When you buy a new car, you do get a set of tools with it, but they are quite basic. In an emergency, there are some handy aids that can get you out of a sticky situation. A car maker will often only give you just the basics because the law says so. (And Delhites, we are not talking about baseball bats or country-made revolvers here!)
Most cars come with a spare tyre (or in some expensive cars, just a tyre inflator), a jack, jack handle, spare bulbs, a warning triangle, a basic screwdriver or spanner, and a first-aid kit. Incidentally, that first-aid kit should be replaced every year or two, as the antiseptic and bandages have an expiry date. Here are some essentials you should pick up if you want a complete peace of mind on a long drive.
Tyre Inflator
Most cars come with tubeless tyres these days. The advantage with tubeless tyres is that punctures are not sudden, and the air loss is gradual. So, if you suspect you have a puncture, you can simply plug-in the tyre inflator into the 12-volt power socket in the car, and inflate it just enough to get to the nearest tyre shop to fix the puncture.
Tow Rope
A tow cable is something that can get you out of a tricky situation, especially on less than perfect roads or in the rains. How often have you been stuck in a traffic jam, only to find a broken-down car causing it? These are times when a tow rope comes in handy to pull the vehicle out of the way and do your good deed for the day. You never know when you may have to be towed out too.
Life Hammer
A life hammer is an essential tool to carry in your car. There have been many reports of people getting stuck in burning cars because they cannot remove their seat belts after an accident, or because the doors were jammed. A life hammer has a pointed hammer on one end to break the side windows of a car and help the occupants escape, and a sharp seat-belt cutter on the other to cut the belt in case of an emergency. Keep it within reach of occupants in the car.
Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers are mandatory in most buildings, but not so much with cars, even though the latter is a bigger fire hazard. You can easily pick up a small fire extinguisher from most supermarkets. However, do remember to replace your fire extinguisher every few years as they do come with an expiry date. Even if you don’t need to use it for yourself, you could end up saving lives with it.
Jumper Cables
A dead battery is the worst thing that can happen to you after a long day. It’s good to keep a pair of jumper cables handy in case your car does not start. All you need is to flag down another car with a healthy battery, and connect the jumper cables to it – positive terminal to positive terminal, negative terminal to negative terminal – and crank up your car. You could also play a Good Samaritan and help someone in distress to earn some good karma!
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