If you drive a car, sooner or later an emergency or emergency situation will occur on your travels or on the highway or freeway. Count on it. Of course you cannot anticipate each and every possible mishap. However being prepared is the basic rule of thumb for most experienced motorists and professional drivers.
However in the case of most amateur mechanics and vehicle owners they need to have only the tools to fix a handful of cars – two or three family vehicles in most cases. Since in most cases speed of repair time is not the primary concern – most can do with a somewhat minimal however not as limited as they would think – auto tool kit.
In terms of flat tires, you will need a spare in good working order, a jack and lug wrench – all of which you must easily find in the dark. Hence it never hurts to have a fully charged and working flash light in your glove box. As well it may be reassuring too, if you taken the preparation time to have practiced changing a tire in the safety and ease of your own driveway. The military frequently runs tests and exercises for its staff and you aught too as well.
As far as tools go, here are some basic items. A strong pocket knife, a medium screwdriver, a good quality set of pliers or Vise grips, a few wrenches and a flashlight. Of course their standard safeties practice to test your flashlight on a regular and ongoing basis. Wrapping everything in an old towel will keep the kit from rattling around. As a bonus the cloth will give you a clean up kit as well.
Lastly and interestingly one of the most versatile and important items in the bottom of your auto and household tool kit can be duct tape – the grey fabric with the stick-to-anything adhesive. In an emergency duct-tape can patch or hold up any of a variety of things. More than one car, truck or SUV has limped many many miles or kilometers into a service station, garage or auto dealership with a ruptured water hose held temporarily together with simple Canadian tire duct tape. A few strips can hold your trunk lid closed, if it is over loaded or even if the trunk latch itself is broken. You can even make the letters for a simple yet effective “Help ” sign that is readily visible at night – safety and emergency means – with this solid performer due to duct tapes highly visible light reflecting qualities.