What tools do you carry in your car?

[Old Hack]

I assume my learned colleague means the accouterments required to release the nuts on the wheel, sometimes called a tyre iron, sometimes called a spider, sometimes called a torque wrench for those who prefer power assistance!

A tyre iron (also tyre lever) is a specialised metal tool used in working with tires.
Tyre irons have not been in common use for automobile tires since the shift to the use of tubeless tyres in the late 1950s. The term is occasionally mistakenly used to refer to a lug wrench which is included along with a spare tyre and jack on most new cars.

May I also point out a torque wrench isn't for those who prefer power assistance, on the contrary actually, as it is used to ensure you do not over tighten nuts.

[ZARDOZ]

I assume my learned colleague means the accouterments required to release the nuts on the wheel, sometimes called a tyre iron, sometimes called a spider, sometimes called a torque wrench for those who prefer power assistance!

No, a tyre iron is for levering the tyre from the rim. A wheel brace undoes the nuts.

[TimberWolf]

Give the AA's top 10 breakdown causes, what comprises a decent tool kit?

• Flat or faulty battery: Spanner ✓
  
• Lost keys: Spare key ✓
  
• Flat/damaged tyres and wheels: Spare wheel ✓
  
• Alternator faults. Phone ✓
  
• Starter motor: Phone. Although when I was a student I used to push start my car. I went almost a year like that ✓
  
• Distributor cap: WD40
  
• Fuel problems: Spare fuel
  
• Clutch cables: Phone ✓
  
• Spark plugs: Phone given I don't believe I carry a spark plug socket and definitely no spark plugs, or shop/garage ✓
  
• HT leads: WD 40

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...en_causes.html

In addition you'd would need stuff to stay safe and comfortable.

[BrilloPad]

Mrs BP says she only ever has 1 tool in the car - which is when I am in it.

[Sysman]

I still have my 16 year old 4x4 and in it I keep a toolbox with spare fan belts, selection of metric + 1 adjustable spanner, Phillips and flat blade screwdrivers & should all else fail a small lump hammer. Also carry a 5 litre container of made up anti freeze /water mix.

When I had an ancient Land Rover, similar kit. Plus bail band and spare jubilee clips of course.

The normal car: whatever tools come hidden in the boot or wherever, and I normally carry a few screwdrivers and pliers for computer use anyway. A pair of gardening gloves for mucky jobs like changing a wheel.

In winter, wellies, a spade and sleeping bag. Spare bottles of water all year round.

Oh yes, plenty of screenwash too.

[BolshieBastard]

Give the AA's top 10 breakdown causes, what comprises a decent tool kit?

• Flat or faulty battery: Spanner ✓
  
• Lost keys: Spare key ✓
  
• Flat/damaged tyres and wheels: Spare wheel ✓
  
• Alternator faults. Phone ✓
  
• Starter motor: Phone. Although when I was a student I used to push start my car. I went almost a year like that ✓
  
• Distributor cap: WD40
  
• Fuel problems: Spare fuel
  
• Clutch cables: Phone ✓
  
• Spark plugs: Phone given I don't believe I carry a spark plug socket and definitely no spark plugs, or shop/garage ✓
  
• HT leads: WD 40

Top ten causes of breakdown | The AA

In addition you'd would need stuff to stay safe and comfortable.

A spanner wont fix a flat or faulty battery, only a loose connection.

Leaving a spare key in the car could invalidate your car insurance if the car is stolen so wouldnt advise having one in the car.

If the local tyre mechanic has used a windie gun to tighten the wheel nuts, you'll have a hell of a job getting them undone with the manufacturer supplied wrench. Even if you did, I wouldnt fancy anyone's chances of changing a wheel on a motorway or dual carriageway. Then, you'll wish you had RFT's.

Faulty alternator, starter \ flat battery, you cant push start an auto. So, you'll need that phone.

Distributor cap!? Most modern cars have electronic ignition so WD40 wont be much cop. And diesel's dont have them so WD40 is no use.

