The content of the article:
- Rating of the 10 most important things of a Russian motorist
- Jack
- Spare wheel
- Pump
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit
- Lighting wires
- Towing cable
- Balloon wrench
- Set of tools
- Stock of process fluids
Car ownership is not only a new level of comfort and the ability to get to any point with a minimum amount of time, it is also a potential danger of various kinds of emergency situations, for the resolution of which a specialized tool is needed. Let's take a look at ten of the most important things every motorist should have.
Rating of the 10 most important things of a Russian motorist
1. Jack
The primary task that arises during the operation of a car of any brand is to replace a punctured or disassembled wheel with a spare or stowaway wheel. To perform this operation, a jack is required, which will allow the vehicle to be lifted for installation work.
The main problem faced by a poorly trained beginner is the absence of a jack in the standard set of equipment, or the presence of a product that is poorly adapted to real conditions.
In order to assess the capabilities of the factory jack, you must immediately after purchasing the machine try to raise it using the factory device. If the car can be lifted without any problems, without paying special attention to its position, and the standard jack does not deform and does not emit extraneous sounds, then it can be safely used in any situation. Otherwise, it is necessary to purchase a lifting mechanism that meets the specifics of real conditions.
The main types of jacks are mechanical, hydraulic and rolling jack.
Mechanical jack can be similar in design and kinematics to a factory product, but when choosing it, you should pay special attention to the thickness of the steel, weight, as well as the maximum load that it can take. The heavier and larger this type of jack is, the fewer problems can arise when using it.
Concerning hydraulic jack, then its use can be significantly limited by weather conditions, since the fluid used in its hydraulic cylinder is extremely sensitive to the effects of negative temperatures. This applies mainly to budget models, but also applies to famous brands, since even in this case, the performance of the mechanism, if not falling, then slightly decreases, which can lead to a decrease in its carrying capacity.
In addition, this type of lifting mechanism is also extremely sensitive to the position of the vehicle and the flatness of the support platform, which significantly complicates operation in real road conditions. Its main advantage is its compactness and low weight.
Concerning rolling jack, its overall dimensions do not make it easy to place it in a standard trunk, especially in a compact car. This is offset by ease of use and unpretentiousness.
The choice of a suitable mechanism is determined by the specific conditions in which the car is operated.
2. Spare wheel
More recently, this attribute of any car was its integral part, all models without exception were equipped with it. However, the time has changed, and in some cases car owners themselves refuse this necessary part.
The placement of a toroidal gas cylinder in the spare wheel well has become widespread. This forces motorists to look for other ways to place and install a spare tire, or to limit themselves to a repair kit for tires, the same practice is followed by automakers.
The problem is that a situation may arise where the lack of a spare wheel will lead to significant evacuation costs, since the repair kit is completely useless when disassembling or deforming the rim.
The optimal solution can be the use of a "dock" - a spare wheel reduced in width, which is easier to place in the car. Do not neglect the special spare wheel mountings outside the body, like SUVs. Similar designs can be mounted on an ordinary family station wagon.
3. Pump
There are situations when the wheel deflects even in the absence of a puncture, or it requires simple pumping. Driving on a semi-flat tire will not only lead to instant tire damage, but also extremely dangerous. Therefore, a pump or compressor is a must-have item in a motorist's arsenal.
The choice between an electric compressor and a mechanical pump is very simple. The obvious advantages of the latter are its low price and the ability to use it in all weather conditions, regardless of the degree of battery charging and the health of the electrical wiring.
The compressor, on the other hand, provides immeasurably greater convenience, since it does not require any effort other than connection. The disadvantage of the latter is the need to connect not to the standard cigarette lighter socket (with high performance), but immediately to the battery terminals, so as not to overload the wiring and blow out the fuses. In this case, the car engine must necessarily work, otherwise there is a great risk of quickly discharging the battery.
4. Fire extinguisher
This safety element is becoming more and more relevant every year, since the increase in the number of electrical appliances in the car leads to the risk of a short circuit or overheating of the wiring, which causes a fire.
Many car owners prefer to purchase the most compact type of fire extinguishers, the performance of which is clearly not enough for effective fire extinguishing.
The best choice, according to the established safety requirements, is a dry powder fire extinguisher with an active substance mass of 2 kg. This product must be regularly changed for the specified service life, or refilled by a specialized organization.
