Most people take their car tires for granted. However, doing so can increase the risk of catastrophic failure such as a tire blowout. So that you’re ready to deal with a flat tire emergency, here are 16 things to keep in your car. Number 10 might surprise you.
Tire Inflator
You need a way to inflate your tires. It’s a good idea to check the tire pressure at least once monthly and to inflate as necessary. Tire inflators are cheap, easy to use, and small enough to tuck into your glove box, center console, or trunk. It’s one tool you shouldn’t leave home without.
Tire Pressure Gauge
Another tool you need in your car is a tire pressure gauge. These inexpensive and easy-to-use devices are a must-have. You’ll need one to check your tire pressure. If you have a flat tire emergency, you’ll want a tire pressure gauge to help ensure you add enough air.
Jack
Don’t forget your jack. If you have a flat tire and pull over to the side of the road, you won’t be able to remove the damaged tire if you can’t safely lift the car. Your car likely has a jack in the trunk area. Learn how to use it so operating it is second nature in an emergency.
Jack Stands
After jacking up your vehicle, place two jack stands underneath. You can check your owner’s manual to learn the safe places to position the jack stands. When it comes to jack stands, ensure you get ones that can accommodate the weight of your vehicle. You don’t want to use two-ton jack stands if your SUV or truck weighs 5,200 pounds.
Tire Repair Kit
No tire emergency kit is complete without a tire repair kit. It’ll include various components. Read the instructions to learn the procedure. Again, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the kit to know what to do if a tire is punctured. YouTube videos are a great resource for how-tos.
Tire Sealant
Another product that’ll work in a pinch is tire sealant. It’s something you attach to the valve of the punctured tire. Follow the instructions to see how to apply the tire sealant. After doing so, check the tire pressure. While a tire repair kit — see item #5 — is often a permanent fix, a tire sealant fix isn’t. After using it, you should head to the mechanic to replace the tire.
Tread Depth Tool
Keeping a tread depth tool in your vehicle is a must. If your tires get down to 2/32nd of an inch in depth or less, the tires are legally worn out and should be changed. Continuing to drive on them is asking for trouble.
Highway Warning Triangle Kit
If you must pull over to the shoulder of the highway or the side of the road to change a tire, use highway warning triangles. They’ll keep you safe by alerting other drivers that you’re there.
AAA Membership
It’s always a good idea to have an AAA membership. You never know when you might need help with a flat tire or to have your vehicle towed to an auto mechanic for a new tire. When you think about it, an AAA membership affords peace of mind…just in case.
Bottle of Water
Why would you want a bottle of water in a flat tire emergency kit? If you can’t find the puncture site on a damaged tire, pour water over the tire. You’ll see bubbling in the puncture area. Once you find out where it is, you can fix the problem with the tire repair kit.
Spare Tire
Ensure you’re spare tire is in good shape. Most people never look at it until they’re stranded and need a way to get home. It makes sense to periodically check the spare tire’s pressure so it’s good to go at a moment’s notice.
Lug Wrench
You also need a lug wrench or tire iron to remove the lug nuts that hold the wheels to the car. If you need to remove a wheel, loosen the lug nuts, jack up the vehicle, secure the lifted car with jack stands, and then remove the lug nuts the rest of the way before taking off the wheel.
Torque Wrench
After putting the wheel back on and tightening the lug nuts, use a torque wrench. Check the owner’s manual to see how tightly the lug nuts must be fastened down. You can then set the torque wrench to the appropriate setting and use it to tighten the lug nuts to specs. After driving for 100 miles, stop the vehicle in a safe spot and torque the wheels again.
Gloves
You might find it easier to work on your car if you have a pair of safety gloves. Carry a pair or two in your glove box just in case a task calls for slipping on a pair.
Wheel Chocks
If changing a front tire, use wheel chocks to prevent the other tires from rolling. One of the worst things that can happen is a vehicle rollover incident. You can stop that with some precautions.
Wheel Cover Remover
It’s also a good idea to have a wheel cover remover in your kit of tire repair tools. Such a tool will make it easy to separate the hubcap from the wheel without causing any damage to the cover or the tire.
You Need a Flat Tire Emergency Kit
A flat tire or any other tire emergency can ruin anyone’s day. But these things can also be dangerous. You can help your cause by taking care of your tires. Besides that, keep these 16 items in your car at all times so you can handle any problems that come your way.
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