The owner of this ’68 Dodge Dart—shot and posted at the Cohort by William Oliver—travels well prepared. Plenty of gas cans, anti freeze, and all kinds of other vital bodily fluids in the Sealtest milk crate. Most likely there’s some tools on the side we can’t see. Ready for any leak or other contingency. There’s probably a fan belt in there somewhere too. If he was really serious, he’d have a water pump along for the ride. Update: and of course a ballast resistor.
So what do you carry with you in your vintage car for emergencies?
In my ’66 F-100, I only have a really good set of jumper cables. And I use them not infrequently – giving other people jump starts. I did so just two days ago, when a woman down the alley couldn’t get her Isuzu Rodeo to start. It just clicked, but she told me the starter was bad, and she was just on the way to get it installed. It had been intermittent. I thought maybe her diagnosis was wrong. But it was to no avail; I guess a bad starter can just click too.
In my ’77 Dodge Chinook, I used to carry a fair amount of stuff, including all of the fluids, a fan belt, fuses, light bulbs, and a few other odds and ends. And I brought a decent assortment of tools along, which came in real handy a few times. Like our very first trip, from Eugene to Baja, Mexico, when I had to replace the fan clutch in front of my sister in-law’s house in Sam Mateo. She loved me repairing it on front of her house…so embarrassing.
I used to get crazy and carry all sorts of stuff (’57 Austin-Healey) but nowadays I’m content with only the spare tire (it does have a RR splined hub & K/O adorning it, mostly for looks, though it could be put into service if need be). Also a scissor-jack and a hammer (2 hammers actually, a rawhide one to place against the still virgin-looking spinners, and a lead one to beat on it).
Oh, and a cellphone and AAA Membership card!
I carried a small tote in the trunk of my ’71 Vega with a basic set of tools – occasionally had to use them on a roadside repair. More interestingly, I also had a 1.5″ thick steel cover plate that fit perfectly in my spare tire rim, used for some added weight over the rear wheels.
When I started driving the ’71 VW Van (The Mayfield Belle), I typically had my full toolbox, jack, stands, and a basic set of spare parts. Didn’t need them often, but given I was making 3-5 hours trips to visit family or while I commuted between Charlotte, NC and Knoxville, TN, I figured better safe than sorry.
My ’64 Beetle succeeded the ‘Bus, and I reverted back to the tool tote with a basic set sufficient to handle the normal VW roadside repair issues. Also carried a fire extinguisher. In the pic, the 1 gallon gas can is empty. Thankfully never had to use it – the one time I ran out of gas, it was at the top of a hill and I was able to coast right up to the pumps at the station at the bottom of the hill.
Oh, also note the Idiot Manual next to the tool tote!
In the ten or so years I had my ’69 F-100, I never carried *any* tools or parts, but I was rarely going more than an hour away pulling a hay rack to the sale barn. I had one breakdown in all that time – a rear U-joint failed on the driveshaft, so I called my wife and told her what tools to bring me so I could remove the shaft to flat tow it home.
A later shot after I had gotten correct wheels, correctly painted. I think this was either in the middle of replacing the engine or it could have simply been a valve adjustment.
I drove a 74 zebra striped Thing across the country in 1990 when I was 20. The fuel line busted in front of a friend’s parents’ house. The grandfather probably went to his grave convinced that I purposely screwed up the street in front of his house. He took it pretty personally.
He also asked a friend of mine with Chinese heritage (his family line had been in the US longer than mine), “Do you recognize this rifle I captured in the South Pacific? It comes from your people.” My friend said, “Stockton?”.
Did he look like Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino?
Or perhaps, Archie Bunker?
I carry a WWII ammo bag (made of hemp believe it or not) full of the most commonly needed tools in the back of my old Trooper. This insures that nothing breaks, because I am prepared. Cars only break if you’re not ready for it! That’s my superstition anyway.
+1
That’s my superstition too.. Seems the more you carry, the less you need lol. You can pack a big ol’ toolbox and plenty of likely-needed parts (along with a spare tire, tire iron, jack, jackstands, jumper cables, fluids, etc) as I did back in the day, or you can carry the three most important things you need in case of a breakdown in your classic cruiser: A cellphone, Your AAA/Roadside Assistance card, and the smarts to know what’s likely gone wrong, that way no one can clip you.
