Without tires, your car is just a stationary object with a running motor and possibly heat and air. Therefore, these four wheels that carry your vehicle from one place to the next to keep it mobile deserve a lot of respect and attention. Being a good vehicle owner who is well prepared always means you have what you need to handle tire-related emergencies tucked away in your trunk. Here are four tire-related items you should always have with you when traveling in your car.
1. Tire Plugging Kit - This one is a no-brainer, but a lot of drivers still don't keep one of these handy sets in their trunk. In the kit you will find everything you need to plug a small hole in your tire, from strips of tar-coated rubber to a plugging tool similar to a screwdriver. If you happen to hit a nail or sharp rock and start losing air, you can grab your tire plugging kit and tackle the issue right away so you don't get a full-on flat.
2. Basic Air Pump - Whether it is a small manual air pump or a pump you can plug in your car's cigarette lighter, if you are ever stranded due to a flat tire, these things can be a lifesaver. They're small enough that they don't take up a lot of space and can give you just enough air to safely get your vehicle to the next gas station where there is a larger air compressor or the tire store so you can get assistance with a bad tire.
3. Spare Valve Stem Cover - That little cover that screws in place over your tire's valve stem serves the crucial purpose of holding air in your tire to prevent leaks. The only problem is, these things are easily lost because they are so tiny. Pick up a few extras at the automotive store, and keep them in the trunk with your tire-plugging kit or in your toolbox so you will always have a spare on hand if you lose the original.
4. Basic Jack and Tire Tool - It is easy to rely on tires so much that you assume one will never have to be swapped out for a spare while you are on the highway, but this happens all the time to unwitting drivers. Having a simple jack and tire tool on hand gives you all the tools you need to change your tire in a pinch. Check out a tire store like XL Auto Service & Tires to get what you need.
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