Hi, gang.

This afternoon I had my '96 Jeep Cherokee serviced with specific requests that this vehicle be checked for any problems. I mentioned this was the "Premillennial Maintenance".

The basic service report noted that "brakes have approx 60% pad life left" which indicates I can drive it for at least three more years without fear of brake failure.

Also noted was this: "inspected the vehicle, found everything is in full operating order at this time".

This is good news. NB: I did not ask if there were imbedded microchips which were Y2K compliant. I'm not bothered about this; I'm more concerned about fuel shortages.

If this vehicle fails, I'll ride either of my two bicycles, or WALK.

If you haven't had your auto(s) serviced recently, I suggest you have maintenance performed very soon. You never know what problems have escaped your observations. Trained mechanics will note any weaknesses and suggest necessary remediation.

Remember to stock up on additional supplies such as a new battery, oil, filters et cetera. You will NEVER regret these precautions.

Remember that your neighbors may not be as wise as you are; ergo, you might suddenly be in demand for transportation!

-- Randolph (dinosaur@williams-net.com), October 29, 1999

Answers

Thanks for the excellent suggestions.

-- snooze button (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), October 29, 1999.

don't forget spare parts/lubricants etc. for rototillers, chainsaws, generators and the like.........

-- cavscout (got@T.P?), October 29, 1999.

cavscout:

Yes, ALL SPARE PARTS will become EXTREMELY valuable WTSHTF.

Most people I know are lazy and not willing to make any extra effort to replenish their supplies.

Why should they bother to stockpile? JIT distribution assures them they can obtain their supplies as they need them, yes?

I wish they would wake up NOW! But they are still asleep. :(

-- Randolph (dinosaur@williams-net.com), October 29, 1999.

Anybody know what percentage of auto/truck tires are made in this country? I'll need a set by spring so picked up 4 extras just in case.

-- Carlos (riffraff1@cybertime.net), October 29, 1999.

Good advice Randolph....

Have an 89 Ford 3/4-ton Super Duty Van. I have a couple cases of oil, 1 each fuel and oil filters, just installed new wipers, changed the differential fluid, had the auto trans serviced, new battery, new radiator (thick 3 row), heater element, fan clutch, all water hoses, fresh antifreeze, new serpentine belt, new U-joints, front end aligned etc. etc.

Front tires are new, rears are pretty good but I want some more aggressive mud/snow types on the drive axle so next week I'll get a pair of BF Goodrich 235/85R16 10 plys. Will keep the take-offs.

Every time I go to town I fill both tanks on the van and then pump out the front tank into a 55 gallon drum. Bought a Holley electric fuel pump which has a 20 foot cord ending in a cig lighter end and 8 feet of hose on the inlet and outlet fittings. I hate hauling any gas inside the van (don't want to resemble a Budist monk aflame) so this setup solved that problem and every 3 trips to town I end up almost filling a drum (stabil added of course).

Pretty much set vehicularly.....DCK

-- Don Kulha (dkulha@vom.com), October 29, 1999.

Hi, Don.

Man, you're prepared for the max. Good thinking!

I wish everyone was as wise as you are.

But they are not, and this will cause many problems after Y2K...

-- Randolph (dinosaur@williams-net.com), October 29, 1999.

I have a 1974 Chevy Nova Y2K car. It has 6' 4x4 beams bolted on for bumpers, large hooks welded to the frame for pulling things with a chain, an oversize gas tank plus one under the back seat, electric fuel pump, dual batteries, hi-po 327 w/4 core radiator. A cb/scanner setup w/power inverter. A high-beam spotlight mounted on the roof and dark tinted windows. Oh yeah, and its painted flat black with matching rims. cool huh?

-- Porky (Porky@in.cellblockD), October 29, 1999.

Hi, Porky:

I'd like to recommend that anybody with spare bucks stock up on a gallon of SPARE TANK, which is a legal fuel you can use if you run out of gas while driving. This fuel will NOT explode in your vehicle, and it's LEGAL to carry. If you run out of gas, then add it to your fuel tank and motor on, Garth!

I purchased it from www.sportsmansguide.com, but it is available elsewhere. It's worth the price to avoid the potential troubles!

Also remember to carry a siphon hose. This will come in necessary when you least expect it!

-- Randolph (dinosaur@williams-net.com), October 29, 1999.

Good advice Randolph. Now finish polishing the cars, would you?

