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Extreme Conditions
Record Heat Conditions: Getting stranded in the desert or during a heat wave can leave you hot and bothered. Here are some tips to help you keep your cool.
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water.
- When in the middle of nowhere, never leave sight of the vehicle. It's much easier to find a car in trouble than a person.
- Roll down the windows to keep heat from building up in the interior.
- Look for shade, even if it's only the vehicle's shadow. Most car interiors are much hotter than the outside air and will quickly dehydrate even the hardiest of souls. The space blanket in your emergency kit (you do have one, right?) can be used for a quick makeshift sun shade; in a pinch, tuck it into a car door and hold it over your head.
- If the engine is still operable, occasionally roll up the windows until they are cracked about an inch and run the air conditioning to return body temperatures back to normal and prevent heat stroke. Run the cool air just long enough to cool back down and then return to whatever shade is available.
- Occasionally honk the horn to let anyone who may have wandered into hearing distance that there may be a problem.
- Always carry spare water when traveling during peak temperatures. If you don't need it, your car might.
Blizzard Conditions: When the car can't be moved during blizzard conditions, don't panic. Below are several survival tips that may help to weather the storm.
- If the trouble is just starting, look for shelter: a house, barn, store, or service station nearby.
- If you can't see a place of shelter, stay in the car. DO NOT wander around, looking for shelter and get lost in the storm.
- Run the engine and the heater for ten minutes every half hour. Open the windows a little bit while the engine is running. Engine idle consumes about one gallon of gasoline per hour. Five gallons of fuel is enough for one day with this method. Don't race the motor and waste fuel.
- Open the door once in a while so that it does not become snow packed. When opening the door, check to make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow.
- Blow the horn and flash the lights while the engine is running. Don't run down the battery in the meantime.
- Stretch arms and legs frequently inside the car.
- Use the space blanket in your emergency kit for warmth. If you don't have one, use anything available to keep warm: rip out car carpeting for blankets, use floor mats, linings from the trunk, or car seat covers. If the situation becomes really bad, rip the upholstery from the rear seats and roof of the car.
- If you absolutely must drive in hazardous conditions, carry food, water and extra clothing in the car in case of emergencies.
- If the trouble is just starting, look for shelter: a house, barn, store, or service station nearby.
- If you can't see a place of shelter, stay in the car. DO NOT wander around, looking for shelter and get lost in the storm.
- Run the engine and the heater for ten minutes every half hour. Open the windows a little bit while the engine is running. Engine idle consumes about one gallon of gasoline per hour. Five gallons of fuel is enough for one day with this method. Don't race the motor and waste fuel.
- Open the door once in a while so that it does not become snow packed. When opening the door, check to make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow.
- Blow the horn and flash the lights while the engine is running. Don't run down the battery in the meantime.
- Stretch arms and legs frequently inside the car.
- Use the space blanket in your emergency kit for warmth. If you don't have one, use anything available to keep warm: rip out car carpeting for blankets, use floor mats, linings from the trunk, or car seat covers. If the situation becomes really bad, rip the upholstery from the rear seats and roof of the car.
- If you absolutely must drive in hazardous conditions, carry food, water and extra clothing in the car in case of emergencies.
When All Else Fails
When the car breaks down on a Federal Interstate, the driver should lift the hood of the car, turn on the emergency signals, and wait for help. This is also true when the car runs out of gas. The person stopping may consent to send a tow truck or may even offer you a ride to the next service station. If a passenger car does not stop, the Highway Patrol will come along eventually and offer help. There are situations, however, that are not as ideal as those on Federal Interstate roads. Drivers sometimes have accidents on isolated roadways - either running out of gas or a mechanical failure.
The best advice comes from a patrolman, who says to use your common sense. Be sure to check your gas gauge, tires, and other accessories and parts before taking trips on lonely roads. If your car does have a failure or runs out of gas, it is not always wise to lift the hood, especially if you plan to leave the area. It is probably best to walk to the nearest farm or rural home and ask to use the phone (or ask the homeowner to call for help, if he doesn't want to let you into the house). It would probably be best to lock the car if you plan to walk for any distance or to be away from it for any length of time. If the car breaks down during a storm, such as a blizzard, stay in the car and follow the advice given for blizzard conditions above. Hitchhiking is illegal, but a policeman will not arrest you if your car has broken down and you are walking in search of help.
By Staff
Photo credit: Volvo
Nanolive 
.jpg "2007 Volvo XC70")
.jpg "2007 Volvo XC70")
.jpg "2007 Volvo XC70")
.jpg "2007 Volvo XC70")
.jpg "2007 Volvo XC70")
.jpg "2007 Volvo XC70")
.jpg "2007 Volvo XC70")
.jpg "2007 Volvo XC70")
.jpg "2007 Volvo XC70")
.jpg "2007 Volvo XC70")
.jpg "2007 Volvo XC70")
.jpg "2007 Volvo XC70")