What items should all drivers carry ?

[laters]

In my boot there is always a temporary emergency tyre repair kit (as shown above) & my tyre compressor (never used on my own car but on plenty of friends cars).
Extendable wheel wrench with assortment of impact sockets
A small lipo battery booster pack (never used on my car but a few times on others & easier than jump leads)
A small bottle jack
A Spyderco rescue knife (that's been used for all sorts (cutting cable ties on wheel trims etc) mostly for others again)
A 1 litre bottle of oil (just incase)
Small pack of chemical metal (just incase)
Disposable gloves
Fire extinguisher
Pair of thicker work gloves
Selection of cable ties
Bag of fuses both the type my car uses and the larger type
Roll of duct tape
Couple of spare batteries for remotes
Big lump of blu-tac

& if all that fails

My RAC card

Edited by laters on Tuesday 30th August 11:03

[finishing touch]

Prescription glasses & prescription sunglasses, preferably not in the boot.

25% of the driving population wouldn't pass an eye test.


I know one bloke who goes by the angle of the speedo pointer because he can't see the numbers.

He "listens" to his TomTom. Go figure.


Paul G

[Harji]

Bought a tool bag recently and filled it with:-

Duct Tape
Grease spray
Torx Bolt heads
Breaker bar
3 ratchets
Jump leads
Tyre pump
mini tool set
Bunjee cords
1L Oil
Fuses
Bulbs
Electrical tape

Already in the car is the original tool set. I will add a torch, thinking about it. I don't even use the car that much, and I have AA membership.

I also have a snow kit for emergency but won't go in the car as it will be stored in winter.

ETA I've added items on in the last two mins, probably more stuff In the bag.

Also adding an umbrella and WD-40.

And a pair of boots.

Edited by Harji on Tuesday 30th August 13:46

Edited by Harji on Tuesday 30th August 13:51

Edited by Harji on Tuesday 30th August 13:52

[SlimJim16v]

Knuckleduster, cosh, hand axe, machete, CS gas, balaclava.

Or the old coffin dodging last night, a GPS device that tells you the correct speed, ie "the speed limit's 40 you , not 25".

[Hol]

Depends on which car.

In my newer daily, I have:
An AA card, jump leads and the factor tyre foam/toolkit.



In the back of my older track car, I have:
Last years AA card (same details), jump leads, tyre foam, spare fuses, a small reel of wire, cable ties, gaffer tap, 2l water, small tool kit, an old pair overalls and two pairs of disposable gloves.
I guess I trust it a little less, as old electrics have gremlins and old waterpipes can burst.


Like others, one thing I also carry in winter is a bag of winter clothes and snow boots etc, in case I ever have to bail out and walk home in a blizzard.

Edited by Hol on Tuesday 30th August 14:43

[DanSI]

simonr100 said:

Keep a couple of litres of water and snacks that won't go out of date quick. A small tool kit and torch, a blanket too if it's winter/night and you are stranded.

These are probably the best/sensible options, considering the climate we live in.
Even if not snow, get stuck in a MASSIVE tailback for hours, on a motorway (due to poor weather, a crash, striking lorries!), such items would be invaluable. Also add a roll of toilet paper.

I'm also tempted to add a set of THICK RUBBER MATTs (to push infront of the back tyres), to get my rear wheel drive car out of a sticky situation should the situation arise. Otherwise we'd be using the family 4x4 in such conditions anyway!

[addsvrs]

I have done this for both my boys, more so for my peace of mind as 1 lives in leeds and the other lives in Tidworth (i'm in Peterborough). Both have newish cars and both have breakdown cover. As both of them lack common sense lol i put together basics in a small bag that is in the boot.

1. Selection of fuses / bulbs (xenon bulbs for 1 car)
2. 8mm 10mm 13mm spanners and a small adjustable
3. Small multi tool
4. Duct tape
5. Compressor
6. Jump leads
7. Large bottle of water

Overkill more than likely but something in that list will be used by them and saves them nicking my stuff when they come home (just found my screenwash bottle empty after son number 1 came home this weekend)

[J4CKO]

Just revisiting this, was driving between Wilmslow and Alderley Edge on Wednesday night and the car in front left the road at about 40 mph and hit a tree, rear end went like 8 foot in the air and then came crashing down, a Fiesta, it was a mess, I placed my car to protect the crashed on with the hazards on, told my son to get out and call 999 and went over to the car, I opened the door not knowing what I would find, smoke everywhere, struggled to open the door, several airbags had gone off, horn was blaring, the front passenger side wheel had come off with driveshaft attached.

The lady in the car was catatonic, in severe shock, a lady who had stopped sat with the driver whilst I attended to making the car safe and silent by disconnecting the battery, got my torch and tools and sorted it out, Police and ambulance arrived and that was that.

So, was glad I had all that crap in the boot and am looking at fire extinguishers as if the car was starting to burn for any reason I am not sure what I would have done, I think we could have got her out (didnt move her at the time as no threat of fire) but I dont want to be in that situation without one again, I know it may not work but it is better than nothing, made me realise it isnt just about what happens to me but what I come across and we should all at least be minimally prepared to help out.

The night before, half a mile further back in Wilmslow, whilst walking the dog there was another Fiesta on its side on the roundabout with fire, Ambulance and Police in attendance, I must be a jinx !

[Buster73]

I've had the occasional thought of needing a machine gun , hand held obviously.

Mainly to take out pedestrians crossing the road whilst having their head down in their phone oblivious to every other road user.

A rocket launcher would be nice to get rid of the middle lane dawdlers as well , but I'd think that would have to be fixed to the car so might not apply fully to this thread.

[vikingaero]

There are those that do carry stuff and those that don't.

I've encountered people in the middle of the night who have broken down without even a torch pathetically trying to illuminate things with their phone. Most of the stuff you carry can be contained in an AA/RAC type European Holiday kit for £20-£30.