Those of us who drive classic MoPars (a charismatic, admired and envied clan) already know to carry a Ballast Resistor in our glove boxes. Though in over 40 years of MoPars and over 50 cars I’ve only ever had 4 ballast resistors blow (thats about one every 10 years, for you folks at home keeping score). And as most of you probably already know, the Second Section of the Automotive Clause of Murphy’s Law covers the following: No matter how much you pack into the trunk, you’ll end up needing the one part or tool you didn’t bring.
So far (knock on wood) I’ve only had one ballast resistor to die, and that was back in 1977! 🙂
++1
So true!!!
Same, except it’s a mini-duffel, within which resides a socket set, closed end wrenches, an air compressor, and a smaller mil-surp toolbag with vise grips, screw drivers, some chicken wire and other incidentals. I also keep a cordless electric impact driver, tow strap, big pry bar and breaker bar, spare spark plug, coil, and fuel injector (based on harrowing experience) in my 4Runner. It’s a 21 year old truck now and I drive it all over, including a recent road trip to the Outer Banks where the tow strap certainly served its purpose pulling a Subaru-driving tourist off the beach. The air compressor was also perfect for airing back up after beach driving.
Forgot to add: I also carry jumper cables, a jug of coolant, a quart of oil, and in the winter a shovel and tire chains. If I’m offroading I pack a come-along winch.
I carry tons of stuff in my 2016 Tacoma. Never need it … but that’s the whole point. About 20 years ago I was driving downhill with my wipers on intermittent, and a huge chunk of icy snow slid off the roof, down the windshield and intercepted a wiper blade sweeping up and bent it. Ever since then, every time I put on new blades, I’ve stuck one of my old blades under the passenger seat. Never used one of them, and finally got tired of them snagging people’s feet so I’ve stopped doing it, but it was hard to give up the habit 🙂
Trunk of my Fairmont is empty except for its relocated battery.
I used to carry my full toolbox in my first few cars. Then I got a bigger toolbox, which ended that. As I have gotten older the “extra stuff” has been less and less, to the point that there is not much besides a factory spare and whatever tools go with it. I have one really good set of jumper cables, but right now I am not sure which (if any) of the cars it’s in right now.
I bought my SS without a spare, but after (ha!) our trip to the Grand Canyon, I thought maybe it would be a good idea to have one after all. Got an aftermarket one that was quite a bit cheaper than the GM full-size part, and weighs about half as much, too.
“As I have gotten older the “extra stuff” has been less and less”
Any chance this is partly due to the existence of reliable cell phones? I used to be anxious about the thought of breakdowns, especially in rural areas, which drove my desire for tools and supplies
These days I still carry the tools, but have the reassurance that auto club help is just a phone call away, at any time
I think you might be onto something.
I used to carry tools, flares, a reflector triangle, jumper cables, and more. Now that my two daily drivers are relatively new, it’s just a cell phone, a AAA card, and an old shower curtain and gloves in the spare tire well to keep me from getting dirty, should I ever have to change a tire. Which happens…almost never.
The day will come when the Dart owner would trade the whole trunk load for one tiny ignition ballast resistor.
LoL
Followed soon after a Slant-6 distributor drive-gear would make the trade. 🙂
If he’s that prepared, I’m sure there’s at least two in there!
Bingo! I learned that the hard way. 🙁 Only time I ever had to have the Chinook towed.
In a pinch, a piece of wire yo wrap around the ballast resistor terminals works. Don’t ask how I know
That Dart trunk is so damn…NEAT!
Glad you mentioned that distributor drive gear! I never owned a slant-six but worked on one that belonged to a friend of my Mom; and I remember replacing that gear … held in with a roll pin IIRC. that was over 40 years ago!!
