What tools do you keep in your car?

AlisonHarrison

Had a bit of an emergency yesterday and am thinking what tools should I keep in the boot?
Jump leads for one also stuff to change a wheel, but what else?
I am in the AA but am thinking things for irritations rather than major mechanical disasters.
I do not mind getting stuck in but not wild about major mechanical procedures at the roadside.
Any ideas welcome.

lucylucky

One of these



Can pump up a tyre, jump start a car and also has a light.

Gene_Hunt_2

AlisonHarrison wrote: »

Had a bit of an emergency yesterday and am thinking what tools should I keep in the boot?
Jump leads for one also stuff to change a wheel, but what else?
I am in the AA but am thinking things for irritations rather than major mechanical disasters.
I do not mind getting stuck in but not wild about major mechanical procedures at the roadside.
Any ideas welcome.

What repairs can you do?

vaio

In the old days full electrical & mechanical tool boxes, these days a swiss army knife in the glove box (and it’s the hunter one not even the mechanic model)

somech

i would warn against anyone using jump packs or jumpleads on modern cars if your not 100% sure you know what your doing, its very easy to cause £££££ of damage to electrical components

LandyAndy

Only the manufacturers supplied tools.

lucylucky

somech wrote: »

i would warn against anyone using jump packs or jumpleads on modern cars if your not 100% sure you know what your doing, its very easy to cause £££££ of damage to electrical components

I am fortunate - my car is anything but modern!

Ebe_Scrooge

I'm the same. I have breakdown cover for major stuff, but I keep a VERY basic few tools in the boot for minor inconveniences to save the hassle.

Jack etc. for changing the wheel ( obviously ! )
A couple of screwdrivers ( cross-head and flat blade )
Roll of electrical tape
Can of WD40
Couple of pairs of pliers ( large and small )
A few bits of wire
All wrapped up in an old towel which doubles as a rag for wiping hands on.

That's about it really. It won't allow you to replace the clutch at the roadside, but my theory is :

Pliers have a multitude of uses. A full set of spanners / sockets would be nice, but I don't want to be carrying tons of tools around. Pliers will do to hold a nut at a pinch. WD40 - cures everything :-) Also great for cleaning the gunk off stuff so you can see what's going on. Tape and bits of wire - will do for temporarily holding things together until you can get to a garage. Electrical tape will also insulate electrics.

As I said, for anything more serious I'll call the breakdown service, but the few tools I carry can save a lot of waiting around if I have a very minor fault.

Limey

Other than oil, water, coolant and the Hilux's standard tool kit. I have a full set of ratchet spanners, usually my 1/4 inch drive socket set (aka Umpah lumpah socket set) and a leatherman. Pretty much covers most eventualities.

marleyboy

My Boot has........

Tyre Iron, posidriver, screwdriver, jack, Torch, Head Torch, Spare car Bulbs, Emergency warning Triangle, foot pump (in case electric one breaks), De-Icer, Plastic Petrol Can, WD40 and not forgetting a s[are wheel.

epninety

My toolkit varies according to where I'm going and what I'm doing, but the basic kit never changes. added to what people have already mentioned are :-

1. Epoxy Resin putty 'stick' - just cut a bit off the end, knead it and stick. Think BluTak that sets like steel. Has got me out of a few situations.
2. A random selection of common size nuts, bolts, washers and wire crimps. Just a couple of each M6, M8, M10.
3. Special tools - If you own a vehicle for a long time, you sometimes find jobs that can only be done with a particular type of tool. Either that tool lives in the car, or I buy a second one.
4. Soft iron wire - not sure where you can buy this these days, but wire about 1mm in dia thats tough but workable by hand. Great for tieing up a busted exhaust etc.
5. Gaffer tape
6. Cable ties
7. Clamptite tool - a rare one this, but can make fantastic substitutes for hose clamps on the fly.

For the really long trips, I even carry a battery powered welder :eek: