Get Home Safe

Being prepared isn't just for scouts

Modern cars are more reliable than ever, but drivers need to know how to get home safely in case nature throws them a curve ball. MMD Creative/Shutterstock

Few people, when getting into their car to drive to work, wonder whether the trip might not go as planned; we get into the car and we go. But the recent once-in-a-millenium flooding in South Florida made it clear that even short drives can suddenly go awry.

In the recent flooding, some drivers ran out of fuel because they had to make long detours away from flooded areas, others had their vehicles stall in deep water, and still others experienced flat tires caused by debris in the road. The brand of the car wasn’t a factor; the flooding stranded Mercedes as often as it did Kias.

A flat tire is always a possibility, and knowing how to change it is a must-have skill for all drivers. Phoderstock/Shutterstock

The lesson here is that a bit of planning can help prevent a situation from becoming an ordeal. Avoid driving through deep water, even if that means making a long detour; if possible, wait for the water to drain. Flat tires happen; what counts is the car owner’s response.

The first thing to do after buying a new vehicle is to inspect all the emergency equipment and add a first-aid kit, flashlight, LED road flares, and basic tools. Also consider upgrading the vehicle’s jack and lug wrench. Grassetto/Getty Images

Vehicles equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems alert the operator to low tire pressure, but a visual inspection is always the best method. If a tire begins to lose pressure while driving, consider how low the tire is and whether the car can make it safely home. If the pressure is dropping fast, pull over, activate the emergency flashers, and assess the situation.

There are three ways to respond to excessively low tire pressure: change the tire, use a can of tire sealant to plug the leak, or use a portable inflator to add air so the car can be driven to a repair facility. Changing a tire can be a straightforward or unpleasant experience. Many drivers never bother to inspect their car’s tire-changing tools and spare tire or even confirm that it has a spare tire; some car manufacturers provide a can of tire sealant instead of a spare tire.

If the tire leak is slow, a get-home option is to use a tire inflator to add air, even if that means stopping every few blocks or miles to add more. If the tire is flat and will not accept air, it needs to be changed, either by someone in the vehicle or by someone who is called to come provide assistance—which could mean the car isn’t going anywhere for quite a while.

While it's unwise to store a gas can full of fuel in the vehicle, it's a good idea to have an empty gas container handy in case you run out of fuel. Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock

The process of changing a tire is simple and safe as long as the instructions are followed. The vehicle’s owner’s manual will provide detailed instructions, but taking time now to watch how-to videos can provide much-needed confidence. Some owners augment the car’s tire-changing equipment with a more efficient bottle jack and a heavy-duty lug wrench.

Running out of fuel is never fun, so many drivers make a point of topping off the fuel tank as soon as it hits the half-full mark. However, there are times when getting gas isn’t an option. If the car’s fuel tank is showing empty and the engine is starting to make odd noises or vibrations, safely pull off the road and turn off the engine.

It’s never a good idea to keep spare fuel in a vehicle, but storing an empty fuel container is a great idea. This ensures that someone can transport fuel from the nearest station to the car and get the vehicle back in action.

In order to be prepared for unforeseen events, consider equipping the vehicle with some basic equipment. The list begins with a comprehensive yet compact first-aid kit with a tourniquet, such as those offered by My Medic. Next on the list is a supply of water, both for the vehicle in the event of coolant loss and to keep the occupants hydrated.

Flash floods can make roads impassable and damage vehicles, leaving motorists stranded. Pay attention to weather alerts and use a route-planning app to get home safely. Joe Raedle/Staff/Getty Images

Add several long-shelf-life energy bars, work gloves, a tarp to work on or use for shade, a flashlight with spare batteries, an LED emergency flare, a can of tire sealant, a 12-volt or cordless tire inflator, a better jack than what came with the vehicle, a heavy-duty lug wrench, and jumper cables or a battery jumper such as the Athena, which can also recharge phones.

Other helpful gear includes an empty fuel container, basic tools, a roll of duct tape, an ice scraper, and a raincoat or poncho. Taking a few minutes to learn where the vehicle’s battery is located is another good idea—some are actually stashed under the passenger seat—as is knowing where to connect battery jumper cables.

A bit of preparation is the way to get home safely.