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Sorry El Hacko your hope is dashed. In my boot are four 50mm square carpet tiles which I leave in to protect original mat from gunge from things I bung in the boot occasionally.:-))
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Phil - 50mm square? that's only 2 inches. Not much protection surely?
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Bifocals strike again Andrew - s/b 500mm. Good job I'm not on space shuttle design team!!!!!
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I've just put back the locking wheel bolt key and footpump. Seems like the the road to hell really is paved with good intentions!
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L'escargot by name, but not by nature.
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I always carry extending wheel nut wrench since the time when I got a side wall puncture on my old Audi in a lane in Anglesey.
I'm a big strong lad but even 16 stone on the wrench supplied would not shift the wheel nuts fitted by a moron with a compressed air gun.
An old blanket to lie on for a quick look under the car or to kneel on when changing a wheel is useful together with a first aid kit.( I once cured a leaking petrol pipe with chewing gum and elastoplast - I don't recommend as a permanent cure it but it got me out of trouble).
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Well those who know me will testify to the fact that I 'm paranoid about such things so the 'boot' in my car is crammed full of fuch things as: wd40, cable ties, various tools too numerous to list, wheel brace, jack, spare bulbs, 12v compressor, bunjee straps, wire, heavy duty nylon rope, oil, petrol can, string, first aid kit, blanket, cushions, etc. etc. etc.
I suppose it's one reason I need an estate but God only knows what I'd have to carry around with me if I actually knew how to fix anything !
Trouble is, I know that if I empty it all out I'll either break down somewhere the very next day and be stuck for hours!
It does now present another problem though because whenever we go out in Mrs V's car I have to start selecting what 'stuff' I'm going to take out of mine and remember to put it all back. I just know we're both going to end up with boots full of 'stuff.'
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ah yes i agree there volvoman, I ran a Rover 100 for a while, rare was the journey when I wouldnt have to stop and fix something which has made a noise, snapped off or stopped working,
the tools covered the boot more or less ful and under the seats.....half the time thoi, i wouldnt have a clue how to fix the problem!
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In the boot of the Peugeot HDi:
2x Tesco wine carriers
1x 5 litre bottle of oil (for a petrol car – not diesel)
1x bottle of Redex (again, for a petrol car – not diesel)
1x bottle of Wynns diesel additive
1x florescent yellow jacket
1x yellow hard hat
1x Wayne Rooney window sticker
1x bottle of red Colour Magic (Pug is blue)
1x lint roller (takes dog hair off carpets, allegedly)
In the boot of the Midget:
1x full petrol can, as fuel gauge is “tempremental”.
1x footpump
1x roll of bin bag
1x roll of gaffer tape, for those MG leaky hood moments…
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hoarders' confession time, eh - a few real car boot sales needed, surely?
PS a tip: try the boot if you ever lose the mob. phone - mine had fallen out of my coat pocket and lodged among the spare jackets. It took me 5 days to realise!
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BMW
A rather tasteless aluminium engraving of Caernarfon Castle (SWMBO picked it up in Junk Shop whilst on holiday in Wales last Easter! - and its been there ever since)
A Pullover neither tasteless nor aluminium.
Std BMW toolkit.
Mini
Nothing other than toolkit. (she is a very tidy person)
Landie
I don't know. My rather derranged Spaniel lives there thus precluding further investigation.
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Ropes
Plastic sheeting
Bottle of chloroform
False number plates
Cosh
Gloves
Several newspapers, with all the individual letters cut out and arranged alphabetically
Glue
Blank paper
Last year's hostage (getting a bit smelly now)
Oh, alright, I'll be serious.
First aid kit
Foil blanket
Reflective vest
Cheap waterproofs
Jump leads
HUGE torch
18" Breaker bar and sockets to match wheelnuts
Spare bulbs/fuses
screwdriver (pozi and slot)
Couple of towels
Swarfega wipes
Latex gloves
About to put folding shovel and snowchains in there as well.
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You lot never cease to amaze me...or do I mean embarrass?
