Most of us enjoy driving around in our cars, but have you ever been stranded in the middle of nowhere? When you’re driving, you never know what to anticipate. There’s a significant possibility you’ll come upon an emergency when you least expect it. If your car breaks down or your tires rupture while driving on a highway or in the city, you will be in a terrifying predicament. This article will review some essential items you should always keep in your car to deal with such scenarios.
In this article:
1. Tools To Carry In Your Vehicle:
- Work Gloves
- Tire Inflator
- Wheel Clamps
- First Aid Kit
- Reflective Emergency Sign
- Torch Light
- Life Hammer
- Portable Fire Extinguisher
- Puncture Repair Kit
- Tow Strap
- Jumper Cables
- Duct Tape And Scissors
- WD – 40
- Pliers And Screwdrivers
- Vehicle Jack
1 Tools To Carry In Your Vehicle:
Work Gloves
If your car breaks down and you need to open up specific locations to identify the problem, never use your bare hands! You might easily cut or damage them, worsening the condition. What’s the solution to this problem? Purchase a pair of work gloves. They are made with cut-resistant material and will keep your hands safe when completing such jobs. Most professional mechanics work with these gloves.
Tire Inflator
Almost all of us keep extra tires in our cars, but how many check the pressure regularly? Do you recall the last time you checked the pressure in your spare tire? Most likely, you don’t! Consider the following scenario: you have a flat tire and cannot utilize your spare wheel due to low pressure. It doesn’t look promising! Keep a tire inflater on hand to avoid having two worthless tires simultaneously.
Wheel Clamps
You have no idea where you will need to park your vehicle while on a journey. Most of us secure our vehicles with security alarms and gear lever locks. One can add a wheel clamp to your essential vehicle tool collection to boost security when parking in the open. It might assist you in locking your car’s wheels and increasing security levels. This is one of the most important tools one must carry.
First Aid Kit
Many individuals overlook the presence of a first-aid kit. However, we are placing this at the top of our list to emphasize its importance. Always carry a First Aid Pouch in your vehicle, antiseptic ointment, gauze, dressing tape, crepe bandage, cotton, pain spray, and some essential drugs such as pain relievers and anti-vomiting pills. We usually get a first-aid package when we buy a new automobile. But do you keep it up to date over time? You never know when it is required. a first-aid kit is a must-have while traveling. It should also include medications according to your family’s travel needs.
Reflective Emergency Sign
These days, manufacturers typically provide reflective triangles. However, most people lose them quickly and do not replace them. Make sure you have one in your car at all times. These reflective signs are made with radium-infused paint that helps them shine in the dark. The glass around it makes it visible during the day by reflecting the sunlight. If you are stranded for a long time in the middle of the road after dusk, the only thing that will make others suspicious of your presence is that triangle.
Torch Light
Car repair problems can occur at any time. One needs light to fix things in the most intricate places under the hood. As a result, a flashlight is one of the most helpful equipment to keep in your automobile. Sure, your smartphone has one, and it’s probably more powerful than a standalone flashlight. However, to diagnose or repair an automobile problem, you will need to use a flashlight for an extended time. In such cases, saving your phone’s battery is preferable for communication purposes. This essential instrument will allow you to inspect your vehicle for any damage that may have occurred during the night.
Pro Tip: Getting a flashlight that can be worn like a cap will make life easier!
Life Hammer
In an emergency, this little item can work wonders. We hope you never have to use it, but we recommend that you keep it in the car. The life hammer is a must-have tool that can be helpful if you need to break your car’s glass or cut the seatbelt in an emergency (otherwise too hard to cut). This inexpensive equipment can be a lifesaver if you are locked inside your car in an emergency and need to get out quickly. For instance, if your car falls into a body of water, opening the doors can be difficult due to the pressure exerted on the doors by the water. This tool can break the glass of the window and you can swim out of the car.
Pro Tip: The hammer can be used to break glasses, and cut off seat belts. The hammer must be kept in an easily accessible place to protect yourself quickly in case of emergencies.