I had one crumble while trying to start the car in bitter cold temperatures. After I finally got it diagnosed, I took the easier route and just picked up a junkyard distributor. I was in no mood to try to save $10 by futzing with the stupid piece in that weather. Swapped out the points and condenser from mine and off we went. That was a day when my long-time practice of taking out the distributor to change/adjust points paid off because I could practically do it with my eyes closed.
I used to carry a bicycle in the trunk of my ’66 Catalina. Sort of like a lifeboat. It came in handy on more than one occasion!
That’s very smart.
If you wanted, you could probably get a Vespa in there.
My ’92 Miata has a spare, and the little battery is back there too. Not much room left for anything else! I guess I’m just counting on that Japanese reliability.
I carried a full tool kit in the trunk of my Peugeot.
Saw this on a Miata forum. Certainly not my trunk. Insane!
Good luck selling that! How many would-be Miata owners would want that much stereo? I’d rather hear the engine.
Much the same in mine with some jumper cables, though some polish and cleaning cloths are there too.
And an old bonnet release cable, and an umbrella
I keep a decent set of jumper cables in my 2007 Mustang, but like Paul mentions in the article, most of their use is in the jump starting other people’s cars.
When the battery starts to get weak in any of our cars, newer or older, I carry a charged up jump start battery so I can jump myself on the fly without anyone’s help. I do this until I can get around to getting a new battery. Most of the time I put up with this quick solution until it really annoys me, and then I go get a battery.
In the Mustang, I usually also carry spare brake/taillight bulbs (I think I have a few marker bulbs in the car too). Ever since I installed the sequential turn signals in the car, I seem to go through taillights a little faster than before, so I like to have spares handy.
But the procedure for replacing them involves some disassembly and reassembly, so the last time I ran out of spares, I bought a set of 6 brand new bulbs for the next time one of them goes out. I am going to replace ALL SIX of them next time damn it!
That was well over a year ago, and of course, they’ve all been working perfectly ever since I made that purchase just to spite me! Those six brand new bulbs are still sitting on a shelf in my basement.
Other than that, only the typical spare tire and tools that came with the car.
That reminds me of a vintage ad showing how much luggage we could put in a Citroen 2CV. http://imgur.com/3xiQHEQ
Since my newest vehicle is now 10 years old I have recently upped the amount of stuff I carry around, basic tool kit in one box and a couple of heavier tools, jumper cables and tow strap in a bigger tote. I move them around to whatever vehicle I’m using.
VW also has ignition spares, light bulbs etc and the idiot book, of course.
I have had many a reason to use my tools on the road.
Back in my college days I carried a more substantial tool box with spares and extras in a metal WW2 ammunition box. Going over to Mexican Town in Detroit for dinner one night I was grilled by US customs. They initially asked “what’s in that?” about the ammo box but once they realized I had not one but two big boxes of tools they figured I was going over to work and really gave me the gears. Took a while to convince them I was just an engineering student with a crappy car who wanted to go eat some flaming fajitas.
This happened to me, also grilled by US customs (Canadian border), and also because they saw my crappy-car tool set. They pulled us over and did a thorough back ground check, including checking up on my employment history and bank account. I guess they thought if I already had a Canadian job and bank account, I probably would return to Canada.
That works the other way too.
A friend used to keep a ridiculous amount of stuff in the back of his truck and it took us quite a while to get into Sarnia one day.
I have everything to change a tire….but a spare wheel/tire. Also have jumper cables, but nearly always use them to “jump” the dead batteries in other folks cars.
I’ve thought of carrying my “spare” oil bottles in the trunk, but fear split bottles.
Interesting subject. I carry a 3 drawer chest with a full assortment of hand tools, and a milk crate with a small assortment of fluids, hoses, and clamps. I also have a small 20 drawer organizer with fasteners, fuses etc. Also a first aid kit, tire plugs, electric inflator, tiny gas can, fire extinguisher and jumper cables.
This covers me for vehicle breakdowns as well as the odd times I’ve been at work, or away on a weekend or with friends where something unexpected happens.
In reality, I need to fix a car on the road, once a year at most. But the supplies have helped me countless times elsewhere.