Mine just has the standard stuff which came with teh car plus a bright yellow jacket and a long wheel wrench - but even that will probably never get used.
When on earth would you use all those things? How often do your cars go wrong????
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could it be that our cars are an extension of our homes...?
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"could it be that our cars are an extension of our homes...?"
SWMBO obviously views the BMW boot as the attic.
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Actually, I regard mine as an extension to my shed.....
Cockle
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Er....
a bottle of VW screenwash from the last service
some lock grease
a bagpuss
a fleece
Couple of bottles of water
Oh and two spare brake light bulbs!
That's it I think... the deicer and scraper are happiest rolling around the floor with the empty coke bottles and sandwich packets.
I do feel ashamed not having all the tools but frankly I wouldn't know what to do with them, and that's why dad pays the RAC membership!
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Some warm clothing, a woolly hat and boots must be an essential.
If broken down and no heater to keep you warm they could be a lifesaver.
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aren't Renaults and Fiats known as sheds?
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Here in Spain it is the law that you MUST carry the following
1. Two red warning triangles
2. A fire extinguisher.
3. A spare set of light bulbs.
4. First aid kit.
5. At least one reflective jacket/waistcoat.
6. ALL your car documents, including registration paperwork, current vehicle insurance and your driving licence. In addition you must at all times - not just in a vehicle - carry officially recognised identification documents such as a passport, foreigners registration card or, for a Spanish national, your identity card.
Failure to carry these documents is cause for immediate impounding of the vehicle (car paperwork) or immediate transport to the nick (no I.D. papers)
Foreigners driving in Spain are NOT exempted from these requirements - so be prepared when you drive in Spain on your hols!
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You know, I forgot the fire extinguisher* and the triangle. Once strapped to side the of the boot I don't even realise they are there.
ND
(* Powder one. Great for totally destroying all car electrics. If you ever want to write-off a car........)
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Now I am embarassed! :-)
In the boot:
-Standard wheel brace and jack (which I doubt I'll ever use)
In the glovebox:
-RAC details
-Insurance Policy number
-Disposeable Camera
If I'm going on a very long drive I've been known to take a jacket with me, and even a bottle of water for the screenwash. How organised am I? :-)
Blue
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Re the extended wheel brace.
If your nuts are too tight to remove, try this. Put the wheel brace on the nut horizontally, or as near as possible. Put the jack under the end of the brace and jack it up. If neccessary, move the car to get each nut into a good position. This has got me out of trouble several times.
Another one that might be possible is to put the wheel brace on the nut but pointing down onto the road, then drive the car very slowly to turn the brace.
Obviously with both of these methods you need think about which way the nut is going to be turned!
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Re the extended wheel brace. If your nuts are too tight to remove, try this. Put the wheel brace on the nut horizontally, or as near as possible. Put the jack under the end of the brace and jack it up. If neccessary, move the car to get each nut into a good position. This has got me out of trouble several times. Another one that might be possible is to put the wheel brace on the nut but pointing down onto the road, then drive the car very slowly to turn the brace. Obviously with both of these methods you need think about which way the nut is going to be turned!
And then hurry home and buy a torque wrench online so that next time you can do the job properly. £10.49 from screwfix.com ~ 28 to 210 Nm (or 21 to 150 lb.ft as us old gits like to think of it!), should be ideal for most car wheel bolts/nuts.
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L'escargot by name, but not by nature.
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I'm somewhat intrigued by the first aid kit thing (esp by them being mandatory in Spain)...it's always struck me that there isn't much of any use in a first aid kit. This opinion was reinforced on a day-long first aid course which spent about 5 minutes on tying a bandage, and the rest of the day on more practical advice. Also our first aid kit at work only ever gets used by people nicking plasters for blisters caused by ill fitting shoes...
Any thoughts?
Oh and my car contains airline sick-bags (invaluable! One of my boys does not travel well), wet wipes, bulbs and turkey foil (bought weeks ago, but not taken out of boot so far).
