March 11, 2010 | Posted by DDFD Recently there is quite a bit of news about cars (Toyotas) with stuck accelerators. If this were to happen to you, what can you do? Here are some ideas in order of least extreme to most extreme: Use the brakes Put your hazard lights on (The next few approaches may cause a dramatic stop or [...]
Categories: driving | 
Tags: driving, how to, self reliance, stop a car in an emergency | 
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February 21, 2010 | Posted by Clair Schwan You have undoubtedly found yourself spinning your wheels at some point as you tried to move yourself through snow. This is a self-defeating practice as it creates ice under your tires that doesn’t support traction. The ice is formed by added energy that melts the snow. Plus, the spinning tires are essentially “shining” the hard [...]
Categories: driving | Tags: driving, self reliance, spinning your wheels, winter driving, winter driving tips | No Comments »
February 18, 2010 | Posted by Clair Schwan If you’re looking for traction on snow, it can be found with snow tires, studs, slow and steady driving, tire chains and oddly enough, bitter cold weather. It doesn’t seem possible, but lower temperatures provide better traction. Here’s why it’s true. As you drive over snow, the weight of your vehicle tends to melt the [...]
Categories: driving | Tags: driving, self reliance, traction on snow, winter driving, winter driving tips | No Comments »
February 8, 2010 | Posted by Clair Schwan I like to be prepared. The alternative is being unprepared – not a good idea at all. It just doesn’t feel right to me. Preparation means we’re ready for eventualities and many emergencies at home and on the road. One of the things you can do to be prepared is to carry a form of [...]
Categories: emergency preparedness | Tags: be prepared, driving, emergency preparedness, self reliance | No Comments »
February 7, 2010 | Posted by Clair Schwan Some car driving tips are designed to help you save gas. Others are intended to help you save yourself some trouble. This one does both. If you often find yourself making sudden stops or swerving to avoid things, you might want to consider just how far out in front of your bumper you drive. The [...]
Categories: driving | Tags: car driving tips, driving, safe driving, self reliance | No Comments »
January 30, 2010 | Posted by DDFD Got a dollar? Buy a tire gauge and get your vehicle owner’s manual out– then head for the service station. Here’s how to check the tire pressure of you vehicle: Consult your owner’s manual for the proper recommended tire pressures for your vehicle. You will probably find different pressures for front and back. It doesn’t [...]
Categories: car repair | Tags: automotive repair, do it yourself, driving, how to, self reliance | No Comments »
January 8, 2010 | Posted by DDFD My daughter drives in less than two and one half years. One of the skills she will have before she heads out on the road alone is the ability to change a flat tire (the other three kids will too). Yes, I have towing service as part of my auto insurance, but what if there [...]
Categories: driving | Tags: do it yourself, driving, how to change a flat tire, self reliance | No Comments »
December 14, 2009 | Posted by Clair Schwan With your car stuck in snow, you can’t always count on a small crew of helpers to push or pull you out, so you’ll need to know the basics of how to get yourself free from this frozen trap. The key is avoidance, but let’s save that for another post. Right now, let’s focus on [...]
Categories: driving | Tags: car stuck in snow, driving, self reliance, winter driving, winter driving tips | No Comments »
November 30, 2009 | Posted by Clair Schwan Winter driving tips are handy for those of us who have to get out in the winter in our vehicles. Many of us have experienced a vehicle that won’t turn on ice and snow. The problem is simply that you’ve lost “tracking” with your front wheels, and that’s a bit like having sled runners up [...]
Categories: driving | Tags: driving, self reliance, tracking, winter driving, winter driving tips | No Comments »
November 29, 2009 | Posted by Clair Schwan Another of the winter driving tips – regular and repeated driving on ice should be left to those who are trained by professionals to do so. Nevertheless, many of us find ourselves on ice every now and then, so we need to understand the basics. I am reminded of a man I saw chipping away [...]
Categories: driving | Tags: driving, driving on ice, self reliance, winter driving, winter driving tips | 2 Comments »
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