It’s critical to prepare for roadside emergencies. However, your vehicle cannot fit every tool and piece of equipment that you want. You must prioritize the tools that you often use. Here are our friendly guidelines on recommended emergency car tools.
Adjustable Wrench
It’s not an efficient use of space and weight to bring a complete set of combination wrenches, especially when you barely use most of the collection. Instead, you can use an adjustable wrench with a suitable ratchet and socket set to loosen and tighten most fasteners.
Choose an adjustable wrench with a handle of sufficient length to apply enough force while being short enough to fit within the various cramped spaces in your car.
Our Top Picks For Adjustable Wrenches
- OEMTOOLS® 22651 6 in. Adjustable Wrench
- OEMTOOLS® 22652 8 in. Adjustable Wrench
- RT Off-Road® RT26089 Wrench – Universal
Bit Driver
You don’t have to bring a complete set of screwdrivers every day if you can get a bit driver with a sufficiently large selection of bits. If you need to work on a fastener with a different drive on its head, fit the compatible bit to the driver and continue the job.
Alternatively, you can get a small bit and socket set. The tool set comes with a suitably sized ratchet.
Choose a high-quality bit driver with tight-fitting bits. You don’t want the bit to fall from the driver’s tip into a tight space out of your reach.
Our Top Picks For Bit Drivers
- Mayhew® B59303 Driver 4-In-1 Hard Grip Individual
- Mayhew® 51011 Cushion Grip 11-in1- Screwdriver
- Mayhew® B47420 Driver 10-in-1 Hard Gripelec
- Hazet® 810R4 Screwdriver
- Hazet® 810R3 Screwdriver
Cable Ties
Cables and wires run through various parts of your vehicle. While some parts have clips and fasteners that hold them in place, others need to be secured with cable ties. You want a cable tie that can withstand high temperatures.
Our Top Picks For Cable Ties
- 4-Seasons® 53014 Cable Ties – Black, Direct Fit, Kit
- Mayhew® MB8-40HS-M Heat Stabilized Cable Ties, 8 in., 40 lbs., 1000/Bag
Circuit Tester and Multimeter
Are you trying to figure out if a part has power running through its circuit? A circuit tester can show you if the part still works. However, if you also need to measure the voltage of the part, spend a little extra and get a larger but more versatile multimeter.
Our Top Picks For Circuit Testers and Multimeters
- OEMTOOLS® 25019 Heavy Duty Circuit Tester
- Performance Tool® W2974 Multimeter – Universal
- OTC® 3505A Multimeter
Flashlights and Headlamps
If your vehicle breaks down when it’s dark, you’ll need a dedicated flashlight to work on it. Go for a long, thin device that can fit in tight passages. The flashlight should emit enough light for you to see clearly. It should also weigh as little as possible to avoid tiring your hand.
Additionally, consider getting a headlamp that you wear on your head. It frees up your hands to work on delicate or heavy tasks.
Our Top Picks For Flashlights and Headlamps
- Performance Tool® W2456 Flashlight – Black, Universal
- Streamlight® 552480060 Flashlight Headlamp
- Great Neck® 32848 GreatLite Mini 9 LED Aluminum Flashlight
- STKR® 00344 Flashlight – ABS Plastic Base, Universal
- Streamlight® 552480030 Flashlight
Jack Stand
Most vehicles come with a scissor jack. However, the manufacturer-provided jack barely meets the minimum requirements for bearing the vehicle’s weight safely.
It’s recommended to get at least two heavy-duty jack stands that can support the weight of your loaded vehicle.
Our Top Picks For Jack Stands
- OEMTOOLS® 24852 3 Ton Jack Stands (Pair)
- OEMTOOLS® 24853 6 Ton Jack Stands (Pair)
- PowerZone® 680066-A Jack Stand – Universal, 3 Tons
Jump Starter
Never leave home without a jump starter. A dead car battery is one of the most common roadside emergencies, yet it still takes many drivers by surprise. If the battery dies, you’ll be thankful for the jump starter in the back of your vehicle.