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>>And then hurry home and buy a torque wrench online so that next time you can do the job properly. £10.49 from screwfix.com ~ 28 to 210 Nm (or 21 to 150 lb.ft as us old gits like to think of it!), should be ideal for most car wheel bolts/nuts.
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L'escargot by name, but not by nature.
A very good suggestion, but it won't help much when you're stuck by the side of the road with wheel nuts that were put on by a gorilla-armed tyre fitter. Most tyre suppliers now seem to realise they should use a torque wrench, but it didn't used to be that way........
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......... but it won't help much when you'restuck by the side of the road with wheel nuts that were put on by a gorilla-armed tyre fitter. Most tyre suppliers now seem to realise they should use a torque wrench, but it didn't used to be that way........
If wheel bolts/nuts are that tight, I would expect either the thread or (worse still) the wheel will be damaged. I always take the wheel that requires the new tyre to the tyre fitters in the boot and refit it myself. Bit of a nuisance (especially if you want more than one tyre) but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
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L'escargot by name, but not by nature.
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>>I always take the wheel that requires the new tyre to the tyrefitters in the boot and refit it myself. Bit of a nuisance (especially if you want more than one tyre) but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
And another good reason for doing this is that most tyre fitters are not too fussy about what they put their trolley jack under.
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L'escargot by name, but not by nature.
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Most first aid kits contain at least one roll of bandage and a large trauma dressing. May be the difference between life and death for any injury involving heavy bleeding. Direct pressure where appropriate (NO Tourniquet) and a calming manner, accompanied by the visible evidence of action (the dressing) can be of enormous psychological as well as physiological help to a casualty in deep shock.
I took a good hard look at my first aid kit when I purchased it and removed some of the plasters to make space for additional large dressings.
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But that's the reason why I never break down (touching wood large) Smokie - carrying all that stuff virtually guarantees it :-)
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In these days of increasing electronics on cars, I wonder about the need for carrying traditional mechanical tools about. There was a saying I read recently to the effect that with modern cars, if they break down, don't call the AA, call IBM.
I have cut down on the number of screwdrivers and spanners that I carry, but always have a wheelnut spider in the boot - when leaving the car at a garage for service etc, I then take this with me and place it in the loan vehicle when I drive off in it, since I have no idea how tight the wheelnuts may be if I have a puncture in that. My own car - I check that the wheelnuts aren't too tight after I purchased it and after it's been in to the garage for any work to be done where they may have to undo the wheels - of, and after new tyres have been fitted.
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As has previously been mentioned on other threads.
It is not just the wheel nuts that are a problem.
It is also alloy wheels that cannot easily be removed.
If the best tyres on the back rule is ignored then the rear wheels may have not been removed for 2/3 years.
This is what I think occured with a Focus I bought. Nuts off then much plus gas and hammering to get wheels off.
Then clean off the carp before reassembly.
I plan to re-check them when the 5K oil change is done.
I had the same problem with front alloys on a Scenic rented from Avis in Capetown. Fortunately I was at my accomodation and could get instant help, a 3 foot tube. It would have been quite worrying if I had got a flat in the countryside.
Some pink fluffy dice let one tyre down and half deflated the other. A case where a little compressor in the boot would have helped solved it.
So I do not think it is so clever having alloys on hire cars.
Do I start packing an extending wrench each time I go on holiday? Then what next from the boot to the suitcase?
My hose bandgage is small. My high vis vest is light.
Or stay at home?
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'Do I start packing an extending wrench each time I go on holiday?'
Don't think airport security would like that!
Seriously though contents of my boot :- compressor, first aid kit, picnic blanket, spare bulbs, sun shades(?), waterproof jackets, box of audio tapes, WD40, UK road atlas(2001), small tool box with hammer and couple of spanners, empty carrier bags, spare tyre, jack and tyre wrench. The last three safely buried under everything else.
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Davy S.
Oops, where did that screw go!!
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Mine contains, I believe (maybe I'll check in the morning) the tool kit underneath the floor of the boot that came with the car 3 1/2 years ago and has not been used and um
nothing else, well not unless I'm on my way back from Tescos!