Of course, not everyone has a trunk as big as OntarioMike. 🙂
My habit of carrying around stuff had driven more than one automotive purchase decision. It’s not by accident my latest project is a ’77 Marquis. 😉
For my 1979 BENZ280SE.i always carry an extra battery and a set of fusses in my car’s Trunk.for long trips i always carry 2full size extra tires.mainly because in central desert of iran,temperature can easily reach 145 degree or more.it happened to me once that i ended up blowing to tires in 65 km distance.always carry water& motor oil as well.
In my 68 Mustang I keep a spare tire in the trunk, and a fire extinguisher in the car with me. Darn thing is 100% reliable after my dumping way too much money into it during the restoration.
Oil, washer fluid, Fix a Flat, 12 volt compressor, and that’s in a nearly new car.
Tools to fix a flat, pliers, srewdriver, duct tape, some electrical supplies. Oh and of course a cell phone. Hopefully I’m not too far into the boonies I can still get a signal.
From driving the Galaxie to Nashville last year and Tupelo, MS the year before I have carried:
2 quarts motor oil, 1 gallon coolant, spare distributor, jumper cables, grease rags, window cleaner, brake fluid, various lubricants for bolts, mini air compressor, a fan belt, and enough hand tools to disassemble most of the car.
The only thing I ever needed was a water pump that I didn’t have. But I had my emergency service number in the front seat with me.
Sadly, I’ve hardly driven it this year as I’ve not even bought gas for it since November.
In my 1993 Camry I carry a spare AC/Alternator Belt and Power Steering Belt. I also carry a jug of oil since it burns/leaks some.
The Volvo has a factory tool kit (what a novelty!) though there’s not really a whole lot to it. Couple screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. Beyond that I carry some spare relays that the previous owner was kind enough to pass along. Haven’t used ’em yet. Plus spare tire and oil. There’s a set of jumper cables that floats among our 3 cars; I think right now they’re in my wife’s Kia.
Of course, all that in the trunk of that car and I haven’t driven it anywhere in about a year (it’s been closer to two since it had a valid registration). If I needed to go anywhere I’d have to replace the right rear tire which has succumbed to dry rot, but other than that I could; I do start and run it every month or two so the battery doesn’t flatline.
My ’74 Cortina carried a metric socket set, screwdrivers, feeler gauge, plugs, points and a spare cam belt inside one rear guard, and a container of water in the other. I left the manuals at home for bigger jobs.
I carry a spare tire, brake fluid (also a complete set of brake cylinders right now), a fire extinguisher, flat and phillips screwdrivers a sign describing the car, an auto cover and bag, wrenches for the battery cables and a few extra nuts to replace whatever vibrates off.
The original alternator in my ’71 Challenger started whining about 10 years ago so I bought a spare and tossed it and a set of wrenches I won as a door prize at a show in the little cubby between the wheel well and the spare tire. The old one is still charging fine and whining unceasingly. Guess I’ve probably lost my core charge by now.
I haven’t carried much of a tool kit in a long time, as cars just don’t break on the side of the road for me, and if they do, what can really be done at the side of the road? The last time a car left me was in 2008, when my pos Pontiac Wave crapped out in traffic, not once, but twice. The repair was a new PCM in both cases, which isn’t in a tool kit! My Fit, or Acura TL never once failed to get me where I was going.
My “new” Accord Coupe presently has a roll of paper towels in the trunk, for Bagel the Wonderdog clean-up on rainy days. When I take it to the Rockies next week, a bottle of Windex is the only thing I will add. Having a clean view is very important to me.
Been a long time since I even carried jumper cables in one of my cars, I don’t keep daily drivers for more than 3 years. Honestly with todays cars if they quit running there ain’t a whole lot you can do with hand tools, the most important tool I carry is my cell phone.
I carry a pretty complete hand tool kit plus wheel wrench, jumper cables and tow strap in my Tacoma. None have been needed for the truck itself but get used pretty often for the various toys it hauls into the back-country. The snowmobile and ATV require(d?) constant tuning, and the camper trailer and gear always seem to need tools.
My once yellow tow strap is now brown and gets to drag someone out of the ditch a couple times a year, not to mention jumper cables helping friends and strangers pretty regularly.
