Roadside Survival: Low-Tech Solutions to Automobile Breakdowns

I’m a customer of Robert Ramlal (Upland Car Pros, Houston, TX). I learned of this book from him because Walt was a customer of his for years too.I’m no stranger to self-rescue and doing my own auto repairs. I spent most of a decade off-roading (aka, 4x4’ing) in the Alaska wilderness where my friends and I would get stuck or break our trucks and have to fix them ourselves. After all that, I found this book contained a lot of good information that I did not previously know. It’s written is layman’s terms. There’s nothing too technical in his book and the repairs he describes don’t require specialized, expensive equipment. Walt says right in the book that this book is about temporary, emergency roadside repairs necessary to get you out of harm’s way, back on the road, and to your mechanic. Nearly all the advice and techniques he shares require almost NO mechanical aptitude at all. So even the most mechanically intimidated don’t need to be afraid of this book. These are things that YOU CAN DO!This book is a MUST HAVE for every motorist, needless to say it’s a must have for every prepper. I was pleasantly surprised by this book, and will be giving this book as a gift to friends and family. Easy reading, actionable advice, with very little mechanical ability required. There’s no reason not to get this book.There’s only 2 things I would add. First, having been in 2 car fires (once as driver and once in the passenger seat), I think a fire extinguisher is essential gear. Walt only mentions a fire extinguisher in passing in his list of extra non-essential equipment. While it’s highly UNLIKELY you’ll ever need one, when you do, it can mean the difference between a damaged, perhaps disabled and undriveable vehicle and...losing EVERYTHING in the car and the car itself!Second is a first-aid kit. Every vehicle should have one. Too easy to get cuts and burns repairing a vehicle on the roadside.

Good job, Walt. I was already knowledgeable about the material, but still found it useful. If you ever do a revised edition, here is a suggestion... The tip for out-of-gas situations, where the car has ended up on a tilt and the fuel pump suction in the gas tank is now uncovered, and you say to rock the car to slosh fuel over to the suction, great tip. But you might continue that to tell the reader that after the car now starts, immediately move it back to level ground because gravity never stops working. The car will die again right away as the fuel runs downhill again. This will be obvious to the mechanically inclined like me, but not likely to the average non-mechanical driver.It was interesting to hear your experiences and how often each type of break-down happened.It is very generous of you to give your time and expertise to help people. If I help anyone, I would also not expect to be paid, except for any fuel I would provide. People ought to pay for the gas they get. That's only fair to you. I especially hope you don't give free gas to people driving a BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, and the like.

Great book and easy to read. Offers simple solutions to car troubles and provides a great list of essentials to have in your car. Highly recommended!

This is an excellent resource I stumbled on while looking to gather the tools to pursue the same hobby: neighborly roadside assists. This straightforward book is a collection of solutions to common problems and encouragement to prepare for them. But, what I enjoyed most is his passion for helping others.We live in a self-centered world. When I stop to help a stranded motorist, even those content to wait for AAA, they often say, "Thanks for stopping, you're the only one." Our cities and towns could use a few more intentional neighbors to pursue this or similar hobbies that focus on the well-being of others.Whether you're looking to be prevent becoming a stranded motorist or to help others, pick up this encouraging book. By the time you finish, you might even find your faith in humanity restored.

Walt's book was a recent success for me as I purchased 2 copies as Christmas gifts for our two recently licensed grandchildren.It reads quickly but immediately emphasizes how drivers can do themselves big favors by quickly becoming better prepared for the problems seen everyday on the roadways.Walt has made this written record of recommendations based on his daily "good deeds assisting motorists he encounters locally". He has always helped out everyone he meets who is experiencing some type of auto breakdown. More importantly, these encounters almost always become "teachable moments" helping illustrate how the owner or driver might have avoided the problem with a bit more preparation before their trip.Now I can tell the kids b,,"Be sure you check your trunk for the board you may need to place under the jack if you need to change a flat tire".

Know how to change a tire? What to do if your fan motor belt breaks?What happens if you get stuck in snow? The Roadside Survival Lo tech solns guide will show you how to deal with the problems that can and probably will happen while driving. Not all of us are MacGyvers & some of us are mechanically stupid(ME) I thought I drive back and forth from the country to the city by myself alot and had zero clue how to do anything thing when it comes to the car. This book now resides in the trunk of my car in my roadside emergency kit!

I purchased this for my daughter so she'd have some resources if she broke down. I read it and learned a lot myself! Lots of little things you might not have thought about if you were broke down and in a flustered state. Fun!

An extremely helpful guide for dealing with (or, preferably, averting) many different situations that can cause delay, distress and possible injury. I'm ordering 5 more copies as holiday gifts for family members and hope they too will be better prepared to stay safe and avoid trouble while driving.