Emergency Tools You Must Have in Your Car

If you live in Sacramento, California, own a car and use it as your main mode of transportation, you shouldn’t ever leave your house without the following items stashed in your toolbox and placed snugly in the trunk of your car at all times. Since long drives are common for California residents, a number of unforeseen events could occur anytime, anywhere when you’re out on the road. Read on to find out the top 5 emergency tools that drivers living in Sacramento, CA must always have in their toolboxes and cars to avoid any inconveniences on the road:

1. First aid kit

   This might seem like a no-brainer at first, but people have no idea just how many drivers never think of stashing a first aid kit in their cars. Most people assume that having a first aid kit at home suffices, but since your car is technically your home away from home, you must have one placed in your vehicle, too. This could come in especially handy in cases of minor accidents or fender benders and you’re stuck in a location where first responders might take a while before reaching you. Learning the basics of first aid is a good skill to have in your arsenal.

2. Tire-pressure gauge

   Probably the most common car-related incident that occurs on the road is having a flat tire. Or conversely, not having enough pressure in one or two tires that will eventually cause the tire to burst and cause a more major problem leading to a flat tire. Having a portable tire-pressure gauge is useful for when distances between gas stations are miles apart or when you’re thinking of driving cross-country and doing a long drive. A properly inflated tire at all times leads to better gas mileage and provides better traction and avoids tires becoming out of shape or eventually becoming flat. Owners of older cars with more worn out tires should never neglect having this item in their trunk.

3. Lug-nut wrench

   So the inevitable happens, and you get a flat tire. What happens next? If you have a spare tire but don’t have a lug-nut wrench, having a spare is entirely useless. While gas stations might have this tool or drivers may opt to call a towing service instead, it is still undoubtedly a lot cheaper and easier to know how to change a flat tire on your own. It saves time, money and lessens inconvenience especially when you don’t see a gas station in sight.

4. Flashlight

   Flashlights should also be a no-brainer especially in cases of long drives. It also comes in handy when you need to check under your car or on your hood to see what’s going on if your car starts malfunctioning so you can start doing quick repairs.

5. Jumper cables

   Lastly, jumper cables. This is more useful for owners of older cars. You never really know when your car will opt to malfunction and refuse to start at all, but usually it happens at the most inconvenient of times. Having a jumper cable will save yourself a lot of trouble, money and effort, but before jumping your car make sure to read up first on how to properly do it so you don’t cause your vehicle any ignition problems.