Skills 101: Automotive Checklist

Competence is Sexy

Winter is amongst us once again and, if you live in a cold nation like I do, knowing a couple basic things, along with having a few readily available supplies, can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a fucking awful day.

I'm not going to get into any automotive repair, nor do I suggest doing any major repair if you have no idea what you are doing. Rather this is a short checklist of things that are useful to carry in your car (assuming it is a fuel combustion and not an electric) along with a few things you might want to know how to do.

Let's begin.

Basic Upkeep

It is a good idea to learn the basics of your car outside of how to fill the tank with gas. Get familiar with where the window washing fluid and oil goes. Learn where various air filters are and how to access the car battery if required (not all modern cars have their battery exposed). Keep an eye on the air pressure of your tires and have a general understanding of how your car should run. You needn't do the upkeep yourself, but knowing your car well enough to know when maintenance is required will keep life in your car and away from a bigger issue due to neglect.

Changing a Tire

This one should be obvious, but it always surprises me to see a guy at the side of the road waiting on roadside assistance for something so simple. Whether it is lack of knowledge or poor preparation, I'm not certain, but a flat tire is super simple to take care of as long as you have what you need.

Most new cars have everything you need when you buy them, but just for good measure make sure you have the following:

• Spare tire for the model of your car. A spare is not the same as a regular tire; it is generally smaller, lighter with a more narrow tread.

• Some cars have a wheel-lock. It is a specially designed nut that can only be screwed on and off with a key. It is an anti-theft measure very common in cars today.

• A wheel jack. Most cars come with one, but if you find youself without one, a small hydraulic jack doesn't cost that much.

• Small blocks of wood or a couple of bricks. You can use the emergency brake, but they aren't always reliable and can snap if not used frequently. Having something you can stuff behind the other wheels will prevent your car from rolling should you find yourself changing a flat on a hill.

Jumping a Battery

Being stuck with a dead battery can put a real damper on your day. There are a multitude of videos on YouTube to show you how to properly jump start a car, just remember to be careful as you're fucking around with a car battery.

It is worthwhile to keep the following in your car for such times:

• A pair of jumper cables

• A jumper pack. Some models also come with a built in air compressor and don't cost a lot of money (between $100 - $200)

Emergency Items

Again, this isn't intended as an auto repair manual. I’m not qualified, but I do have experience. I have had my fair share of bullshit happen on the road and here are things I’ve learned to keep in the car at all times (other than what has already been mentioned):

• Emergency Hammer/Cutter. These tools are less than $20 and can save your life. They are designed to cut seatbelts and break windows in case of emergency.

• A multipiece tool kit that has a wide variety of sockets and screwdrivers. There are many small repairs you may have to do on the road on short notice (like changing a headlight) and having a kit in the car can be a lifesaver. Moreover, I've been out many times where something that had nothing to do with automobiles required a simple repair and having a good kit with me at all times kept a small annoyance from turning into a bigger issue.

• Flares and collapsible pylons. Always good to have when shit really does go south.

• Blankets, hats and mitts. If you live in a cold climate like I do, having these on hand can be a godsend. It is not uncommon to be driving on a country road when a storm rolls in stranding you out in buttfuck nowhere.

• A small shovel and some cat litter to dig yourself out if you're stuck in the snow and give some extra traction if required.

• A portable battery pack with a cellphone charger. Most of us carry a cellphone on us at all times that is our foremost means of communication. In case of emergency making sure you have a charge is key.

• An extra bottle of engine oil. Hopefully, you are getting your oil changed frequently enough that this is never an issue, but having an extra bottle kicking around will never hurt.

• Bungee cords. These aren't likely to be used in an emergency, but damn it, they are useful to have on hand.

You never know when shit is going to happen. Having the most basic bitch competence is going to save you a lot of headache down the road— and if you happen to have a girl with you, demonstrating your capabilities is never a bad thing.