Car Talk

[Carroll]

I know you said you weren't interested in GPS, but mine has lowered the stress level in the pickup while trying to find the next gig or get home from one enormously. Especially when the wife is in there too. A real marriage saver it is.

Well, I know that is what I said... but what I really meant...

I have and use a GPS, and got one for the missus, but am more interested in learning about other stuff. And have learned a lot, or thought about things again.

When I was a hot-rodder I always kept a fire extinguisher handy. I still should. Ditto on the real lug wrench.

[Rick Denney]

Works in all them places INCLUDING Delaware.

Do people still go there? I thought it was shut down years ago. (Delaware is like a sort of theme park, right? Like Six Flags? I mean, I have heard of it … I think … )

Can't help it. If you drive on I-95, Delaware is uniquely positioned to be in your way no matter what more important destinations you have in mind.

And that 10 miles of I-95 will extract three bucks from you, even though it was built and maintained with Interstate funds which we all supplied in our federal gasoline tax.

For this reason, I always go to Philly through Harrisburg. At least my toll dollars are going to a client.

Rick "who also knows how, where, and by whom the EZ-Pass toll tags are made" Denney

[lgb&dtuba]

I keep one of those window breaking tools handy. Not so much for the window breaker as for the seatbelt cutter. Hope I never need either.

I was in Northern Tool just yesterday and spotted an auxilliary backup light that slips into the trailer hitch wiring connector. You wouldn't want to leave it plugged in all the time to temp thieves, though.

[Tubaryan12]

If you have room, also add a small hydraulic jack (the type you roll under the car, not the bottle type). If you do have to change a tire, the jacks that come with the car are an accident waiting to happen. Or just get an auto club membership like AAA.

[John Caves]

Did anyone ever listen the National Public Radio's Car Talk (perhaps 5-10 years ago) when Leonard Bernstein's son called in with a question about his european sports car (?) The spot started normally, but when the conversation turned to music, the caller identified himself. Wish I could remember his name. Anyone else hear that?

[windshieldbug]

Leonard Bernstein's son

THAT'S a pretty dark closet!

[Philip Jensen]

And this one is great for me. You know how us tall guys have to crane around to see the traffic light when we are first in line at the intersection? Well, these really work!
Windsheil Fresnel Lens

Would this work upsidedown at the bottom of the rear window to see what's behind you? We made the switch this Spring from a sedan to an SUV and I don't like the lack of vision when backing up. I saw a show where they demonstarted the lack of visibility behind a typical SUV and it is quite surprising. I've thought about mounting a mirror at an angle up at the top of the rear door, but this fresnel lens might just work.

[lgb&dtuba]

Would this work upsidedown at the bottom of the rear window to see what's behind you? We made the switch this Spring from a sedan to an SUV and I don't like the lack of vision when backing up. I saw a show where they demonstarted the lack of visibility behind a typical SUV and it is quite surprising. I've thought about mounting a mirror at an angle up at the top of the rear door, but this fresnel lens might just work.

I used to have a 12x12" fresnel lens on the rear window of a Suburban. You can get them at many camper places. Worked like a charm. I wouldn't have wanted one smaller than 12x12". It's a long way to the back window on a Suburban.

[tubatom91]

I keep a fire extinguisher in both my cars. Never had to use it, but reassuring just the same having it there.

This is a very good idea especially for an older car, Me and my grandfather were trying to start his 1928 truck and the float in the carb. stuck so there was gasoline pouring out and when it finally caught a spark it backfired and lit all the gas. Good thing we had a fire extinguisher...

[Carroll]

Would this work upsidedown at the bottom of the rear window to see what's behind you? We made the switch this Spring from a sedan to an SUV and I don't like the lack of vision when backing up. I saw a show where they demonstarted the lack of visibility behind a typical SUV and it is quite surprising. I've thought about mounting a mirror at an angle up at the top of the rear door, but this fresnel lens might just work.

I used to have a 12x12" fresnel lens on the rear window of a Suburban. You can get them at many camper places. Worked like a charm. I wouldn't have wanted one smaller than 12x12". It's a long way to the back window on a Suburban.

Get one here http://www.3dlens.com/shop/wideanglefresnellens.php

[tubatooter1940]

I keep a fire extinguisher in both my cars. Never had to use it, but reassuring just the same having it there.

This is a very good idea especially for an older car, Me and my grandfather were trying to start his 1928 truck and the float in the carb. stuck so there was gasoline pouring out and when it finally caught a spark it backfired and lit all the gas. Good thing we had a fire extinguisher...

