Was recently on a 1000+ mile drive from Southern California to Northern California and had the bottom plastic engine plastic cover (near bumper) break and drag. I had to stop at a local small gas station garage and ask to borrow his small metric ratchet (1/4 8 MM socket) to take it off. Started me thinking, that I really need to look for a small emergency toolkit to keep in both vehicles. I started looking around Amazon.com and found so many choices... Was looking for some personal advice based on other(s) experience which would work out well for most small emergencies like I advised of above.
Thanks,
Aaron
Cheap scanner. Cheap socket and open end wrench set, screwdrivers, pliers, and just in case you can't fix it and you're stuck for a while:
And then once you’re safely home -
Don't forget the most important tool in you emergency kit - toilet paper.
Yes that is what Starbuck's napkins are for 🙂
Funny, although I've never bought anything from Starbucks.
You are not missing out, Doc.
I never thought I was. And because the president of Starbucks stated publicly that people who carry firearms are not welcome in their stores, I am not welcome in their stores.
I ALWAYS have a roll of toilet paper!
You have restored my faith in intelligent life on earth!
I bought one of those big Craftsman mechanic's tool sets from Lowe's on Black Friday last year for $100, I think they're normally $150. The box is cheap plastic, but the tools are halfway decent and have the lifetime Craftsman warranty. I drive a 42 year old Pontiac Catalina around sometimes, and I keep that toolbox in the backseat in case something breaks down. It might be a bit large to tote around in a modern car, but I hardly notice it in my boat. Haha. It's actually been a great kit to have handy, I work on my own cars and don't need to make random runs to the store for a socket I don't have.
Thanks but looking for something SMALL 🙂
They make small socket sets if that's what you want. But in that case, really any 1/4" drive set will work.
I second the bourbon, but I make sure to carry a flashlight, Leatherman, mechanics gloves, zip ties and duct tape (wrap it around some wrench handles if you want to save space.)
You could build a kit. Get a small tool bag, throw in some common used tools, pliers, ratchet with small socket set, 6 in 1 screwdriver, hammer, and a few other basics, and it would be pretty small, but cover most of the things you would likely need on the road. As I travel long distance, I grabbed the 130 pc harbor freight $40 tool kit that covers all the basics. It isn't that small, but it fits under the seat, or in the back of my standard cab pickup, and I barely know it's there. Not the highest quality tools, but they are mainly for emergencies, although I have used several things a time or two, when I can't find an adapter, or my 10mm socket.
Yeah I think if there isn't something already out there I might end up doing that myself. Hard to imagine that there isn't already...