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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
  
Location: Bastrop, Texas | If you folks aren't used to this, here are some things to keep in mind:
Additives for diesel - best to use #1, but if you decide to use a "blend" then you need anti-gel additive. I use Howe's but there are others. Also, keep an extra bottle in the box AS WELL AS DE-gel additive, in case you start to experience gelling. That stuff works to turn gelled diesel back into liquid.
Make sure your tires are good and inflated adequately. Make sure you have your jack, etc... Have you ever had to change a tire when it's 40 below? Not fun and dangerous.
Keep your tanks full...again, I recommend #1. I don't trust the blends.
Keep some candles (several), candy, extra clothes - basically you need to put together a winter survival kit. Throw it all in a bag. Bring a dog along.
Make sure your phone is fully charged.
If you take medicine, bring it along, just in case.
If you go off the road or get stuck, and you can't get out, don't panic. Just sit tight. Don't start walking! |
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  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
 
Location: Riding Crackhead. | Great points Doc. If you do go in the ditch make sure the tailpipe is uncovered and crack your windows a smidgen and haul around a heavy sleeping bag or quilt. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Great advice. When my daughter moved to Colorado from Houston I bought her a survival kit and told her to keep in in her car at all times. She is a terrible driver, fortunately she does not venture out of Denver too often. Everyone be safe.
Edited by rodeomom3 2014-01-06 12:46 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 990
| Flashlight with fresh batteries as well - changing a tire in the dark sucks... |
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More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | rodeomom3 - 2014-01-06 12:45 PM Great advice. When my daughter moved to Colorado from Houston I bought her a survival kit and told her to keep in in her car at all times. She is a terrible driver, fortunately she does not venture out of Denver too often. Everyone be safe.
Safe from the cold or safe from your daughters driving. Stay off the sidewalks!
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | HotbearLVR - 2014-01-07 11:03 AM If you folks aren't used to this, here are some things to keep in mind:
Additives for diesel - best to use #1, but if you decide to use a "blend" then you need anti-gel additive. I use Howe's but there are others. Also, keep an extra bottle in the box AS WELL AS DE-gel additive, in case you start to experience gelling. That stuff works to turn gelled diesel back into liquid.
Make sure your tires are good and inflated adequately. Make sure you have your jack, etc... Have you ever had to change a tire when it's 40 below? Not fun and dangerous.
Keep your tanks full...again, I recommend #1. I don't trust the blends.
Keep some candles (several), candy, extra clothes - basically you need to put together a winter survival kit. Throw it all in a bag. Bring a dog along.
Make sure your phone is fully charged.
If you take medicine, bring it along, just in case.
If you go off the road or get stuck, and you can't get out, don't panic. Just sit tight. Don't start walking!
sorry doc..gonna disagree with you on this.......when its colder then normal for us(-30 and colder) we leave the dogs at home, if something were to happen and we broke down, my dog would freeze.......and out where we live sometimes you have to walk (and not all areas are cell phone friendly)
:)
m |
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 Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7622
Location: Dubach, LA | Since I've never left Louisiana, I must ask: Why the dog, Doc? |
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More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | I think he was joking. I know at night my heeler provides a lot of body heat though! |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | CanCan - 2014-01-06 1:50 PM Since I've never left Louisiana, I must ask: Why the dog, Doc?
Your dog can keep you warm....well, except for those little yippy ones! LOL I've been stranded before with my Rottie, and she kept me warm in my lap. If I have to drive somewhere in this weather, I am bringing my 100 pounders with me....my golden and my Rottie. If they freeze to death, I will be dead before they are.
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | This is from my companies safety departmen on
Coffee Can Survival Kit for Winter Driving:
~You easily can equip your vehicle with essential survival gear for winter. Here's what you'll need:
A 2 or 3 pound metal coffee can (punch 3 holes at the top of can, equal distance apart). You'll be stor-ing the other items inside the can.
60-inch length of twine or heavy string (cut into 3 equal pieces - used to suspend can)
3 large safety pins (tie string to safety pins and pin to car roof interior to suspend can over
candle)
1 candle 2" diameter (place on lid under suspended can for melting snow)
1 pocket knife, reasonably sharp (or substitute with scissors)
3 pieces of bright cloth 2" wide x 36" long (tie to antenna or door handle)
Several packets of soup, hot chocolate, tea, bouillon cubes, etc. (mixed into melted snow to pro-vide warmth and nutrition)
Plastic spoon
1 small package of peanuts and/or a couple protein/energy bars, some dried fruit (such as dried cranberries, which come in nicely sealed snack packs), and even a little chocolate, to provide you with some energy or comfort in stressful times
1 pair of socks and 1 pair of gloves or glove liners, depending on what will fit in the can (cotton is not recommended because it provides no insulation when wet)
2 packages of book matches
1 sun shield blanket or 2 large green or black plastic leaf bags (to reflect body heat)
1 pen light and batteries (keep separate)
When complete, place stocking cap over kit and carry in passenger compartment of car. If you have a 3 pound can, you will still have additional room for Band-Aids, aspirin, small radio, etc. If there is still room left, increase the quantity of any of the above items or improvise items you feel might be necessary.
Other items you may want to keep in the vehicle:
A charged cell phone
Large plastic garbage bag
Pencil stub and paper
Plastic whistle
You may want to keep the survival kit in the passenger compartment in case you go into a ditch and can't get to or open the trunk.
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 That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| HotbearLVR - 2014-01-06 1:56 PM CanCan - 2014-01-06 1:50 PM Since I've never left Louisiana, I must ask: Why the dog, Doc? Your dog can keep you warm....well, except for those little yippy ones! LOL I've been stranded before with my Rottie, and she kept me warm in my lap. If I have to drive somewhere in this weather, I am bringing my 100 pounders with me....my golden and my Rottie. If they freeze to death, I will be dead before they are.
Plus if you get hungry... well you know! om nom nom! |
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| CYA Ranch - 2014-01-06 1:42 PM
rodeomom3 - 2014-01-06 12:45 PM Great advice. When my daughter moved to Colorado from Houston I bought her a survival kit and told her to keep in in her car at all times. She is a terrible driver, fortunately she does not venture out of Denver too often. Everyone be safe.
Safe from the cold or safe from your daughters driving. Stay off the sidewalks!
If you only knew, 3 major wrecks before the age of 20 and gets lost in her own neighborhood. I think she gets really distracted trying to figure out where she is. |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Anyone who remembers the rock bands of the 60s and 70s will remember one of my favorites, "Three Dog Night". Look up the meaning of 3 dog night. Big dogs can save you. |
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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| Thanks for sharing this info! Again-never had to deal with a diesel in these extreme cold temps...and my husband almost took the truck to work.
I told him to take the car-GLAD I did!! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1066
| Another trick from us northern folk: Cut a piece of cardboard to fit behind the grill in your vehicle, and zip tie it in there. It helps BIG TIME in warming your vehicle up... I leave it in until spring, but once the temperature is back on the + side would probably be sufficient for those in warmer climates.
I also always keep a large candle, and matches in a coffee tin in my vehicle, as well as a can or two of beans or chick peas (with a can opener), wool socks, a jack knife, some granola bars, and a roll of toilet paper (good for the obvious, AND starting a fire if need be). "Firestarters" are also a necessity- they consist of a carboard egg carton, stuff all the holes with dryer lint, and pour hot candle wax over the lint- break off one egg hole each time you need to start a fire (or more if needed)... if you cant start a fire with a couple of these babies then you've got problems. |
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