Year-round Car Kit - Part 2

In part 1 I talked about the first three items that should be in your car all year. I discussed the reasoning behind the items and why you might want them. This time, I want to talk about the last two. You will remember that the items in your year-round car kit are:

A Year-round Car Kit

• Mechanic tool set


• First Aid kit


• Fire Extinguisher


• Jumper cables


• Tire changing kit

Jumper cables

Jumper cables are used for starting cars whose batteries are weak or dead. I can't count the number of times that I have used a set-either on my own car or someone else's. Sometimes a battery doesn't give the indications that it is going bad... or conditions don't highlight that it is weak... until.... When that happens, you are stuck in the parking lot, or in the snow, or under the melting sun until a rescuer comes along. That rescuer can be the mechanic or tow truck (think $$$ as well as discomfort)... or it can be the person who has a car that starts (if you have jumper cables).

Having jumper cables also lets you be the "good samaritan" who can help someone else who wasn't as prepared as you are.

Tire changing kit

When automobiles come from the factory, they come with a spare tire (of some sort) and the tools required to change a tire. Over time, things happen to that kit. Somehow, they disappear. If you are not buying the car brand new from the dealer, it is a surprise bonus to find that the car still has the tire changing equipment. Either way, make sure that all parts required to actually change a tire are there.

Even if they are all there, let me suggest that there are a few more things you can add that will make it easier, safer, and cleaner to change a tire, should you need to do so.

First of all, sometimes the equipment that the manufacturer makes is pretty minimalistic. In fact, some of them provide equipment that do make it possible to change a tire by the roadside, but not probable. And certainly not fun or safe. If your car is in this category, please consider upgrading to some better tire-changing tools. Auto parts stores carry lots of better replacements. If you can't afford that, try a used parts yard, often you can get what you want for lots less money.

Next, throw in some latex (or vinyl or similar) gloves . These are remarkably handy for keeping your hands clean while handling that dirty tire. Notice how often a roadside emergency occurs on your way to work? Or to someplace where you are not wanting to show up with gunky hands? The gloves are cheap, disposable, and keep your hands clean while working on the car.

If you want to really be prepared, throw in an old set of clothes (preferably oversized) or a set of coveralls. As noted in the earlier paragraph, most of the time you aren't dressed for changing a tire. Having something you can slip on over your clothes to protect them while you work on the car can set you apart as a genius when your friends find out about it. (If, instead, they make fun of you for being concerned about your clothes, you might want to take that as a sign that you need new friends... but, hey, it's your decision.)

Bonus item:

If you get a little bag (maybe a child's old backpack) to keep your car kit in, toss in a quart of oil, as well. It may ride there for years, but be just the lifesaver to get you to a station when your car develops a sudden thirst for oil. (I've seen it happen way too often.)

Even with all these things in your car, there is plenty of space left over for all the other junk that naturally accumulates in car trunks, so don't worry about that. If you are one of those compulsive people who vacuums their trunk weekly... definitely fit this stuff into a bag so you can easily move it aside when you vacuum. For the rest of you, a container of some sort does help keep the emergency preparedness stuff from getting in the way when you do want to use your trunk as a trunk.

Note to pickup truck owners: don't put your kit in the bed of the pickup... put it behind the seat (bench seat, back seat, however your pickup is configured.) If you don't know why I make that recommendation... think about it for a while... or just try it yourself... but be prepared to replace it.

What have you found to be indispensable in your car kit? Have I missed something? Tell us what and why.