Roadside Survival

Book excerpt: This book is a collection of practical, low-tech wisdom and advice gained from over 2,000 free-of-charge roadside assists the author has performed as a hobby. Content is based on hands-on experience, not theory. There are two kinds of drivers: 1) those who have already experienced a disabled vehicle (and will again), and 2) those who will for the first time. Two hundred million licensed motor vehicle drivers in the United States expose themselves routinely to significant risk while betting that they will not become stranded when they drive. Motorists can decrease the chances that they will have a breakdown and become stranded. Some folks learn only by experiencing inconvenience, embarrassment, and potentially serious risks. Others make the proactive choice to learn how to prevent problems and the methods to counteract them should they occur. This book provides the opportunity to avoid the negatives associated with becoming stranded (including no bathroom, no water, no food, too cold, too hot, darkness, and encountering predators - human and other).Generally, good luck comes to those who help themselves; this book is for those in that group. To change the mind of someone currently not in that group, send him a copy of this book and insist he read it. Some drivers live in denial that they could break down; this book can help them see otherwise and show them how to prevent, prepare for and contend with that eventuality.The author is not a mechanic, and most vehicle breakdowns do not require a mechanic. His solutions are simple, low tech, easily understood, and enable a driver of a disabled vehicle to drive it off an interstate highway or parking lot, to a facility which can fix the problem, or so that the motorist can obtain items needed to prevent recurrence. They are not meant to be permanent repairs.By far the most common reasons for becoming stranded are tire-related: 75% of his assists. Discussion of several tire-related reasons follows the chapter on safety.The remaining 25% of breakdowns are split roughly equally among the following reasons, covered in separate chapters: - Out of gas- Engine overheating- Engine cuts off and will not re-start due to loose battery connection or dead or weak battery- Motorist is locked out of vehicleAnecdotes from actual assists, several humorous, introduce, illustrate and reinforce concepts and techniques. The book includes 64 illustrations with captions to ensure thorough yet clear explanations of concepts, tools, and techniques one can use to prevent and contend with a vehicle breakdown. This book also inspires readers to help others; check out the "Win-Win Hobby" chapter. Along the way, helpers help themselves. The author says, "I can make any good day better by performing a roadside assist. For me, the rush begins when I first see a disabled vehicle, and the feeling lasts for hours after I am done."