What tools and spare parts to keep in car?
Discussion
Hi, I have been maintaining and looking after cars for a couple of years now (DIY). Was wondering if anyone had recommendations of tools and spare parts to keep in my car (Corsa D) that would allow me to carry out basic roadside reports etc.
Appreciate any help, especially from experienced mechanics and RAc/AA technicians.
Currently I keep a basic toolbox with a couple of screwdrivers and a hammer and a set of cheap spanners but looking to upgrade with Halfords advanced stuff.
Appreciate any help, especially from experienced mechanics and RAc/AA technicians.
Currently I keep a basic toolbox with a couple of screwdrivers and a hammer and a set of cheap spanners but looking to upgrade with Halfords advanced stuff.
Tyl_04 said:
Hi, I have been maintaining and looking after cars for a couple of years now (DIY). Was wondering if anyone had recommendations of tools and spare parts to keep in my car (Corsa D) that would allow me to carry out basic roadside reports etc.
Appreciate any help, especially from experienced mechanics and RAc/AA technicians.
Currently I keep a basic toolbox with a couple of screwdrivers and a hammer and a set of cheap spanners but looking to upgrade with Halfords advanced stuff.
Ignore the snarky ‘joke’ comment above, good on you.Appreciate any help, especially from experienced mechanics and RAc/AA technicians.
Currently I keep a basic toolbox with a couple of screwdrivers and a hammer and a set of cheap spanners but looking to upgrade with Halfords advanced stuff.
In terms of tools, I’d add a 1/4 inch ratchet set with sockets (and a spare 10mm socket…). Set of Allen keys. Multi screwdriver with a selection of bits, rather than loads of screwdrivers of different sizes. Adjustable wrench just in case (yes, I know it’s a thugs tool, but as a roadside get out of trouble tool it’s great). Insulating/electrical tape. Tank/helicopter/duct tape in a colour of your choosing. Wheel nut socket plus extendable wheel brace (assuming Corsa’s come with spare tyres. Set of jubilee clips and also tie wraps of various sizes (for the latter, buy a bulk bag from screwfix, it’s far cheaper).
Spares wise, up to you (I’m not familiar with Corsa’s or what often fails). But in terms of consumables, a 1l bottle of suitable oil, ditto water with antifreeze mix (clearly labelled, don’t ask!). A spare set of wipers isn’t a bad idea, ditto bulbs (latter a legal requirement in some countries). Foot pump or 12v pump.
Most important: mobile phone plus charger, power bank optional, don’t forget leads, and a reasonable breakdown policy.
Don’t get fooled or convinced into ‘posh’ tool brands. Halfords advanced is as good, if not better in some cases, and there’s a free replacement policy for breakages.
Most failures which you could realistically fix at the roadside are probably better dealt with by decent preventative maintenance. Make sure things like bearings, plugs, HT leads etc are replaced as soon as they first give any indication of starting to fail. Same also with things like the battery, starter motor etc. Most will become a bit tempramental before failing completely.
Although the big breakdown companies proudly announce what percentage of cars they fix at the roadside, the majority of these will punctures, jump starting someone with a flat battery, and people who run out of petrol.
One item which is worth carrying is self amalgamating tape and a possibly some jubilee clips too. You'd be able to bodge together a failed hose with that well enough to get you home. Obviously carry the means to fit the spare wheel if you get a puncture, and worth carrying water and oil too.
Although the big breakdown companies proudly announce what percentage of cars they fix at the roadside, the majority of these will punctures, jump starting someone with a flat battery, and people who run out of petrol.
One item which is worth carrying is self amalgamating tape and a possibly some jubilee clips too. You'd be able to bodge together a failed hose with that well enough to get you home. Obviously carry the means to fit the spare wheel if you get a puncture, and worth carrying water and oil too.
Firstly make sure you have a spare wheel, wheel brace and jack in the car as this is the one thing that is most likely to leave you stranded. I hit a pothole recently and badly bent the rim and instantly lost all air 200 miles from home. Luckily I have a full sized spare wheel with my car, so five minutes later it was fitted and we were on our way. I dread to think what would have happened if we only had a tin on tire goo.
