Basic
Mechanics Skills and Knowing Limitations Part 1 was an incredible success. After being
posted, it generated over 9,000 hits on the Blog last month. Part 1 can be read HERE.
I had a tremendous amount of feedback on a post that, frankly, I thought was
rather drawl and boring. Perhaps I had forgotten the reason that I had written
it to begin with. The fact is, people don't truly understand their vehicles and
how they work. They assume that if it starts in the morning and there are no
lights flashing at them on the dash, then everything must be ok.
Sadly, the one piece of equipment that is your most useful in
EOTWAWKI is also the one that is the most misunderstand...or not understood at
all. So, even though I had struggled to think of ways to make a continuous
series on the subject, simply driving around and looking at people's reactions,
I have identified some of the things that need to be discussed. Namely, let's
discuss vehicle fuel, specifically vehicle range and understanding how to
procure fuel when needed.
Let's start out with a little Q&A on understanding fuel and
vehicle ranges.
Basic Dollar-Gallon-Range Conversions
Do you take the amount of gasoline you have into constant
consideration? It seems like a stupid question, but can you tell me...right
now....exactly how much gas you have in the tank? It's a fair question, really.
If you aren't a gauge hawk like I am, can you at least remember the last
time you filled up, how much it was, and how far you have gone since then? The
sad thing is, the rest of the questions are a little more difficult. How far
can you go on the existing tank you have? Can you tell me, based on different
vehicle and motor operating speeds how you can stretch that range? If you were
stuck in traffic, how long could your vehicle operate with that existing tank?
Face the facts, folks. They call it an "idiot light" for
a reason. Sadly, in this world of information overload, we rely way too much on
our car telling us what's going on. But in the situation of EOTWAWKI and
bugging out, waiting on the car to tell you how far it can go is waiting too
long.
Even though I am only 31, I have own a lot of older vehicles,
going back to my first vehicle...a 1973 International pickup. Its gas gauge was
simply a needle with an "F" on one side and an "E" on the
other. Depending on how I drove, that gauge wasn't too terribly accurate.
But, it had a tripometer on it and I knew that I could go about 147 miles
on a tank of gas. Back then, gas was about $1.00 a gallon, so it was a fairly
easy conversion to know just how many miles I bought myself every time I went
to the gas pump. Additionally, I knew the exact mileage to and from all the
typical destinations I would drive. School was 3.6 miles. The local cruising
strip was right at 19 miles. Work was a shade under 10 miles. I could, at any
time, do some quick math and figure out where I stood on gas.
What did I learn in that 2 years of driving that truck? I
understood the basic mathematical concepts of conversion rates. I understood
how to convert dollars per gallon, to gallons per mile, to total miles
available. Every time I filled up, I understood just how far I could go. Or,
with the available cash I had, where I could get to. I know it sounds simple,
but the average person out there can't or doesn't stand practical math anymore.
They drive until the light comes on. Then they pull over and fill up. The
problem is, in the EOTWAWKI, life isn't that simple.
Understanding the Effects of Driving Style on Range
Most new cars have these fancy econo-meters on them telling you
instantly what kind of gas mileage you are getting. That number is usually used
when bragging to your friend on how many MPG you are getting going down hill
with a tailwind. Few people understand exactly the effect of driving style on
fuel economy. Until you really experience it, you may not full appreciate it.
Let me tell you a little story on how I learned just that.
Years ago, when I had lots of spare time, my friend and I took his
little Honda Civic up to a Crow Mountain, which is where they have the Crow
Mountain Hill Climb. You can use your imagination on how it works. Anyway, that
Civic got around 40 MPG and we put in a few dollars when we left Huntsville. We
made several runs up and down the mountain. Since it was a race, it was a high
load environment for the motor. Lots of RPMs and a lot of full throttle. The
Climb itself is only a few miles each way. So, at the end of the afternoon, we
headed back to Huntsville. About the time the engine cut out, we both took a
quizzical look at the fuel gauge, now sitting on empty. Both of us were very
educated and experienced mechanics. We both understand how it all works. But in
our fun, never did we consider that an econo-box car that get's 40 MPGs is
actually a little underpowered car who drinks gas when it lives at 6,000RPM and
full throttle for 2 hours going uphill half the time. It was embarrassing, but
it was a very solid learning moment.
Additionally, there have been the unexpected situations that have
cropped up on me in the last few years. Luckily, none of them have cost me
much, but it was scary all the same. For example, there is a section of
Interstate 65, just south of Birmingham, at the 285 intersection that ALWAYS
has terrible traffic. You will go from 70-80 MPH to a screeching halt
(literally). In some situations, like game weekends, it can stay backed up for
hours. For once, I didn't fill up in Priceville on our way to Auburn. I had
half a tank and figured I would stop and get gas when we stopped for dinner
around Montgomery. We breezed through Birmingham and came to a standstill. I
was at right at an 1/8th of a tank. It was mid-November and cold and we had the
kids with us. Slowly, I watched the range dwindle as we sat for over 3 hours.
