Eternalism

Ive had allot of busted brake lines in my day and I can say most brake line breaks/leaks even tho they effect braking so much you still should be able to travel 5-10 miles if you keep adding fluid and some vehicles have sperate front and back brake lines so if your front brakes go out your back still work or vise versa.

Marb750

If you drive through some deep water and it sputters, dies and won't restart?
First, check the air filter - if it's full of water, temporarily remove it, get as much water out of the air cleaner box and try to restart.
Second, if it's an older car with a distributor, remove the cap and spray a bunch of WD40 in it if its wet inside. Wipe out the excess if possible and then try to start it.

Not always; I'd like to add: It may be a geographical difference, but different countries may use different compositions for fluids. In the US, auto trans fluid and PS fluid are usually interchangeable, but brake fluid has a different base composition and I wouldn't recommend swapping brake fluid for power steering fluid (or vice versa) unless absolutely necessary. In an emergency, just about any fluid can be substituted, but you run the risk of completely destroying certain components with even temporary use. These are emergency fixes, btw :P

geraldabey

To lady_jay's query, these tips are for emergencies only. You need to find the coolant leak otherwise you may cause expensive damage to your engine. External leaks usually show signs of water corrosion or antifreeze staining - you will need a powerful torch and a small mirror for awkward spots. For anything except a visual inspection wait until the engine cools to avoid burns. If the loss of colant is minor you can drive home without the radiator pressure cap (on the radiator itself, not the expansion tank) -reduced pressure will reduce leakage but keep a close eye on the temperature gauge and stop frequently to top up with water. Not recommended for long journeys because of 'hotspots' and possibility of leak increasing. Gerald

2strokedetroit

gas
starting fluid in the air box
heated blankets round motor
build up a ton of snow around the bottem of the car and stick a heater under there
coal or small fire under block (use extreme caution and do not leave unattended) also if its extremly cold dont do it u can ruin your block
diesels
if you have an older diesel turn your key to run a few times
so that the fuel pump cycles and sends fuel to the motor then spray the starting fluid in the intake! if u dont cycle your key to run a few times to run u can ruin your engine possibley even blow it up! you can do it on newer diesels in a really tight bind how ever many have been ruined from it so do it at your own risk
heated blankets round motor
small fire or coals under block again use extreme caution!!!!!!!
or again build up snow around it and stick a heater under the block


gas and diesels
get a trans heater and block heater installed it really truelly will be so much eaiser on your engine they work great and can be realativley cheap! especially if your a do it your selfer! or u can get a pan heater its magnetic and sticks to your oil pan heats your oil for easier cranks!

markster57

hey , i was out in the woods cutting fire wood and my battery went died , i was 10 miles from any road , so i pulled the chain off my chain saw and pulled the alt belt off and put the belt from my saw and to the alt , and turned key on and ran the saw for 10 mins , put it back together ,started engine

markster57

i have used horse s##t before for a hole in my rad , when i was hunting

peter portugal

I have had a broken pulley belt, you know the one that drives the radiator fan,generator and perhaps AC etc. got to be the Vee Belt type. A pair of ladies Tights (Stockings) looped around and tied carefully will keep you running and at least the battery charging until you are safely home. If you borrow them from a friend you will need to replace with a new pair as they will get the odd ladder during the trip. Peter:

octaneman

Power steering and brake fluids are NOT the same, it is foolish and setting a dangerous precedent. The major fundamental differences are that power steering fluid has high boiling point, low freezing point. Brake fluid has very low compressibility, and a high boiling point. If P/S fluid is added to the master cylinder it is corrosive and all the o-rings and seals swell very quickly creating a dangerous situation on the road.

Do not under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES add anything to braking systems other then what manufacturer recommends.