What tools do you carry in your car?

[scarney1988]

OP has a Mercedes (or some other German Manufacturer). I assumed he was looking for advice for his personal.

I take it you have a German car?

 

[toolaholic]

Craftsman 55 piece socket set, estwing 8 oz ball pein hammer,knipex pliers,proto sliding breaker bar,gearwrench 84 tooth 3/8 ratchet, sk 1/4 drive ratchet, kobalt 3/8 flex head ratchet,harbor freight 3/8 torque wrench, otc 12" pry bar,leatherman tool,craftsman ratcheting screwdriver,craftsman screwdriver pry bar,kobalt magnetic pick up tool and kobalt mirror,craftsman flexible claw pick up tool,snap on tire gauge,maglite led flashlight,fuses,21mm 1/2 drive socket for lug nuts,various extensions and adapters,task force mini screwdriver set, husky offset wrench set, heyco 13x12 offset wrench. All on a husky 15" tool bag. Plus a bellaire 12v compressor and a xyrantex battery jumper.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

What tools do you carry in your car?
-----------
1): Metric Craftsman 10, 12, 13, 14, 17 & 18 Wrenches
2): Metric Deep Craftsman Socket Set from Sears
3): A decent wobble extension
4): A #2 Phillips Screwdriver
5): A handy-dandy multi-tip hex pocket driver
What I need is a decent battery pack... I always forget to buy one. Now that I mention it, I'll probably break down and wish I had it when I start driving soon...
by the way only an impending list so far, but still counts!

Plus:
Chevrolet, better have a 15mm wrench
Ford, better have a 16mm wrench
Don't forget some torx bits for lites
Breaker bar and 6pt socket to fit your lug nuts
pry bar for the wheel cover
adjustable spanner
tow strap
fire extinguisher
reflectors
pliers
a jack that works
$50 for gasoline
keys to your mother-in-law's Buick
flashlite
shop towels
hand cleaner
spare wiper blades and lite bulbs and fuses
test lite or multimeter
roll of tape and roll of mechanics wire
roll of electrical wire
first aid kit
tire pressure gauge
gloves and coveralls
pencil(not pen) and paper
air and fuel filters and tools to change them
About $15 will buy a 23-26" plastic tool box with a tray... Most of this will fit in that size of a box...

 

[Dave455]

I'm not even sure where to begin with this question.

Ok... I have 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" shallow and deep socket sets 4mm to 34mm
with 3 standard ratchets and one 3/8" drive and one 1/2" drive long flex head ratchets.
Plus lots of extensions and UJ's. Set of torx sockets.

Full set of combi spanners 6mm to 32mm, loads of screwdrivers, various pliers and
cutters, hammers, tape, fuses, rags, small trolley jack in a case, a spare battery (really),
emergency light, foot pump, one litre of oil, punches, drifts, vice grips, automotive multimeter,
wire brush... and countless other bit's and bobs.

I realise it seems a bit silly to have all that in my car, but since I was 17... that was the kit
I did all my servicing with and the repairs I could. It's only been the last 6 years that I have
had my little home workshop and fully kitted it out. So I leave my old kit in the car... You
never know...

I sympathise! I used to drive a British Leyland car too.... !

Now, I just keep a couple of screwdrivers, a couple of pairs of pliers and some combination wrenches for general repairs! I keep a 1/2 inch drive breaker bar and wheel nut socket specially for wheel nuts though! (don't reckon you'd shift 'em otherwise)

As important as the tools are a few spares. I carry a spare alternator belt, radiator hoses and a small box of bulbs, fuses and suchlike!

 

[MDSPHOTO]

I went to Northern when they had their bucket sale, you buy a $3 bucket and they give you 20% off anything in the bucket. Bought a screwdriver set, sae & metric ratcheting wrench sets, allen key set, small socket set, box cutter, electrical tape, hammer, plier set,
some other misc stuff and canvas bag to put it all in.

 

[tribbles]

AAA card, cell phone, P226.

 

[Coach James]

First I made a list of the jobs I would try to do on the side of the road then made a list of tools from that.

I carry:


http://www.lowes.com/pd_338512-2542...uctId=3438028&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1

http://www.lowes.com/pd_97343-922-4...k&pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=channellock&facetInfo=

Phillips and slotted screwdrivers
10" extension
zip ties
Gorilla tape
needle nose and 1 pair of Vise grips
12 ounce ball pein hammer
air gauge
emery cloth
utility knife
combo wrenches but only the ones for fastener sizes on my vehicles
battery terminal cleaning brush
3 feet of bailing wire
spare ratchet
10" c-clamp
2 bungee cords
hose repair tape and a spare serpentine belt
breaker bar
10" adjustable wrench
2 LED flash lights
nitrile gloves

Most of it fits in a 14" Craftsman bag. Over the years, I have changed brakes, starters, alternators, batteries, water pumps, hoses and a few other things.

Last year, I even fixed a problem with the strike plate and door lock in a hotel room rather than call the front desk and be told that they would fix it tomorrow.


If we go out of town, I also carry a quart of oil, gallon of coolant, a blanket for each family member, plus GEICO roadside card, credit card etc

Coach

 

[litljay]

This:


and my EDC

 

[RCStocker]

My towing card. LOL
I have not had a break down in over 25 years. I have not had a flat in over 10. I have a set of 154 piece C man in each car and truck. I also have a full tools box of hand tools in each.

I never use them. I help others once in a while but now that I am older I don't stop to help those who have broken down.

My son keeps HF tools in his truck He has had the glass smashed and his radio and tools stolen twice. As he sais The cheap tools will fix anything any time. He is right.
Go cheap in the car and take care of what you drive and get a new one before it starts needing repairs.

I don't even have triple A service or road service any more. It is a waste of money. If I break down a tow is not all that expensive. I have my grand kids cars towed because they have had fender benders. LOL

 

[priceman1414]

Just a basic tool kit with a ratchet for changing a flat, a few other tools. Limited by what I can fit behind my rear seat.

 

[rustynbent]

A cell phone to call the mechanic.

 

[Coopduc]

None. My cars don't break down. Proper maintenance!

 

[e-tek]

I'm a great believer in only carrying the absolute essentials and since the mood can strike me and Mrs E-tek just about anytime, anywhere...we carry just the essentials: complete picnic kit with blanket, wine glasses, etc., various chocolate, some wine, a small air mattress and of course good music. For after, I also carry clean-wipes, glass cleaner, clean boxers for me and ******* for her and some Gatorade.

 

[Rico.]

I sympathise! I used to drive a British Leyland car too.... !

Now don't you be dissin my Allegro... It's got a 5 speed box you know...

 

[scarney1988]

I'm a great believer in only carrying the absolute essentials and since the mood can strike me and Mrs E-tek just about anytime, anywhere...we carry just the essentials: complete picnic kit with blanket, wine glasses, etc., various chocolate, some wine, a small air mattress and of course good music. For after, I also carry clean-wipes, glass cleaner, clean boxers for me and ******* for her and some Gatorade.

 

[Robbie UK]

I probably carry too much yet probably don't have what I need.

It would be great if the car manufacturers listed all the fastener types and sizes for a given model so I could trade weight and space for something I might be thankful for.