Daughter's car kit recommendation...

ROCK6 said:
Any issues with the battery packs? I know a couple also had a mini-compressor built in. Not sure how long they're good for, but a simple rotation plan on the battery charger would work.
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we (my family and I) have 2 battery packs. one is just a battery pack, and the other one has a built in air compressor, signal light, radio, and a/c plug. The only big reccomendation, is to not leave it in your car for too many days in cold weather (such as western NY's winters), as it will cause the battery to get too low. However, there reccomendations are for the jumper cable type. I have no experience with the ones that jump your car by plugging them into the cigarette lighter.
 
ROCK6 said:
Alright, our 16 year old daughter finally took her driver’s test and has her license. We’ve had a small four-dour Saturn that’s she’s been driving with her permit since this summer; but now, she can drive on her own (although we do have some parental restrictions). Her biological father lives about 40 minutes away…the route goes though some nice rural areas most of the way, however he lives in a pretty urban area (my biggest concern). Well, her car didn’t come with a spare tire and after looking, they just don’t make them and we couldn’t locate one in a junk yard. We ended up ordering a whole new rim and tire. The good news is she has a full size tire; bad news is that it takes up most of her trunk space.

Anyways, my wife wanted to buy her an emergency car kit/bag, but I pretty much have most of what she’ll need and it would be cheaper buying the things we need separately.

For a pack/bag, I think I have an older Medium Alice.

Additions:
Tow strap (need to purchase)
Jumper cables
Quart of oil
Water bottle (Nalgene)
LED Flashlight and extra (lithium) batteries
Whistle
Small first aid kit (I have a few pre-stocked)
Fix-a-flat (need to purchase)
Warning triangles (need to purchase)
Ice scraper
Wool blanket or poncho liner
Simple Wal-Mart tarp (blue 6x8 foot tarp)
Duct tape
Role of bailing wire
550 cord
Multitool and/or SAK
Road flares (2-3)
An older (but functional) rain jacket
Older work/hiking boots and extra socks (girls always wear those flimsy flats!)
A few rubber bungees
Maybe an extra set of clothes?

Separately added items (not in the pack)

Small jug of windshield fluid (winter/seasonal, need to purchase)
A small (2.5 gallon) container of water (not in the pack)
A small (empty?) container of gas (not in the pack)
A case of water (not in the pack, and it gets rotated)

I’m reluctant to put much in the way of tools in her car as she most likely wouldn’t use them and me or her father would fix something if needed anyways since she’s restricted at driving only between our place and his. I was thinking about just adding a pair of vice grips, adjustable pliers and assorted screwdrivers. If somebody else stopped to help, at least the tools would be there to remove a battery or tighten a loose hose…??? I was also thinking of getting one of those rechargeable jumpers/compressors?

From a self-defense perspective, she’s not old enough to legally carry a pistol in her car (she needs to be 18) and outside of a cheap shotgun, I’m reluctant to consider one at this time. However, Pepper spray is in her stocking, and I was thinking something along the lines of a small hiking staff. Of course she has a knife she carries (except at school). She ALWAYS has her mobile phone with her, yet my biggest concern is her car breaking down during bad weather. I really don’t expect anything major, but just in case, we want her to be prepared for the most likely scenarios.

Alright guys/gals, what am I missing?

ROCK6
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A benchmade strap cutter. it is made to cut all kinds of straps like the seat belt just in case of trouble
 
Stuff I'd put in there:
-latex gloves(for checking/adding oil, pumping gas, treating injury, wiping public toilets, cleaning battery contacts, etc.)
-individually packed Wet Wipes, or similar(don't dry out like the multipacks after being opened)
-cheap sweatshirt and sweatpants for an extra layer(if it's regular clothes it'll find it's way out of there, and never get put back)
-rainsuit, much better than a poncho(combined with the sweats to keep dry and warm)
-work gloves
I'd put this stuff in a cheap duffel instead of a pack, so it takes up less space, and can be opened all the way across the top so you can see everything in there instead of digging around and pulling out everything to get to one thing. A "bugout bag" or small Gatemouth toolbag would even be better, with pockets on the outside for the small, or more regularly used, items.
 
jca21 said:
rather than a tow strap i'd throw in a snatch strap. might be a bit overkill

also, if the fix-a-flat stuff you plan on buying comes in a can and is called "slime" (or some other non sensical name) dont bother. a pair of pliers, rubber cement and tubes is a much better idea IMO

something like this:

29-tire_repair_kit-l.jpg


is a much better idea.

also a decent pair of work gloves would be a good
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and after you use that you can drive home on a flat tire?

the fix-a-flat is a much better option for a 16 year old girl.