Do not forget that a fire extinguisher, even large enough, is not able to extinguish a burning car, it is designed for small fires, otherwise it is better to worry about your safety and leave the car.
5. First aid kit
The emergence of situations when you or your loved ones need emergency care can occur at any time, so a regular first-aid kit must not only be checked for compliance with the expiration date, but it is also advisable to supplement with elementary medications and dressings.
It should be remembered that a first-aid kit is not only a case necessary for passing a technical inspection, it is also an additional safety factor for you and your loved ones.
Since only a qualified technician can choose the right drug in case of emergency, try not to buy strong medicines, especially prescription drugs. The best choice would be dry ice, a pair of elastic bandages, a tourniquet to stop bleeding, rubbing alcohol or an antiseptic solution, and plastic splints for the splint.
6. Wires for "lighting"
Even a relatively new battery from a renowned manufacturer can fail in the cold season, therefore, in order not to find yourself in a hopeless situation, you should purchase wires for "lighting", which will allow you to start your engine from another car.
The main requirements for this tool are a length of several meters, which should be enough to connect two adjacent machines, the largest possible diameter of wires in order to reduce their resistance and possible overheating, as well as the elasticity of the braid at low temperatures.
You should pay close attention to the workmanship of this tool. Wires and "crocodiles" (special clamps for connecting to the battery terminals) should not only be connected mechanically, but careful soldering is desirable.
When buying, pay attention to the fact that the wires are packed in a sealed case, this will facilitate their storage and prevent oxidation of the contacts.
7. Towing cable
Any car can fail, and the presence of a towing cable will significantly save on evacuation. The main parameter of this product is the maximum load, expressed in tons. This concept should not be confused with the weight of your vehicle, because when towing with acceleration and downhill movement, dynamic loads can occur that are many times greater than the weight.
In addition, a towing cable is often necessary in order to pull out a towing vehicle, so it is advisable to purchase a product whose maximum load is 2.5 - 3 times the mass of the towed vehicle.
Particular attention should be paid to the hooks at the ends of the cable, they should be made of thick cast metal and have a locking lever to prevent spontaneous disconnection from the vehicle.
The length of the cable is also of no small importance, since it determines the likely stopping distance of the towed vehicle when the towing vehicle stops. The complexity of this situation is aggravated by the fact that when the ignition is off or faulty, the brake system loses its amplifier, therefore it is extremely problematic to carry out effective braking. In view of the above, the length of the hummock must be at least 1.5 times the length of the vehicle.
8. Balloon wrench
This tool is designed for removing or installing wheels, so even if you have a spare tire and a good jack, they are simply useless without a wheel wrench.
Most car manufacturers equip their cars with a small compact wrench, which, even with good physical shape, is simply impossible to unscrew a punctured wheel. In order to be guaranteed to cope with this task, the length of the key handle must be at least 30-40 centimeters, in this case we get a shoulder for applying force, which is enough to turn the bolt tightened with a pneumatic tool.
To reduce the size of the product, it is made with a folding telescopic handle, which is quite convenient and functional. The socket for the wrench should not only match the size of the bolts that fix the wheel, but also rotate freely in the recess of the disc (which is especially important for light-alloy wheels).
9. Tool kit
Even if you do not understand anything about car repair, a situation may arise when at least a minimum set of keys and screwdrivers is required to eliminate the simplest and most obvious malfunction right on the way. The specificity of Russian realities is such that even being a couple of kilometers from the city, you simply cannot find a car service or call the evacuation service. In this case, it is necessary to independently provide the car with the ability to move, and if the reason is easily identified visually, then it can only be eliminated by stocking up on tools.
It is quite simple to choose such a set, since even cheap options do a good job with the task at hand, and their disadvantages appear only after repeated use.
10. Stock of process fluids
In the event of an oil or coolant leak, further, even short-term operation of the car in order to get to the nearest car service, may lead to the need for serious engine repairs. Therefore, it is advisable to have small containers with the same process fluids as directly in your car, topping up which, you can get to the service station without prejudice to the condition of the main components and assemblies.
Conclusion
As you can see from the recommendations given, this is not just a list of items that it is advisable to purchase in addition to those in the kit. Often, much of what a car is equipped with is simply not functional and does not allow solving the tasks. Therefore, each car owner is obliged to equip his car with everything necessary in order to prevent unforeseen circumstances, or be prepared for them.