I’ve got a lot of twenty year old cars and usually will carry a small selection of basic hand tools: screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, common box wrenches (3), and pocket knife. I do carry tire pressure gauge, jumper cables, blue painter’s, duct, and electrical tape, a funnel, gloves, hand cleaner and some rags. Of course you need a good spare and jack with tools.
When I took my ’96 Jag to Washington State last year, I would just check fluids at gas stops, glance at the tires, look underneath for possible leaks. All I had to do was add a couple of quarts of oil as needed. I carry a quart of oil and ATF in my ’96 Mustang and usually just need a half quart every 500-600 miles.
About fifteen years ago, I even drove my kinda rough ’66 Riviera up to Klamath Falls for a Riviera Owners Association meet. The only real problem was that the gas gauge didn’t work and I almost ran out of gas a couple of times.
I try to keep up on my cars condition and fix what is necessary in advance. I never leave with an unsorted car. If you leave with a car that needs something replaced there’s a good chance that you will have to replace it enroute.
I have extended 200 mile towing with AAA. Did you know that you can string together several tows? Between my Wife and myself, we have six 200 mile tows available, per year. I would have my car towed to a shop or a little motel that wouldn’t mind me working on it there. So far I’ve had pretty good luck.
In the ’65 Chrysler I have a small toolbox with basic sockets, screwdrivers, mulitmeter etc and a milk crate with jumper cables, a jack stand & a brick (wheel chock) a roll of paper towels and potentially some fluids. I don’t obsess over having all the fluids, but if I have a partial container it will stay in the car rather than in the garage.
I don’t normally carry any spare parts, but I do have a small assortment of hose clamps, zip ties, and extra wire. And of course, at least one extra ballast resistor.
The ’96 Olds is about the same, but with the addition of a set of metric sockets, and no ballast resistor.
Having just moved house and town, the boot of my glorious Ford Sierra wagon is currently carrying all its spare or yet-to-be-fitted parts, included 1x spare front bumper, 1x RS front spoiler, 2x rearmost-side windows and seals, 4x spare headlights, 2x spare foglights, a factory 3-spoke steering wheel (to replace the factory 2-spoke), 2x indicator column stalks, 1x left-rear door quarter-window glass, 1x left-rear door opening glass, 2x head gaskets (not needed, left over from the full engine seal kit that was fitted), 1x driver’s door window weathershield, 2x headlight protector covers, 2x boot floor mats, 1x replacement upper dashboard, 1x spare sunroof frame. The spare wheel and jack etc are in there too, under a lift-up lid that’s under everything else. Once we’ve unpacked all the removal boxes, I’ll unload the boot contents and go back to the norm – a small selection of screwdrivers, spanners and a socket set, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher and bottles of anti-bug additive for the windscreen washer fluid.
My Citroen carries enough stuff to fit the spare tyre being a diesel theres little that can be done roadside if it stops,
In my Hillman screwdrivers crescent spanner pliers jack wheelbrace and crankhandle Im getting a suitable spacesaver spare tire for that with fit the tyre slot from a petrol Citroen Xantia we are scrapping tomorow, but little ever goes wrong with it so I dont know why I bother.
The master trunk accumulator was the now departed Tom Magliozzi. I’m sure his Dart was loaded up with MOPAR spares, along with sundry cigar and caffeine stocks.
My ’69 Skylark has the spare, with the smallest 15″ tyre I could find ( to maximise the tiny-in-relation-to-the-size-of-the-car boot) And: 5 litres of water, a litre of ATF & engine oil. Spare bulbs and fuses. Zip ties. Duct tape. A condensor and points. Jack. Blocks of timber to raise the jack. Disposable overalls. Leather gloves. Old woollen blanket. And basic tools to fit all the above Apart from the spare, it all fits in one sturdy bag. And a book. My wife does nothing quickly, a book is handy
Naturally, on the three occasions where the ‘lark has “failed to proceed” None of the above has been required.
But if we look closer the Dart is packed mostly with fluids.
Maybe there’s a coil or two of Weed Whip string-line?
