General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPSA: DON'T BACK UP INTO A BIG PILE OF SNOW WITHOUT CLEANING OUT THE TAILPIPE
Yep, almost passed out from the exhaust fumes. Barely smelled them at all because I have a very bad cold. Dizzy and a bit nauseous.
Never heard of this happening. A friend told me it is, indeed, a thing how people die.
I had no idea!
Squinch
(51,007 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)I think my job is laying off my team this week, and if so... I am going to really enjoy very free moment. New lease on life, and all that!
Aerows
(39,961 posts)That sounds like good advice. If it snowed here more than once every decade, I'd heed that advice!
(Just kidding, that sounds serious).
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)TDale313
(7,820 posts)Scary.
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)I just went to move it forward then back again a bit so I would have a little room in front.
but- good point, so I edited it.
appleannie1
(5,068 posts)a kid in a car keeping warm while his dad shoveled the car out of a parking spot died.
cyberswede
(26,117 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)not just rude- but dangerous!
WhiteTara
(29,722 posts)Thanks for the PSA!
Logical
(22,457 posts)Lifelong Protester
(8,421 posts)backing into a snowdrift, 'rocking' the car, any of that type of action that can trap snow in the tailpipe can kill you. I knew someone whose daughter died that way, 'rocking the car' to get out of some snow....
Be careful out there, folks!!
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)back of my car. If this was yesterday, I think I would have passed out because I was very bad with congestion and breathing. Damn.
Lifelong Protester
(8,421 posts)roll my window down when I'm dealing with getting out of some snow. Even a crack would help. Bet you will too, now.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)when they went up, I caught the fumes bad. Whew!
11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)MadrasT
(7,237 posts)I would not have thought of that.
And I literally just backed into a big pile of snow.
Eek.
Thanks for the PSA.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)WillyT
(72,631 posts)& Rec !!!
malaise
(269,157 posts)Snow is a mess
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)NoGOPZone
(2,971 posts)of your house are covered with snow
VMA131Marine
(4,149 posts)If exhaust fumes start entering the passenger compartment when the tailpipe is clogged with snow, it's a sign of serious leaks in the exhaust system. Exhaust systems on modern cars are welded together and if you clog the tailpipe enough to stop the exhaust from flowing the engine should only run for a short time before it can't overcome the increased back pressure in the system. If clogging the tailpipe doesn't cause the engine to stop then the exhaust is already dangerously leaky and should be repaired promptly.
shireen
(8,333 posts)Warpy
(111,339 posts)Plus with a tight enough exhaust system, that snow will melt very quickly as the temperature of the exhaust is raised as it passes through the catalytic converter.
Definitely get the system checked if it's going into the passenger compartment, snow or not.
MineralMan
(146,329 posts)Unless there are leaks, a clogged tailpipe will kill the engine. It is the leaks that are the danger.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)SCantiGOP
(13,873 posts)I didn't want to sound critical, but if you block the tailpipe the engine will shut off immediately. The only exception, which you note, is that there are leaks in the exhaust system which is a very dangerous situation with or without the added problem of the snow. Carbon monoxide is odorless. Most deaths are likely never attributed to CO; the driver falls asleep because of the gas that has seeped into the car and it looks like a regular wreck where the car leaves the road and crashes.
shireen
(8,333 posts)That sounds really scary. I'm glad you're OK.
mike_c
(36,281 posts)Glad to hear you're alright!
Common Sense Party
(14,139 posts)I'm glad you're safe.
Historic NY
(37,453 posts)even when moving. Odorless and colorless your dead before you know it.
rurallib
(62,448 posts)thanks for the reminder.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)Beacool
(30,251 posts)I'm aware of the dangers of a covered pipe and I'm always careful to make sure that the tail pipe is clear. I remember reading some years ago about two cops who were sitting in their patrol car and died. They hadn't realized that when they backed into a parking spot that snow covered the tail pipe.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)I keed!