Preparedness: 3. Repair Kit - In The Car

From Fusselman.org

Stuff breaks, it’s a fact of life. Some things can be repaired in the field, some things can’t. I can probably cobble up a repair for a leaky radiator hose that will last long enough to get home to replace said hose, but I probably can’t rebuild a transmission by the side of the road.

Likelihood would state that I’m going to find myself doing far more little repairs, like blown fuses and bulbs and the occasional flat tire than I will transmission rebuilds. Thus, my repair kit kit is focused on those things. The trick to tools is versatility vs cost. Something like a socket set is expensive, in terms of space, weight and money, and not very versatile; Sockets are basically for turning bolts, though I suppose they could be used as a spacer, given the right situation. Compare to a pair of locking pliers (aka “Vise Grips”). They’re much less expensive in all 3 regards, though they are admittedly less good at turning bolts. In the same vein, though, they’re good at gripping irregular shaped objects, pulling, and clamping; A socket set is absolutely incapable of any of those things. Given that, and my the scope of my kit, I carry the pliers and no socket set.

Some things have no real alternatives, for example, a jack. If you expect to get a flat tire off a car, you have to get the car picked up, and the only (really safe) way to do that is with a proper jack. Thankfully, most cars carry one by default. My “no alternative” car equipment includes: Jack, full-size spare tire, standard lug wrench, locking wheel bolt key and jumper cables. Everything but the jumper cables is standard-issue for my Jetta. All of this special purpose automotive equipment fits inside the spare tire well, under the trunk. It’s not included in the portable kit, since its utility without a car is limited at best.

Stuff that lives in my car:

• Full-size Spare Tire (Standard on a Jetta)
• Jack (Standard Issue)
• Lug Wrench w/ Wheel Lock Key (Standard Issue)

• Jumper Cables
• Ice Scraper
• Snow Brush
• Full-size “Coal” Shovel (I add and remove this seasonally)
• Full-size (4D) Maglight - Yes, this is overkill. It fits nicely beside the seat, and I’ve had it for years. Generally, unless it’s way out of line, something I already own wins out over anything I have to buy.
• Small bottle of Windex and some folded paper towels (for cleaning car windows... Safety First)