Franklin Sussex Auto Mall Blog

Remember Murphy’s Law? Anything that can happen … will happen. Doesn’t it seem that these things always happen at the most inconvenient time and place possible?

In the event that you have a vehicle breakdown, making sure that your car has these basic items tucked away can help keep you and your family safe and out of harm’s way!

Here are a few things you should tuck away …

• A Cell Phone with Delayed Text Delivery
• A Cell Phone Charger Adapter
• A Standard Screwdriver
• A Phillips Screwdriver
• A Roll of Duct Tape
• An Exacto Knife (or similar blade)
• An Adjustable Wrench
• A Red or Orange Sweatshirt
• One Quart of Motor Oil
• One Gallon of Distilled Water
• One Pair of Queen Size Pantyhose
• Two Motor Vehicle Flares
• One Sealed Packet of Food
• Chemical Hand Warmers
• One Vehicle Jack
• One Spare Tire

While this may sound like a lot to pack away, take into consideration that most of these items are small and can easily fit into a small bin inside your trunk.

So what do you do with all of this if you do break down?
When your car breaks down in an urban area, there is usually a phone nearby and with that phone comes a place which is warm (or cool) to wait. Outside of the urban areas, a cell phone becomes a much more important survival tool. Even if you can’t get a signal where you are, text a message to someone you trust to respond and choose the option which allows the phone to continue looking for a signal and deliver the message when possible. Allow the phone to use its full battery capacity before recharging it from your car battery. When it is fully recharged, unplug the adapter so that no charge from the car battery or the phone is wasted.

Great! But what about that bright colored sweat shirt?
Ever see a car that was broken down with a red or orange flag on it to alert other motorists of a problem? Well, that is where the sweat shirt comes in handy … but it does have a few other purposes. If you break down somewhere cold, or in a high altitude area, you will need the warmth. In a pinch, you can still tie the sweatshirt around the end of a load that hangs out the back of  your vehicle!

… And The Pantyhose?
Pantyhose (like duct tape) has many extremely useful uses! From replacement fan belts to air filter covers to adding a little traction to your step by placing them over your shoes. Never leave home without it!

Keeping a gallon of distilled water in your trunk is always a good thing as well. If you are stranded in the desert, drink it. If your coolant springs a leak, fill it (after covering the hole with duct tape). If you run your vehicle through a mud hole, fill the window washer fluid with it. If you cut yourself while patching a hose with duct tape, use the distilled water to wash the wound. Its a very useful tool!

However, basic tools required for basic repairs are always a good idea. For example, suppose you are on a poorly traveled road, your car breaks down. You pop the hood and can see that there is a key hose which has come undone. Most hoses are held in place with clamps which require a turn or two from a screwdriver in order to keep them in place. Using an exacto (or similar) blade to make a clean cut on the end of the hose and a screwdriver to tighten the clamp on the fresh end of the hose can do wonders in terms of getting you down the road to the next service station.

So what are you waiting for? Go start packing!