South African drivers should keep several essential tools in their car to avoid issues should they experience a flat tyre or any other problem.
With the current state of the country’s roads, characterised by an abundance of potholes and debris, South African drivers need to take steps to protect themselves.
Besides careful driving, which is also essential, drivers should ensure that they have access to the tools they may need to resolve any problems encountered on the road.
Statistically, every driver will at some point run into an issue that leaves them stranded on the roadside or in a parking lot, so while it may seem like overkill to pack your boot with these tools, in the long term, you’ll be grateful.
We have outlined the essentials everyone should have in their boot, below.
Standard items
At the most basic and expected level, all drivers should have a spare tyre, compact jack, and a pair of jumper cables.
This seems like obvious advice, but unfortunately, it’s not an uncommon sight to see a stranded driver without one of these.
Most cars come with a spare tyre; however, if a driver has already used the spare at some point, they may have forgotten to replace it or have been put off replacing it after the initial trouble has been resolved.
Ensuring you always have the spare tyre on hand is essential, so if you’ve used your one and haven’t replaced it, be sure to do so at the earliest opportunity.
A compact jack is also an essential tool, allowing you to change a flat tyre yourself, while jumper cables ensure a flat battery won’t be an issue.
It can be especially easy to encounter a flat battery with older cars that don’t have an alert for when you forget to turn off your headlights, so keeping jumper cables on hand is essential.
A reflective triangle sign should also be kept in the boot, in case you break down, to alert other drivers of the issue and avoid further accidents.
Recommended items
These items aren’t necessarily essential, but they are strongly recommended for inclusion in your preparation.
This includes a durable flashlight with extra batteries, a tyre repair kit, and a fuel can.
The flashlight will be very useful in cases where you might get stuck in the dark and can’t afford to drain your smartphone’s battery with its flashlight function.
Additionally, a tyre repair kit can help you avoid needing to do a full tyre change, patching up a leak long enough to reach a petrol station and get skilled support.
Another common issue is running out of petrol. This can happen for various reasons, but with a fuel can, you have the means to resolve this issue.
An average fuel will provide enough capacity to get your car back on the road to reach the nearest petrol station.
Extra items
These items should be included, but are optional extras that can be left out if space in your boot is limited.
This includes a basic tool kit, a pair of gloves, and a first aid kit.
The basic toolkit will include various pieces of equipment that you may or may not need, although most cars come with several basic tools already. The gloves will make it easier to work.
Finally, the first aid kit will include a few methods for treating minor issues, such as cuts and abrasions, that may occur in the event of some accidents.
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