The glove compartment contains the service record, instruction book, breakdown service card and a free atlas from Tesco's showing the location of their stores, handy A5 sized and shows all the major roads, ideal, and of course the keys for the locking wheel nuts and a pen!
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Mine has :
Standard jack and wheelbrace
Warning Triangle
Torch
Hi-vis Safety Vest
2 First Aid Kits
Small Compressor( found to be the most used bit of kit)
Industrial Gloves
Road Atlas
In winter:
Ice scraper
De-ice fluid
Plug-in electric screen de-icer
Shovel, mats, extra clothes etc, as required if the weather gets really extreme.
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I expect mine will have the jack & wheeel stuff somewhere.
Nothing else in the boot is supposed to be there, its just stuff that gets left.
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Looks like most things are covered here except the kitchen sink. Can't get mine in too much other junk. Don't forget that length of 4" x 2" wood to support the jack when trying to change a wheel on soft ground.
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mine has a first aid kit, could be so handy if you were involved in an accident, the latex gloves and mouth-to-mouth vent would be good especially if the person was covered in blood!
as well as all the normal stuff plaster and bandages!
warning triangle and jack and tools, VW standard tool kit quite good, comes with screw drivers and bits and pieces.
Highviz jacket borrowed from work and big torch of course!
maglite variety very handy!!
cd changer and various bits of girly junk, also spare towel
and yes a spare mat if i have been somewhere muddy!
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Standard tool kit, warning triangle, jack and spare. Also carry an old winter coat and gloves, tyre pressure gauge, kitchen paper roll, packet of screen wipes, and a silicon blade designed to dry car, but gets more use clearing water from rear screen as my saloon is not equipped with a rear wiper.
I plan to add a mini-compressor soon, but it probably won't be bought until right after I get stuck needing one.
What on earth is a wheel brace?. I thought I had a good handle on British terminology, but that one stumped me.
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Trancer, A wheel brace is the tool which takes the nuts or bolts securing your wheel to the hub.
What do you call them?..
alvin
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Thanks for that, Alvin. My guesses were ranging from wheel chocks used to "brace" the wheel preventing rolling, to a security/parking clamp type affair. In both places that I am from your "wheel brace" was known as a "lug wrench" or "lug tool".
Not that it is important, but how did that tool come to be known as a brace?. I can't see how bracing could be associated with the task of removing/installing nuts or bolts.
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Don't really know why we call them wheel braces Trancer I think its lost in the mists of time and probably something to do with a horse and coach.
But then again why a lug tool?. And why do we say a boot and our English speaking friends say trunk. Perhaps a boot is once again to do with a carriage or coach and a trunk from the old transatlantic ships. And why do you say levver and we say lever.
Any better guesses than those????
alvin
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Cannot help with Lug Tool origin but Wheel Brace derived from Carpenters Brace which was used for boring and drilling (still is I suppose by some carpenters) The addition of the pad onto the end of the brace enabled some greater pressure from chest of operator to be applied. Earlier 'wheel nut removing tools' followed same shape and purpose but with a socket suitable for the nut instead of a chuck.
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Trancer, thanks for reminding me about my wheel chock, which as far as I remember originally came with my first ZX Volcane. I've just returned it to the boot. Probably won't be long before the entire contents of my toolbag will be back in the boot again. Perhaps peace of mind is of more value than maximimising performance after all!
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L'escargot by name, but not by nature.
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Mine has:
Tyre Pump
Pressure Guage
2 Jacks (1 original from car, the other from 1950's)
1/2 Can of oil
Full can of Petrol
Socket set
Torque Wrench
2 first aid kits
Gardening gloves (pair)
Ignition coil
Cleaning stuff (wax, window spray, black bumper stuff)
Cloths!
Assorted body protection (Easysand, Waxoyle, Hammerite, etc)
The Glove box and front of car has:
AA Roadmap
Spare radio (don't ask why!)
