A car kit in a back pack for my boy

[Laura]

In about 4 weeks, I will be sending my middle child, my only boy, to MI for the winter (Aug-March).

I want to pack him a 'car kit' to keep in his vehicle.

I have a print out from the Red Cross......BUT I want to pack his car kit for the Michigan weather. Unfortunately, I cannot mount a loaded 50 cal on top (as he is living close to flint) but I do want him to be prepared for Michigan winters.
Did I mention, hes a new driver (takes the test this week) and has never driven in the snow???
yeah, I don't sleep at night.

Thanks so much for your help!!!

[Mom5farmboys]

Laura,

I live in Michigan and what I would suggest he keep in his car would be:

a snow brush/ice scraper

a heavy comforter or very warm blanket

a bag of sand or kitty litter - he can use this for traction under his tires if he gets stuck

a coffee can and a candle and matches (if he were to get stuck in his car during very cold weather this can generate enough heat to keep him from freezing if his car quits running)

some energy bars

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head right now, hope it was helpful.

[NCLee]

I'm not sure what you have on the Red Cross list. So, some of this may be duplicated.

Sleeping bag with the appropriate temperature rating.

Backpackers alcohol stove and fuel. (Way to melt snow/ice for water if his supply of bottled water is frozen.) Backpackers pot/cup for the stove.

Good shovel.

Emergency auto breakdown kit. (Flares, hazard signs, jumper cables, etc.) Google, as many places offer these kits. Either purchase a ready-made one or put together, yourself, so you can be selective as to the items he'll actually use/need.

Wind up / shake up flashlight, so he doesn't have to rely on batteries. This would be in addtion to a good battery operated flashlight. Or, more than one of the wind/shake as a backup to the first one.

Extra change of clothing including long johns and good socks. Getting wet, during a winter rain while trying to change a flat tire, isn't fun. Dry socks can make a difference.

If not included in the breakdown kit, tire inflator. Several versions from those in a can to a unit that plugs into the cig lighter.

As already mentioned, energy bars and other foods that can be easily eaten. With the stove mentioned above and water, instant soups are an example.

Good first aid kit.

Finally, an emergency notebook with printouts of as many things as may be applicable. Google will help here with tips for survival in a stranded car.

Gotta run... thunderstorm on the way... shutting down computer...

Lee

[patience]

I guess he'd hate you forever if you told him not to go there.... Might be worth it, though. :confused:

[Catalpa]

*Laura, I don't know where you live, so if I'm telling you stuff about winter driving and weather that you already know, please don't think I'm being pompous, just trying to share my info.*

"Pack his car for Michigan weather?" LOL, I've lived here all my life, and all I've learned is to expect the unexpected! To put it simply, be prepared to encounter all four seasons on the same day, especially in the Spring and Fall. If you look in the back seat of my truck, you'll find everything from bug spray and sunblock, sandals and a swimsuit, to heavy sweats, extra socks, hats, and a jacket. And that's just for summer! It gets worse in the winter when I add my carhartts and a sleeping bag! (Why do you think so many Michiganders drive extended cab trucks, LOL)

Anyways, all of the previous posts are good points. I would add:

Tire chains. There are simple to use sets designed for passenger cars that one person can easily put on.

Some sort of emergency cell phone power, either from a wind up radio or one of those charger battery things I've seen for sale at Dunham's.

Two shovels - a short handled or fold up metal one to chip at ice, and I always keep a regular grain shovel in the truck. It's lightweight but can move mountains of the thick fluffy snow we sometimes get.

What kind of vehicle does he have? Is he a motorhead at all? We can get heavy fogs, and even strange 'thundersnow' where there is lightning and thunder but the precip is snow. It get really hard to see and I'd recommend he put one of those aftermarket sets of driving lights on his car. They make a world of difference. Is it a front or rear wheel drive? Each takes a different skill set in the snow. Tell him to find an empty parking lot when the first snow hits, and spend time doing donuts and trying to stop suddenly. That will teach him a lot about what the car will do. Tell him to never let the car get to less than half a tank of gas. If at all possible, do not follow directly behind a county plow truck. They throw an amazing amount of snow, salt, and crud back at you. The most important thing to do for winter driving is to SLOW DOWN. It's amazing but every winter it's like the first snowfall surprises people and they forget how to drive in it and land in the ditch. You'd think they all just moved here from Florida or something!

