Emergency Items to Keep in Your Vehicle
The average commuter spends two to three hours in their car each weekday. That is 10-15 hours a week that can be very hard on a vehicle, especially if a lot of that time is spent driving at a snail’s pace. Depending on where you live, if your vehicle breaks down, it might be hours before a tow truck can get to you. The following is a list of supplies that are always good to keep in a vehicle in case your car breaks down and you become stranded. Some of these items can be used for quick fixes until you can get the vehicle serviced and some can be used for minor car repair.
At the minimum you will need a car jack and a lug wrench (they generally come with a new vehicle), in case you have a flat tire. Other items that will come in handy are:
• Owner’s Manual & Road Maps-Most manuals come with advice on car repair and you should know what road maps are used for.
• Work Gloves-For use if you have a flat tire
• A Tool Kit-Including adjustable wrenches, pliers, and screwdrivers which can work on various car parts
• Duct Tape-Great to have in almost any emergency. Duct tape will temporarily repair leaky hoses.
• Emergency Flares, Reflectors & a Flashlight-For obvious reasons
• Jumper Cables-You don’t need them if you are driving a hybrid, but are a necessity for all other vehicle owners.
• A Shovel-A regular or collapsible one. A shovel is a necessity for shoveling snow, mud, or dirt in case your vehicle is stuck.
• Tire Blocks-If you are changing a flat tire these are essential for safety purposes
• An Umbrella-This probably needs no explanation
• A Quart of Engine Oil & a Funnel-Used if you find your vehicle running low on oil
• Paper Towels & A Cloth Towel-For cleaning up any messes, placing on the ground to keep your clothes unsoiled and to use as a white flag to signal for help.
• Spare Tire-Make sure that the spare tire is in good working condition at all times
• Petroleum Jelly-This has several uses including loosening tight nuts and bolts and it makes it easier to clean your hands
• An All-Purpose Utility Knife-always handy to have because of its many uses
• Window Scraper-A necessity in climates below 30°
• Wire Brush-Great for cleaning the battery terminal
• Water-Although you do not want to store water in your car for extended periods of time, it is always good to have a bottle with you
• A Flat Board-This is good for leveling a jack
• Blanket-This is important to have in case you are ever stuck in cold climates, especially if your vehicle stops running
Most of these items can be purchased at any auto parts store and are not overly expensive. You can pack up these essentials and store them in the trunk of your car. Having them with you in case your vehicle breaks down can save you time and money on car repair.