Things I personally have in the car
1)Mobile phone charging cable
2)Print out of breakdown cover details
3)A digital tyre pressure gauge
4)A cheap tyre inflator that runs from the 12v socket
5)One of those little Chinese jump packs with USB sockets and a torch that look like they would never start a car but do.
One thing I have recently bought is one of these tyre repair kits, I personally wouldn't recommend it as a long term repair but it would definitely get you home.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275384718241?hash=item4...
Other than that, there was a time when I used to carry 12 litres of water in the car in case of a radiator leak when I went on long journeys. I actually gave up on that in the end as the times I have had an issue the water has come out so quickly that it would have been a waste of time.
The issue is where do you draw the line at what you carry? It is fairly unlikely that if the car does breakdown you will be able to repair it at the side of the road without parts no matter what tools you have.
Things I personally have in the car
1)Mobile phone charging cable
2)Print out of breakdown cover details
3)A digital tyre pressure gauge
4)A cheap tyre inflator that runs from the 12v socket
5)One of those little Chinese jump packs with USB sockets and a torch that look like they would never start a car but do.
One thing I have recently bought is one of these tyre repair kits, I personally wouldn't recommend it as a long term repair but it would definitely get you home.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275384718241?hash=item4...
Other than that, there was a time when I used to carry 12 litres of water in the car in case of a radiator leak when I went on long journeys. I actually gave up on that in the end as the times I have had an issue the water has come out so quickly that it would have been a waste of time.
The issue is where do you draw the line at what you carry? It is fairly unlikely that if the car does breakdown you will be able to repair it at the side of the road without parts no matter what tools you have.
I used to carry some basic tools when I had my MGB, but since going EFI I'm not sure what's really fixable at the road-side. I think in the family car there's a tow rope, a set of jump leads, the things that came with the car for changing a wheel and that's about it. Oh and a bluetooth OBD dongle.
Well. Having owned most of my cars for at least 10 years, and one to 19 years. I have never had anything fail that could be fixed by the standard tool kit. Ignoring punctures, then a failed water pump has happened twice (low loader home with that on a Volvo), limped home in the BMW. The only other occasion was a dropped drivers window. That was a failed nylon bush on the scissor mechanism (brittle failure). I probably could have fixed that, but RAC did.
Just ensure regular service and maintenance and hose checks. Ensure locks and especially bonnet catches are lubricated regularly. So standard tool kit, with bulbs, a few hose clamps and tie wraps. Tyre changing kit (should be standard).
I wonder how many have:
Hi Vis jacket.
Warning triangle (should be on modern cars)
Torch with flash
First aid kit (should be on modern cars)
Just ensure regular service and maintenance and hose checks. Ensure locks and especially bonnet catches are lubricated regularly. So standard tool kit, with bulbs, a few hose clamps and tie wraps. Tyre changing kit (should be standard).
I wonder how many have:
Hi Vis jacket.
Warning triangle (should be on modern cars)
Torch with flash
First aid kit (should be on modern cars)
Monkeylegend said:
The only kit I carry around nowadays is a bottle of water and my breakdown cover letter, and a foot pump, although I have runflats so that is pretty redundant.
There is a toolkit supplied by BMW but to be honest I am not sure what's in it.
Well, your locking wheel nut socket is in it for sure!There is a toolkit supplied by BMW but to be honest I am not sure what's in it.
Jump leads are great, but only if you have another car to jump from 
I recommend a starter pack (we have something like this) - fabulous for jump starting cars....& if you were really stranded and found your phone flat, also useful to boost that!
Other than that - duct tape to stop things, WD40 to start 'em, something to change a wheel (do you have a spare).
Anything more would be down to what you think YOUR car might suffer from, & that YOU might be able to fix.
I'd make sure you have decent breakdown cover too......for all those things you cannot fix!
I recommend a starter pack (we have something like this) - fabulous for jump starting cars....& if you were really stranded and found your phone flat, also useful to boost that!
Other than that - duct tape to stop things, WD40 to start 'em, something to change a wheel (do you have a spare).
Anything more would be down to what you think YOUR car might suffer from, & that YOU might be able to fix.
I'd make sure you have decent breakdown cover too......for all those things you cannot fix!
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