Prepare your car for SHTF

The issue with emergencies and disasters is that they are unpredictable events that we cannot plan our lives around.

You might find yourself in an SHTF situation at any moment, and there's a strong chance you won't be at home, may need to leave home to gather family members, or have to evacuate.

Our vehicles are always our preferred mode of transportation, but if you haven't prepared your car or truck for an SHTF situation, you might discover that your vehicle could be more of a hindrance than a help.

Luckily, getting your car ready for SHTF is straightforward and will provide you with an advantage when disaster strikes

An essential part of prepping is forming habits that will assist us in navigating a post-SHTF world.

For instance, a habit we should all develop concerning vehicles is to avoid letting our gas tanks become too empty.

The optimal approach is to refill the tank whenever you see it's between half and three-quarters full.

Ideally, you should never have less than half a tank fuel at any time.

Adopting situational awareness is crucial. Observe the neighborhoods you drive through regularly and consider the potential challenges you might face if you needed to navigate them post-SHTF.

Dedicate time to planning and testing different routes to and from work, school, friends' and family's homes, and other locations you might need to reach after a crisis.

A beneficial routine to establish is a weekly inspection of your vehicle. Examine fluids, lights, tire pressure, suspension, battery, hoses, and any other components you can consider. This practice aims to detect problems before they turn costly.

Stay on top of regular maintenance.

We often overlook the clicks, clunks, and squeaks that typically seem costly. Every vehicle manufacturer provides a list of suggested routine maintenance tasks and intervals, which you should follow to keep your vehicle in good condition.

Regularly check the fluids, look under the vehicle to examine the steering and suspension, inspect the cooling system hoses, check and replace air filters, and make sure your tires are in good condition.

Each vehicle make and model has specific known problems, so it's important to be informed about these issues to address them before any major problems arise.

It's crucial to learn how to perform routine maintenance on your vehicle. You should know how to change a tire, replace the oil, repair coolant leaks, correctly use jumper cables, change air filters, replace light bulbs, and diagnose common issues.

If your vehicle lacks a full-sized spare tire, obtaining one should be a priority.

Most cars are equipped with spare tires intended for driving at reduced speeds over a short distance to fix a flat tire. Unfortunately, after SHTF, tire shops won't be available.

It's essential for every vehicle to have an emergency kit and a get-home bag. A vehicle emergency kit should address the primary challenges you might face in everyday situations. These items are also crucial in a SHTF scenario.

Some key items to include are:

• Jumper cables

• High-visibility vest

• Road flares

• Flashlight

• Wheel chocks

• Basic tool kit

• Gloves

• Disposable coveralls

• Rain poncho

• Reflective hazard signs

• Distilled water or premixed coolant

• Tire repair kit

• JB weld

• Bailing wire

• Hose repair kit

• Fire extinguisher

• Zip-ties

• Shovel

• Tire chains

This is a basic list to help you start assembling your vehicle emergency kit. Consider adding any other items you might need for a roadside emergency or SHTF situation.

Your get-home bag should include everything necessary to get back home from work, school, or any other location when SHTF occurs.

The contents of the bag largely depend on the distance you need to travel and the obstacles you might encounter on your way home.

These compact bugout bags hold crucial survival gear and are designed to be small and lightweight, enabling swift movement through city environments.