These Low-Cost Extras Could Save You In a Roadside Emergency
Back when horses were the main mode of transport an adage that still rings true today was coined” “For the want of a nail, the shoe was lost. For the want of a shoe, the horse was lost.” Whole horseshoes don’t feature in the world of motorised transport, there are still some low cost basics that can save the day. Do you own these items, and are you keeping them in your car?
Portable Tire Inflators
Although “run flat” tires are becoming increasingly ubiquitous, most of us still rely on pneumatic tires, and portable tire inflators are helpful accessories to keep stowed away in the trunk. A slow puncture shouldn’t be a biggie if you have one of these to help you make it to the next service station. And although you might have a spare, it’s quite possible to have two flats on one trip or find that you neglected to pump your spare when you need it most.
A Good Flashlight
Too simple? All the same, having a good flashlight will save you a lot of inconvenience. Whether it’s changing Baby’s nappy on a long stretch of open road at night, finding the snacks you stashed in the trunk, or figuring out why your car’s overheating, a good flashlight is worth keeping in your car. Choose a rechargeable LED flashlight and save on batteries. You never know when it will come in handy.
Water to Use as Coolant and More
On the subject of overheating, being able to top up your coolant could make the difference between having to call for a tow and being able to limp a car with cooling issues safely home. Then, there are the less-serious “emergencies” that call for a little water. Junior is choking on something or has managed to get sticky from head to toe. Or perhaps you need to clean a minor wound sustained on a hike in the boondocks. Whatever the reason you find yourself needing that good old H2O, you’ll be glad you kept a small stock of it handy.
A Few Cans of Oil
Most of the time, your car shouldn’t use much oil, but if there are major mechanical issues, you can burn through a lot of oil before you reach a point where help is at hand. It’s probably better to go for roadside assistance in this scenario, but there can be times when you need to top up and go.
A Tow Rope or Towbar
Of course, we all hope that we’ll never need a tow, but if we do, having the right equipment for the job might make things easier. Do remember to keep your hazard lights on and move any passengers to the car that’s doing the towing. If you use a tow rope, remember to drive so that there’s always some tension on the rope. It can be quite an art!
A Spare Wheel
Run-flat tire technology is pretty cool, but if you’re in the middle of nowhere, having a spare wheel is going to be a big help unless you actually like coveringing hundreds of miles at a crawl. Unfortunately, automakers aren’t always providing spare wheels anymore, so if you’re looking at a long road, you’d be well-advised to remedy this rather overconfident omission. Remember to match your spare tire to the current driving conditions.
Old News? Many People Neglect These Simple Basics
There are other things you should take along on any road trip: a jack and a wheel spanner, jumper cables, and a basic first-aid kit are among them. However, a great many motorists do without the items we’ve listed so far and may live to regret it. Don’t let this be you!