In this blog post, we’re continuing our list of useful items you should keep in your car if you find yourself stranded on the side of the road. A breakdown is never fun, especially not in the winter when you have to stand on the side of the road in the cold, trying to figure out what’s wrong. If your car breaks down and you can’t get it to your Wayland mechanic right away, you’ll want to be prepared.
There are a few things that it’s helpful to have on your car to keep yourself safe until you can get to your Wayland mechanic.
Jumper Cables
Very cold temperatures can affect your car battery, so if you’ve parked outside for a long period of time, there is a risk your car won’t start. In that case, you’ll be glad that you keep a pair of jumper cables in the car. If you need a jump, you can hope that someone around you will have cables, but that’s not a risk you want to take. Rather than relying on the preparedness of your fellow drivers, the safest course of action is to have your own cables in your trunk.
Flares or Reflective Emergency Triangles
If you have to pull over on the side of the road, one of your main concerns is other drivers seeing you. Not all roads have a wide enough shoulder to pull completely off the road and out of the way of other drivers. If you break down on the highway, you may have enough room to pull over out of the way, but the other drivers are coming very fast, so you want to warn them you’re there, especially at night. To make yourself visible to other drivers, set up flares of reflective emergency triangles along the road leading to your car. It will help other drivers and emergency services see you.
A Waterproof Tarp and Other Handy Items
The ground is cold and wet in the winter, so if you have to get underneath your car or on the ground to fix something or change a tire, you’ll want a dry and waterproof surface to lie on. It’s also a good idea to have a collection of other handy items, including duct tape, zip ties, a flashlight, and a multitool, to help you make temporary repairs until you can get to a mechanic.