Picture it: you’re driving your car in the middle of the night. Suddenly, your engine starts sputtering, and before you know it, your car’s broken down on the side of the road.
Unfortunately, you don’t have a torch to help you properly assess the damage. You could use your cellphone’s built-in torch; however, your phone is dead, and you don’t have a car charger or power bank to charge it back up.
It’s chilling to think about these kinds of situations happening to you. Fortunately, you can prevent or resolve them by equipping your car with the appropriate tools.
CARRY THESE ESSENTIALS IN YOUR CAR AT ALL TIMES
Whether you’re going on a long-distance trip or merely driving to the shop down the road, stay prepared for any emergency with these eight car essentials:
1. SPARE TYRE
Car tyres that are worn over time are liable to burst. So, if a tyre bursts and you’re unable to contact roadside assistance, you will need to change it.
Make sure that you keep a spare tyre and the necessary tools (including a wheel jack and ratchet wrench) in your car. However, these tyres are designed for temporary use only and tend to be smaller, so ensure that you get a full-sized replacement once your car troubles have been resolved.
2. JUMPER CABLES
Faulty alternators, leaving your car lights on or extremely cold temperatures can play havoc with your car battery.
Keep a set of good-quality jumper cables in your car. That way, you can connect it to another car’s battery if yours is flat. Make certain that both vehicles are switched off before jump-starting your car.
3. FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Engine fires can be quickly dealt with if you keep a fire extinguisher in your car.
AutoTrader advises that you possess a multi-purpose extinguisher, one that’s rated for both electrical and gasoline fires. Speak to a consultant who specialises in fire safety or contact a certified fire safety equipment service about how to use an extinguisher during a car-related emergency.
4. FIRST AID KIT
Car accidents or medical emergencies during a trip can be scary to think about. Regardless, you need to be prepared for any incident that may occur while you’re on the road.
Obtain a first aid kit from a trusted outlet and keep it in an easily accessible part of the car, such as the cubbyhole or the boot. Additionally, keep a document containing the contact details of an ambulance or rescue service inside the kit.
5. MAPS
In an age dominated by GPS and map apps, map books may seem passé. Actually, they’re paramount if you need to know or report where you are.
Let’s say your car breaks down in an unfamiliar place. If your GPS loses signal or your apps conk out, you can use a map book to determine your location and report it to road assistance or emergency services. Or, if you get lost, you can use it to make your way back to familiar roads and landmarks.
6. TORCH
“From checking an engine’s nooks and crannies to providing light for fellow travellers, [a torch] can be a lifesaver,” says the Automobile Association of South Africa.
Indeed, a torch is a must-have for any driver, especially if any incidents occur at night. You can use it to assess and repair the damage to your car, provide lighting while changing a tyre, or use it to signal for help.
7. CELLPHONE CHARGER
A spare cellphone car charger is crucial. You can keep your phone powered up during an emergency, allowing you to contact emergency services or road assistance or inform your loved ones of your situation.
Store a car charger with a USB cable in your cubbyhole. If your phone’s battery is close to becoming flat, you can charge it up immediately.
8. MULTI-TOOL
While toolboxes are more effective, a multi-tool is versatile, more portable and can come in handy if you need to carry out minor repairs or adjustments to your car.
Most multi-tools are equipped with basic yet helpful instruments, including a screwdriver, pliers and wire cutters. This goes a long way in tightening nuts or repairing broken wires in your car.
EQUIP YOUR CAR, SECURE YOUR SAFETY
No one likes to think about the hazards associated with driving. Should these hazards arise, however, it is absolutely imperative to equip your car with the life-saving tools and resources to tackle them.
Regularly test or replace these essentials wherever possible, from checking the batteries in your torch to keeping your first aid kit stocked.
Above all, remember to keep a cool head. After all, you need to be able to think clearly so that you can help yourself and others out of a daunting situation.
