Traveling nowadays can be fun and seen as an adventure, but it’s not always guaranteed that you will reach your final destination without encountering a few unforeseen problems. Never take for granted that everything will be okay, always be prepared for the worst and keeping certain items in your vehicle could just end up saving your life. Instead of keeping your car cluttered with useless objects that accumulate over time, rather replace them with useful tools.
Jumper cables
You can never anticipate this one, and it usually takes most drivers by surprise, but a dead battery can creep up and happen to the best of us. Ideally, an emergency battery booster pack will be a great salvation for when you are completely alone and no cars seem to be passing for a while. Otherwise you will need to rely on the kindness of strangers to assist during this dilemma. Always make sure that you connect the jumper cable properly to the appropriate terminal, the red connector is positive, and the black connector is negative.
Spare tyre, jack and tyre iron
You might laugh, but this is a common mistake that causes people to be stranded on highways and dirt roads for long periods of time. Make sure that you always have a spare tyre in your vehicle as well as the appropriate tools in case you need to change it and there is no help around. Read your vehicle’s owner manual and familiarise yourself with the procedure so that you know what to do when the time comes.
Tyre inflator and sealer is another good kit to keep in your vehicle. If you can locate your puncture and plug it then it might just help you enough to make it to the nearest garage, and possibly avoid having to change the tyre.
Emergency kit
If possible, try and keep a mini emergency kit in your vehicle at all times, whether in the trunk of your vehicle or under the passenger’s seat. Your emergency kit can contain many things but importantly make sure that you have a flashlight, some form of a multi-tool, matches, water, energy bars, a map, duct tape, emergency money, plasters and disinfectant.
These basic materials can come in very handy if your car breaks down and you find yourself stranded in an unfamiliar or dangerous area. Duct tape is a good keep and can be used for quick and temporary mending jobs.
Clothing and comfort
Besides your basic survival kit, it wouldn’t hurt to keep a bag containing a spare blanket, towels, toilet paper and a spare change of clothes in the trunk of your car. You never know when you might be stranded or end up having to spend the night in your car or alone in the middle of nowhere.
To always be prepared is a great head start for any motorist, and you might just end up saving yourself from a difficult or potentially dangerous situation.
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