Ever have a car breakdown and have to crawl under the car to connect a hose while spilling antifreeze on yourself? Here are a few handy items you can keep in your trunk to avoid sticky situations.
1. A good set of wrenches, sockets, and pliers will help to get under the hood quickly. This is especially helpful if you’re changing a tire or dealing with an engine issue.
2. Extra fluids such as oil, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and gas will come in handy if there’s any kind of leak near these components. It’s also good for having spares on hand if it’s been awhile since changing them last time.
3. A set of jumper cables will help another car start if yours runs out of battery. Don’t forget the all-important handle to attach to your clamps!
4. Make sure you have a flashlight handy in case you need to look under the hood at night or drop something under one of your seats. You can use it for finding stuff that falls on the ground, too!
5. A first aid kit, disposable gloves, and some paper towels are always good to have around in case someone gets injured or spills something on themselves while working on their car.
6. Spare fuses are great for repairing blown out fuses much faster than replacing them altogether.
7. Duct tape is very versatile, but it can be a lifesaver if any of your windows break, or some other scenario that requires a quick fix.
8. Basic road flares will help vehicles to see you while you’re fixing a vehicle on the side of the road. It’s also good for making sure others don’t hit your car while it is parked on the shoulder!
9. Paper maps are always wise to keep in case your GPS doesn’t get satellite reception or something goes wrong with it during a trip. They can also be used for placing over windshields if someone is rear-ended so they don’t have to buy an entirely new window once they get their car fixed at a repair shop, and they usually use them under seats if there’s spilled fluids or broken glass.
10. Spare change for tolls or parking can be helpful.
11. A cell phone charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter is another thing you should not forget to pack! Make sure it has long cords in case they are needed to set up in the back seat in order to reach someone else in need. Not all chargers have this, so make sure whatever one you choose does before leaving your store, if they offer car chargers with long cords too.
12. Basic tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches are just handy things to have around if something breaks or needs adjusting while on a road trip or at home. They usually come in an inexpensive tool kit that comes with just about every basic tool you need.
13. Emergency road safety reflectors come in a convenient pack with a flashlight and other items for roadside use. They can also help to alert other drivers to your presence on the side of the road.
14. An umbrella can be used for protection from rain or sun while traveling.
15. A crowbar can also be useful if there is any kind of emergency that requires you to pry something open. They’re very useful for breaking into locked cars, too!
16. A first-aid kit can be useful if anything goes wrong while traveling. Make sure you know how to use the items in it beforehand.
17. A Swiss army knife can be very versatile, and they usually come with other useful items in a small space. They can be used for cutting open food items, puncturing things in case there’s no access to an air compressor in order.
Hopefully, these tips will come in handy the next time you’re on a road trip! If you are looking for a quality pre-owned vehicle, then visit the Binghamton Auto Exchange at 209 Vestal Parkway West in Vestal, NY, or call us today at 607-754-9118.
