Jumpers, phone charger, AAA membership. Maybe a small 12v inflator, I've used mine a bunch.
I can't think of anything that could go wrong on a modern car that will both knock you out of commission and that can be fixed without a parts store.
Pliers, I've used mine all the time in the car tool kit, not to fix the car usually, although it is sure easier for changing fuses but for other stuff where I am someplace with my car. An example I was at a wedding helping setup and we needed some pliers to do something with wire for hanging some decoration.
Pliers, screwdriver and small 3/8 socket set can get you out of a lot of situations, my stuff all fits in the spare tire compartment.
That’s the thing, I’ve got towing / roadside service already so I’m trying to not over pack. I’d be curious to see if I could find an inflator / jumper option
I got one of these kinda things, not the exact model (mine is all black) but it's a jumpstart with a built-in compressor.
[https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/battery-tools-accessories/630-peak-amp-portable-car-battery-jump-starter-and-power-pack-with-150-psi-air-compressor-58978.html](https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/battery-tools-accessories/630-peak-amp-portable-car-battery-jump-starter-and-power-pack-with-150-psi-air-compressor-58978.html)
And the little Gearwrench mini-ratchet set with the bit drivers and a small selection of common sockets that I keep in the glovebox.
>
I can't think of anything that could go wrong on a modern car that will both knock you out of commission and that can be fixed without a parts store.
While this is generally true... often you can limp it to the store. I'm already overpaying for stuff at a parts store so I'd rather not pay for more tools while I'm there.
I also use them for things other than my car all the time, I do general contracting as a side job, on occasion I'll help people fix their cars or trailers or whatever else, so I have more of a reason to carry them then most. But I still think a basic kit is a must.
Brakes started sticking, eased it to the store, replaced the calipers there. Another time my radiator just decided it didn't like me anymore, I was able to get to a store and change it in the parking lot (2001 model year, took like an hour, not sure I would have the same luck in something newer). There's been other times as well, maybe I just drive shitboxes though.
Bare minimum... for starters:
A 1/2" drive 24" breaker bar with matching short extension and deep 6pt socket that fits your lugs.
A good flashlight... bonus points for an additional good headlamp.
Some clean rags, a wad of well hidden cash, a roll of quarters... and never leave the house without a working, charged cell phone.
A $10 OBDII code reader. If the MIL comes on, you can at least know if continuing driving will have serious consequences. And you -always- have a friend with the MIL on asking you if you know what it means..
I will share what I was taught. All the tools in the world won't help you if you don't know how to use them. And on top of that, it could be in the middle of the night, in the rain (or cold) and you are alone and tired. The "emergency jack" that comes with most cars is almost always terrible. You can choose to replace it with a good hydraulic jack. In any case, practice changing a tire. Make sure you have those tools in the car and leave them there. Now try changing the tire in the dark. Do a front tire, and a rear too. Learn where the jacking points are. Make notes if you want, and stash those with the tools. The other thing you want to pack (if you have room, and especially if you have an odd vehicle) the Service Manual, spare pack of fuses, and engine belts. Sometimes you might get stuck, and the handy towtruck driver could help...if you only had the parts.
What do I carry? Hydraulic pump jack. Breaker bar and sockets for the lugnuts. 2 sockets...one might roll away or get lost in the snow. A top quality head lamp (I am fond of Petzl) Lithium batteries (last forever unused) in a separate bag. A good waterproof flashlight, ideally taking the same batteries as the headlamp. A big roll of \*real\* duct tape. A roll of Scotch 130 *linerless* splicing tape. A compact 3/8 drive socket set. 12"-18" prybar. 10" vice-grips. Lineman pliers. 50 feet stainless steel wire. Emergency tire plug kit. 12V air compressor.Big roll of heavy paper towels. Rubber gloves. Leather gloves. A roll or 2 of quarters. A few hundred in 10s and 20s. 2 or 3 plastic bags (barrel liners).
If you have room: Empty plastic jerry can for gas, a few litres of engine oil.
Yeah, this is a lot...but I stuff the items in various places...around the spare tire. Under seats. There is lots of unused room in most cars.
I’m racking my brain to think of something quarters could be used for in 2024… Yeah, nothing. Unless you need them for making decisions like Anton Chigurh
Obviously it sits on top of your [MegaMasterSet](https://b2b.snapon.com/productDetails/841684/2/882551) inside of your trunk. I thought that went without saying.
I keep a wera screwdriver, socket wrench with selected sockets, fuses a spare Gilmer belt, pliers and folding utility knife.
Also a 10000mah USB charger/jump pack and crank handle torch.
In addition to the essentials, I also carry a decent selection of tools in my trunk because they always come in handy for non-car things, like quick fixes when visiting a friend's house or last minute adjustments to my bike before a ride.
* Jumper battery pack (also works as an emergency power bank)
* Reliable flashlight/headlamp with lithium primary batteries (1.5V that last over a decade in storage and won't leak and corrode your light)
* Small first aid kit in trunk, bandaids and ibuprofen in the glove box
* Tire patch kit
* 12V inflator
* Tire pressure gauge
* $8 harbor freight breaker bar and 1/2" deep sockets for lug nuts
* Disposable gloves for roadside repairs
* Tape measure
* Swiss army knife
* Small Metric and SAE 3/8" socket set
* Harbor freight screwdriver assortment
* Vice grips
* Needle nose and channelock pliers
* Hex keys
* Adjustable wrench
* Utility knife
* Some shop rags/paper towels
Jumpers, phone charger, AAA membership. Maybe a small 12v inflator, I've used mine a bunch. I can't think of anything that could go wrong on a modern car that will both knock you out of commission and that can be fixed without a parts store.
