Tool Kit for a new driver

[Jeff]

What would you put in a tool kit for a new driver? Something to get them out of basic jams, etc.
Assuming they have basic tool skills and can be walked through most basic repairs over the phone.

[BReif61]

If by "new driver" you mean freshly licensed 16 year old, I would go with whatever is needed to change a tire, a charged cell phone, and a AAA card.

[Ayles]

Not a lot serviceable on the side of the road these days. If it was a vw bug i'd have some ideas for you... But pretty sure you are referring to a modern vehicle.

[HardDrive]

What vehicle?

When my daughter is ready to drive, I plan on giving here a cell phone charger and a AAA card. Outside of changing a tire, what is she going to be able to do on a modern car?

[jyl]

+1

Modern car - change tire or run-flat, AAA, cellphone, stash a spare key somewhere. Maybe jumper cables or one of those emergency start batteries.

Old car - the above plus, maybe belt and wrench.

[HardDrive]

The tool kit in my car contains rope, a shovel, a ski mask and a bag of lime.

[craigster59]

Jumper cables, 8 in 1 screwdriver, LED flashlight, Harbor Freight socket set and duck tape.

[masraum]

Jumper cables, really good ones. I've seen the really cheap small wire gauge models not do the trick. Make sure they have the stuff to change a tire and a cell phone. That's it.

I guess depending upon the individual and the vehicle, the stuff to change the belt, and the tools to change the battery might be an option. But normally, before they are doing anything other than jumping the car or changing the tire, I would want to look at the car anyway.

[Jeff]

Thanks guys.
Yes, she is a newly licensed driver.
The car is a 2002 X5.
I have roadside assistance covered with our insurance.
She has all the tools mentioned except duct tape (but will have by days end).
She knows how to change a spare & jump start a car. She has assisted with oil changes, suspension rebuilds, water pump replacements, rebuilding the our 87 Carrera engine, etc. So she can turn a wrench if need be. Not sure what might arise, just want to cover as many bases as possible as this is my first child to drive.

[CHICKS]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

The tool kit in my car contains rope, a shovel, a ski mask and a bag of lime.

Lye or Lime?

[porsche4life]

That should cover it Jeff! Thats pretty much what I carry in my car!

I didn't have that in my Bug though, which led to me walking home to get said tools! Now I have them in a handy little bag though!

[BReif61]

Originally Posted by Jeff

Thanks guys.
Yes, she is a newly licensed driver.
The car is a 2002 X5.
I have roadside assistance covered with our insurance.
She has all the tools mentioned except duct tape (but will have by days end).
She knows how to change a spare & jump start a car. She has assisted with oil changes, suspension rebuilds, water pump replacements, rebuilding the our 87 Carrera engine, etc. So she can turn a wrench if need be. Not sure what might arise, just want to cover as many bases as possible as this is my first child to drive.

Sounds like she'll be just fine for the inevitable.

[ckelly78z]

Duct tape, Maglite flashlight, jumper cables, leathermen's tool, flares, fuse puller, an emergency can of fix-a-flat, rain poncho, roll of shop towels, hand cleaner, bottled water, cell phone, list of phone numbers to call just in case.

[Neilk]

Disposable gloves so her hands don't get completely filthy should she need to change a tire plus a big ass trash bag to but a dirty tire in.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

Duct tape, Maglite flashlight, jumper cables, leathermen's tool, flares, fuse puller, an emergency can of fix-a-flat, rain poncho, roll of shop towels, hand cleaner, bottled water, cell phone, list of phone numbers to call just in case.

Originally Posted by Neilk

Disposable gloves so her hands don't get completely filthy should she need to change a tire plus a big ass trash bag to but a dirty tire in.

Good suggestions. I have a pair of leather work gloves I carry in case I need to change a tire. And always a plastic bag big enough for the tire. I also carry a set of the disposable Tyvek painters overalls. I can put them on over my clothes and not ruin my clothes.

The leatherman would have enough grip to tighten up a battery terminal or tighten up a wire.

I have had situations over the years when all I needed to do was tighten a battery terminal that was just a little lose. The high quality jumper cables have save me and many others over the years. After 30 years they are still in good shape.

[stomachmonkey]

Spare one of these if she plans on doing any time traveling.



A small cheap socket set and some box wrenches.

Had to rescue a neighbor the other day who had a dead battery.

Made it easy to yank it and run her up to the auto store for a new one.

[scottmandue]

Seriously if the transmission goes kaboom all the hand tools in the world are not going to get her home.

Having said that back in the day I was able to mickey mouse my pre 70's cars together with a four way screwdriver, channel locks, and a roll of duct tape.

Does she have her CCW?

[Hugh R]

For a Daughter, a 9MM, AAA card and cell phone and charger.

I must take umbrage to the "Mickey Mouse" reference. If you look, pretty much everything we do is "Top Cabin". Wiley Coyote is OK, that is Warner Bros.

[aschen]

They have these tiny booster packs these days, which I might consider a good alternitive to jumpers

Amazon.com: Brightech™ - SCORPION - Car Jump Starter and Battery Charger for Electronics and Mobile Devices with Carrying Case - Ultra Large Capacity 10,000 mAh - The Ideal Portable Power Source To Keep In Your Car, Never Be Stranded By a Dead Batter

[Tobra]

CCW permit and a handgun, cell phone. Good flashlight is handy too. I have one of those headlight things so I will have both hands free if I need to use it.

I keep a pair of coveralls and gloves in the spare tire well, in case I need to use that spare tire.