Other than the visible ear of a 4-way lug
wrench and some booster cables, no other tools seem present.
Looks like mostly all jugs of liquids.
How much emergency “juice” could a Dart be expected to need?
Maybe this is the lawn-care crew’s chase car?
I’ve had plenty of old Swedish and German stuff and that almost always necessitates having spare fuses and lightbulbs. I keep a tackle box full of them in my trunk.
Then there’s the usual: jumper cables, electric air pump, quart of oil, jug of coolant, duct tape, zip ties, flashlight, rags, hand cleaner, and some basic tools.
I was a Boy Scout…
Your last comment says it all: Be Prepared.
I don’t have a vintage car, but the trunk of every car I’ve ever driven had two essential things that are missing from the standard spare tire & tools: 1) A crossbar-style lug wrench, and 2) a brick to chock the opposite wheel when changing a tire.
The wimpy little lug wrench that comes standard is completely insufficient for the job. Anything that makes a roadside tire change quicker and easier is going to find its way into my trunk.These days, I even have one of those small, cheapie hydraulic floor jacks, which are a huge time saver (and scraped knuckle saver) compared to the hand-cranked scissor jacks that come with the car.
This, of course, assumes a car that actually includes a jack & spare. Fewer and fewer new models do. I seem to pick up a nail in a tire at least once a year, and spring potholes have cost at least four or five tires over the years, so a car with just a can of fix-a-flat would not make it onto my shopping list.
For my old Alfa, I carry a set of “one-time-use” Harbor Freight sockets, really for tightening up things that have vibrated loose because I didn’t torque them properly during my rebuild, the usual jumper cables and screw drivers, the mandatory roll of duct tape, and some Italian speciality tools i.e. a volt meter, a length of red and a length of black wire, a handful of fuses, and two very long alligator clipped test leads with fuses in them.
Alfas are actually fairly reliable but tend to get sulky and decide to demand a little sudden attention, and perhaps a small blood sacrifice to prove you really love them.
When I used to do long road trips with the ’86 Jetta I would carry a cheap socket and wrench set, along with a couple of screwdrivers, pliers, spark plug and coil wire, duct tape and bailing wire, jump cables, tire plug kit and small compressor along with spare, jack and lug wrench, a little wire and connectors, and fuel pump relay. The old ’70 C10 would be equipped the same way, minus pump relay and with SAE instead of metric tools. Stored behind the seat, of course since no trunk. Always carried spare belts and fuses as well.
Today, in the ’86 Jetta besides spare, jack, and lugwrench just carry air compressor, pump relay, fuses, a little wire, jump cables and that’s about it. Don’t drive far and cell phone are the main reasons.
I would carry my tool box and small floor jack when I had my VW Buses, Beetles and Fastbacks, they got used more than once. Went to Bass lake, before we left I had a charging problem in my ’65 Bus and changed generator brushes, down the road the battery discharged, found a 6 volt generator at an auto parts store, rebuilt with fan and plates already mounted and changed in the parking lot, all was well for the rest of the trip.
The ’04 Titan just carries jump cables and air compressor besides spare, jack, and lug wrench. If it quit running I doubt I would be able to get it running again anyways, unless it was something obvious like a loose battery cable.
Wow, look at that nice usable trunk space in a compact car! There is real benefit to some rear over hang and a practical trunk design. Maybe sedans would be more popular now it they offered some utility like this. For whatever reason, as this car evolved into the Chrysler F, M and J bodies, the trunk floor took on a sort of Ford deep well approach, with a low square spot, high sides and a final deep pocket outside the frame rail for stuff to fall in. Nowhere near as nice as this car.
I always carry a compact floor jack and a four socket lug wrench in my truck for my boat trailers. And, I’ve had to use them after a blow-out. May not have been life savers, but sure made getting back on the road easier.
A few years ago, I threw a three drawer tool chest and a large metric / std socket set with a wrench set in my truck when we started renting lake houses in the Ozarks. Smartest thing I ever did. I’ve made repairs to the houses, docks, rental jet-skis and more. The tool chests now tend to stay in the truck during boating season, and do come in handy.
