How to Emergency Proof Your Car | Phil Gilbert Hyundai

Dealing with Breakdowns and Flat Tyres

There’s nothing like breaking down at the side of the road and realising the spare tyre has a flat from the last time it happened.  To keep you up and running, keep these in your boot:

• Spare tyre (in good condition), along with a tyre jack and tyre iron, because, without them or someone else to help you, the spare tyre is useless. Also, if your wheels require a special security key, make sure that’s always in your car too.
• Tools to inflate and seal your tyre, like the Fix-a-Flat, which can plug a leak (and help you avoid using the above tools) just enough to get you to the auto shop.
• Jumper cables, because dead batteries happen to the best of us. You should familiarise yourself with your engine just in case things are a little different. Alternatively, you can pack an emergency battery booster so you don’t have to rely on a Good Samaritan coming along.
• Your car’s manual, which should be in the glove compartment already.
• Tyre pressure gauge: checking tyre pressure on a regular basis can improve handling, increase fuel economy, promote tyre longevity and even save lives.
• Duct tape and WD-40: duct tape solves more problems than you can begin to imagine.
• Car repair information. A business card for your auto repair shop, the number for Phil Gilbert Motor Group's Accident Assist program, and car insurance claim forms should also be stored in your glove compartment.

Safety and Survival

If a situation arises where health and safety or even survival are at issue, you’ll want to have the following items on hand:

• First aid kit
• Torch
• Multi-tool
• Matches or another fire starter
• Energy bars or MREs (meals, ready to eat)
• Water bottles
• Weather radio

And a few car-specific items:

• Seat belt cutter and window breaker. Keep this in your glove compartment, not in your boot, obviously.
• Flares or a reflective triangle, so you don’t get hit at the side of the road in the dark.
• Paper maps.

A Little Comfort Goes a Long Way

If you’re stuck by the side of the road waiting for assistance – or even just on a particularly gruelling road trip – the following items can make a big difference to your comfort levels:

• Paper towels or a hand towel
• Tissues or a roll of toilet paper
• Pencil and paper
• Umbrella
• Spare change/emergency money
• Recycled shopping bags for those impromptu shopping trips.
• A blanket, which comes in handy not just for keeping warm in emergencies, but also at the park or at the beach.
• A change of clothes: also an emergency item, in case you get drenched in rain.
• A USB mobile device charger

Keep all of these on hand in your car and you will be set up to handle most situations you run into while driving.

Before a long car trip, remember to always book your car in for a service. To organise your service in the Sydney area, just visit your local Phil Gilbert team or contact us to learn more.