Car Gear Checklist: 8 Items to Add and What to Do When Nothing Works

You’re cruising on Brisbane roads. Windows down; music up; family and friends keeping alive the conversation. Everything looks perfect, and…your car breaks down. A survey by BudgetDirect suggests that 80% Australians have faced breakdowns or malfunctions while using their car at some point. 

In such cases, you, as a driver, need three things: calm mind, situational awareness, and reliable car gear. Wait, you didn’t have that last one? At least you are not alone; most Aussie motorists are in the same ship. 

Even if you want to put together a car or 4WD gear kit, the bigger question is: what tools should you include? In this blog, Brisbane Towing and Recovery - trusted for low profile car towing in Brisbane - will tell you about 12 car gear items that can help you stay safe, reduce downtime, and get back on the road faster.

Yes, you still might need to hire the best towing services near you. But hey, all of us should be able to make small fixes, right? 

In a rush? Here’s the short version. 

Frequently Asked Car Gear Questions

What are tools included in perfect car gear?

The following tools should be arranged by every driver for a perfect car gear in Australia:

#  Tow strap or tow rope

#  Jumper cables or portable jump starter

# Jack and wheel brace

# Spare tyre 

# Portable air compressor

# Emergency warning triangle

# Basic toolkit

# Flashlight or LED torch

Who should you hire in Brisbane for low-car towing?

Although there are many options, Brisbane Towing and Recovery stands out as the best choice for reliable and professional low-car towing services.

What areas do you provide low-car towing services?

Brisbane Towing and Recovery has a wide service network. We serve Logan, Ipswich, Gold Coast City, and surrounding suburbs.

Done reading it? Let’s discuss in detail!

Which Tools are Must-have for Perfect Car Gear Kit?

Here are the tools you need to include in perfect car repair/towing gear:

Tow strap or tow rope

Holding the correct strap is as though holding a lifeline in case something goes wrong. Stuck, stalled, or not able to move? No, you won’t feel helpless on the road with a powerful rope. It allows the second vehicle to tow your car without causing much harm.

Here’s why you need to carry tow strap in your car gear bag:

# Helps to pull your car (or someone else’s) without bumper or underbody damage.

# Convenient when a person passing by stops to offer assistance but does not have the tools.

# Change a frustrating wait into a fast rescue with a toe strap.

Jumper cables or portable jump starter

Battery breakdowns are some of the most prevalent causes of car breakdowns in Australia. Around 48% of drivers have been immobilised due to this very reason. With jumper cables, you can have your engine started in a few minutes. No need to rely on strangers or wait till towing assistance arrives on the road.

Just keep these points in mind when using this car gear, however:

# Wear protective eyewear or gloves 

# Ensure good ventilation 

# Keep metal objects or flames away from the car battery

# Consult your owner’s manual if something doesn’t feel right.

A one, simple rope-like tool can save late-night emergencies from turning into long delays.

Jack and wheel brace

Flat tyres occur - usually when it is most inconvenient. A jack and wheel brace will help lift your car, and change tyres by yourself. Without them, even a puncture turns into a long wait for help.

Here’s how to use this car gear the right way:

# Find level ground

# Chock the opposite wheels

# Engage the parking brake

# Locate your car's specific jack points. Can’t find them, check the manual

# Loosen lug nuts slightly before lifting. 

# Lift the car just enough. Use jack stands for safety

# At last, fully loosen nuts to change tyre 

# Tighten new nuts in a  star pattern 

# Lower the car and re-check tightness after a short drive

We know it’s a basic tool but its value increases in every driver’s eyes when it makes them self-sufficient on the road.

Spare tyre

Alright, there comes a situation when your best effort can’t save the tyre. If you lift that floor mat in the back of your sedan or hatchback, you’ll find a spare tyre. SUV owners can find it under the rear. Now, this is the fastest fix to a burst or a flat tyre on your way out.

Just make sure it is properly inflated. Inspect it before fitting it for the long drives on Australian roads. A healthy spare tyre ensures your car never ends up getting stranded in unknown or unsafe areas during the evening or night.

Recommended reading:

Long-distance car towing

Signs of dying car battery and maintenance tips

Car towing tips to avoid accidents  

Portable air compressor

The next tool that you need to add to your car gear kit is the air compressor. And by that, we mean a portable one. It comes to the rescue when one of your tyres experiences a sudden pressure drop and you couldn’t find any assistance nearby. It can get you to a service station in case your car situation doesn’t require a tow.

Here’s how you can use this perfect car gear tool:

# Find your vehicle’s recommended PSI (look in door jamb or manual)

# Connect the compressor to a 12V outlet or battery. Make sure the engine is running

# Attach the hose securely to tyre valve

# Set desired pressure

# Inflate in short bursts

# Check pressure with a separate gauge and then disconnect.

Emergency warning triangle

Accidents place drivers in risky situations, particularly on major roads or highways. Having an emergency warning triangle with you will make it easy to notify the incoming drivers about your stranded car. It elevates your presence and gives people time to respond safely.

Here’s how to use this car gear in the right manner:

Place 1-3 warning triangles behind your vehicle. Make sure it faces oncoming traffic. At distances like 50 metres if you’re in an urban area to 150m for a motorway.

This way, you can give drivers ample warning before they reach your broken car.

Basic toolkit

There’s nothing BASIC about the basic toolkit. Each tool can enable you to cope with small problems yourself. Loose bolt difficult to tighten? Battery terminal requires removal? Parts need to be adjusted under the hood? These tools can help you deal with small hiccups without summoning towing assistance.

Here’s what your basic toolkit should include:

# Adjustable wrench

# Screwdrivers

# Pliers 

# Utility knife

# Tape 

# Small repair items

Flashlight or LED torch

Car breakdowns do not necessarily occur in sunny daytime. Just look at this 2022 report from BITRE. A lot of accidents occur during nighttime as well. Our last car gear suggestion is to add a flashlight to your kit. This enables you to check the engine, tyres, or undercarriage even in the dark.

You can also see what’s going on around you in the dark and attract attention for help if needed.

Hire Car Towing Services if Things Look Bad

Tools listed above are essential add-ons to your car gear kit. They can help you deal with minor breakdowns. You can stay safe on the roadside and even move again in small situations. But let’s be real - not every problem has a quick solution. 

When your car refuses to start, suffers major mechanical damage, or isn’t looking safe to drive at all, just stop experimenting. Take out your smartphone and search for Brisbane Towing and Recovery. Our professional low car towing services can get you out of serious situations.

Experienced operators, modern towing equipment, 24/7 availability - we've got them all! We can handle low car towing safety without risking underbody and bumper damage. So what are you waiting for? Call 0438 155 555 for immediate towing support anywhere in Brisbane.

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