Emergency Tools

[Swaite53]

Having recently had a somewhat straightforward problem turn into something more time consuming and expensive than it should have been - I couldn't change a wheel due to the poor quality VX wheel brace (http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showth...ing+wheel+nuts), I'm looking at getting a nice set of tools for the car.

I've never carried many tools really, as I don't like the mess in the the boot, but after my recent experience, I have changed my priorities.

My first ones are going to be a breaker bar and trolley jack, as the brace and jack supplied by VX are just not up to the job, which I found out yesterday.

I'm not exactly looking to take the engine out in the middle of the road, but just want enough (quality) tools to complete the more straightforward and common tasks eg. changing wheels, jump starting etc.

It would be good to see what tools other have, as I don't want an entire boot full of metal just clanging around which I'll never use.

What emergency tools do you carry around with you in your vehicle?

[spennny]

I carry a yellow AA card and a mobile

[Tadpole]

I carry a yellow AA card and a mobile

same here however I do carry a warning triangle & a small toolkit together with a home made 'Breaker Bar' plus a pair of old gloves hth .......

[glenboy]

I have breakdown cover too,SWMBO drive's the veccy more than me,so don't have any tools in boot.

[boba]

Breakdown cover.
But I also carry a wheelnut spider, decent scissors jack, old raincoat, gloves, towel, triangle and a piece of carpet in case of punctures.
Oh - and a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit.

[neverlandandy]

small amount of tools in my boot but threw away the vauxhall wheel key straight away and replaced it with a much better quality one
i also am with th aa

[marky2027]

I followed the other thread about this and I am also looking to upgrade from VX tools in particular the wheel brace. I've just been looking on the net at breaker bars. Do they all come with a swivel head and is it best to have this adjustable angle? What is adequate length do people think? (i don't want to end up with a scaffold pole in me boot ) Also do you have to buy a full socket set or can you buy the 17mm bit as a single item?? Sorry for all the Qs but I have always just used the tool kit in the boot.

[byebyeitsagsi]

Im qualified to fitter level and have worked doing breakdown work before at times on contract to the AA, RAC etc etc and even i have breakdown cover lol. You never know when you wont have the right tools or you will need the car towed.

I dont recommend using ANY of the scissor jacks provided in the tool kits, ive had one colapse on me and im supposed to know what im doing when you leave your car sitting on its brake disc is like getting kicked in the lower regions! After i had it collapse on me and i had to use the all important breakdown cover as i needed a trolley jack to get the car of the ground i got chatting to the subby that came out and he gave me a job so its not all bad

[byebyeitsagsi]

I followed the other thread about this and I am also looking to upgrade from VX tools in particular the wheel brace. I've just been looking on the net at breaker bars. Do they all come with a swivel head and is it best to have this adjustable angle? What is adequate length do people think? (i don't want to end up with a scaffold pole in me boot ) Also do you have to buy a full socket set or can you buy the 17mm bit as a single item?? Sorry for all the Qs but I have always just used the tool kit in the boot.

Take a trip into halfords and buy one of there proffesional power bars and the sockets can be bought as singles and there guaranteed for life

[marky2027]

Take a trip into halfords and buy one of there proffesional power bars and the sockets can be bought as singles and there guaranteed for life

Thanks mate