Dangerous times even in small town

[Sysop]

Lots of things perpetuate crime. When gas was regularly above $4 a gallon, crime rates went up as well. For many, when there is something they want or need and they cannot afford it, they quickly turn to crime. You are correct that it is a cultural issue, but I think drugs are equal in both 'cause' and 'effect'.

 

[MossRoad]

What痴 wrong with leaving the wipers on on and filling up below half a tank? And as long as there痴 no one else in the car wouldn稚 leaving the keys in the car be the better plan? My thoughts is the car jacker probably doesn稚 want to hurt anyone especially there and if he jumps in your car and drives off than your safe. If there痴 no keys he痴 got to get back out and probably more agitated than before.

If you leave the wipers on when you get out of the car, that's a clear signal to someone that the keys are in the car.

Don't know about filling the tank when it's below half a tank? That's one I'll have to wait for an explanation.

And never ever never leave the keys in the car ever. All law enforcement tells you that. It's the best way to get your car stolen.

 

[k0ua]

One reason for filling the tank when it nears 1/2 is a preparedness thing. In some parts of the country subject to either large traffic jams or severe weather where you could slide off the road and freeze to death because you ran out of fuel. Another can be a safety reason. If you are low fuel you may be forced to search for it at some location that may not be the safest place in town or you are forced to fuel up at a time of night that may increase your risk. By refilling when you really really don't have to you pick the time and you pick the place, and if anything looks dodgy, you can pass it by as you are not desperate for fuel.

 

[MossRoad]

One reason for filling the tank when it nears 1/2 is a preparedness thing. In some parts of the country subject to either large traffic jams or severe weather where you could slide off the road and freeze to death because you ran out of fuel. Another can be a safety reason. If you are low fuel you may be forced to search for it at some location that may not be the safest place in town or you are forced to fuel up at a time of night that may increase your risk. By refilling when you really really don't have to you pick the time and you pick the place, and if anything looks dodgy, you can pass it by as you are not desperate for fuel.

I was wondering about the reasons. For me, with a 42 gallon tank, I have the choice of filling it often so it doesn't take too long, or filling it once about every 2 months, since I don't drive it too often. And, I can wait until the prices drop again. :laughing:

Our Impala takes about 14 gallons when empty. 7 gallons still give us about 140 miles of in-town driving and way over 200 highway miles. I'd imagine I could idle for days. Anyhow, waiting to here the poster's reasoning.

 

[3Ts]

Here's another example of firearms and being under stress. I'm a reasonably good shot with my pistol, according to my CC instructors. However, I had an opportunity to go thru a modified version of the Police Academy intended for civilians and as part of that we went thru the FATS simulator. It's been a few years, but if I remember right there were 5 scenarios with the better part of a magazine expended in each one. Out of all the shots fired in all the scenarios, only one hit the perp and that was in the arm. Things are different when you're shooting under stress and they're shooting at you.

FYI - the FATS simulator is a laser based system that uses a projected image on a screen that is a "real life" situation that the officers face on a regular basis. It starts out as a walk in the park, but at some point goes downhill very fast and you're expected to respond properly to it. It's very very hard! Personally, I think the officers show a great deal of restraint especially given the situations they face every day.

 

[mark02tj]

My other half and I had the opportunity to do the FATS simulator you mentioned. First scenario was a "Domestic Violence" house visit. The "husband" (on the screen) pulled a gun and we let loose - and the husband collapses into a chair (all onscreen). A few seconds later he comes-to and gets up out of the chair, gun in hand. We let loose again. After it was over the training officer reviews our shot placement from the lasers. I got some nice body shots on him. My other half had shot him right in the "man parts"... and when he got back up out of the chair she shot him in the same place again!! We all got a good laugh out of that! Reminded me to never p!$$ her off!! LOL!

Good thread with lots of good discussion, by the way!!

 

[RSKY]

What痴 wrong with leaving the wipers on on and filling up below half a tank? And as long as there痴 no one else in the car wouldn稚 leaving the keys in the car be the better plan? My thoughts is the car jacker probably doesn稚 want to hurt anyone especially there and if he jumps in your car and drives off than your safe. If there痴 no keys he痴 got to get back out and probably more agitated than before.

Make a habit of turning the wipers off all the time and you wont leave them up when a half inch or more ice freezes on the windshield. Then when you start the vehicle the wipers try to move and burn out or blow a fuse.

As far as the keys a 17-18 year old girl with her keys locked in her car in a Wal Mart parking lot or anywhere else is a prime target. It only took one time with each daughter before they learned their lesson. I once worked with a guy who locked his keys in his truck at least once a month until we all refused to take him home one night and he spent a couple hours waiting for his wife to come with another set.

We seem to be the go to people if there is an emergency. There have been three occasions since I retired where I had to leave home, pick somebody up, and get someplace else in the least amount of time possible. Stopping for gas was not something I needed to be doing when I had three terrified women crying in the car. Also have had to check on and pick up elderly relatives and take them to a hospital in a hurry. Keep it over a half tank in case of emergency.

My youngest HAD a bad habit of running her vehicle down to nearly empty before gassing up. She had a 25-30 mile commute. During the 2009 ice storm, after I had texted her and reminded her to be sure her tank was filled, she had to detour onto back roads due to a wreck, got lost, ran out of gas, called her husband who didn't have a clue where she was, and finally walked to a house in 30 degree freezing rain. A nice old man gave her all the lawnmower gas he had which was only about a gallon and told her how to get to a gas station. She now fills up before it gets down to a quarter tank.

RSKY

 

[Jstpssng]

If you leave the wipers on when you get out of the car, that's a clear signal to someone that the keys are in the car.

Don't know about filling the tank when it's below half a tank? That's one I'll have to wait for an explanation.

And never ever never leave the keys in the car ever. All law enforcement tells you that. It's the best way to get your car stolen.

I guess that I don't understand that one. I shut them off when I'm done for the day as I don't want them freezing down in winter, or running across a dry windshield in summer.

Besides the reasons given above I keep my tank filled for two other reasons; it's 20 miles to the nearest gas station. Also, my mother is 81 years old and still in good shape for her age; but if I ever get a call in the middle of the night I want to be able to make that 200 mile trip without worrying about running out of gas.

 

[Bocephous]

One reason for filling the tank when it nears 1/2 is a preparedness thing. In some parts of the country subject to either large traffic jams or severe weather where you could slide off the road and freeze to death because you ran out of fuel. Another can be a safety reason. If you are low fuel you may be forced to search for it at some location that may not be the safest place in town or you are forced to fuel up at a time of night that may increase your risk. By refilling when you really really don't have to you pick the time and you pick the place, and if anything looks dodgy, you can pass it by as you are not desperate for fuel.

All good reasons to keep your tank fullish.

I live quite a ways from the nearest decent hospital or veterinary hospital, and don't want to have to think about fuel if and when I'm rushing a loved one to one of those places. And, as a bonus, I can siphon from one of our vehicles if we lose power and need to run the genny for an extended period.

 

[LD48750]

I need to stay out of this thread.

I think cops should be held accountable when they shoot innocent people.
A gun IS NOT a reason to shoot someone.
Police training that EVERYONE they see & those they don't see are a lethal threat is WRONG.

It is against the law for someone to take my vehicle without my permission, I shouldn't have to take the keys out..... EVER.