In this day and age, we enjoy the luxury of roadside assistance. Whereas drivers of past decades had to manage their own flat tires and other driving emergencies, we can now get ourselves out of most car fiascos by simply picking up the phone and calling for help.
(Pixabay / FlenderFunways)
It’s important not to be lulled into a false sense of security, however. Driving disasters could strike at anytime—including when you are traveling through areas without cell service. It’s important to have the right tools in your vehicle to help you get out of potentially dangerous situations when roadside assistance is not accessible.
Here’s a short list of tools to store in your car:
Jumper cables
This emergency tool will be a lifesaver when you are stranded with a dead battery. The jumper cable can be connected to a good battery with similar voltage. And before you put the jumper cables in your car, make sure that you know how to connect them to another battery to start your car.
Life hammer
This is a small tool that a driver can keep within reach while driving. It could be used for cutting the seatbelt or breaking the window in emergency situations where you need to evacuate the car quickly.
Multi-drive wrench set
Keep a set of wrenches in your car in case you need to unscrew or tighten bolts and nuts on your vehicle.
Flexible socket set
Reaching for a bolt in the car engine can be a difficult task because the area is very crowded. You may not be able to use a regular wrench here so it is important to carry a set of flexible sockets that will allow you to access car components in tight spaces.
Pry tools
A set of pry tools is essential for fixing small damages to your car. It can help you pry open various parts of your car that may be too difficult to open with your hands.
Speed charger
This tool can provide a boost to a dying car battery. It will allow you to charge your batteries quickly no matter where you are.
You can minimize the risk of car breakdowns on the road by properly caring for your vehicle. Visit a reputable automotive repair shop near you for regular check-ups and preventive maintenance.
Schedule a zero-commitment appointment
to get the help you need, fast.
Engine failure, especially out of the blue, can be scary. It can put a wrench in your plans if driving somewhere important and depending on the problem, can be expensive to fix. Thankfully, there are lots of warning signs that can signal you when your engine is about to fail.
If you begin to notice some electrical problems in your vehicle, such as the dome light failing to turn on when you open the doors or the radio shutting off, you may need to check the fuses.
The outer tie rod ends are one of the more important parts of your vehicle’s steering system. While you may not choose to replace the outer tie rod ends yourself, it is good to be able to recognize what they are and see if they need replacing.
Have you noticed an increase in flat tires during the frigid winter months? There’s a reason for it. Keep reading for some simple explanations as to why tires seem to go flat when temperatures drop.
When your vehicle is functioning properly, it’s easy to forget how dangerous driving can be. However, it only takes a moment for an important component to malfunction. Suddenly your car has your full attention. One of the worst situations to find yourself in as a driver is to press the brake pedal only to realize that it is not working.
