I keep a portable jump starter/battery bank in the car, just in case. You can get one for ~100 bucks and for the one or two times I used it (on other people's cars), it's been totally worth it.
I have this one: https://a.co/d/2SFOanD
this post was submitted on 13 May 2025
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Already have this (listed above as a jump kit) but thank you for the suggestion! I've actually already used it on my own car and a coworkers car so I feel like it was a great investment!
As someone who changed a flat by touch on a dark road at midnight... a good flashlight and/or lantern.
Headlamp. Headlamps are so useful for doing mechanical work and doubly so if it ends up being dark. A flashlight is also helpful, but as a companion to a headlamp.
A baggie of 100 zipties (12 inch or bigger), electrical tape, hose clamps. These are so often useful for DIY kludged together nonsense.
An extendable magnet. In case you drop something in a weird spot.
High dexterity gloves. Mechanix or something like them in case you're touching a hot/spiky/unknown fluidity bit.
A change of clothes, including a long sleeve shirt isn't the worst idea. If you encounter trouble and need to get under the car you'll either want to change into the spare shirt before or after, and generally having spare clothes ready is just a good idea.
A first aid kit and road flares.
and a high vis safety vest
An OBD2 scan tool. So if a check engine light trips on, you can check if it is something serious and you need a tow, or you can continue on.
If you have locking lug nuts, a spare socket for them. When I worked as a mechanic, it wasn't uncommon to need to do a repair only to find the last mechanic had not returned it. We had other options, but the owner would have had a bad night with a flat tire.
Honestly with such a reliable car I don't think you need much and the skid plate was just a fluke. Oil and coolant are probably not needed unless either are leaking. I drive a similarly reliable vehicle, a Camry that just crossed 210k miles, and just carry jumper cables, gloves, a flashlight, and a tow rope that I had laying around. Anything big is going to be too much to repair on the side of the road, so a flat tire or dead battery is about all I'm concerned with.
In your tool list, I didn't see you mention a ratchet/breaker bar and socket for the lug nuts. The ones that come with the vehicle are usually lacking, so you may consider adding those.
No offense, but you sound like absolute shite advocating for your favorite store on the Citadel.
I will consider a better solution for those lug nuts though; I haven't even looked at the one that came with it. Thanks!
My favorite store moved away from the repair business and focuses more on extended warranties. We offer a bumper-to-bumper plan (including skidplates!) tailored just for you if you'd like to know more.
Regular slip joint pliers.
A pack of auto Fuses that match your car.
A good flashlight.
A good phone battery pack.
Already have a flashlight (didn't think to list that) and I have a phone battery pack sitting in a drawer at home so I'll add that, thanks!
Just added a fuse kit to my shopping cart and I'll consider a pair of slip joint pliers; I think I can find a pair of pliers at a thrift shop or garage sale.
Find a pack of plastic car clips, for things like the skid plate, bumper, that sort of thing. Whatever style of fuse it uses, get an assortment (10a,15,20,25). A thing of coolant and oil, I would also say a battery tester. And of course, zip-ties, duct(duck) tape, wd-40.
I'm leery of keeping liquids in my car, I do keep some of that stuff at home already.
I can definitely add some zip-ties (I don't know why, but I tend to hoard them like video game loot that you know you should just use right away but don't), some duct tape and steel safety wire.
Thanks!
Why do you have issues with liquids? Because of the chance of leaks?
Personally, I think 1l or so of oil is pretty handy, and coolant can be topped up with water in an emergency (do ensure the correct amount of actual "coolant" is in there, in a non-emergency, because corrosion is not fun. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think brake fluid is worth it, if there is a situation where I find myself without brake fluid, I probably can't do anything with small tools.
IMHO it is worth the risk. If I lived away from gas stations, I would probably also have a fuel can.