Hahaha! Yeah, ya might not be able to get your car serviced for a while. ROFLMAO! Like there will be no more mechanics. They will all die because they're all pollies. Hahahahahaha!

-- Goblin (spooks@halloween.time), October 29, 1999.

How about tooth maintenance? Ever had a jumpin toothache? Ever had a 1930's style filling or extraction?

dave

-- dave (wootendave@hotmail.com), October 30, 1999.

There will be mechanics. It's just that the part you're looking for may be out of stock.

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), October 30, 1999.

yes there will be mechanics,plenty of them...all unemployed, and as for having petrol to stick in that gas guzzler!......I doubt it.

-- axa (whatever@wherever.yep), October 30, 1999.

Driving promises to become an "adventure", considering the cops won't be able to check Drivers Licenses on the spot. I can just see thousands of people with revoked drivers licenses making forgeries because they know the cops won't be able to check it out, should they get pulled over or have a wreck.

Interesting times are ahead. Being alert to what's going on around you while driving (and walking or riding a bike) will become more important, just to maintain the same level of transportation safety we currently enjoy.

Just a thought...shrug

-- GoldReal (GoldReal@aol.com), October 30, 1999.

This fall I had an oil change,new break pads put on,new battery and two new tires installed(kept the fairly good tires that were taken off for spares).I bought extra oil,oil filter,air filter,gas cans filled and sta-bil added and a GAS CAP LOCK.Still need to have hoses and belts checked.I have a bike(with spare tubes,tires and patch kit) for a back up.

-- Maggie (aaa@aaa.com), October 30, 1999.

To answer(partially) one question above - Goodyear has one of its biggest tire mfg plants in Lawton, OK. Another huge one is in Ardmore, OK (Uniroyal, I believe). I do not know where the "ingredients" for tires are sourced. I know many people that work at that Lawton plant; guess I could ask if anyone knows the "source". I have a Suburban with 40 gal gas tank - that I have just parked in the shed alongside our travel trailer. I bought, for everyday driving, a little Ford Ranger. I'm having it hooked up so it can use either propane or gasoline fuel. We added propane hot water heater, cooking range, and refrigerator this year - so now have about 2,100 gallon capacity for propane. Motor oil(brand names) was on sale at Orschler's farm store last week for $1.00 per quart--we loaded up. Still need to get belts, hoses, extra batteries, hydrolic fluid, antifreeze. I agree that parts may be very dear indeed by this time next year.

-- jeanne (jeanne@hurry.now), October 30, 1999.

May I also suggest 100% Synthetic oil? Some very good buys lately in the 5-quart jugs. Put on a high-quality filter and reduce your annual number of oil changes.

-- Porky (Porky@in.cellblockD), October 30, 1999.

Don't forget to check the wear on windshield wipers. And to get wiper fluid. And to put an old carpet on the floor of your garage.

Go to the nhtsa site to look at TSB's and consumer complaints about each year/make of vehicle to see what secret problems may be lurking in your specific automobile.

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), October 30, 1999.

rachel, how do we get to the nhtsa site?

-- ed (edrider007@aol.com), October 30, 1999.

It seems appropriate to call these practices "PMS" - Pre-Millennial Service

-- anon (anon@anon.calm), October 30, 1999.

NHTSA Safety Problems & Issues

-- David L (bumpkin@dnet.net), October 30, 1999.

Thanks, David, for giving a link before I could get back here. The two I use the most at nhtsa are in the lefthand column: "Consumer Complaints" is second item and, farther down the same column, "Technical Service Bulletins." Ed, I hope this helps. Ideally, people should view these before they buy! :)

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), October 30, 1999.

Hi, gang.

Thanx for your responses. I'm learning all the time.

Note to Goblin: Yes, there will be mechanics. But will they be able to get the necessary parts? JIT distribution will choke when the masses panic. How many mechanical geniuses do you know who can lathe and form unique custom parts? I know of one mechanical genius. However, he knows the limitations of the power grid. If it goes down, then he will wait until power is restored.

Remember, we don't have all those amazing non-electrical machines available to form metal and plastic parts. We will be in DEEP TROUBLE when the economy nosedives into shortages!

-- Randolph (dinosaur@williams-net.com), October 30, 1999.

yep. good advice. all new tires and i am keeping the old ones just in case. new belts. just hope toyotas don't have embedded chips that don't work after the rollover because so far i have seen NOTHING factual about it.

-- tt (cuddluppy@yahoo.com), October 31, 1999.