What Kind Of Tools Should I Keep In My Car Toolbox?

Updated: June 24th, 2020

When you hit the road, things can get quite dangerous unexpectedly for you and your car. Owning a car with insurance and on-road support is just not enough today.

Have you prepared for a flat tire, a dead battery, a loose screw, or maybe a blown fuse? Fortunately, you don’t need to be trained as a mechanic to make it home or the nearest repair shop under such circumstances.

We’ve put together a small list of the most essential equipment with great functionality. They’re the basics of every toolbox which require little mechanical knowledge to use.

Choose a lightweight, plastic toolbox for these tools, something that’ll easily fit into your vehicle’s trunk and you’ll be increasing the odds of your survival in the event of an emergency.

Table of Contents

1.Multi-head screwdrivers and wrench

A set of the multi-tip screwdriver and a set of wrenches are great tools to take care of wayward vibrations in your car. They will easily sort out issues like a loose battery terminal connection or a slipped hose clamp. Often, a simple tightening of whatever’s loose under the hood will solve the problem.

2. Gauges

Using air gauges regularly is a great habit. Keeping a tire properly inflated will give you better gas mileage, better traction and you’ll be less likely to face a flat tire.

3. Jumper Cables

Losing battery power and getting stranded with a dead battery without jumper cables is one of the worst car-based emergencies. When purchasing, choose heavy-gauge cables with high-quality spring-loaded clamps and not the cheaper ones that plug into the cigarette lighter outlet. A proper set of jumper cables will work with a variety of cars and trucks and help you boost any discharged vehicle battery.

4. Tow cable/strap

With a tow strap, you can move your stuck car over short to medium distances. Its super-strong nature also makes it a good rescue rope. Be sure to read the instruction manual for the proper tie-down and tow-points for your car.

5. Roll of Duct tape and a can of WD40

Duct tape can be quite handy in fixing damaged parts if the car temporarily, till you find a repair shop. Follow the simple maxim – use duct tapes for parts which move but shouldn’t, and a WD40 for parts that don’t move but should.

6.Personal Survival Kit

In times of trouble on the road, you’ll also find tools like an LED flashlight, fire extinguishers, first aid kits and some latex gloves and tweezers very handy.

Your mobile torch is no alternative to a real LED flashlight. Be sure you’re well-stocked with batteries as well. This will provide an uninterrupted source of light for a long time plus will be handy in alerting other drivers on the road.
A fire extinguisher is a necessary item for the safety of yourself and your car. It’s the perfect tool to stop a fire from getting out of hand and causing damage.
According to Red Cross’s checklist for your vehicle’s first aid kit, it should have bandages, a disinfectant, an antibiotic ointment, and more.
You’ll also find great use for latex gloves and tweezers.

These are the few necessary tools to keep in your car at all times. Having them at hand in an emergency will save you time, money as well as effort.