What Tools Should You Carry in Your Vehicle?

A new Nissan comes standard with Roadside Assistance, which covers your vehicle should you ever have a flat tire, dead battery, run out of gas, get locked out of your car, have a breakdown, or get in an accident. Should you need someone, Nissan will be there for you. However, sometimes waiting for a tow truck or another vehicle to help you out in the middle of the night on some faraway road can be scary and frustrating. We have compiled a list of supplies that would be beneficial for you to keep in your car to make things easier if you have to do any sort of work.  

Flat Tires Are the Worst 

A flat tire is one of the most annoying and potentially dangerous issues to deal with when driving, whether you are on a road trip or just trying to get home from work. While some Nissan models come with spare tires, others have tire repair and inflator kits that basically have tire repair gel and the ability to inflate your tire. It should be noted that any time you use the tire repair gel, you’re going to have to replace that tire as soon as possible. No reputable service shop will plug a tire that has been filled with the gel; to plug a leaking tire that stuff gets everywhere and it’s difficult to clean.  

A Tire Repair Kit Is a Necessary Investment 

Dick Smith Nissan of Lexington recommends that you get a decent tire repair kit on Amazon, from Walmart, or any auto parts store. They’re pretty easy to use, and sometimes you don’t even need to jack up your car if you manage to find what’s stuck in your tire from the front or rear. The repair kit will come with a set of tire plugs, something to assist in pulling out whatever caused the puncture, a T-handle insert tool to open the hole to fit the plug better, and a spiral tool of some kind that holds the plug that you will stick into the tire’s hole. Some will also come with small jars of lubricant that make it easier to slide the plug into the hole and a utility knife to cut the leftover plug off once you pull out the spiral probe tool. The kits are anywhere from $10 to $40 and have a wide range of extra tools that may come in the kits, like extra valve stem caps, valve cores, valve stem tools, and more.  

Don’t Forget Some LED Emergency Lights 

There was a point in time where most people would tell you to keep some road flares in your car to use if you’ve been in an accident or are broken down. Road flares are extremely bright and visible from very far away. At night, having something that bright will alert people to a potential issue and to move over into another lane to avoid your vehicle. However, road flares can cause fires if near brush or vegetation, they can blow away on a windy day, and they can be a pain to put out and dispose. Also, road flares typically don’t last more than 30 minutes. However, there are tons of companies that now make LED flares with strobe lights and LED reflective triangles. This way you can have the benefit of bright, flare-like light without the hassle and potentially dangerous side effects. A kit with multiple LED flares/triangles will set you back about $20-$40, which will give you enough light for multiple household vehicles.  

Portable Jump Starters Can Kick Start You Out of a Jam 

One final tip is a big one. You should always have a portable battery jump starter in your car, also sometimes called a jump box. With the advent of long-lasting lithium batteries from companies like Noco, Gooloo, and more, these portable jump starters are small enough to fit in a glove box, center console, or door storage. They can reliably jump start a dead or dying battery. They also have lights and USB charge ports. An independent channel on YouTube called Project Farm (link opens to a video) has done several videos ranking the best portable jumpers on the market.  

A Better Tire Iron 

If your Nissan comes with a spare tire, then you will undoubtedly have a scissor jack that will work just fine if you need to change a tire. However, while the tire iron that comes with your car works, as will one of those universal four-way models, there is room for improvement. The tire iron we prefer is the Ares universal lug wrench tire iron that breaks down and comes in a nice carrying pouch. It is very heavy duty and can take off and put on 17-, 19-, and 21-mm lug nuts. Just remember to break the lug nuts free while the vehicle is on the ground, otherwise your wheel will most likely just spin. Once you’ve put the lug nuts back on the car and put the car back on the ground, make sure to give them one more good snug.  

Don’t Run Out of Gas 

Sadly, there isn’t a current option that will magically allow you to safely carry extra gasoline in case you run out—that is, unless you want to attach a jerry can to the back of your vehicle.  

First-Aid Kit and Flashlights 

One last piece of advice would be to buy a simple emergency first-aid kit plus a flashlight or two. First-aid kits are easy to find in almost any store or on Amazon, and of course flashlights are easy to come by, too. Some of the better flashlights will have strobe functions to alert others around you and can run for a long time on a charge. You can even buy a flashlight that works by spinning a small hand crank.  

Dick Smith of Lexington Has the Right Car for You 

To check out all the new and used Nissan models and get a better understanding of its excellent roadside assistance services, feel free to call or come by Dick Smith Nissan of Lexington. One of its salespeople can assist you in finding the right vehicle for you.  

Why Choose Dick Smith Nissan of Lexington  

At Dick Smith Nissan of Lexington, we believe our customers deserve the best prices and services. With over 100 new and used vehicles to choose from, our outstanding sales team and finance department will work hard to make sure you drive away happy. Our fantastic service department will take care of your new-to-you vehicle as if it were their own.