Most people are aware of Murphy’s Law, which states whatever can go wrong probably will go wrong, and probably at the most inconvenient moment. This is particularly true when driving, even with the advent of roadside assistance and cell phones. What follows is a list of items to keep in your new Honda, Hyundai, Acura, or Suzuki vehicle in the event that you find yourself in a spot of trouble. Even if the car must be towed to a car repair shop, you’ll want to be prepared while you wait for a tow truck.
1. Carry a shovel. You never know when you may find yourself stuck somewhere unable to get traction under your tires. Most hardware stores will carry collapsible shovels that are very compact and take up little room.
2. Buy a wind-up cell phone charger. Following the Murphy’s Law theme, when ever you most need your cell phone is exactly when the battery will die. The Sidewinder company makes a cell phone charger that will fit most models that you crank in order to charge the phone. 2 minutes of cranking provides up to 6 minutes of talk time or 30 minutes of standby time. If you have a passenger with you, you can also use the phone while your passenger cranks the charger.
3. You may find yourself in an area without cell phone coverage. If that is the case, you may also be in a less-travelled area, and it may take some time for help to arrive. Therefore, carry a sleeping bag or blanket in case the temperature drops while you’re waiting for assistance. Remember, if your Honda, Hyundai, Acura, or Suzuki vehicle isn’t running the heater will not work.
4. A flashlight is also a must. If using a battery powered model, make sure to keep extra batteries on hand, and do not store the batteries in the flashlight as over time the batteries will leak. Better yet, hand-crank flashlights are easy to come by and there is no need for batteries.
Although your new Honda, Hyundai, Acura, or Suzuki will provide you with years of problem free driving, life will always happen and it’s best to be prepared.