|
Had to "let someone go" at work a while ago. It was sudden, so I stood over him while he cleared his car out, before escorting him to the door. The contents of his car were insignificant, a packet of chewing gum, sunglasses, biro and some change. No map, pen, notepaper ... I could go on with a list of what's in my own car but it would surely get tedious. E.g. a telescopic wheelbrace and gardening gloves for punctures. Insulating tape, fuses and spare bulbs, first aid kit and fire extinguisher, trafficmaster hold-up warning device etc. etc. Does anyone else keep tools or emergency stuff in their car any more? Is the modern way to "travel light" with just sunglasses, designer mineral water and mobile?
|
Mobile phone ,RAC membership and a bottle of screen wash (the only maintanance item left to do yourself).
Most of the items you mention could be purchased from a petrol station in the unlikely event of urgent need.
|
|
|
in the days of my old triumph dolomite, I carried a very heavy toolbox around in the boot all the time and used it! Nowadays, I tend to drive newer cars and have take you home breakdown cover and, crucially, a mobile phone. I just keep a few essentials - bulbs, fuses - and gloves for tyre changes. The last time one of my cars broke down was when the windscreen wiper arm on the c class merc broke in the rain. Not a roadside repair and covered by mercs 4 year, come and get you, take you home, give you a courtesy car, warranty.
The time before that was a failed battery, also covered by mercs 4 year warranty, as before. Can't remember the last time I had a problem, apart from punctures, that I could fix at the roadside, given that I don't carry spare batteries!
|
|
|
|
my car has a tool kit, torch, warning triangle, map of britain, A-Z of the local area, kneeler pad, pack of oil, coolant, a haynes manual, can for petrol, first aid kit, clothes, tyre weld in case a second tyre goes, i also keep gardening gloves in my car, a bottle of water for the radiator or screen washer, a mobile phone in case of me seeing an accident or the car failing, i also have a few spare parts ( bulbs, wipers, fan belt, etc)
|
Darcy,
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
I carry virtually nothing because I maintain my own car and know it won't break down. I top up my fluids at home. I have RAC membership and would leave it to them should the unthinkable happen.
One exception is LHM hydraulic oil which could be hard to find at short notice.
Also I carry several long cable ties, baler twine and a plastic sheet. Essential for taking a run down animal to the vets.
Inside just sunglasses, CDs and a biro.
Now as to other people's cars when I service them what a chance to "profile the customer". I always have to go in the boot because I always check/inflate the spare wheel (usually about 10psi if it's been regularly serviced elsewhere!). Couple that with looking for the service book in the glovebox and you see the lot. Some folks emergency supplies are very different to my own requirements! I'm saying no more than that.
David
|
David Woollard wrote:
>
> Also I carry several long cable ties, baler twine and a
> plastic sheet. Essential for taking a run down animal to the
> vets.
Or the butchers...
|
Dave,
I was assuming hitting anything worth a deal at the butchers might leave you needing the plastic sheet for yourself.
Better to wait 'till those beasts suffer a "natural causes" episode then move in.
Re. Number plate on parcel shelf. Bet you can guess I'm not much in favour of such methods but saw it in use yesterday.
Small tipper lorry with new front number plate, still covered by the blue plastic protector, on the dash. Angled about 60 degrees to the screen and half hidden by his flask. total sucess if you're into that sort of thing. Place where it should be mounted was so dirty bet he'd had it like that for months.
David
|
|
|
|
David
Reminds me of the time I was giving a second hand R-R a look over. Reason for sale was an impending divorce. I believed him - liftimg the front drivers side mat revealed his 'stock', which would probably have been expected to be in the bedside cupboard, if you get my drift.
Didn't buy the car - it was OK, but HPI showed it was on HP, which he'd negleted to mention. When confronted, he said 'Oh of course I'd have paid that off'. Strangely, when I suggested he get a statement of a closing balance and I could then send one chque to the HP company and give him one for tha balance, he suddenly found it wouldn't leave him with enough cash.
