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This happens a lot more often than you hear about in the news. I did more than see it on the news though. I'm not going to get into how much that I was involved in supporting the search and rescue in this case, but one thing I learned is that search and rescue teams regularly save, or find, people in exactly the OP's scenario, and sometimes far worse (James Kim). Whether the media picks up on the case or not, is irrelevant.
Not to belabor the point, but Kim's car did not break down. It was in perfect running condition when it got stuck in heavy snow. A completely different circumstance than the one addressed by the OP.
That's a difference. But is it that big of a difference? What difference does it really make if the car broke down or if it just got stuck? I"m not seeing any difference that matters. You're still stuck, you've got to find a wa back to civilization. You've got to survive. Seems to me that there is no difference. You should be prepared for it, and have some smarts. Walking back is not always the smartest thing to do. Sometimes it is, sometimes not.
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It would be interesting to find a statistic reflecting the number of families who perish because their car broke down, in otherwise driveable road and navigation circumstance. I'll wager very few. If your car mechanically breaks down, you will not die.
You setting conditions that may, or may not, exist. Under the conditions you state, the probability of death is extremely low. However, can you guarantee everyone reading this thread that they will only break down in those conditions?
The OP is about a mechanical breakdown, and a driver with mechanical skills and some tools can get a broken down car going again, in some circumstances, or communicate with assistance that can actually reach the scene. That kind of resolution is not the case if marooned by natural conditions, that make it impossible for the car to move, and rescuers unable to reach the scene.
The wife and I were taking a vacation trip and our Dodge Caravan threw a rod about halfway to our destination. The wife owned this POS before we got married...I don't buy American, and should have known better than to attempt a long trip in it. It wasn't the "middle of nowhere", but we were 1000 miles from home.
We piled into the wrecker and told the driver to take us to the nearest Toyota dealer, which was about 30 miles away. They put us in a new Sienna in about three hours and we were on our way again.
I definitely don't recommend buying a new vehicle under these circumstances...your "bargaining power" is ZERO, LOL, but we were stuck.
Still have that Sienna, and she's about to click 200K!
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Originally Posted by moskiter
Let's say I would go 500 miles from my home to some remote place and my car breaks down and is not drivable anymore, what to do? Any good solution?... Plenty, I'm quite used to such ordeals. I had a rural delivery route through rural WY, SD, ME, Colorado
my truck had over 3 million miles on it, it broke down on occasion... But I carried LOTS of spare parts and did lots of crazy repairs, as well as driving it 300 miles home in the night without lights, and 480 miles with a broken frame... I don't much like 'waiting around' for a ride home (got paid by the mile, not by the hr)
Actually I was looking for different advices.
...who should I call with cell phone? Police? What would they do? Would they get towing for me? Call a tow company or request the 911 operator to do so (be sure to have the $5 / month insurance noted below)
If it was 500 miles from my home it wouldn't pay off to tow my car which is worth less than I would pay for towing See below... I drive a whole fleet of 'throw-away-cars'. Leave them behind, they will get a 'mechanic's lien' for towing, and then you can buy it back for $50
And how to get back home? Ride in the tow truck to civilization, find a nice babe to haul you into paradise
Are there any insurance coverages that would cover such a towing from a middle of nowhere?... You can get 'road service' insurance for ~ $5 / month on your normal car insurance. It reimburses towing expense to nearest authorized service (read the fine print). Once you are there, you leave your junker car, Hitch hike home or post a 'ride wanted' ad on Craigslist (at nearest library)
Keep a few bucks to pay for someone's fuel, who may rescue you.
Carry some flares, they tend to raise awareness during fire season. IN the winter I additionally carry candles, a Space blanket (reflective) and a TALL orange Bicycle flag if I get into a snow drift.
Despite best efforts it is very difficult to be prepared for a mechanical breakdown other than a flat tire. I have been a member of off road Jeep clubs where there is ALWAYS a mechanical failure and everyone packs parts and tolls and we still can't always get them fixed. Its a very low % shot. Better to have some communication abilities than tools and parts.
Back in the 60s, people driving Citroens across the Sahara had a spare engine and tranny strapped to the roof, along with at least 4 spare tires on rims. Or sometimes just tow a second car to canibalize. Many still did not make it. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2542/...86c8292caf.jpg
After reading everyone's suggestions, I noticed that prayer was missing. Pray first...it really can get you back on the road!
And then there is the story told by Jerry Clower, about old Mr. Ledbedder, who sat on his roof and prayed through a flood. He rebuffed each successive rescue attempt, telling rescuers that God would save him. He was finally swept down the river to his demise. At the Pearly Gates, he was pretty miffed, demanding to know why his prayers went unanswered. God replied "I sent two boats and a helicopter!"
Moral of the story: If your car breaks down, apply whatever worldly help presents itself and don't ask for more obvious divine intervention.
After reading everyone's suggestions, I noticed that prayer was missing. Pray first...it really can get you back on the road!
There are a couple of problems with that solution.
First, I hope you are not suggesting that we pray for the OP? My God doesn't need to have my opinion on who he should help and how.
Second, if it is the OP who should be praying, do you really think it is my place to tell him he should pray?
Finally, how is that you know that the responses in this thread are not the answer to his prayer? God is giving him the information here so that he does not die stranded on some dead end road in the middle of nowhere. I, for one, told him not to go if he had to ask. That advice should save him if he pays any attention to it.
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(got paid by the mile, not by the hr)
See below... I drive a whole fleet of 'throw-away-cars'. Leave them behind, they will get a 'mechanic's lien' for towing, and then you can buy it back for $50 
