Car breakdown by the side of a busy highway or notorious neighbourhood is one of the biggest nightmares of car owners. Even if you haven’t, as a car owner, there’s the chance you could run into this situation at least once throughout your driving experience.
To help ease some of the stress that comes along with car troubles, you should have a roadside emergency kit that safely sits in your vehicle at all times.
Roadside emergency car kits are a neatly organized collection of helpful tools and provisions aimed at assisting you during roadside emergencies like flat tires, engine failure, and more.
When compiling items in your kit, consider adding items tailored to the age and mechanical condition of your vehicle, your driving circumstances, and the weather conditions. At least ensure your vehicle emergency kit has the following essential items:
- Jumper cables
Jumper cables are a must-have for a car emergency kit. They help you jump-start your vehicle when the battery is drained. Any jumper cable set is better than none, but try to buy one that’s 4 to 6 gauge and at least 20 feet (6 meters) in length. Additionally, look for a set with thicker cables and heavy clamps for maximum durability and longevity.
- Repair Tool kit
An emergency roadside kit is only complete with a repair tool kit. Buy a tool kit that includes a variety of screwdrivers, wrenches (also an adjustable wrench), pliers, and a pocket knife. Bonus points for tool kits with a socket wrench and a full array of sockets in different sizes.
- Flashlight
A durable emergency flashlight is vital in any worthwhile roadside emergency kit. You’ll realize the importance when your vehicle suddenly spoils by the roadside in the middle of the night, in the middle of nowhere. Battery-operated flashlights are an affordable and effective option, but ensure you have spare batteries in your kit. LED flashlights offer enhanced illumination but typically cost more than basic emergency flashlights.
- Tire pressure gauge
If your tire pressure light comes on, tire pressure gauges are valuable tools for measuring tire pressure easily and quickly. To use a tire pressure gauge, unscrew the tire valve stem cap, insert the gauge onto the exposed valve stem, and gently press down until the needle on the gauge displays a measurement. Look for a tire pressure gauge made of durable metal with clear, legible markings on the gauge face.
- Vehicle Engine oil
Engines require the proper level of oil in order to run properly, so you should keep a quart or more of motor oil stowed in your roadside emergency kit. Consult your vehicle’s owner manual for the recommended engine oil viscosity and formula. Keeping a few rags in your kit to clean up your greasy hands when you’re done wrenching on your ride is also a sound idea.
Get most of these items from CarFanzy Lagos, Address: No 98, Olowo-Way, Opposite Man-House, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. Phone No: 08167386753
Website: www.carfanzy.ng
Conclusion
You could include many other smaller items in your vehicle emergency kit. However, always ensure that these top five items are always in your kit. You never know when they’ll come in handy.