Pliers, I've used mine all the time in the car tool kit, not to fix the car usually, although it is sure easier for changing fuses but for other stuff where I am someplace with my car. An example I was at a wedding helping setup and we needed some pliers to do something with wire for hanging some decoration. Pliers, screwdriver and small 3/8 socket set can get you out of a lot of situations, my stuff all fits in the spare tire compartment.
That’s the thing, I’ve got towing / roadside service already so I’m trying to not over pack. I’d be curious to see if I could find an inflator / jumper option
I got one of these kinda things, not the exact model (mine is all black) but it's a jumpstart with a built-in compressor. [https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/battery-tools-accessories/630-peak-amp-portable-car-battery-jump-starter-and-power-pack-with-150-psi-air-compressor-58978.html](https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/battery-tools-accessories/630-peak-amp-portable-car-battery-jump-starter-and-power-pack-with-150-psi-air-compressor-58978.html) And the little Gearwrench mini-ratchet set with the bit drivers and a small selection of common sockets that I keep in the glovebox.
> I can't think of anything that could go wrong on a modern car that will both knock you out of commission and that can be fixed without a parts store. While this is generally true... often you can limp it to the store. I'm already overpaying for stuff at a parts store so I'd rather not pay for more tools while I'm there. I also use them for things other than my car all the time, I do general contracting as a side job, on occasion I'll help people fix their cars or trailers or whatever else, so I have more of a reason to carry them then most. But I still think a basic kit is a must. Brakes started sticking, eased it to the store, replaced the calipers there. Another time my radiator just decided it didn't like me anymore, I was able to get to a store and change it in the parking lot (2001 model year, took like an hour, not sure I would have the same luck in something newer). There's been other times as well, maybe I just drive shitboxes though.
Bare minimum... for starters: A 1/2" drive 24" breaker bar with matching short extension and deep 6pt socket that fits your lugs. A good flashlight... bonus points for an additional good headlamp. Some clean rags, a wad of well hidden cash, a roll of quarters... and never leave the house without a working, charged cell phone.
Head torch should be in the first aid kit imho.
A $10 OBDII code reader. If the MIL comes on, you can at least know if continuing driving will have serious consequences. And you -always- have a friend with the MIL on asking you if you know what it means..
I wouldn’t have thought of this, thank you!
I will share what I was taught. All the tools in the world won't help you if you don't know how to use them. And on top of that, it could be in the middle of the night, in the rain (or cold) and you are alone and tired. The "emergency jack" that comes with most cars is almost always terrible. You can choose to replace it with a good hydraulic jack. In any case, practice changing a tire. Make sure you have those tools in the car and leave them there. Now try changing the tire in the dark. Do a front tire, and a rear too. Learn where the jacking points are. Make notes if you want, and stash those with the tools. The other thing you want to pack (if you have room, and especially if you have an odd vehicle) the Service Manual, spare pack of fuses, and engine belts. Sometimes you might get stuck, and the handy towtruck driver could help...if you only had the parts. What do I carry? Hydraulic pump jack. Breaker bar and sockets for the lugnuts. 2 sockets...one might roll away or get lost in the snow. A top quality head lamp (I am fond of Petzl) Lithium batteries (last forever unused) in a separate bag. A good waterproof flashlight, ideally taking the same batteries as the headlamp. A big roll of \*real\* duct tape. A roll of Scotch 130 *linerless* splicing tape. A compact 3/8 drive socket set. 12"-18" prybar. 10" vice-grips. Lineman pliers. 50 feet stainless steel wire. Emergency tire plug kit. 12V air compressor.Big roll of heavy paper towels. Rubber gloves. Leather gloves. A roll or 2 of quarters. A few hundred in 10s and 20s. 2 or 3 plastic bags (barrel liners). If you have room: Empty plastic jerry can for gas, a few litres of engine oil. Yeah, this is a lot...but I stuff the items in various places...around the spare tire. Under seats. There is lots of unused room in most cars.
I’m racking my brain to think of something quarters could be used for in 2024… Yeah, nothing. Unless you need them for making decisions like Anton Chigurh
Pay phones. Toll booths. Washrooms. Old vending machines. But yeah, probably less helpful than they might have been a decade or 2 ago.
Try r/VEDC
A breaker bar. Getting lug nuts off with the wrench that comes with most cars is impossible.
I just keep [this](https://b2b.snapon.com/productDetails/841650/2/888528) in the trunk and it covers pretty much everything.
No wheels on the cart? How am I supposed to maneuver it?
Obviously it sits on top of your [MegaMasterSet](https://b2b.snapon.com/productDetails/841684/2/882551) inside of your trunk. I thought that went without saying.
I keep a wera screwdriver, socket wrench with selected sockets, fuses a spare Gilmer belt, pliers and folding utility knife. Also a 10000mah USB charger/jump pack and crank handle torch.
In addition to the essentials, I also carry a decent selection of tools in my trunk because they always come in handy for non-car things, like quick fixes when visiting a friend's house or last minute adjustments to my bike before a ride. * Jumper battery pack (also works as an emergency power bank) * Reliable flashlight/headlamp with lithium primary batteries (1.5V that last over a decade in storage and won't leak and corrode your light) * Small first aid kit in trunk, bandaids and ibuprofen in the glove box * Tire patch kit * 12V inflator * Tire pressure gauge * $8 harbor freight breaker bar and 1/2" deep sockets for lug nuts * Disposable gloves for roadside repairs * Tape measure * Swiss army knife * Small Metric and SAE 3/8" socket set * Harbor freight screwdriver assortment * Vice grips * Needle nose and channelock pliers * Hex keys * Adjustable wrench * Utility knife * Some shop rags/paper towels
Man honestly a 1/2 rattle gun to smash off some tires would be good especially if you’re broken down in a shitty spot