Sure I hear you say £50 for stuff to clutter the car that I'll never use!!
Believe me, when the day comes, you'll be so glad you had taken the time to be prepared.
Steve L.
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