Many jump packs come with a flashlight and an integrated strobe light. Aside from jump starting your car, they can also charge phones, laptops, and other accessories.
When choosing a jump pack, ensure it can generate enough voltage to start your vehicle. The bigger the vehicle and engine, the more power it requires for a jump start.
If you keep a tire repair kit in your vehicle, consider going the extra mile to get a jump starter with an air compressor. The compressor will make patching a punctured tire easier.
Our Top Picks For Jump Starters
- Schumacher Electric® FR01240 Jump Starter – Universal (with Compressor)
- Schumacher Electric® FR01241 Jump Starter – Universal (DC Power Source)
- Schumacher Electric® SL1327 Jump Starter – Universal
- Noco® GB40 Jump Starter
Many different jump starter packs come with a built-in flashlight and strobe light, and can also charge accessories such as phones and laptops. You also have to make sure that the jump pack you get is sufficient enough to start your vehicle. If you have a larger vehicle with a bigger engine, it will require more power.
–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
OBD-II Scanner
When one of the warning lights on the dash glows ominously, the OBD-II scanner can tell you what went wrong with your vehicle. If you know the trouble code, you can determine whether you can fix the issue with what you have or call for a tow.
Our Top Picks For OBD-II Scanners
- ATEQ® TS561002 Scan Tool
- Bosch® 3934 Scan Tool – Universal
- Performance Tool® W2977 OBDII Digital Diagnostic Scan Tool – Universal
Pliers
Pliers come in different types and sizes. Linesman pliers are good for general purpose jobs, but some tasks require specialized pliers like needle nose and groove lock pliers.
Our Top Picks For Linesman Pliers
Our Top Picks For Needle Nose Pliers
- OEMTOOLS® 22612 6 in. Long Nose Pliers with Side Cutter
- OEMTOOLS® 22613 8 in. Long Nose Pliers with Side Cutter
Our Top Picks For Long Nose Pliers
- OEMTOOLS® 22633 13 in. X-Type Long Nose Pliers (Straight)
- OEMTOOLS® 22613 8 in. Long Nose Pliers with Side Cutter
Our Top Picks For Groove Lock Pliers
Ratchet and Socket Set
Together with an adjustable wrench, a ratchet and socket set lets you handle any fastener you might need to remove or install in your vehicle. A ⅜ drive ratchet and socket set covers most fastener sizes, and you can get adapters and sockets for the outliers.
Our Top Picks For Ratchet and Socket Sets
Tire Pressure Gauge
While modern vehicles have tire-pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), a tire pressure gauge is a good backup. If you drive an older model, the gauge is the primary method of checking tire pressure.
Our Top Picks For Tire Pressure Gauges
- Autometer® 2160 Tire Pressure Gauge – Mechanical, Universal
- Performance Tool® W1450 Tire Pressure Gauge – Universal
- Armor All® ATD4-0114-BLK Digital Tire Gauge, Night Visibility, 30 Second Shut Off, 4 Pressure Ranges PSI BAR KPA KFP/CM
- OEMTOOLS® 24807 Smart Tire Pressure Gauge
- Valterra® TM22289VP Tire Pressure Gauge
How to Get Quality Emergency Car Tools
Emergency car tools might not see regular use, but they must work flawlessly when the time comes. Otherwise, they can fail to fix the problem or make matters worse. Whether you need a jump starter, scan tool, tire pressure gauge, or other emergency car tools, order from CarParts.com.
CarParts.com carries a wide selection of emergency car tools, including jump starters, scan tools, and tire pressure gauges. We understand the critical role of tools in returning your vehicle to the road. Therefore, we exclusively source our products from veterans of the automotive industry, assuring you of high-quality tools with long service lives. Our helpful customer service team is available 24/7 to assist you with any questions regarding the fit of our products.
At CarParts.com, you can get dependable emergency car tools at unbeatable prices. Enjoy big savings on a new jump starter, scan tool, or tire pressure gauge today!
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
