I have just taken a leap forward in technology and of course complication from a 1988 simple lowish spec Sierra to a top spec 1998 Mondeo II.
Time to revise what I carry in the boot! What would you suggest is reasonable to carry?
The subject has been covered before but it finished up needing a trailer to carry the suggested kit.
So lets start from basics.
What can go wrong and what do you need to do something about it or fix it?
What can happen to the car that YOU can do something about?
What can happen to the car and someone with a little more skill can do about it?
I am ignoring any more complex problems for this exercise.
I am assuming protective clothing in inclement weather.
I am ignoring survival rations.
My own answers produced this list.
1. The car just stops
2. A flat tyre
3. A flat battery
4. A blown bulb
5. Need a tow for a short distance
6. Exhaust box dragging on the road
7. A leaking water hose
So from the above list what is needed?
1. Reflective tabard, warning triangle and a torch.
2. Extendable wheel wrench, locking wheel nut key, gloves, plastic sacks to kneel on and put the dirty wheel in.
3. Jump leads and instructions
4. A proper set of spare bulbs. Instructions and any simple tools to access them. (If I cannot sort it then perhaps some other soul can.)
5. A tow rope and instructions.
6. A small coil of suitable gauge of soft wire ( wire coat hanger?) and pliers.
7. Hose bandage.
A first aid kit and a fire extinguisher are the two items often required in other countries and are good additions to the list above.
As I think there are few things that I can now tackle, my list is fairly comprehensive.
So in addition to the recommended checks of fluids, lights, tyres etc I would add:
Have the wheels removed and checked so that they come off easily and then ensure the nuts are on with the correct torque.
Remember no trailer and the list may be useful to a new driver.
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In a modern car all you need is a warning triangle and a mobile phone.
When they fail these days there is nothing you can do to get them going
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How about a small Fire Extinguisher, they are £4.99 from Lidl until Monday !
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Sorry I missed the bit about Fire Extinguisher in henry k?s post. Teach me to read everything next time.
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1.In car charger for mobile phone or one of those wind up battery things.
2. Breakdown organisation membership card.
3. Waterproof and/or fleece
4. Torch
5. Bag of Mini Eggs and bottle of Dr Pepper (ok maybe that one is just me)
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I'd add two things to PoloGirl's list:
a) Jelly Babies and mineral water instead of the mini eggs and Dr Pepper
b) a fleece blanet to keep me warm if I'm stuck in the car awaiting recovery vehicle
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b) a fleece blanet to keep me warm if I'm stuck in the car awaiting recovery vehicle
...my fleece and waterproof were to keep me warm while waiting a safe distance away from the vehicle for the breakdown people.
Please... even if it's absolutely pouring and you're on your own and worried about strange sounds in the dark, don't wait in your car for help. Even on the hard shoulder, you only have to look at the amount of AA men killed each year to know it's not a safe place to be.
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folding bike and cycle clips so if you need to summon help in a remote area you can get there......
Board to support jack in case you get a puncture and have to stop on soft verge; travel rug/blanket in case you break down in winter and get cold waiting for help to arrive; folding spade in case of getting stuck in snow...
How far do you want to go?
Your basic list seems adequate and packed carefully should not take too much space - most items can be fitted into a small tool box (including a selection of small screwdrivers, fuses, bulbs, travel first aid kit etc), or squeezed into the wheel of a spare wheel stored inside the boot (rather than slung under the boot floor).
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Your basic list seems adequate and packed carefully should not take too much space - most items can be fitted into a small tool box (including a selection of small screwdrivers, fuses, bulbs, travel first aid kit etc), or squeezed into the wheel of a spare wheel stored inside the boot
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I have stored it all in the spare wheel area under the boot carpet with three exceptions.
The triangle, which I wished would store and be visible in the boot lid like MB.
The tabbart which I might need instant access to.
The first aid kit which like the triangle is not a very flexible shape.
Re mobile phone, I have a battery back up unit.(£1-£3) that will recharge various phones and takes 4 x AAA commonly available batteries. Easily portable and highly reccommended.
>>When they fail these days there is booger all you can do to get them going.
Hence my simple list. I might like to get the car simply towed to a less hazard place to park it or maybe attempt one of my other fixes.
>>Breakdown organisation membership card.
I prefer to put the phone number in the mobiles memory.
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How about a small Fire Extinguisher, they are £4.99 from Lidl until Monday !
If you're very lucky.
I stopped off at the Tidworth branch of Lidl's on the way to Weymouth yesterday. The doors had only been opened 5 minutes and I managed to grab 2 Extinguishers (one for my car and one for my fathers car) Within a matter of minutes the huge pile they had was reduced to nothing. Same thing with the digital tyre pressure gauges, rechargable NiMH batteries and chargers. I was going to wait and pop into the Weymouth branch - glad I didn't now.
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My nearest lidl had loads of extinguishers, I wasn't there early and I think I was the first person to buy one. A fire extinguisher for £4.99 is mega cheap so its a case of early bird catches the worm.
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Don't people use umbrellas any more?
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Don't people use umbrellas any more?
how do you put a fire out with an umbrella?
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My Lidl was emptied of extinguishers in a matter of minutes.
Good, I say, as this coming week they are doing the 2kg ones for £9.99 and most of their potential buyers have just grabbed a poxy 1kg one instead.....
Oh, sorry Dave, did you mention you got one of the smaller ones?
:: Smugness increasing ::
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Oh, sorry Dave, did you mention you got one of the smaller ones? :: Smugness increasing ::
Be as smug as you like. I only plan to use mine on a cheating, smug, part time moderator, to cool his hot head down with. Mind you, thinking about it, a larger one might well be needed, should your head get any bigger ;o)
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I would suggest (from experience) that the best place for a Fire Extinguisher is inside the car rather than the boot.
I have mine fixed under the passenger seat, which makes it accessible to both driver and passenger.
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Likewise the reflective waistcoat should be inside the car rather the boot if you are travelling in Spain.
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