My son's 1960 powder blue Ford Galaxie convertible's engine caught fire so he got out and threw the keys on the front seat and stuck his thumb out to hitch a ride home.
A police car showed up very quickly with a big fire extinguisher and put out the fire in seconds.
My son got back in the car, started it up and drove 40 miles home. A rewire fixed everything.

[Dean E]

Would this work upsidedown at the bottom of the rear window to see what's behind you? We made the switch this Spring from a sedan to an SUV and I don't like the lack of vision when backing up. I saw a show where they demonstarted the lack of visibility behind a typical SUV and it is quite surprising. I've thought about mounting a mirror at an angle up at the top of the rear door, but this fresnel lens might just work.

I used to have a 12x12" fresnel lens on the rear window of a Suburban. You can get them at many camper places. Worked like a charm. I wouldn't have wanted one smaller than 12x12". It's a long way to the back window on a Suburban.

I like the idea of extra visibility at the back of a large vehicle. It's common for rear bumpers, lights, and panels to have damage. A driver needs all the help he or she can get.

Recently I saw a rear visibility system with an inexpensive video camera and a dash monitor. I think I'll take a look at these backup view systems again for my Expedition.

The auction site has an interesting guide on these systems.

[Carroll]

Would this work upsidedown at the bottom of the rear window to see what's behind you? We made the switch this Spring from a sedan to an SUV and I don't like the lack of vision when backing up. I saw a show where they demonstarted the lack of visibility behind a typical SUV and it is quite surprising. I've thought about mounting a mirror at an angle up at the top of the rear door, but this fresnel lens might just work.

I used to have a 12x12" fresnel lens on the rear window of a Suburban. You can get them at many camper places. Worked like a charm. I wouldn't have wanted one smaller than 12x12". It's a long way to the back window on a Suburban.

I like the idea of extra visibility at the back of a large vehicle. It's common for rear bumpers, lights, and panels to have damage. A driver needs all the help he or she can get.

Recently I saw a rear visibility system with an inexpensive video camera and a dash monitor. I think I'll take a look at these backup view systems again for my Expedition.

The auction site has an interesting guide on these systems.

I wish you good luck. I bought one of these for my wife (after consulting her, of course) and it worked great for about 9 months. Now the video screen never lights up. I do not know if it is a problem with the camera (I doubt it) or with the moniter (I suspect it.) I bought one for myself and aimed it low to assist in trailer hookup for my band trailer. It worked well until it, too, stopped functioning. For what it's worth, both were $100 wireless units from Walton World.

[Leland]

Tool kits, jumper cables, spare bumper light housings, spare bulbs for other lights, sunshade, folding chair (for race days ), blanket (habit I picked up from my parents), pillow, hat, umbrella, water, air compressor, detailing spray & microfiber cloths, wipe-off window number paint, tire gauges, LED flashlight, heavy rubber floormats, state maps for the entire East Coast, trucker's atlas, and a couple Zuni fetishes that my mom gave me.

Wow; I didn't think that it was so much stuff. Apart from the hat & sunshade, it's all tucked away and off the floor.

[Jeffrey Hicks]

Valium for the passenger riding shotgun and benedryl for anyone under the age of 18.

[Sally Larsen]

As someone who grew up in Delaware, and perhaps as a result, has a certain lack of air capacity, I've got to tell you that what I keep in the trunk of my ancient Volvo is quite simple.

A crow bar, a tow strap,a few large chunks of wood. hydraulic jack, a vise grip and a sweet set of metrics, and (this, guys, is the real essential item)...a sleeping bag

Sometimes it's all about settling down.

[windshieldbug]

What!?
No Duct Tape?

It's "duck tape" here in Delaware.
I wish you rig pushers could keep it right!

[Casey Tucker]

you guys are going to laugh,

I drive a 2002 Mini Cooper 5 speed. love it. i can fit two tubas and a passanger and it gets 42 on the highway. the 2 additions to my care that i love are:
-my iPod connection. i can control the player with the controls on my steering wheel which is awfully helpful.
-my alarm. the keyless entry is super strong and if somebody breaks in, the alarm goes off and my key vibrates and beeps. EXTREMELY HANDY.

-casey

[windshieldbug]

my alarm. the keyless entry is super strong and if somebody breaks in, the alarm goes off and my key vibrates and beeps

The vibrator could be useful, but the beeping might be embarrassing with the wrong company...