Deer whistles. I know, some folks will scoff, but they do seem to work, and if he wanders out of the city at all, he will definitely be seeing deer. There are so many in central and lower MI that they're called 'rats on stilts' because they can wipe out a garden in no time.

A really good map or a gps - there's parts of town he doesn't want to get lost in. (Of course, I'd say that's all of Flint, but I'm sure some parts are worse than others. I just never get off the expressway whenever I have to go through.)

Aside from stuffing city phone books in the doors for bulletproofing (see Mythbusters) and hiding a .357 under the dash, I don't have any more ideas.

The most important thing to have will be a good head on his shoulders, and the maturity to use it and stay out of potentially bad situations.

On second thought, I'd have to say his mom's prayers are going to be the most important thing!

Hope he enjoys his stay in MI.

(I'm two hours or so from Flint. If anything untoward happens and he needs help, keep me in mind.)

Cat

[CountryGuy]

Laura,

Since you say he'll be near flint I'm assuming he'll be mainly in the "city" or will he be more in the country? Going to school I'm assuming? If he's living on campus vs. off would vary some of my suggestions some. Is your son into outdoor stuff and self reliance? I agree with many of the other posters comments also. Can you give us info on what kind of vehicle he'll be driving? What part of the country do you live in now - ido you guys get snow where you live and has he grown up around it at all?

You can get crazy and overload his trunk with everything including the kitchen sink or strike a balance. First off since he's a new driver tell him if it looks bad out, stay in. No matter what his buddies say about going for something to eat or to go get beer. Obviously he needs to get out and get some experience driving in it, just take his time, but if there's 10" of snow and it's blowing sideways into a newar whiteout, don't go into it! First snow go out and find a big wide open parking lot that hasn't been plowed and "play around" so he can get a feel for spinning out and learning to correct a spin - just stay away from any light poles. :D

I'm in sales so I'm on the road 4-5 days a week in every season. I grew up in western PA and when to school in Erie so I'm used to a lot of snow that sometimes comes out of no where. I also now cover this area for work and it's not uncommon for people to get stranded out on the interstate or backroads for a day or 2 after a big storm. I'm just saying it as I see my share of nasty weather and roads so guess that's my credentials.

I have a small plastic tote I've packed and keep in the car year round. It's got a small first aid kit I've added to (including $30 cash), 2 sterno cans, vaseline coated cotton balls in an old film case, 2 pair wool socks(feet or mittens), 2 pair of gloves (insilated leather & nylon ski type with fleece inserts), ski cap with ski mask, 2 lighters, dry gas, small LED head lamp, 3 fusees, some power bars, a poncho, space blanket, and a 6 volt flashlight with a stand (in case have to change a tire in the dark. I also keep a tire plug kit, rubber gloves, tire slime, and small compressor that plugs in the lighter and a nylon tow strap, and a few tools (channel locks, crescent wrench, screw drivers, extra knife, roll of duct tape, spare fuzes, small coil of mechanics wire, etc). I get all this packed pretty tight into the back of the trunk but my first aid and tire fix kits are left easy to get to. I also keep a 3 cell mag light in the glove box that I change the batteries in every 4 months (also good for a weapon if need be). Any of those shake and charge lights I've seen just don't seem to be reliable, though I'm open if anyone can suggest a good brand?

In addition to this base kit, in the winter I also add to the trunk a small jug of kitty litter, my Rocky boots with gortex and 1000+ g of thinsulate, jumper cables (though I got a rechargeable thing for fathers day I'mgoing to add this year too), military extreme cold weather sleeping bag, a fleece pull over and change of clothes. I have to wear dress clothes for work which usually aren't to warm. Ohh and a spare jug of extra low temp windshield washer fluid.

