Being a car owner requires one to act as an amateur mechanic on certain occasions. Whether you need to check your car’s oil or you have to replace a flat tire, it helps to have the tools on hand to take care of your car in every situation. Read on for four items you should always have nearby as a car owner.
Tire-Pressure Gauge
Don’t wait for your car’s check engine light to come on for you to find a tire-pressure gauge. Having this important tool on hand will help you check your tires regularly and make sure your tires are always at the right pressure. Keeping this gauge handy in your garage and in your car will help you avoid blowouts and keep your car driving smoothly.
Lug Wrench and Tire Jack
These two tools are an absolute must in the event that you have a flat tire. The jack and the lug wrench will help you out of many a tight spot after you’ve discovered a flat tire. Not sure what to do with these tools? Refer to your car’s manual or any video on YouTube to help you out in this situation.
Jumper Cables
Ideally, you should have jumper cables in your garage and in your car. These cables are more important than you realize as they are the defining factor between a running car and a dead battery. Even if you never encounter your own car’s battery dying, having jumper cables nearby can help someone else that may be in need of a jump start.
Torque Wrench
Used to heading to the Nissan dealership when taking care of your car? While the dealership may be your go-to, if you ever feel the need to put in a little mechanical work on your car, you’ll need a torque wrench. The torque wrench makes quick work of setting nuts to an ideal torque. With a clicker-type wrench, you’ll be able to set these nuts to the best specifications.
When using the torque wrench, tighten the nuts until you can hear two clicks. With the wrench handy, make sure you never use this wrench to remove any lug nuts as you may ruin the torque wrench settings.
Always stay prepared for any car-related situation you may find yourself in. Let this guide inspire you to keep these four essential items always stocked in the garage to make sure you and your car are properly taken care of.