Necessary Tools For Emergency Car Repair

We’ve all experienced a car breakdown and it’s never a good time. Depending on the circumstances, it can be a nuisance that makes you late, or a borderline disaster that leaves you stranded in the middle of nowhere. It’s always a good idea to have an emergency kit on hand for these situations, but most people don’t put a lot of thought into what belongs in one. In this article, we’ll go over the most important things you should have on hand if you get stuck, either with a flat tire, or for an extended period of time while you wait for help to arrive. (It should go without saying that your vehicle should be equipped with a spare tire, jack, and tire iron so that you can fix a flat tire if needed.)

Jumper Cables

Jumper cables are a necessity to keep in your car in case your battery dies. In a lot of cases, you’ll be able to enlist the help of someone else who has cables, but it’s always good to have your own on hand just in case. In you really want to be prepared, a set of jumpers with a batter pack can help get your out of a jam if you’re somewhere that help isn’t readily available.

First Aid Kit

A basic first aid kit is another item that should always be kept in the car. While there are some limits to what kind of medical aid can be provided with a first aid kit, it can literally mean the difference between life and death if you’re in a bad accident. A first aid kit is something you don’t really think about until you need it, and you’ll want to be sure you’re prepared if it comes to that. Keep in mind that some items in a first aid kit may need to be replaced, such as creams, ointments, and wipes.

Basic Tool Kit

Even if you’re not the most handy person when it comes to repairing your own car, it’s still a good idea to have a basic tool kit on hand. There may be minor things you’ll need to repair while on the go and having the proper tools is important. Likewise, if you get stranded and someone comes along who can help, you’ll want to be sure that you have basic tools available if they’re able to assist you.

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Reflectors or Flares

All vehicles should have reflectors or road flares in the event that you get stranded on the side of the road. Oncoming traffic can pose a real hazard if you break down and you’ll need to provide a signal that alerts them to a stopped vehicle with plenty of advanced notice, especially at night.

Flashlight & Batteries

A flashlight and extra batteries are also a must to keep in your car for emergencies. Not all breakdowns happen in the daytime so even if you get a flat tire or have to take a peek under the hood, you’ll need a light to help. In some cases, you may need to walk to a nearby gas or service station before you can get back on the road so a flashlight will certainly come in handy there if you need to do so in darkness.

Phone Charger

Communication is vital if you get stuck anywhere and your phone can lose its charge if you’re stranded for an extended period of time. A charger that doesn’t rely on your car battery to operate is ideal since that could very well be the cause of your car troubles. There are several remote car chargers that are perfect to keep in an emergency kit.

Water & Snacks

Another preparatory step you can take is to keep water and snacks in the car in case you need to wait a while for help to arrive. Keep in mind that water will freeze if left in your car during very cold temperatures so you may need to restock before a winter trip, or make sure you heat the vehicle enough to thaw it out. As for food, your emergency supplies should have nonperishable items that keep for a long time.

Winter Supplies

If you live in a climate that has extreme winters, there are another set of supplies you should keep on hand. Preparations for snow, ice, and the cold should be kept in the vehicle so that you don’t get caught unprepared. This includes things like an ice scraper, snow chains, blankets, gloves, and a snow shovel in case you get stuck.