Emergency preparedness: Vehicle

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If you need to travel long distance remote, it’s important to service your vehicle. Oil and air filters, oil changes, coolant, tyre check or replace, brake pads, brake fluid, wipers and wiper fluid.
Have a tool kit and spare parts. Have spare engine belts, hoses, leads and plugs pre gapped. Have spare electrical fuses. Some cheap auto electrical tool kits have most of what you need for basic repairs, but augment them with extras. Have 2 spare tires if you have space, and get spare valves and valve tool, patch kit and tubes. Change your battery before leaving.

Basic auto electrical kits are cheap and compact, add extra fuses and bulbs for older models of car.

Cheap roadside tool kits can be picked up for under $100, has all your basic automotive tools. Fairly compact.

Check your jack and wheel brace kit, upgrade to highlyft jack or trolley jack if you have room.

Tire irons have a set and learn how to remove a tire from the rim, and put a tire back on the rim.

High volume air pump, for inflating tires.

Have tow rope and snatch strap with rated D shackles for recovery. Shovel, Axe, Saw.

Have a set of jumper leads, and work light.

 

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Hot weather break downs or getting bogged.

Don’t try to dig yourself out in the heat of the day.

Set up a tarp for shade and stay hydrated with electrolyte powder water mix. We carry a bare minimum of 70 litres/ 18 gallons of water in desert country. Eat a can of baked beans. We pack moist canned food, eating something helps maintain hydration, especially wet foods.

Many people have died from over heating because they exerted themselves digging in the heat. Don’t do it.

Stop, be patient, rest and wait till the day cools right down. People have dug themselves out in the heat, gotten to civilisation and died shortly after.