Essential Emergency Tools to Keep in Your Car

I once stopped to help a guy with a flat tire. I was kind of confused why he hadn't started working on it. Maybe he was one of those guys that has no idea what to do. But then I found out he had no lug wrench . . . and no jack . . . and no spare. There wasn't anything more I could do since I was on my way to work. So I wished him good luck and went on my way.

So here's my list of essential tools to keep in your car. I'm not getting compensated in any way for listing these products. I figure if I include links (free advertising) they won't mind me using the images. I selected products that I'd likely buy if I needed a new one.

Flashlight

It gets dark. 'Nuff said. Get one. Keep it in your glove box.

Electric air pump

An air pump is one of the most needed tools to keep in your car. Usually when I stop to help someone change a flat tire, their spare tire is under-inflated. So I go get my air pump and fill it up.

Tow strap 

You can pull off the road and get stuck in the mud. You can slide off the road in a snow storm. Your car may not start. Whether you need to call a friend or be a friend, a good tow strap is handy.

Jumper cables

Lights get left on. Batteries get old and die. Alternators fail. A good set of these jumper cables can help you on your way. Two things to look for are gauge and length. A 25 foot long set of 1 gauge cables will allow you to park behind a car and jump start it. Have you ever needed to jump start a car on the side of the freeway?

Breaker bar

Sometimes you need more leverage than you can get with a typical lug wrench. Sometimes those lug nuts are on so tight, expletives slip out. A good length breaker bar may do the trick. But don't forget the set of metric deep sockets. I like this set that has no missing sizes between 10 and 24 mm.

Jack

Unless you have a set of run-flat tires, you probably already have a jack in your car. Just make sure it's not broken and works for your car.

Set of metric box wrenches

Did your serpentine belt break while driving? Do you need to clean off a battery terminal because your car won't start? I like this set with no missing sizes. Did I mention my pet peeve about missing sizes?
I once stopped to try and help a guy that was trying to install a serpentine belt without any tools. I didn't have any wrenches on me at the time, but sure could have used a set like this.
A couple weeks ago, I stopped to help a guy who had a battery terminal corroded, but I had left my box wrenches at home. Oops.

So, how much does all this cost? Not including the jack (which you should already have), it's about $222. There are other tools that may come in handy, such as a screwdriver, or even as simple as a pen. But these are the tools that I find are most needed. Is it worth it? If having the tool is the difference between fixing it yourself or calling a tow truck, then yes I think so.

Wall Mounted Hot / Cold Bidet Installation

When winter comes, the cold water temperature drops to painfully cold. A cold-water only bidet is no fun when it's that cold. Since I couldn't find a hot/cold handheld bidet, I had to piece one together.

Here's how it turned out. I know, the faucet is upside down because I wanted the hose to drop straight down. If I really wanted the handle to be rotated 180 degrees, I'd have to take it apart and file the plastic opening wider so the tab could fit. You'd see it if you take it apart.

I lost my man card on this project. I made several mistakes and bought some parts that didn't make it into the final project. But I think the end result is decent. My wife really likes it.

I didn't have much choice on connections since this was wall mounted. If it was in the side of a bathroom cabinet, that would have been much easier. I needed to have a 90 degree swivel elbow, and the only one I could find was for PEX (part UC532LFA in the list below).

Hand-held hot/cold bidet parts list:
$29 Aquaus 360 bidet spray wand only - brass
$17 hand shower hose
$34 Dura Faucet single lever RV shower faucet
$8 Two UC532LFA 1/2 PEX to 1/2 female 90 degree swivel elbow
$3 Two 1/2" PEX to 3/8 compression adapters

$12 Two 3/8 x 3/8 12" flex hose
$12 Two 3/8 x 3/8 x 3/8 compression tee

$5 set of 1/2" PEX clamps
$2 blue PEX 1/2" pipe
$2 red PEX 1/2 " pipe
$1 scrap board to mount it on

Approximate total cost of materials is $125. What I actually spent was significantly more. But at least I added a tool to my collection - a PEX clamp crimper for $45.

Yes, I tried it out, and I liked it! I don't think I actually lost my man card on this project. I may have just misplaced it. It's probably in my wife's purse - you know, for safe keeping.