Sensible list of things to keep in the car?
Discussion
I'm after a sensible list of things to keep in the car.
Along the lines of:
- Jump leads
- Ice scraper
- Coat/blanket
- Some spare money
- Some food/water
- Pen and paper
- Disposable camera (in case of a collision)
- High-vis vest?
- Tread depth gauge?
- Tyre pressure gauge?
- Foot pump?
- Spare bulbs
- Spare fuses
Also anything I should have written down? eg
- AA membership number and their phone number
- My insurance policy number and their phone number
- Next of kin details?
I've posted this in Advanced Motoring, not General Gassing, in the hope of some sensible answers. I don't want to take everything including the kitchen sink, so lets try to stick to the important stuff. Maybe if you think something is 'optional', then say so. I've put a '?' next to things where I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.
Cheers all,
mrmr96
Along the lines of:
- Jump leads
- Ice scraper
- Coat/blanket
- Some spare money
- Some food/water
- Pen and paper
- Disposable camera (in case of a collision)
- High-vis vest?
- Tread depth gauge?
- Tyre pressure gauge?
- Foot pump?
- Spare bulbs
- Spare fuses
Also anything I should have written down? eg
- AA membership number and their phone number
- My insurance policy number and their phone number
- Next of kin details?
I've posted this in Advanced Motoring, not General Gassing, in the hope of some sensible answers. I don't want to take everything including the kitchen sink, so lets try to stick to the important stuff. Maybe if you think something is 'optional', then say so. I've put a '?' next to things where I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.
Cheers all,
mrmr96
Torch is useful in case you end up needing to flag someone down on a fast unlit road maybe (people don't always react to red rear lights or even hazard lights until they realise you're stopped). Also helps to figure out whats fallen off/ broken/ clonking if you drive an old French car like me 
Cable ties can also help.
Another tip is to find out all the things you need to do if you come across (or end up in) an accident. In the rush of adrenaline & shock following an accident its hard to think clearly, so a list of things to do already written down and to hand can help you know what to do.
Cable ties can also help.
Another tip is to find out all the things you need to do if you come across (or end up in) an accident. In the rush of adrenaline & shock following an accident its hard to think clearly, so a list of things to do already written down and to hand can help you know what to do.
Edited by leon_t on Tuesday 6th January 13:32
turbomachine said:
Oh and a decent trolley jack and some blocks of wood for stability.
That's a lot of weight for something you don't use often - and I wouldn't want to be near an unrestrained trolley jack in an accident.From the OP's list I'd say that a tyre pressure gauge and a hi-vis vest are essential, rather than optional.
Good replies. Thanks to those who have posted so far.
Quick question regards the jack:
Would I be better:
i) Trolley jack
ii) OEM scissor jack
iii) 'Tyre weld' but no jack or spare wheel
iv) Nothing but my AA card
(I think I have a fairly decent AA package, but would they pick me up if I didn't have a spare, or would they just laugh at me?)
Cheers
Quick question regards the jack:
Would I be better:
i) Trolley jack
ii) OEM scissor jack
iii) 'Tyre weld' but no jack or spare wheel
iv) Nothing but my AA card
(I think I have a fairly decent AA package, but would they pick me up if I didn't have a spare, or would they just laugh at me?)
Cheers
mrmr96 said:
...I have a fairly decent AA package, but would they pick me up if I didn't have a spare, or would they just laugh at me?)
Cheers
No, they wouldn't laugh - many cars don't even carry a spare these days, just a can of tyreweld. So they would come and recover you.Cheers
Edited by RichB on Tuesday 6th January 17:52
RichB said:
mrmr96 said:
...I have a fairly decent AA package, but would they pick me up if I didn't have a spare, or would they just laugh at me?)
Cheers
No, they wouldn't laugh - many cars don't even carry a spare these days, just a can of tyreweld. So they would come and recover you.Cheers
.
.
.
d. any additional charges resulting from Your failure to carry a legal and serviceable spare wheel or tyre, except where this is not provided as manufacturers standard equipment. The AA will endeavour to arrange on your behalf, but will not pay for, assistance from a third party;
I carry a portable 'Jumpstarter'.
It measures a foot square and 6 inches deep, and isn't heavy, probably the same as your footpump, torch and jump leads, which you will no longer need.
It also has a compressor in it for tyres, and a decent lamp that will run for hours if necessary. There's a gauge to indicate when the battrey needs charging, in which case you take it in doors and plug it in over night (also can be charged from a cigarette lighter). Also has a built-in cigarette lighter socket, so can charge phones etc.
I highly recommend them, and a decent one is only about £25.
It measures a foot square and 6 inches deep, and isn't heavy, probably the same as your footpump, torch and jump leads, which you will no longer need.
It also has a compressor in it for tyres, and a decent lamp that will run for hours if necessary. There's a gauge to indicate when the battrey needs charging, in which case you take it in doors and plug it in over night (also can be charged from a cigarette lighter). Also has a built-in cigarette lighter socket, so can charge phones etc.
I highly recommend them, and a decent one is only about £25.
deeps said:
I carry a portable 'Jumpstarter'.
It measures a foot square and 6 inches deep, and isn't heavy, probably the same as your footpump, torch and jump leads, which you will no longer need.
It also has a compressor in it for tyres, and a decent lamp that will run for hours if necessary. There's a gauge to indicate when the battrey needs charging, in which case you take it in doors and plug it in over night (also can be charged from a cigarette lighter). Also has a built-in cigarette lighter socket, so can charge phones etc.
I highly recommend them, and a decent one is only about £25.
Got a linky?It measures a foot square and 6 inches deep, and isn't heavy, probably the same as your footpump, torch and jump leads, which you will no longer need.
It also has a compressor in it for tyres, and a decent lamp that will run for hours if necessary. There's a gauge to indicate when the battrey needs charging, in which case you take it in doors and plug it in over night (also can be charged from a cigarette lighter). Also has a built-in cigarette lighter socket, so can charge phones etc.
I highly recommend them, and a decent one is only about £25.
I carry:
Sleeping Bag
Block of Chocolate
Change Of Clothes (Jeans, thick-material T-shirt, sweatshirt)
Gloves
Woolly Hat
Hi-Viz Vest
Tow Rope
Jump Leads
Decent Tool Kit - Range of Ratchet Spanners, Screwdrivers, Pliers, Cutters, and other bits
Spare Bulbs & Fuses
Cable Ties
Duck Tape
Insulating Tape
WD40
Top-Up Bottle Of Oil
Antifreeze
De-Icer
Scraper
Selection of Clamps, U-Bolts, screws, nuts, bolts, and Jubilee Clips
CopperSlip
Grease
Vaseline
Electrical Wire (Various Gauges)
And a few other things.....
Sleeping Bag
Block of Chocolate
Change Of Clothes (Jeans, thick-material T-shirt, sweatshirt)
Gloves
Woolly Hat
Hi-Viz Vest
Tow Rope
Jump Leads
Decent Tool Kit - Range of Ratchet Spanners, Screwdrivers, Pliers, Cutters, and other bits
Spare Bulbs & Fuses
Cable Ties
Duck Tape
Insulating Tape
WD40
Top-Up Bottle Of Oil
Antifreeze
De-Icer
Scraper
Selection of Clamps, U-Bolts, screws, nuts, bolts, and Jubilee Clips
CopperSlip
Grease
Vaseline
Electrical Wire (Various Gauges)
And a few other things.....
Edited by GTO Scott on Tuesday 6th January 22:09
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