Wifey said no on the cell phone? whats the plan if she breaks down? flag down a stranger and ask help? I think the #1 must have on the list should be a cell phone, with the understanding that she is mature enough to understand it is not to nbe used while driving.
 
only things that jumped out at me was some kind of high-visibility vest for if she breaks down and has to walk down the road a short distance (say, to get signal on her phone), or do anything on the road side of the car, and one of those life hammer rescue tools for in the front.
 
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viva la said:
and after you use that you can drive home on a flat tire?

the fix-a-flat is a much better option for a 16 year old girl.

Wifey said no on the cell phone? whats the plan if she breaks down? flag down a stranger and ask help? I think the #1 must have on the list should be a cell phone, with the understanding that she is mature enough to understand it is not to nbe used while driving.
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if ROCK bought that jumper cable/battery pack/air compressor thing then yeah i still think this is a better option than the fix-a-flat stuff in a can. YMMV
 
phaserrifle said:
only things that jumped out at me was some kind of high-visibility vest for if she breaks down and has to walk down the road a short distance (say, to get signal on her phone), or do anything on the road side of the car, and won of those life hammer rescue tools for in the front.
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I wouldn't go with a rescue hammer...they seem to be cheap junk. Something like a res-q-me, or swiss tech bodygard, or benchmade houdini, etc...with a springloaded punch will do you much better.
 
Tuxdad said:
It's nice to have a full size spare, but can yur daughter lift it ?? I'm asking this because my daughter(bless her heart) struggles with lifting just 20 pounds:eek:!! When she had a flat a few summers ago, the girl was struggling just to get the "donut" spare out of her car, and I do mean struggling in the strongest sense of the word.. Not saying your daughter is in the same category but I would agree that you should show how use everything in the kit, and if need be build up some strength..

My step daughter has yet to build up the strength to change a tire.. She says she'll have to rely on me when it comes to that, but she's already had a rude awakening when it came to that...

Best of luck with teaching your daughter Brother...:thumbup:
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We haven’t receive the full-sized spare yet, but good point. She’s been able to pick the full size tires up (when she had to rotate them); she’s been able to lift them up enough to seat onto the bolts…however, that’s a good point to consider. Thanks Tuxdad.

richard thurman said:
A benchmade strap cutter. it is made to cut all kinds of straps like the seat belt just in case of trouble
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Yeah, I have a couple of issued strap cutters and I could rig something up for quick access as she’s driving. Good consideration Richard,

OwenM said:
Stuff I'd put in there:
-latex gloves(for checking/adding oil, pumping gas, treating injury, wiping public toilets, cleaning battery contacts, etc.)
-individually packed Wet Wipes, or similar(don't dry out like the multipacks after being opened)
-cheap sweatshirt and sweatpants for an extra layer(if it's regular clothes it'll find it's way out of there, and never get put back)
-rainsuit, much better than a poncho(combined with the sweats to keep dry and warm)
-work gloves
I'd put this stuff in a cheap duffel instead of a pack, so it takes up less space, and can be opened all the way across the top so you can see everything in there instead of digging around and pulling out everything to get to one thing. A "bugout bag" or small Gatemouth toolbag would even be better, with pockets on the outside for the small, or more regularly used, items.
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All good suggestions Owen…thanks and several will be used…

viva la said:
Wifey said no on the cell phone? whats the plan if she breaks down? flag down a stranger and ask help? I think the #1 must have on the list should be a cell phone, with the understanding that she is mature enough to understand it is not to nbe used while driving.
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My wife already re-thought the whole “no cell phone” issue. Her main concern was distracting our daughter when it rings from a call or text. Simple solution is to have her just put it on silent. It scares me though, I often think that cell phone is an appendage…she’s always on that dang thing!