Ho hum.
regards
John
|
John,
Under the front drivers mat.
I think he runs an Astra now and I look after it!
David
|
|
Something to do in a Traffic Jam
|
|
|
|
|
Probably very sensible considering your choice of transport.
Jonathan
|
|
|
|
I assume that the only repair I can make at the roadside is a wheelchange or fuse replacement. Therefore, my emergency toolkit is:
1. Wheel changing gear
2. Mobile phone
3. Waterproof coat (might have to walk)
4. Umbrella
5. Towrope
6. Set of fuses
I usually carry a torch, but either the batteries go flat or it ends up in the caravan. I should probably get a set of bulbs too, but some are almost impossible to change without tools and skinning your hands
|
|
|
|
simple: a man (i.e. no handbag, usually) needs to have somewhere to store stuff - in fact, car's often an extension of his home/office ..
|
|
|
Umberella
Basic tool kit
Jump Leads. (Good way to meet tottie!)
All my documents
Overalls
Rear Numberplate on parcel shelf (just in case I need it) ;-)
Mobile
I don't see any of these items as *necasary.* (Except plate)
|
|
|
|
Wait 'til you get your car nicked with a 20 year collection of top quality tools in. I cried. Now it's fuses, bulbs, chewing gum and a screwdriver and a hammer. Dont know if that's enough for an emergency, but I could probably catch a taxi to Madrid and back for the money it cost to replace those tools. Even had my grandfathers toolkit from his 1937 Austin in there. B*stard thieves should lose hands.
|
Ash Phillips wrote:
>
> B*stard thieves should lose hands.
At about neck height!
|
Now come on fella's.
I have been reading all your posts where bad/speeding drivers simply need more education.....
Couldn't we do the same for thieves.
Alvin
|
Alvin Booth wrote:
>
> Now come on fella's.
> I have been reading all your posts where bad/speeding drivers
> simply need more education.....
> Couldn't we do the same for thieves.
Look, I work with these kids, I know them.
The only solution is to cut their goolies off.
|
Dave,
Another bleeding heart liberal....
Is that the best you can think of.
Thats the trouble with the younger generation,,, you have no imagination,
Alvin
|
Hey, i might be the youngest poster here, and i reckon you should cut off what they used
thiefs hands
rapists/paedophiles hmm
murderers head
Easy huh? They would only cost us money in prison
By the way non of them are deserving of capitals.
Scum
Kev
|
|
|
|
Ash
Like many back-roomers, used to carry full toolkit until it got nicked in my Rover P6 2000. Got it back minus tools, interior vandalised, front wheels out of alignment and a nasty growl from the gearbox.
Thieves, there's no punishment bad enough for them.
|
|
|
|
with my lada i find that thieves dont come near the car, mainly due to the lada badge, obviously think that if you have a lada you cant afford tools.
|
|
Would have thought even thieving scum would know that a Lada owner would have tools on board.
|
|
|
|
This also happened to my Dad's prized MkII Capri Ghia in the early 80s. Lost about 2 complete toolkits and leatherbound road maps etc.
They also kindly handpainted the car black, trashed the interior and wrecked the underside going over a field. It was written off. They didn't go to jail or anything however.
I too carry an extensive range of tools and acessories that I have accumulated but I really don't know why I bother as I've been in the RAC for years now and all I would do myself is change a wheel these days.
|
|
|
|
1. Waterproof coat in traffic yellow, hidden in bag containing item no 11 *not* on the parcel shelf like some wassocks pretending to be bobbies.
2. Medium toolkit roll which includes long wheel bolt wrench.
3. Spare bulbs fuses etc. Despite agreeing with Ian Cook's comments about changing bulbs.
4. Washer additive, (pressure head light washers use gallons of the stuff)
5. 1 litre Oil (Ecotec DTI ditto ;-)
6. Towrope plus straps for tying stuff on roofrack when its fitted.
7. Cheap one use Camera. (half the price in USA, it does pee me off this rip off Britain)
8. Maps, incl A-Z and national Phillips Navigator jobbie, ie almost Landranger scale.
9. Wash leather for cleaning lights mirrors etc
10. Spare specs, shades etc
11. Boiler crawling kit, this is a cheat because it includes torch gloves etc.
12. Bits and Bobs box, wire, insulating tape, self amalgamating stuff, tank tape and God knows what else.
All this lot must cost me at least 1mpg, but then setting off without it is like going out with no trousers on.
