Whether you rely on it for your daily commute to work, trips away with the family at the weekend or a little bit of both, your vehicle is your trusty steed; your Hengroen, your Shadowfax, your Pegasus… But even the greatest car ever built is worth little if the man behind its wheel is not well, rested and prepared. Over the Easter break, many of us will be taking our families out on the road and driving for longer hours than they’re likely used to. For this reason, it’s important that every man keeps the following in his car for the safety of himself and his loved ones…
Knowledge and skill
Okay, so this isn’t something you can throw in the trunk and be done with it, but it’s important to remember that a truly great driver never stops learning. The trouble is that every time we encounter a near miss on the road or come within a hair’s breadth of a nasty accident, too many of us blame it on the other guy and go about our day. A great driver is in a constant state of self reflection and finding ways to improve. If you feel like you could do with sharpening your skills check out this link from the American Safety Council; http://americansafetycouncil.com/content/florida-online-traffic-school. They run a series of classes for all skill levels to help you improve on the aspects of driving that apply most to you.
A couple bottles of engine oil
It’s astonishing how many of my friends drive around with the oil level warning light glaring at them from the dash. If this light graces you with its presence, it’s because your engine is in serious need of lubrication and this needs to be done as a matter of urgency. If left to chance, your oil levels can run dangerously low and cause serious wear to moving parts not to mention generating heat that could result in a breakdown. To drive on low to no oil, is to court the risk of doing your car serious damage.
A small torch
Most savvy guys are able to see any glaring issues under the hood, but the average automobile has many nooks and crannies that can’t be seen even in perfect daylight. Thus, pack a small torch or headlight so you can get a good look at those hard to reach components under your hood.
A socket wrench set
After hours and hours of driving, especially on bumpy and dusty country roads, it’s not uncommon for bumps, jolts and vibrations to loosen wheel nuts and other small parts. Tightening them up is simple and takes just a few seconds, but being vigilant can make a world of difference. Although most vehicles only have two or three bolt sizes it’s a good idea to be prepared and carry a comprehensive set just in case.
Clear plastic sheeting
On a dark and rainy night, you don’t want to go crawling under your car to investigate without knowing that you’ll be dry and protected from stones and broken glass on the road. Thus, some clear plastic sheeting is essential. It could even be used as a temporary fix for a broken window, too!
Metallic and duct tape
You’d be astonished at how many temporary repairs can be made using duct or metallic tape. If you should experience a crack or hole in your exhaust, this may release dangerous exhaust fumes into the cabin, placing your health at risk. If you’ve miles to go till you get to the nearest repair shop, metallic tape can stand up to the enormous heat generated by your exhaust, making it perfect for patching up your exhaust for an easy temporary fix.
Air and water pipes like those that run to your windshield washer jets can be patched up with waterproof duct tape, preventing them from cutting your trip short.
