Spare fluids/road trip kits

[evo_ski]

After having a couple experiences where I have needed different tools, a better jack, oil, etc. while on the road I am looking to see what you guys carry daily or on longer trips. I am really interested in finding some good spill proof bottles that I can use to bring power steering fluid and coolant in. I don't feel like I would really need a full quart of power steering fluid, so I am trying to find a smaller container that I can stow in the rear quarter panel areas in my avant. I already have a sub in the drivers side and an amp in the passenger side, so it will have to be a somewhat small container, but I am sure there is a good solution out there somewhere.

At the moment I daily carry the following items in my spare tire space jammed in between the spokes of my spare:

Coilpacks
Spark plugs
Jumper cables
Leather work gloves
Spare wrenching pants and shirts
Small tarp
Allen Keys
Socket set
Zip Ties
Duct tape
Rubber stretch tape
Screwdrivers
Motor oil
Flashlights
Pliers

For longer trips I bought a Harbor Freight 1.5 ton aluminum floor jack to toss in the back. I realized this summer after having an issue with the car that required me to take my wheel off that I was so hesitant to use the factory jack that I might as well not even have tools with me. If I can't get the wheel off I don't really have any need for tools. So now with the addition of the floor jack I feel like I can be prepared.

Post up your kits, I would like to get some ideas for other stuff that you guys have found comes in handy!

[G-Ride]

I don't take too much.

At worst i'll grab a 1lt bottle of oil, perhaps a 1lt bottle of coolant.
1/4" Socket set with Torx bits
10-11mm geared spanner and a coil pack..

I'm fairly confident that I could fix most roadside dramas with that, but I prefer to do an oil change/plug service if I'm going on a really long trip - however i'll only do that if I'm on the back half of a service interval. Other wise its overkill IMO.

[Spike00513]

- Cotton or wool gloves, socks, and beanie/hat to protect extremities from frostbite in the event of cold
- Mylar blanket, for when you're broke and go on a snowboarding/ski daytrip but sleep in the car instead of a lodge. Disclaimer: I cannot comment on effectiveness; I haven't tried it
- manual crank flashlight

I am really interested in finding some good spill proof bottles that I can use to bring power steering fluid and coolant in. I don't feel like I would really need a full quart of power steering fluid, so I am trying to find a smaller container that I can stow in the rear quarter panel areas in my avant.

Spare wrenching pants and shirts

Blue coveralls. cotton/polyester
The tan and green ones are Nomex. Fire-retardant and less breathable/hotter in the summer.

Other wise its overkill IMO.

In the event of taking a wrong turn off a pier, unbuckling your seatbelt after you hit the water will probably work, but keep a strap cutter for dramatic effect

[customa4]

Multimeter is a small tool to add to the list. Good for checking fuses and other electrical issues in a pinch.

[evo_ski]

Multimeter is a small tool to add to the list. Good for checking fuses and other electrical issues in a pinch.

Good thought. That is an easy one. Thanks.

I'm fairly confident that I could fix most roadside dramas with that, but I prefer to do an oil change/plug service if I'm going on a really long trip - however i'll only do that if I'm on the back half of a service interval. Other wise its overkill IMO.

I was stranded on the trip home from Minnesota to Seattle when buying my car with a full set of 4 tires mounted in the back of the car and no jack to get the car up in the air to swap two bad tires. I thought I would trust some locals to help me who turned out to be incredibly sketchy and luckily I got out of the situation without things turning even worse.

After that experience I decided I wanted to be extremely prepared so that if I am out of cell range to use my AAA I could at least limp myself somewhere to get help.

That is actually a great idea. Power steering fluid is so thin that it likes to leak out of most bottles. I may test that out on whatever bottle I get before putting that in the car.

[Spike00513]

That is actually a great idea. Power steering fluid is so thin that it likes to leak out of most bottles. I may test that out on whatever bottle I get before putting that in the car.

I have completed Stage 1 Testing: shaking the bottle (1L T6) upside down vigorously
Stage 2 Trials upcoming: sitting it upside down in a bucket for 1 week

[evo_ski]

I have completed Stage 1 Testing: shaking the bottle (1L T6) upside down vigorously
Stage 2 Trials upcoming: sitting it upside down in a bucket for 1 week

I don't see any reason it wouldn't work perfectly. I will definitely do that when I get some bottles prepped up.

[ADCS]

Add a high quality tire pressure gauge and pump.

I carry THIS and THIS.

Also a couple microfiber towels, emergency shine/quick detailer and glass cleaner.

[ADCS]

And an OBDII Bluetooth dongle if you have an Android phone or tablet. Allows you to check MIL codes on the go and monitor/log.

[seanf86]

I travel all over the Canadian prairies for work, sometimes venturing up above the 53rd parallel in Manitoba driving my 97 B5. I carry 4 spare coils, spare ICM, wiper blades, coolant, oil, ps fluid, full hex/torx bit set, socket set, tire pressure guage, roadside safety kit, booster cables, OBD2 dongle.

So far being prepared has saved me once, my ICM died in a clients parking lot in the dead of winter, was able to swap it in the parking lot and continue home.

[5ktq]

I haven't put tools into this new car yet (or gone on a long trip), but in my past cars

full metric toolbox
1.8T - spare coilpack or two
1.8T - few plastic cooling system parts that I hadn't changed, just in case..
Piece of hose to bypass heater core and some clamps
duct tape, haywire, electrical tape
Little bit of electrical - dmm, couple sensors If i have spares, relays, jumpers to bypass relays, etc.
for the 5000 I always had some pentosin and water, as it would randomly piss either.


Made it home 500mi when I burst the notorious intercooler-throttlebody hose in my 5000 once. Layer of electrical tape, couple layers of grocery bags, haywire reinforcement, and a couple more layers of electrical tape :D

[evo_ski]

Add a high quality tire pressure gauge and pump.

I carry THIS and THIS.

Also a couple microfiber towels, emergency shine/quick detailer and glass cleaner.

How did I forget??? I have it in my "signature." lol

And an OBDII Bluetooth dongle if you have an Android phone or tablet. Allows you to check MIL codes on the go and monitor/log.

Forgot that, I have one of those in there as well.