Downside is I wish I had a quid for every time I get "oh can you just.........."
|
Stuart,
Never stop to help Darcy's sister in law, she'll have you doing a full service with that lot on board.
David
|
David,
I didn't like to mention the time it went in for a service on a Monday after I had been sailing and it still had the folding dinghy anchor and warp in the boot.
Parking brake a bit bad then sir?..............
Stuart
|
Stuart,
Spent much of my youth listening to the slap of water on plywood.
David
|
|
|
|
David
You must have the memory of an elephant. Not heard a peep from her since the Saab drophead arrived ;-))
|
|
|
|
Hi All
In the car
Mobile phone
Selection of maps
Umbrella
RAC membership
In my Series 111 Landrover
Full tool box
Tow rope
Jump leads
Trolley Jack etc etc etc.
|
Alyn,
I long for the day I pack up the tool box for our Series II/III. If I could ever finish this diesel engine re-build and get it back on the road.
The essential tools for a Land Rover seem to equate to about 60lb, no need to worry about what's in the box as long as it feels heavy.
David
|
Cell Phone adapter
Street Map
387 empty cigarette packets
1,438 various receipts
Dog hair sufficient for pack of wolves
Chewed stuff
strange additional steering wheel left hand side
missing steering wheel right hand side
stuff to change wheel (I assume)
|
|
Alvin, couldn't agree more. I've always thought that anarchistic drivers should be lumped in with the rest of the petty criminals.
|
lots of people with this address lately.
Obviously a sign of the growing popularity of this site.
|
Mark, I don't know what the abbreviations and dots mean. I'm not a computer buff, (I just manage to scrape along). I think they might be something to do with Freeserve. As you say, the site is becoming known - all sorts of views and opinions. Lots of good information and a chance to shout.
I've been a visitor / contributor since the beginning of the year. Seen some changes over the last 9 months, but overall it's still a good site. Long may it live.
|
|
|
|
If you key www.pol.co.uk in your browser you get the Energis website. I believe they provide the telco connection for a number of ISPs - so the cache... address is probably one of their proxy web servers.
|
|
|
|
What Steve? Finish the Land Rover? Tell what I find in people's cars? Stop putting up posts based on dreaming of the day I grow up?
What?
David
|
|
|
steve paterson wrote:
>
> Alvin, couldn't agree more. I've always thought that
> anarchistic drivers should be lumped in with the rest of the
> petty criminals.
If that were the case we'd all be safe 'cos you don't even get a caution for Smoking Dope or Shoplifting these days. Speeding is abou tthe only minor crime yuo can get proscecuted for on a first offence.
My problem with the way motorists are treated is that we are treated more harshly than theives and druggies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
that will all change when you fit the universal supercharger eh, Chris?
|
|
|
FAO D J Woollard
When are you going to finish the L R rebuild?
I keep checking back to your website, but no progress report......... ;-)
Rgds
David
|
|
Too busy posting reasoned and reasonable stuff in the back room!
|
David,
Darcy might have a point.
The Land Rover is way behind schedule. In the end I scrapped 90% of the engine I took out. It had been re-conned in the past with the cheapest pattern parts and abused thereafter.
Bought another diesel engine that an enthusiast had put in for overhaul then never built up. All dry stored still with machining size/crack test labels on it.
Then a guy gave me another diesel engine that had "seized" (all these engines are exactly the same spec) causing him to fit a s/hand petrol. This needed some work but had a perfect set of bores/pistons with fitted cam/pump gear etc. The seizure was a hot spot dropping down from the head.
Anyway between these three I have enough bits for one main rebuild just needing rings/bearings/gaskets. Plus a complete stripped engine stored greased up needing minimal o/haul.
