August 4, 2016
Picture this: You’re on a road trip to the mountains. You’re cruising up the highway with the windows rolled down, the music turned up and a bag of your favorite snacks at your side. Oh, and there’s an energy drink in your cup holder.
At some point you make a wrong turn and fall completely off the grid. As in, neither your cell phone nor GPS will pick up a signal. You’re lost somewhere between San Diego and Big Bear, and it’s getting dark. As you attempt to navigate back roads in search of civilization, you pop your tire on a rusty nail. Of course, you left your spare behind to make room for your camping gear. It looks like it’s going to be M&Ms and Red Bull for dinner. But what happens next?
It’s instances like this when a car safety kit comes in really handy. If you take the occasional road trip to visit family or often book a cabin to get away for the weekend, packing a survival kit of emergency supplies could mean the difference between getting back on the road soon, or being stuck in a dangerous situation.
Aside from carrying the necessary equipment to change a tire – a working jack, an inflated spare tire, a lug nut wrench or tire iron, and pipe for leverage – it’s also a good idea to keep a box or large plastic container in your trunk with the following items:
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Roadside flares
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A first-aid kit
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Work gloves
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A wool blanket
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Two quarts of oil
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Jumper cables
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Antifreeze
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Brake fluid
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Extra fuses
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A flashlight with fresh batteries
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A Phillips head screwdriver
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A flat head screwdriver
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Vise grips
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An adjustable wrench
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A pair of pliers
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A tire inflator
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A tire pressure gauge
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Some rags and a funnel
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A roll of duct tape
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A roll of paper towels
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A roll of toilet paper
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A spray bottle with washer fluid
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An ice scraper
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Your AAA or roadside emergency card
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Triangle reflectors
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A pocketknife
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Bottled water
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High-calorie energy bars
That seems like a lot, right? If your car is short on storage, you can still pack a basic version of this kit so you’re covered in case of an emergency. Things to include:
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A small first-aid kit
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Two roadside flares
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A quart of oil
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Extra fuses
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A flashlight
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A multipurpose toolkit
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Wire cutters
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A saw
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A bottle opener
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Screwdrivers
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A tire inflator
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A few rags
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A pocket knife
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Food and water
The best way to avoid an emergency? Prevent it in the first place.
A well-maintained vehicle has a lesser chance of malfunctioning or breaking down. At QWIK Auto Center, we offer a full range of preventative maintenance services to help your car run smoothly and keep you out of harm’s way. From oil changes, to engine tune-ups, to tire rotations and more, we’ve got you covered.
Come see us in Pacific Beach to get your vehicle inspected today. For your safety and convenience, we’ll even throw in a free break inspection with your appointment! We look forward to serving you.
