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What should you keep in your trunk and glovebox |
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While all of us may need roadside assistance at one time on another, a little advanced planning can help minimize the aggravation. Below is a checklist of items that you should carry in your glove box or trunk for emergencies.
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Glove Box: - AAA (or other roadside assistance provider) phone number and account number
General Items for the trunk:
- Spare tire - Don't forget to make sure it is properly inflated the next time you stop for gas!
- Battery Operated Air Pump
- Flashlight and spare Batteries
| Some of the most common reasons for roadside assistance are:
Out of gas. Can't help you here. Unless you are traveling long distances in a remote area, carrying cans of gasoline in your trunk is not advised.
Flat tires. Frequently this is something you can fix yourself. - Pull well off the side of the road to a flat surface.
- Make sure the vehicle remains in gear.
- Be sure the spare has air before you start.
- The spare on most vehicles is designed only to get you to someone who can fix or replace the damaged tire! As soon as you are back on the road, head for a service center.
Dead battery. Jumper cables will help you rejuvenate a dead battery, but remember; batteries don't go dead by themselves.
- Check your owner's manual before attempting to jump-start a battery.
- Look for obvious causes - broken fan belt or lights left on.
- Once the battery is charged - this will take five to ten minutes - head for the nearest service center and have the root cause fixed!
Failure to start. If the vehicle has gas and a strong battery, best leave this one to the professionals.
Keys locked in the car or lost. This one is easy to fix. For less than $5 you can buy a magnetic key holder that affixes to the underside of the vehicle, usually in a wheel well, and it holds a spare key for your doors and ignition. But his only works if you do it before you need it! |
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