Be prepared

When I was growing up I was a Boy Scout. The motto for the Boy Scouts is "be prepared". This has stuck with me over the years. Today, I want to talk briefly about being prepared when it comes to your vehicle, and how a little bit of planning now can save you time, money, and possibly your life in some situations.

The first part of preparedness is knowing how to react in a difficult situation. When something happens to you, take a deep breath. Sometimes our first reaction is to panic; our mind starts to race, we tense up, our palms get sweaty, so assess the situation, are you in danger? What are the logical next steps to resolve the situation? Just don't panic, control your thoughts so that you can think clearly and you are much more likely to find a solution.

Next, plan ahead. A little bit of planning can go a long way; I can't tell you every situation you need to plan for, but there are many situations that can be made easier or avoided altogether with a little forethought. Do you drive a lot in the country? Do you have a survival kit in your trunk? Do you live where the weather can be cold? Does your emergency kit include a blanket? Would you be able to change a tire yourself if you got a flat? (here's a guide on how to do that) Do you have a spare tire tucked away for emergency use? Do you know first aid? Do you carry maps in your vehicle in preparedness for times when you may not have access to a smartphone or GPS?

Keep up on basic maintenance; not only will this help prolong the life of your vehicle, but you can catch or prevent some major issues simply by keeping up on oil changes, tire rotations, properly inflating your tires, topping off fluids, and keeping up on manufacturer recalls. 

On the subject of tires, know the proper level to inflate your tires (located on the inside panel of the driver's door on most vehicle brands) and check at least once a month, especially as the temperature fluctuates. Check your tire tread, do you have enough? (If you can see the top of Lincon's head when inserting a penny into the tread it might be time to consider some new wheels!) Are your tires wearing evenly? Does your vehicle pull to one side? All these could be signs of a potential problem with your vehicle.

Everyone should have some sort of emergency kit. You can buy premade kits such as this

or you can build your own. Here are some ideas on what you might include in your kit:

1. Tools: 4-way cross wrench, and a real jack (you'll thank me if you ever have to change a tire), screwdrivers, flashlight, electrical tape, spare fuses and if you want to get fancy, then include a voltage meter for testing electrical connections.

2. First aid kit.

3. A blanket (most places get colder at night) and a pair of boots, a hat, and gloves for those of you who live in colder climates. 

4. Jumper cables, and a jump box. Something like this can be a real lifesaver when there is no one around to give you a jump. Also, if you get one with a USB port then you can charge your phone which can be very helpful when you have a dead battery.

5. If you want to be extra prepared then a satellite radio might be a good addition, especially if you spend time off-roading or in unpopulated areas.

There are a million products I could list that might be useful in certain situations, but the most important thing is your own knowledge. Knowing what to do when things go awry will give you the confidence to keep yourself and others safe in most situations you will have to face on the road.

Safe travels!