Dealing with these three engines at the busiest part of our year has wasted lots of time but ended up with a quality re-build for about £250 all in. Would cost about £800 to put the whole job out to a proper outfit.
Certainly no time to do the website until the dark nights.
David
|
|
if i can help david, my dad used to own a series II, its still in the back garden, it might be good for parts, its being used as a shed, but anybody interested can take it for FREE.
|
Hi Chris
e mail me off list and i'll take the series 111 off your hands
|
its a series 2, not a series 3 as you have put, the car is in newcastle. here are some details... diesel engined, a strange sort of light blue, it had a new clutch before we put it in the back garden, it failed its mot on the rear brakes, and it needed a part of the exhaust, plus the witter towbar must be useful for someone.
i almost forgot, i sold the original number plate, so it has no registration.
|
Chris
Would that be Newcastle-upon-Tyne or Newcastle- under-Lyme?
|
Hi Chris
Newcastle-upon-Tyne is a bit far from South Wales. Perhaps someone else on the list could make use of it
|
|
its really just the mechanics that are worth having, because rot has set in to most of the bodywork, it was 12 years old when it was put in the garden, and that was a few years ago.
|
|
Inventory:
Roll of tools (from a toyota corolla)
Sleeping Bag - in case of winter emergency
Hi-Viz jacket
Steel toe and sole boots
Boilersuit
Torch
Wheel Brace
Wheel Nuts
Jordans Breakfast Bars
Gloves
I will be adding some other items after reading the above posts.
Regards
Jonathan
|
Jonathon,
Where on earth do you expect to break down?
Jordans what?
David
|
David Woollard wrote:
> Jordans what?
He means Jordan's Original Crunchy Bars, I bet. They wouldn't last long in my car, I'll tell you!
My list:
jack/wheelbrace
bulb/fuse kit
first-aid kit
jump leads
empty petrol can
hi-vis tabard
warning triangle
powder fire extinguisher
33-metre hemp line
30-metre kernmantle line
2 x 2-metre belt lines
johnny gloves/resuscitator kits (several)
axe
blanket
2-metre sq tarp
All fit nicely into a Texas storage box.
Martyn
|
Sorry wrong Jordan!
David
|
|
|
|
Jonathan
OK, I've got to grips with most items on this tread, but STEEL TOED BOOTS.
Are these an anti-hijack device.
Please tell.
|
Maybe I should clarify somewhat.
I carry steel toed boots and hi-viz jacket for work - so they are always in the car. A Tazer would be a little surprise for carjackers.
I carry the breakfast bars, because i dont have breakfast at home most days (and no I do not eat and drive). I also have a triange, but will be buying some fuses, bulbs, jump leads, petrol can, tow rope and other little bits.
Incidentally, my mother used to carry doggy chews so that if she encountered an unfriendly dog she wouldn't get bitten (She was an Environmental Health Officer).
Jonathan
PS David - i just got what you meant, I wish i had her bars in the car.
|
|
|
|
|
Martyn, an axe? you clearly drive in a region very different to mine....
ps what are johnny gloves?
|
Michael wrote:
>
> Martyn, an axe? you clearly drive in a region very
> different to mine....
It's come in handy to deter the squeegee boys from time to time!
In fact, as a fireman, you learn all sorts of clever things to do with an axe. Like, lever open a bonnet and chop through the battery earth strap to stop arcing across a puddle of petrol in about three seconds flat.
> ps what are johnny gloves?
Latex gloves (which resemble certain prophylactic 'garments') to stop you catching all sorts of nasties from roadside casualties.
|
Should have admitted to these. Wear them all the time for work - brilliant. Keep a couple of pairs in all vehicles.
Buy at the local motor factors. Now and again get served by one of the ladies. "Box of "doctors" gloves please". She arrives back at the counter, plonks a box of small size down.
"Sorry" I say "actually I'm a large". "Don't look it luv" she mutters while getting some more.