And please, please, please... don't pack this for him!!! Help him from the nest and let him be the man and pack this himself! It's fine if you guide him and give him suggestions but he needs to know what he has and where it is, along with when and how to use it. He also needs to know it's serious in the winter. Also stay away from cotton clothes as when they get wet they will kill you fast with hypothermia...wool or synthetics is best and dress in layers. Also always tell him to try to keep his gas tank full as it'll help cut down on water in the tank from condensation. Also he doesn't want to get stranded in his car for 2 days with an 1/8 tank of gas to keep warm.

[Laura]

*Laura, I don't know where you live, so if I'm telling you stuff about winter driving and weather that you already know, please don't think I'm being pompous, just trying to share my info.*

"Pack his car for Michigan weather?" LOL, I've lived here all my life, and all I've learned is to expect the unexpected! To put it simply, be prepared to encounter all four seasons on the same day, especially in the Spring and Fall. If you look in the back seat of my truck, you'll find everything from bug spray and sunblock, sandals and a swimsuit, to heavy sweats, extra socks, hats, and a jacket. And that's just for summer! It gets worse in the winter when I add my carhartts and a sleeping bag! (Why do you think so many Michiganders drive extended cab trucks, LOL)

Anyways, all of the previous posts are good points. I would add:

Tire chains. There are simple to use sets designed for passenger cars that one person can easily put on.

Some sort of emergency cell phone power, either from a wind up radio or one of those charger battery things I've seen for sale at Dunham's.

Two shovels - a short handled or fold up metal one to chip at ice, and I always keep a regular grain shovel in the truck. It's lightweight but can move mountains of the thick fluffy snow we sometimes get.

What kind of vehicle does he have? Is he a motorhead at all? We can get heavy fogs, and even strange 'thundersnow' where there is lightning and thunder but the precip is snow. It get really hard to see and I'd recommend he put one of those aftermarket sets of driving lights on his car. They make a world of difference. Is it a front or rear wheel drive? Each takes a different skill set in the snow. Tell him to find an empty parking lot when the first snow hits, and spend time doing donuts and trying to stop suddenly. That will teach him a lot about what the car will do. Tell him to never let the car get to less than half a tank of gas. If at all possible, do not follow directly behind a county plow truck. They throw an amazing amount of snow, salt, and crud back at you. The most important thing to do for winter driving is to SLOW DOWN. It's amazing but every winter it's like the first snowfall surprises people and they forget how to drive in it and land in the ditch. You'd think they all just moved here from Florida or something!

Deer whistles. I know, some folks will scoff, but they do seem to work, and if he wanders out of the city at all, he will definitely be seeing deer. There are so many in central and lower MI that they're called 'rats on stilts' because they can wipe out a garden in no time.

A really good map or a gps - there's parts of town he doesn't want to get lost in. (Of course, I'd say that's all of Flint, but I'm sure some parts are worse than others. I just never get off the expressway whenever I have to go through.)

Aside from stuffing city phone books in the doors for bulletproofing (see Mythbusters) and hiding a .357 under the dash, I don't have any more ideas.

The most important thing to have will be a good head on his shoulders, and the maturity to use it and stay out of potentially bad situations.

On second thought, I'd have to say his mom's prayers are going to be the most important thing!

Hope he enjoys his stay in MI.

(I'm two hours or so from Flint. If anything untoward happens and he needs help, keep me in mind.)

Cat

He did not pass the driving test yesterday.......went straight in a left turn lane only. It's a small old town, and the roads are not painted well BUT there are plenty of signs, and he missed it. He was TICKED at himself.
We take it again in 2 weeks.........which is 1 week before he leaves.

Your advice and all other who have replied is awesome. Thank you.

He will be driving to and from the rink, from the billet's home, and that is about it. His classes are exclusively on line, so he does not have to drive to down town Flint for anything.

Is Flint worse than lets say the South Side of Chicago? Gary Indiana? I keep hearing what a 'hole' this place is....and when we were up there in June, it's not a 'warm and fuzzy' place to be, but I didn't see any drive-by's or gangbangin' or drug deals go down??? I totally believe it's a bad town....I have read the stats.....But curious if it is as bad as the SS of Chi town or Gary.

