We have all become comfortable in this day and age. What do I mean by that? In the event of a disaster, we have cell phones. There are plenty of emergency services. You don’t ever have to worry about being stuck in the middle of nowhere because you have the means to get out of there. What if you didn’t though? In the case where there is no cell-phone service, the weather is horrific, or you’re stranded in a desolate area, what do you do if your car breaks down? You shouldn’t have to worry, because there are some basic items you should have in order to make it less scary to have to repair your car on your own.
Always Carry Around a Plug Set
What if you get a flat tire? Or even just a low tire? By always having a portable air compressor in your car, as well as a tire plug set – you can patch your tire up enough to last until you are able to get to an auto-body shop.
Have a Gas Tank Patch in Your Car
In the event of a hole in your gas tank, always have a super-sticky gas tank patch. You can find these at almost any auto-parts stores so that you are not left helpless in the middle of nowhere.
Jumper Cables Are a Must
What if your car doesn’t start? If you run into a Good Samaritan who is willing to “give you a jump”, but who doesn’t have jumper cables, then it’s okay. Because you have them on you and you can get that little bit of juice needed to get back on the road, without needing to call an expensive tow truck.
Related Article: 7 Essential Items You Need in Your Car at All Times
Other items that you should have on your is duct tape (because it really does fix everything) and a tool to siphon gas. These are everyday items that should be essential to have in your car in case you get stuck. What about car repairs at home? Sometimes there are repairs that your car needs that can be done at home. Especially if there is a national disaster where there is no leaving your home or if service trucks cannot get to you. Here are some tips.
- Outfit a garage with lots of lighting. It is dark under the hood, so it’s recommended your install overhead and drop lights. You will want to also install a gas generator for the times you lose electricity, as well as flashlights.
- Have a fire extinguisher handy because you never know what might happen. A carbon monoxide detector and a first aid kit are musts.
- Make sure to stock up on tools for your garage. Go to a local auto-store to ask what would be best to have on hand, such as jumper cables.
- You can purchase a simple jack so that you can lift your car off the ground to repair tires or anything that is underneath your vehicle.
- Stock up on anti-freeze, motor oil, and more to fill up your own windshield wiper tank, change your oil, and more.
Become more independent from others by being prepared to repair your car in case of an emergency. Whether you are in the comfort of your home or stranded on the side of the road, don’t be left helpless when you can make these repairs yourself. In today’s age, we’ve become very reliant on others and we’ve gotten away from being able to do certain things ourselves. Not only is this a strain on our finances, but the lack of knowledge can prove dangerous in certain situations. Unburden yourself with some of these tips and the next time you find yourself needing a repair-person, you can be that person.