I can’t say I’ve had to do much with my cars on the road. I try to make sure they are well maintained, and have had little trouble over the years with stuff I’d be able to handle on my own.
I lived with one of these and always found that trunk to be too shallow. Of course my first car was a 67 Ford Galaxie 500 which offered that super-deep well Ford trunk, so perhaps that spoiled me. The Mopar trunks were wide but shallow, and the same went for the C body cars like Plymouth Fury and Chrysler Newport. I always found the deeper designs more useful.
There was a paragraph in the old John Muir “Complete Idiots Guide to VW” talking about the tool box he kept in his bus. The last line was something like “Man that tool box is heavy”
A $20 80-piece tool set, a cheap set of screwdrivers, a 24 inch breaker bar, jumper cables, and one very expensive socket for the lug nuts.
In my 88 Merkur XR4Ti, I have a set of sockets, a small tool box with a few screwdrivers and pliers, a huge sub woofer, a shock brace, some wrenches to loosen my strut brace since I need to loosen it to take the oil cap off, some zip ties, a shop manual for my Scorpio (not sure why that is still in there), a laser disc for sales training for the Merkur line, a TFI (it is a mid 80s Ford), a box of fuses, a code reader, some belts, lug nuts for the spare since my rims are not stock, the spare (which actually needs replaced) and my amplifier.
A plastic fishing tackle box crammed with tools, odd bits and adhesives.
A repair manual
A come along. and nylon tow rope.
Fan belt, wiper blades, spare hoses and clamps, etc (plus whatever component that may be giving imminent signs of failure).
An empty one gallon fuel can.
A quart of engine oil.
A gallon of 50/50 coolant
Two jacks (the one that came with the truck, plus a scissors jack that stows under the pass seat. A second jack can really get you out of trouble). Plus two 12″x12″ pieces of 3/4″ plywood for under the jacks.
A few sheets of cardboard to lie on when underneath.
A waste oil receptacle and spare oil filter so you can change oil on the spot at friendly auto parts places.
A full size bicycle tire pump. A set of tire repair plugs.
Lug wrench, tire irons, tools to lower the spare. Long pry bars.
Set of old clothes for working on the car (dressed up,you will always call for assistance. These old clothes have saved me literally thousands!)
At times I also have a notebook computer and wifi hotspot with me so I can go on line for up-to-date advice.
I advise people to never own a vehicle with a tire/wheel combo that is too big for them to handle themselves. For me, at my age, this means 14″ or 15″ rims max.
I am greatly assisted by the fact that my daily driver also serves as a small housetruck. So I can easily change clothes, wash up afterwards, cook lunch, or even camp out for a night or two. So equipped (except for the one time when an accident left my vehicle undriveable) I have never had to call for assistance in 60 years of driving throughout North America.
It depends…while driving around locally, nothing. When on a longer road trip: emergency tool kit, fuses,Type F transmission fluid (not always easy to find these days), basic cleaning supplies, rags, a blanket, and maybe the jumper cables, if I remember. Oh, and extra bottled water. But the best thing: a gold AAA card.
Since my older cars have never been more than a 120 mile drive from home I carry… nothing. Not an issue yet in 20+ years.
Simple, everything but what I need 🙁
in my old car I carried a canvas tool bag with assorted tools and small repair items, a socket set, a tow strap and jumper cables, water, oil and a fanbelt, I carry a similar setup on my motorcycle, tools, spark plugs, fuel line, fuses and jumper cables.
My bicycle also features tools, zip ties, tire patches and an emergency wheel spoke made out of Kevlar.
My new car has a basic roadside emergency kit with tools, tow strap and jumper cables and a trailer hitch insert in case I need to tow something. I also keep a long 8mm hex key in the glove compartment for the Kuat bike rack.
I believe that having the right tools reduces the probability of a breakdown and helps you get out of one faster if it does happen. That said when our Saturn SL2 spit out its differential, ll I could do was call a tow truck, and similarly our last mountain bike mechanical required a tool I don’t carry so we had t drag it to the road and fix it at home.