Portable Fire Extinguisher
Keeping a good quality fire extinguisher in your car is essential to increased safety. Most people believe extinguishers are helpful only in CNG (compressed natural gas) vehicles as the fuel is easily flammable. However, any fuel-powered vehicle can easily catch fire due to its electronic system. Short circuits in these systems can cause fire, leading to major catastrophes. Your car’s engine is functioning at temperatures well beyond 200 degrees Fahrenheit. In case of an emergency, keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Make sure you replace it once it reaches the end of its life.
Disclaimer: Always pull the safety pin before using the fire extinguisher.
Caution: It is crucial to keep checking the expiry dates. Extinguishers have to be replaced to avoid any fatalities.
Puncture Repair Kit
Tire punctures can occur anywhere, depending on the driving conditions. Many roadside puncture shops outside of cities cannot repair tubeless tire punctures. As a precaution, you should take one yourself. All you have to do is realign the wheel, so the tear is on top. The valve of the tire should be accessible too. Then, insert the sealant into the sealant bottle and connect it to the tire valve. The sealant has to be pushed into the tire while re-inflating the tire. Note that this is just a temporary fix; you must get the tire checked and fixed properly.
Caution: Make sure you get the right size repair kit, since bigger vehicles need more sealant and stronger inflations.
Tow Strap
A tow strap is another crucially needed car accessory. There may be occasions when your automobile breaks down on the road, and the workshop is too far away for you to drive it alone. In such instances, a tow strap comes in handy. You can always request assistance and have your automobile towed to the nearest repair.
Jumper Cables
Jumper cables can come in handy if you get stuck. Most of us fail to keep track of the last time we replaced our car’s battery. There is a possibility that your car’s battery will die without your knowledge. You can get going with these cables instead of getting stuck owing to the starting difficulties. If you have jumper cables, you can quickly start your car with the assistance of another person. All you have to do is connect the red (positive) terminal of the running battery of another car to the positive terminal of the dead battery with the red cable. Do the same with the black (negative) using the black cord. Turn on the engine of the car with the dead battery. Let it run for ten minutes, and there you go! You have a battery that is alive and kicking!
Duct Tape And Scissors
Have you ever discovered loose or dangling wires inside your car? Duct tape can fix wiring, and temporarily repair hoses, fender benders, and broken bumpers so you can get to the nearest workshop and get it mended on time. Aside from that, duct tape can aid you with various non-automotive tasks. Ensure you obtain high-quality duct tape because it may stick to various surfaces and temperatures.
WD – 40
This miraculous item can lubricate practically everything in your car. You may find it difficult to open a stuck screw or bolt owing to rust buildup, but WD-40 can make it simple. Grease and grime accumulation might be bothersome, but this spray can help you get rid of everything in one go. We’ve included this in our list of necessary car equipment since simple tasks like changing a flat tire can be difficult if the nuts are rusted.
Caution:This chemical can be harmful for your airways. Thus, we advise you to wear a mask before using this product.
Pliers And Screwdrivers
Screwdrivers are used for various automotive repairs and maintenance tasks because they can quickly unscrew panels for speedy removal and replacement. Since most cars have electronic panels and ancillary hoods that cover intricate connections, screwdrivers can help unscrew these panels and hoods to work with those parts. Thus having a good set of screwdrivers is essential. Pliers like the needle-nose pliers may not be required as frequently as a socket wrench or screwdriver in auto operations. Nonetheless, a bundle of these instruments is best suited to various circumstances. Pliers can often reach places that other devices cannot. Having a set of wrenches such as impact wrenches, combination wrenches, oil filter wrench, ratchet set, and an adjustable wrench can also be handy.
Vehicle Jack
A car or vehicle jack is required for performing diagnostic or repair tasks. Without this tool, it is challenging to access numerous critical components of the car, such as the oil filter, transmission fluid pan, and brakes. A vehicle jack softly raises a car or truck off the ground by sliding beneath the frame. The tool allows the tires to be removed without damaging other parts and also lifts the vehicle enough to give relatively easy access to the car’s underneath.
These 15 essential automobile tools will help you feel more confident on the road. We hope this article has provided sufficient information about the essential tools that must be kept in your car. Even if you never have a car-related emergency, it is preferable to have and not need than to need and not have.