Pens
Scraper
2 Metro (1 Austin and 1 Rover) hand/log books
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1 pair safety boots (work)
5 flourescent jackets (work)
1 hard hat (work)
1 large umbrella (rain, obviously)
1 crow bar (scumbags)
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Drink Lager Talk Piffle !
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After seeing 5th Gears program on how items in the boot can end up like a herd of charging elephants coming through the back seat in an accident, it's a wonder we put anything in the boot at all !!
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Darn right, Dave! That programme certainly made me think twice. I think I'll let Mr. Green Flag carry all the necessaries around with him. I'll enjoy the better fuel economy that not carrying an entire workshop around brings - and look forward to claiming my £10 cash back if he doesn't show to fix my car within an hour!
I'd much rather it was him fumbling around under my car in the cold, dark & rain. I think I'll just sit inside in the warm and dry and listen to my radio, whilst he tinkers away!!
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...I think I'll let Mr. Green Flag carry all the necessaries around with him.
Heartily agree. The fact that I wouldn't have a clue what to do with most of the tools is a factor too.
The sight of those flying spanners in one of the simulated accidents was genuinely very frightening. Time for a campaign for stronger toolboxes?
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hope no-one's carrying spare mats
...(cough, cough) actually when I got my new car I bought some cheapo plastic mats as a temporary measure. Miss Philippines then bought me (as I knew she would when she saw the tacky ones -- I'm pretty well up on female psychology in the car mat area, you see) a lovely set of 3M Nomads.
I therefore decided to put the temporary ones in, the, er, boot, and er....
.....and that's Gawd's truth, yer Honour.
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this delightful thread's turning into A Virtual Confessional - soon someone in jeans and called 'Boot Cut' will surface!
El Hacko (finking of becoming Mat Finish)
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The boot's so full we have a small trailer for when we go shopping.
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Get rid of that petrol can as well. Car designers go to a lot of trouble to make - as well as they can - an accident proof petrol tank. The last thing you need in an accident is 5 litres of highly flamable fuel floating about the car interior whilst the electrics are shorting and fuses blowing. Learn to use the fuel gauge!
Me: spare wheel, brace, jack
torch (plugs into lighter as well)
jump leads (just in case I am very stupid)
spare starter motor (don't trust the current one, but it's been like that for years; AA man could fit new one in emergency...)
selection of screwdrivers, pliers, wire strippers
socket set (imperial as well as metric; just in case (just in case I meet a pre-war car?)) including spark plug spanner
5 litres cheap oil (she drinks it)
feeler gauges
polish, shampoo, bumper black, washer fluid, magic rain repellant for windows
set spark plugs (in case I flood it)
new oil, fuel & air filters, for impending service
trolley, axle stands
warm clothes
bottle water
chocolate bars
first aid kit
spare fan belt
selection spare lightbulbs, fuses
decent ice scraper/squeegee
foot pump (twin barrel)
jumbo box of latex gloves - ideal for checking oil levels, changing fuses etc. etc. without getting dirty.
2 road atlases
torque wrench
de-icer (only for use in extreme emergency)
Thanks for your suggetions: am off to buy hi-vis vest, warning triangle, camera
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Get rid of that petrol can as well. Car designers go to a lot of trouble to make - as well as they can - an accident proof petrol tank. The last thing you need in an accident is 5 litres of highly flamable fuel floating about the car interior whilst the electrics are shorting and fuses blowing. Learn to use the fuel gauge!
Unless you have a not so common Explosafe can like I have.
These are filled with a mesh. Still a risk of course if punctued.
I have an steel old Jerry can type 5L that I keep to mower fuel in. Even though it has a locking pin through the cap it was on one ocassion dislodged resulting in a small spill in the boot.
I am vary wary of the common plastic cans.
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Socket set, assorted spanners and screwdrivers, warning triangle, spare bulbs and squegee/ice scraper
Oil,LHM, five litres water, screenwash additive and an emptied and rinsed trigger pack (ex Muscle Kitchen cleaner) containig water/detergent mix for use with squegee to clean unswept glass.
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