USB sticks, fast food flyers or a spare torque are things that may come in handy sometimes, but today we are talking about crucial items. That is – all the things that you will eventually thank yourself for having in your car.
There are myriads of different tools. How to decide which ones are crucial?
Read this list and you’ll never ask this question again. Most of these things are cheap, so money is not an excuse for not having them.
Just one remark before we start – if you’ve bought a used car, open up the trunk and check if there are a few things that should have come with it – the owner’s manual, first aid kit, spare tires, lug wrench, a jack. If they are missing, add them to this list.
Things to keep in the cabin:
1) Escape tools
Alongside the first-aid kit, this is a must-have tool that could literally save your life in the most dangerous situations, when you need to smash the windows and cut the seat belts to release yourself and escape the peril.
The most popular is Resqme. Be sure to keep it in the glove box or anywhere near the driver’s seat, so it would be easily accessible.
2) Flashlight
Having to change a tire or do some other repair in the dark, out there in the wild, isn’t a rare scenario.
True, there’s a flashlight on your smartphone, but you don’t want to rely on it. You need a more convenient solution for your car, such as a rechargeable LED flashlight, so you don’t have to worry about bringing some spare batteries. The best of all are hands-free headlamps, for the reason that is quite self-explanatory.
3) Duct tape
When something gets loose and you don’t have the time or chance to fix it properly, you’ll be thankful for this simple invention. Whether you got your rearview mirror broken in a minor accident, or your bodywork has been damaged, a high-quality duct tape will make it possible to reach the nearest repair shop with full functionality.
4) Clean water and nonperishable food
People don’t get stranded every day, but when they do, having some food and water means the difference between life and death.
So, we recommend you to always have them. Furthermore, we hope you will never actually need them.
Things that belong in your trunk:
5) Jumper cables
Car batteries have their lifespan, but they are known for dying all of a sudden for multiple reasons. Once your battery fails, you will have to jump start the car by connecting the dead battery to a healthy one – that is, you will need another motorist to stop by and ‘borrow’ you some of their car’s energy.
If you don’t want to rely on other people’s willingness to help, there is a handy (though more expensive) solution that doesn’t include another car – and that is a portable jump starter. Their price varies, but you will be able to find a decent one for $50-$60.
6) Tire pressure gauge
Don’t wait for the TPMS dashboard light to turn on. You need to inspect the pressure on all four tires at least once a month. This isn’t something you should neglect or leave to professionals. Tires need to have just the right pressure in order for your car to be easily controllable.
You can find the information about the right pressure in your owner’s manual. 60 psi is very common, but be sure to check out the manual nonetheless.
7) Soapy water
It isn’t always easy to find the leak on a punctured tire. But the good news is — it doesn’t cost a loonie to make some soapy water which can help you save your tire on the road. Pour it in a spray bottle and there you have it, the most efficient tool to help you discover leaks of any kind.
If you ignored our instructions and embarked on a journey without a spare tire, you can try to plug the flat tire before you make it to a repair shop, where they will plug and patch it properly.
8) Pliers, scissors, a knife, wire cutters… or just a multi-tool kit
There are many multi-tool solutions available on the market. The most famous (therefore, among the most expensive) are Leatherman. But just a little bit of research will bring hundreds of cheaper options that you might wanna consider. It’s better to have a nice bouquet in one place than dozens of things scattered all over the trunk.
Do you have all of those items in your car? Tell us below in the comments section!
And if you are ever in need of good repair service, we’ve got your back. Come to our repair shops in Hamilton today!
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