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Your car is an essential tool that you rely on every day for your family’s transportation, your commute to work or for recreational travel. It is important that you’re aware of the condition of your car and its many components as unforeseen accidents and breakdowns will occur even with frequent, dedicated care.
Often accidents occur with regular use though many can be prevented through safe driving. It’s always good to review your driving knowledge and learn safe driving tips and resources.
In addition to safe driving, there are also some fundamental tools to keep in your car to help you maintain and repair many of the essential elements that keep your automobile in working order. Here is a list of the most important tools that every driver should have:
Jumper Cables
Battery drainage may occur whenever you accidentally leave your lights on overnight or when your battery is near the end of its lifespan. Owning a set of jumper cables will allow you and another automobile owner to transfer energy between your car batteries and provide enough juice for ignition.
Make sure you know the proper procedure for jumping your car to avoid injury. Good Housekeeping provides a helpful and straightforward guide on jumper cable use, outlining the basic safety measures you must take.
Tire Pressure Gauge
If your tires look like they aren’t as buoyant and full as usual, check them with a tire pressure gauge. Slight deflation of tires could represent a tire leak, which over time can become a dangerous risk while driving. Inflation pressure information for your specific car can be found on a sticker on the driver’s side door or doorjamb, rear passenger doorjamb, the glove box or in your car’s manual.
The Accutire Digital Tire Pressure Gauge has an easy-to-read LCD display plus heavy-duty construction and rugged design for long use. It will accurately read your tire pressure within a 0.05 PSI and automatically shut off for deflation prevention.
Funnel
A clean funnel is a simple, yet important tool that drivers can use for liquid refills within the engine. When you purchase coolant or windshield wash, the large container will often dispense the liquid in a messy manner. Avoid liquid spills in your engine with a funnel that will direct the liquid into the appropriate container. A funnel is also imperative for oil refills.
Make sure if you use your funnel for a variety of liquids that you clean it every time to avoid cross-contaminating anything within your engine.
Towels
Old towels or rags are important tools that keep you safe from hot engine parts and chemical liquids. If your car is emitting smoke from the hood, you do not want to open it with bare hands. Use a towel when you open the hood so you don’t suffer harmful burns.
Apply the same caution on hot days when your car has been parked in the sun for a long period of time. At high temperatures, the metal of your hood could burn your hands. You can also use your towel for changing your oil or cleaning any leaked battery acid.