Thanks again guys for the recommendations. I’m hoping to get the kit put together next week. I still like the battery charger, but a can of fix-a-flat or slime is a quick way to “limp” to a safer area. I think the charger is the best option if the situation permits, but if your daughter was ever in a bad neighborhood during rush-hour, I wouldn’t want her spending any more time than necessary to get to a safer area.

ROCK6
 
I don't know about your state, but Texas does have a number on the back of all drivers licenses of a roadside assistance number drivers can call. Pretty much everyone I have mentioned it to had no idea it was there.

Perhaps Georgia has something similar.


Might be worth finding out, and mentioning if there is such a service and you don't already have such a service on hand. :)
 
Some decent footware in case she gets stranded and has to walk. Depending on the weather a pair of boots or sneakers.

Not certain on what the weather conditions get like but a collapsible snow shovel is something many people carry around my parts during the winter.

I understand she is only to drive between the two places for now, but that will obviously expand over time. Any trips she takes she should always have an alternate route planned out. Road can be closed for construction, accidents, etc. and nothing is worse then getting lost as a new driver. I understand she has a GPS unit but a local map is a good thing to have in the car as well.

Another tip for her, if its around the freezing mark and its rained or snowed rececntly make sure she checks that her wipers arent frozen to the windshield. One time I turned them on in my little old toyota tercel and they both snapped right off - I was stranded at the college until I got them fixed, couldnt drive without them in the current conditions.

Another tip, and this one is obvious but talk to her about drinking and driving. I know everyone in the world knows its bad, and your never to do it, and nobody is that stupid to ever to it etc. but in reality I dont think anyone ever plans to get behind the wheel, that are intoxicated and make a bad decision at that time. I've seen it first hand with a friends growing up. My parents also promised me I'd never get in trouble if I called them needing a ride because I had a little (or a lot) to drink, even when I was underage, and sure enough I had them come get me the odd time. Some kids might think the risk of driving is better then dealing with angry parents because they had a few drinks... I think its an important talk to have anyhow. I just had that talk with my 16yr old sister who just got herself her first car.
 
Forgot to mention that storing a bit of cash somewhere is a good idea. I keep $30 in change/small bills in the vehicle (hidden away obvoiusly). I don't know how i'd ever find myself without my wallet, but who knows.
 
goofy as is looks,
a roll of Charmin Triple Ply is always
in my glove box.
Good for blowin the schnoz,emergency coffee spills,foggy window wipe,
nature calls,tinder,signaling,etc etc etc
its like the SAK of the bathroom,now in the glove box.
 
couple things I've found useful over time. 3 or 4 extra lug nuts (weird stuff happens in the rain) and some of the throwaway countycomm $1.20 LED lights. 3 of those in the glove box and map pocket are handy. Sierra made up a bunch of cool little glove box "keytags" with a P38, $1.20 LED light, and 550 lanyards. I have a half a dozen of those floating around and they are super handy.
 
Before my Father even let me take a driving lesson, he showed me how to change a tire, check all the fluids, how to add fluids and the basics on a engine. His car kit to me was jumper cables, a water bottle, a ABC fire extinguisher, a business card of a State Trooper, and the cell number of a friend of the who owns a car fix it shop.
 
jca21 said:
if ROCK bought that jumper cable/battery pack/air compressor thing then yeah i still think this is a better option than the fix-a-flat stuff in a can. YMMV
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IMO there is a time issue here. Broken down at night would you want your daughter struggling with finding a leak in a tire (which can allude even a good mechanic depending on where it is), struggling with getting the plug in (which can be a pain in the ass depending on how flat the tire is), then sitting there while a tiny portable battery powered compressor fills the tire (if you have never used one you don't realize how long it can take)...or squirt fix-a-flat in the tire and be on her way home or to a service station where they can help?
 
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