He's a great kid....just wants to play hockey. I have never had any trouble out of this boy.....and I think he gets the idea when I say "this is a BAD town".

Thanks again!!!

[Laura]

Laura,

Since you say he'll be near flint I'm assuming he'll be mainly in the "city" or will he be more in the country? Going to school I'm assuming? If he's living on campus vs. off would vary some of my suggestions some. Is your son into outdoor stuff and self reliance? I agree with many of the other posters comments also. Can you give us info on what kind of vehicle he'll be driving? What part of the country do you live in now - ido you guys get snow where you live and has he grown up around it at all?

He is living with a billet family on the s.w.side of flint. Out by the Owosso area. He's taking a couple of classes, but they are on line exclusively. He is really up there to play Jr. Hockey.(august thru march) We are looking now to buy him a vehicle. I want something like a Honda Civic. We live in central Indiana now.

You can get crazy and overload his trunk with everything including the kitchen sink or strike a balance. First off since he's a new driver tell him if it looks bad out, stay in. No matter what his buddies say about going for something to eat or to go get beer. Obviously he needs to get out and get some experience driving in it, just take his time, but if there's 10" of snow and it's blowing sideways into a newar whiteout, don't go into it! First snow go out and find a big wide open parking lot that hasn't been plowed and "play around" so he can get a feel for spinning out and learning to correct a spin - just stay away from any light poles. :DI have heard this from many!! I am writing this down.


I'm in sales so I'm on the road 4-5 days a week in every season. I grew up in western PA and when to school in Erie so I'm used to a lot of snow that sometimes comes out of no where. I also now cover this area for work and it's not uncommon for people to get stranded out on the interstate or backroads for a day or 2 after a big storm. I'm just saying it as I see my share of nasty weather and roads so guess that's my credentials.

I have a small plastic tote I've packed and keep in the car year round. It's got a small first aid kit I've added to (including $30 cash), 2 sterno cans, vaseline coated cotton balls in an old film case, 2 pair wool socks(feet or mittens), 2 pair of gloves (insilated leather & nylon ski type with fleece inserts), ski cap with ski mask, 2 lighters, dry gas, small LED head lamp, 3 fusees, some power bars, a poncho, space blanket, and a 6 volt flashlight with a stand (in case have to change a tire in the dark. I also keep a tire plug kit, rubber gloves, tire slime, and small compressor that plugs in the lighter and a nylon tow strap, and a few tools (channel locks, crescent wrench, screw drivers, extra knife, roll of duct tape, spare fuzes, small coil of mechanics wire, etc). I get all this packed pretty tight into the back of the trunk but my first aid and tire fix kits are left easy to get to. I also keep a 3 cell mag light in the glove box that I change the batteries in every 4 months (also good for a weapon if need be). Any of those shake and charge lights I've seen just don't seem to be reliable, though I'm open if anyone can suggest a good brand?

In addition to this base kit, in the winter I also add to the trunk a small jug of kitty litter, my Rocky boots with gortex and 1000+ g of thinsulate, jumper cables (though I got a rechargeable thing for fathers day I'mgoing to add this year too), military extreme cold weather sleeping bag, a fleece pull over and change of clothes. I have to wear dress clothes for work which usually aren't to warm. Ohh and a spare jug of extra low temp windshield washer fluid.

And please, please, please... don't pack this for him!!! Help him from the nest and let him be the man and pack this himself! It's fine if you guide him and give him suggestions but he needs to know what he has and where it is, along with when and how to use it. He also needs to know it's serious in the winter. Also stay away from cotton clothes as when they get wet they will kill you fast with hypothermia...wool or synthetics is best and dress in layers. Also always tell him to try to keep his gas tank full as it'll help cut down on water in the tank from condensation. Also he doesn't want to get stranded in his car for 2 days with an 1/8 tank of gas to keep warm.Excellent advice, and yes, the boy will pack it. He needs to put his hands on every single thing, so he knows what's in the trunk. Also for when he is truly out on his own, or when he takes a wife, he can then show her and make sure she is safe.

1/2 or better (tank of gas) is the rule around here. I have harped and harped all their lives about having 1/2 or more in the tank.

Thanks again!!