jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I carry one of those small battery jumpers. I've used it on my car and to help other people. It seems to hold a full charge forever.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

I can tell you for certain that the 2008 Corvette had two mechanical door releases. one in the trunk and one by the driver. The key fob also had a hidden key and the Corvette had a hidden lock that would open the trunk for access to the mechanical door release in the trunk.

Guess how I found out. . .
No, it didn't make me. . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

PS: Lucky for me the owner's manual was in the glove box.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I keep a seatbelt cutter and a spring loaded punch in my center console just in case. I don't keep them in my door because if during the accident the car rolls or something they might fly out and I may not find them.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Good point - I may move mine

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have one of them, too. I think I have one like below.

https://www.amazon.com/01-100-09-Original-Emergency-Keychain-Seatbelt/dp/B01G6C18EC/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=2S4IY3JQH6MIW&keywords=seatbelt%2Bcutter&qid=1695393415&sprefix=seatbelt%2Bcutt%2Caps%2C478&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Correct on all accounts.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Have you ever seen the demo of someone breaking a side window by throwing bits of spark plug ceramic? I've never seen that done from inside the car, though.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=apark+plug+ceramic+breaks+window

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Just need a sharp point of impact to shatter a side window - different from windshields.

Maz

A car battery typically will last between 3 and 5 years.

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

Automotive electrical is odd at times. I once had no prior warning whatsoever before my battery went kaput, leaving me completely without power and the engine unable to run.

I was driving a Toyota Corolla in moderate early afternoon traffic, in the #2 lane of the I-405 over Sepulveda Pass, one of the busiest spots of the greater Los Angeles freeway system, when my car died and had no electrical power whatsoever. I opened the door and stepped out only to hear some young "lady" creep by honking and yelling at me to turn on my %*!#-ing flashers, which of course I had already tried. Dude behind me in a brown Porsche 928 put on his flashers and kindly stayed behind me alerting and blocking traffic as I pushed my car (slightly downhill, fortunately) to the shoulder. Proves the old joke about the difference between Porsches and porcupines is wrong; not all Porsches have pricks on the inside.

Another time, in a Datsun 710, the voltage regulator stuck wide open (at night, of course) while I was stopped and about to turn right, and it blew out every bulb in the car but the high-beam headlights, dome light, and left blinkers. Yes, it took out a fusible link, but not before the damage was done.

Dannj

Why aren’t cars equipped with a manual override to be used if power windows fail?

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

So now we have to keep a stock of broken spark plugs where we can reach them? Kinda tough to get to the spark plugs from the passenger compartment. Also hard to find enough room to swing your arm for a good throw in there.

Hal Masover Loc: Iowa and Florida

Hey Jerry. I see you live in the Catskills. One of my favorite events happened to me in a snow storm in the 1970's. I was trying to get from a resort in South Fallsburg to one outside Livingston Manor. My 1972 Chevy Impala was one of the all time worst designs for snow covered roads. The 20 minute drive took 2 hours and finally, on the way out of Livingston Manor, I lost traction climbing a big hill. Kept trying to work the car and nothing would work until the battery died - in blizzard conditions. Not 5 minutes passed before a guy in a white Ford Bronco, a literal hero on a white horse, stopped, wrapped a chain around the front bumper, hauled me up the to the top of the hill, then pulled a truck battery and cables out of the back and jump started me, and drove off. I felt like I'd just seen the real Lone Ranger.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

IF they’re located under the hood and subjected to engine heat. Locating them in the trunk can greatly extend the life.

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

Very true, but what of the added expense of extra wiring? And battery manufacturers would surely protest (probably why this never became the norm).

BTW TriX, where would you strike a side window to make your escape? Most people are surprised to learn a window is weakest along its edges and strongest toward the center. People should also be aware, as I'm sure you are, that if faced with a car filling with water, they must use a striker to break a window before their arm is under water. Under water, it's exceedingly difficult to move fast enough to break a window.