Now, admittedly, that wasn't that big of a deal. Traffic cleared and we went on
our way. A month or so later, however, a massive snowstorm hit that stretch of
road. There isn't an exit for several miles in either direction. A combination
of weather and wrecks caused the interstate. As a result, people were trapped
on the interstate in their vehicles overnight and for 24 hours. That's a scary
situation. And this wasn't terrible winter weather. It was Alabama. Imagine
running out of gas in Billings, Montana in January.
Seeing Trouble Ahead and Stocking Up
If you have paid attention to any major weather event in the last
decade, you know what happens either shortly before, during, or right after.
Gas pumps are overrun with people trying to stock up. Heck, it isn't just
weather. Any time there is a significant event in the US, the tanks at every
gas station get emptied. While I don't have the money to invest in a large
unit, I will say that I keep at least 15 gallons of gas at the house. I don't
just do that for my vehicle, but also for my generator in event that power is
knocked out.
Take the events of April 2011 here in Huntsville. A massive system
of tornadoes swept through and decimated the area. Almost immediately, gas
stations were mobbed. While the weather was known to be dangerous days in
advance, almost no one had prepared. Luckily, I had. I had filled up all my
vehicles and gas tanks at the house the day before. However, the day after, my
dad needed gas, so I rode with him to get it. We had to travel deep into
Tennessee to find gas in Pulaski. It took us an hour to get to the state line,
which is merely 15 miles away and over 2 hours just to get to the gas station.
People were snotty, even violent. Many would hold out at the pump, hogging the
gas, even gouging. It was not something that I would suggest you deal with.
Sadly, that will pale in comparison to what we will see in the EOTWAWKI. And to
think, you could avoid both a dangerous and costly expedition by being smart
and looking ahead...even a short 12 hours could make all the difference. It did
in my case. Gas was not available for two weeks in my area. Think about the
true situation, as we discussed in the Immediate Stage of EOTWAWKI. Half the battle is
getting out and hunkering down before anyone else does.
Now, gas doesn't store too terribly well, so I would suggest
taking precautions when stocking up on gas. It is also extremely dangerous to
have that much gas stored. I do two thing: I treat my gas with Stabil, which
gives you a significant shelf life. I also will use 5 gallons at a time in my
lawnmower. Since I have a large lawn, I go through gas constantly. It helps
keep gas fresh. Additionally, in the fall, any left-over gas is transferred
into my vehicles and I refill my tanks.
Don't just think of your cars and those red gas tanks. Think
outside of the box. For example, I learned from my boss...when you look ahead,
fill all those gas tanks....including your boat. Where else will you find a
mobile refill station? My Skeeter has 2 26 gallon tanks that are easy to
siphon, if needed. That's a lot of gas!
What to do if You Run Out
Bad things happen. Sometimes your luck isn't that good. Sometimes
you just make mistakes. Now what? Do you know how to siphon gas? Can you do it
without killing yourself? There are tons of information out there on how to do
this. Take some time to read up, but make sure you at least demonstrate to
yourself that you can do it. In all of my Bug-Out-Bags, my 24 hour kit and even in my 24
Hour Car Kit, I have a section of hose simply for this. Suction it to your
lips, drop it below the level of the gas tank and into a container. Now you
have gas. Now, this isn't just in the case of Mad Max...stealing it from
someone else's ride. There are tons of places around your house that may have a
gallon or two. Weed Eaters. Lawn mower. Leaf blower. ATVs. Boats. You name it.
When it comes down to needing a few more gallons, make sure you think about all
of your potential sources.
And, as mentioned with the Mad Max situation, if it calls for
it...understand how to get it out of other cars. I learned how to do this
effectively when I parted out a wrecked car that had a full tank. I bought the
car for nothing and had already made my money, but there was easily 60 dollars
of free gas that took me 10 minutes to liberate.
If you don't have a hose and it really came down to it, understand
the basics of cars. Again, the average person has virtually no idea on how a
vehicle works, much less that intricacies of a fuel system. There is a
gas tank, it has a line that runs to the engine. The gas tank usually has an
access hatch in the trunk or under the rear seat. The lines usually run against
one of the frame rails. Chances are, there will be a soft hose section. Cut it
and now you have access to the gas. If it has all hard lines, a screw driver
and a hammer will make a small hole. If you have extra time or you don't want
to destroy anything, take the time to find and open that access port.
Conclusion
Again, it all comes down to having practical knowledge to apply
outside of the box thinking. Get into the habit of keeping track of your
mileage, how much you spent, and when. Keep your mind sharp by exercising it.
Do that math and come up with the different ranges you could experience in your
car. More importantly, where you could get to and how long you have to get
there. Prepare for the worst and plan ahead. It's a simple thing. If you
know there will be a major event such as bad weather, take the time to get gas
before everyone else does. If you can't prepare, know how to solve your
problems by getting the fuel by whatever means you have, weather its
cannibalizing it from your other equipment or otherwise. Remember, when it
comes to your survival, there is no such thing as looking silly when buying gas
in 5 different jugs, or siphoning out gas. That's for all of the others who
won't make it.
Talk to you next time! Don't forget to check out all of my Last Man On Earth Studies!
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