David
|
I have worn rubber gloves whilst working on engines for 25 years, and have taken plenty of stick too, especially in the early years before the dangers were recognised.
Nowadays,as you say David, these are available in all motor factors, but before that I used Boots "Dumor" gloves, which were heavier, gave less feel , but lasted longer. Problem was, I also regularly buy a large tub of Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) for protecting ECU and multi-plug connectors. Rubber gloves + Vaseline = guaranteed sniggers from female shop assisants !!
Never go shopping with your mac on !!
Adam
|
Adam,
After listening to a woman at a barbecue evening last week who is a shop assistant telling everyone about the local queer who goes into their shop every week to buy vaseline. All the girls rush into the back giggling trying to avoid being the one who has to serve him.
I made a mental note to never ever go into that shop to buy vaseline.
Pay someone else Adam to go and get it for you if its not to late to save your street cred.
regards
Alvin
|
Local Queer???
Is it one per village round your way or something?
Bemused
Jonathan
|
About 10% of my customers are gay guys. Look after their cars really well and decent to deal with.
Remember it's likely the a good percentage here are gay as are lots of folk you meet Alvin.
Was going to pick up on this last night with a little more force but I know you're a reasonable gent Alvin so a strong response seemed out of order.
David
|
|
|
|
|
good points....i'll add them to my list....
|
|
|
Most of the expensive tools I bought with my new car are likely to be a waste of money, for the reasons already mentioned.
However, as a fly fisherman, I was VERY pleased to have some wire snips in the boot when I found myself with a hook in my arm (JUST past the barb!!).
The worst bit was pushing it through, in order to cut off the barb - ouch!
But at least I didn't have to drive home like that.
|
|
|
Kit carried round in the car varies a little, depending on journey length, but if I'm going on a long-ish journey (for me 200 miles or so) I'd probably carry most of the following. Partly for my own review of what I carry around (probably far too much) I've put the frequency of use down too...
Maps of UK and AZ of Greater London (often use)
Torch (use occasionally)
Phone and charger (use occasionally)
Sunglasses (live in car) (often use)
First aid kit (lives in car) (never needed)
Paper towelling and a couple of clean rags / dusters (often use)
1 Litre of oil (use occasionally)
Small container of 'traffic film' remover for windscreen (often use)
Small container of washer fluid (use occasionally; tend to top up at home)
Set of fuses (never needed on road)
Spare bulbs (never needed on road)
Circuit tester (never needed on road)
Adjustable spanners (1 large, 1 medium) and a Mole wrench (used occasionally)
Pliers (large and small) (use occasionally)
Wirecutters (use occasionally)
Screwdrivers (selection of large / small), plus selection of screws (used occasionally)
Amalgamating tape (not needed yet)
Gaffer tape (used once - makes a good repair for broken number plate [you have to put it on the back of the plate...])
Plastic gloves and heavier leather gloves (occasional use)
Spare fan belt (carried one for years and never needed)
Jump leads (never needed - AA has obliged in the past)
Tyre pressure / depth testers; spare dust caps for valves (always dropping them) (use frequently)
Mineral water (drinking) (frequent use) and Tap water (topping up fluids) (occasionally needed)
Radiator sealer (never needed)
Plastic sheet for kneeling on / keeping boot clean (rubber mats from the interior help when tyre-changing) (used once in the past 5 or 6 years)
Most of the tool use has nothing to do with the car's needs. Tends to be on the spot repairs when visiting aged relatives!
If you think this list's too long, when I had an older car I used to do all my own servicing at one time and kept a full set of tools in the car in addition: socket set, ring/OE spanners, feeler gagues, servicing manual, spares eg thermostat, gasket sealer etc etc in the car too. I carried them around for years and I can't remember ever needing them on the road. Now I leave them at home!
I probably carry too much...
Richard
|
|
|
|
I do keep a small holdall in my truck with a set of jump cables, a can of that aerosol tire inflator stuff, a towrope and some other odds and ends. Surprisingly often they've come in handy in helping someone out, and myself more than once! e.g. the jumper cables.
|
|
|