Spare fuel, if you use the fuel gauge, why do you need to carry a gallon of fuel!? Petrol goes off and in any event, if rear ended I'd prefer all fuel to be in a crash resistant fuel tank rather than a 5 quid plastic container that will turn the car into a molatov cocktail!

Clutch cables! Did Renault give up on them in the late 70's and join the rest of the world using hydraulics?

Diesels dont have spark plugs. In any event, its unlikely a spark plug will cause full immobility.

So, the only real bit of toolkit you need is a mobi. Just make sure its charge, you have some credit on it and pray you dont breakdown in an area where there's no mobi signal!

[NotAllThere]

...
Spark plugs: Phone given I don't believe I carry a spark plug socket and definitely no spark plugs, or shop/garage ✓

If you do carry the plug socket, then you just need a hammer and WD40.

[Sysman]

Carpet does double duty as snow/mud mat

Now you mention it I carried some carpet in the boot in my banger days.

A short plank of wood is useful in case you need to use the jack on a soft surface.

Again back to banger days, you didn't trust the jack points on the car due to rust, so a bottle jack and another plank to go between that and the chassis or axle. Spare planks in case you needed a bit more lift.

[TimberWolf]

A spanner wont fix a flat or faulty battery, only a loose connection.

Leaving a spare key in the car could invalidate your car insurance if the car is stolen so wouldnt advise having one in the car.

If the local tyre mechanic has used a windie gun to tighten the wheel nuts, you'll have a hell of a job getting them undone with the manufacturer supplied wrench. Even if you did, I wouldnt fancy anyone's chances of changing a wheel on a motorway or dual carriageway. Then, you'll wish you had RFT's.

Faulty alternator, starter \ flat battery, you cant push start an auto. So, you'll need that phone.

Distributor cap!? Most modern cars have electronic ignition so WD40 wont be much cop. And diesel's dont have them so WD40 is no use.

Spare fuel, if you use the fuel gauge, why do you need to carry a gallon of fuel!? Petrol goes off and in any event, if rear ended I'd prefer all fuel to be in a crash resistant fuel tank rather than a 5 quid plastic container that will turn the car into a molatov cocktail!

Clutch cables! Did Renault give up on them in the late 70's and join the rest of the world using hydraulics?

Diesels dont have spark plugs. In any event, its unlikely a spark plug will cause full immobility.

So, the only real bit of toolkit you need is a mobi. Just make sure its charge, you have some credit on it and pray you dont breakdown in an area where there's no mobi signal!

"Most common problems are caused by terminals and clamp connections or by a loss of voltage..."

You do have to hide the spare key, just as you would hide your locking wheel nut adaptor.

Electrical faults caused by damp connections are in the AA's top 10, as are all the others listed. I don't currently carry WD40 myself, but have in the past.

I don't carry spare fuel either, hence the lack of a ✓, but neverthless it is a top-10 AA fault, despite your saying people have petrol gauges.

[BolshieBastard]

"Most common problems are caused by terminals and clamp connections or by a loss of voltage..."

You do have to hide the spare key, just as you would hide your locking wheel nut adaptor.

Electrical faults caused by damp connections are in the AA's top 10, as are all the others listed. I don't currently carry WD40 myself, but have in the past.

I don't carry spare fuel either, hence the lack of a ✓, but neverthless it is a top-10 AA fault, despite your saying people have petrol gauges.

Im just saying if you have a car built in the last 5 to 10 years, have it properly maintained and use the fuel gauge, the only piece of equipment you need is a mobi.

The AA's top ten tips is because fools dont maintain their cars and dont pay attention to the fuel gauge.

I havent had a damp ignition issue since driving an austin in the rain back in 1982. Modern car electrics you can use a powerwash on them (see some car detailing vids of people who keep under the bonnet spotless) and provided you protect the alternator, ECU and ABS unit, the car will start first time on the key.

I still wouldnt hide any key in the car. Just my opinion though.