Prepare Your Vehicle

[Texas SpeedDiva]

Since many of us here are checklist people - I found this good checklist to prepare your vehicle. It's common sense stuff, but when you are under pressure things get over looked.

Prepare Your Vehicle

* Fill up with gasoline before you leave town. It’s smart to keep your tank full during hurricane season.

* Check your vehicle’s fluid levels and ensure there is adequate coolant in the radiator.

* Don’t forget to check your tires. Check for proper air pressure because hot road surfaces are rough on tires. Be sure that your spare tire has air and that you have the proper equipment to change your tire. Ensure you have a jack and lug wrench in your vehicle and know where they are in the vehicle. Your owner’s manual should have instructions for changing tires and flats.

* Make sure to carry water and non-perishable food for you and your passengers in case you become stranded.

***If you are stranded, stay with your vehicles and use emergency flashers. Tie a white cloth on antenna or door handle and raise the hood.

* Carry a cell phone. You may need assistance. DPS help line is 1-800-525-5555 or * DPS (on certain wireless carriers).

* Have a working flashlight and extra batteries in your vehicle.

[ticka1]

Over on www.hotpursuit.com (http://www.hotpursuit.com) - there was a post that stated there was an increase in flat tires after the storm due to driving over debris that punctured tires. So having several cans of Fix of Flat might help out during and after the storm.

[Texas SpeedDiva]

I know a lot of auto mechanics are very against the fix a flat. Apparently it will ruin the tire and it has to be entirely replaced instead of patched or fixed.

Personally I keep a couple cans in the truck. I'd rather have to replace a tire than be stuck some place in a dangerous situation. Like on the side of the road during a hurrican evacuation

[GalvestonDuck]

* Don’t forget to check your tires. Check for proper air pressure because hot road surfaces are rough on tires. Be sure that your spare tire has air and that you have the proper equipment to change your tire. Ensure you have a jack and lug wrench in your vehicle and know where they are in the vehicle. Your owner’s manual should have instructions for changing tires and flats.

While packing for the Rita evacuation, I moved my spare tire to the floor spot right behind the driver's seat along with the jack and lug wrench. I knew that if I got a spare tire, I was not going to enjoy unpacking all my valuables from the trunk just to get to that tire. (Actually, I got an early lesson the hard way -- when I evacuated for an earlier storm that I really didn't need to evacuate for. :blush: It was before I had the resources I have now. :) )

[Texas SpeedDiva]

Good idea Duck. Although the tire on the truck under the bed I guess it might be good to be able to get to the jack without having to unload everything..