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The other day I found myself cleaning out my trunk once again. As much as I try to keep it clean and clear of clutter, I always seem to accumulate many pointless and space hogging items. However, there is one item that I refuse to part with and that is my emergency kit. It isn’t one you can buy in a store (even though those kits are more than enough for most), but rather a collection of items that I have found to be lifesavers over the years. It has gotten me out of a few jams, so I figured it would be a good idea to include what I feel is necessary in case of the mechanically unforeseen.
The Kit
Especially for those who drive a smaller vehicle with not much trunk space, it is vital to have only what you need. As you know, a trunk can only hold so much, so it is necessary to use as little space as possible in order to make an emergency kit practical. With that said, I use an old book bag. It is small and I can fit whatever I need into it. Of course, you can use a traditional box like you can find in a store. I guess I just prefer to have a bit more than most.
Socket Set
My first and most important item is a small socket set. It is one of those sets that you can buy in your local auto parts store for around $6 (USD), so nothing fancy. You do not have to be handy to include this item, as usually what you can potentially repair with a socket wrench is quite simple (i.e. a loose radiator hose clamp or something like that).
Jack
My other vital component is a jack. Sure, all cars come with a small scissor jack and a tire iron in case of a flat tire, but I have never cared much for the jack that is included. So I invested in a little $30 pump jack to make life easier in case of a flat. Usually the scissor jack will suffice, but this is just a personal preference. As always though, never get under a car without using jack stands. Usually in the kits you purchase in a store, you get bright orange cones or a bright orange triangle of sorts to make you visible on the side of the road. Yes, these items work well in the daytime, but not so much at night. In either time of day, I prefer to use flares, so they are also included in my kit. These are the little flares that you can buy in the camping section of a local retail store, nothing too flashy. The advantage of a flare is that they are quite good at garnering the attention of oncoming motorists in both day and night time.
Other Items
Seeing that I do not have much space left, I need some practical, yet small and flexible items. The first of these is a small radiator hose. Again, this is just personal preference, as I am somewhat paranoid about radiator hoses. Also included are a few radiator hose clamps.
Next, I include a few screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead) because you never know when you may need one.
Finally, I include duct tape. Duct tape is not a fix-all, but it can get you out of a tight spot (i.e. a small hole in a hose).
The Kit Cannot Do It All
Of course, as I along with many others can attest, sometimes you are unable to fix a problem with your auto on the fly. Usually it is because the problem requires a new part and it is impossible to carry a part store in your trunk. In cases like these, it is best to call the tow truck and save yourself further frustration.
What do you carry with you in case of a mechanical emergency?
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