Today’s cars are very reliable so breaking down is uncommon event but it still can happen.
Bad weather, dead batteries, flat tires can happen to anyone at anytime, regardless of the age of your car.
When things like this happen, few people are prepared. And you know Murphy’s Law; when something does happen, its going to happen during horrible weather too. So, lets get prepared with a set of tools and some emergency gear so you are ready for whatever occurs.
Flashlight – Why? Because we can guarantee that the next time your car breaks down it will be at night. Get a good flashlight too. The cheap $2-$3 dollar lights aren’t “mission ready” for this sort of thing. You need a quality light and fresh batteries.
First Aid Kit – If you have kids, you will likely dig into a first aid kit long before your next car issue occurs, so you need one right away. Most pharmacies and large box stores have nice first aid kits for short money.
Hand Tools – At a bare minimum, have phillips head and standard screwdrivers, a set of common metric wrenches and a set of pliers. Better yet, purchase a kit containing all of these tools in a convenient plastic case. Most auto parts stores carry these as well
Work gloves – A set of work gloves is a great thing to have in your emergency kit and there are some awesome clearance deals available now. You may need them for safety whilst working or even just to keep your hands warm during cold weather.
Snow Brush with Ice Scraper – A good snow brush is mandatory in the winter.
Jumper Cables – You don’t want to be stranded with a dead battery and not have jumper cables. Everyone should have a pair in their car. Spend the extra money and get good ones because they will work better and last longer.
Kitty Litter – Sand or clean kitty litter will also help provide traction if you get stuck in snow. You don’t have to carry a lot but you may find this provides just enough traction to get you out if you are stuck on ice.
Fix-A-Flat – Don’t want to mess with changing a tire? You might be able to use Fix-A-Flat. Fix-A-Flat is an aerosol can that you connect to the valve stem of a wheel. When it is sprayed into the wheel, it fills the tire with air and seals the leak from the inside. They don’t always work (it depends on how big the tire leak is) but it’s always worth a try.
There are other supplies you may want to consider too. If you have enough room, perhaps a blanket, an old jacket, and drinking water. Take a few minutes to think of some of the additional items you can equip your car with plus the necessary stuff, and you can drive with true peace of mind.
Source: Kolosso Chrysler
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