Learn Me Automotive Tool Kits

Hive,

My eldest daughter is headed off to University of Nevada, Reno (~500 miles away) in mid August so I'm working on getting an automotive tool kit together for her.

FYI, she's got an AWD 2011 Kia Sportage that we've put 9,000 miles on since buying it last August with 71,000 miles.

Here's what I've currently identified:

Ice scraper

Snow chains

Jumper cables

Tire pressure gage

Multi tool

Box cutter

Crescent wrench

Duct tape

Zip ties

Safety vest

Mechanics gloves

Small rubber mat

Good flashlight

She's somewhat mechanical (changed a tire on her own in the dark last week with zero drama) but not wrencher status.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

What about a portable tire pump?

In reply to MINIzguy :

I thought about that but are they satisfactory???

I know, I know, sacrilege for an automotive site but a can of Fix-A-Flat should be on-board as well because daddy's little bundle of joy stuck out in the elements.

OBD2 dongle and the required app on her phone for CELs

There are some very nice portable tire pumps. I like the slime one the best for 12V plug in work. Not quite up for rick crawling, but very handy if you are in the middle of nowhere and realizing you need a few psi.

As far as things to add to the list, plenty of water and a blanket.

The app to read check engine codes is good advice.  Here's a good review of various BT OBD2 adaptors.  If that's too much effort, even just a very low cost dedicated code reader.  At least that way when/if the code light comes on she can read it to you over the phone.  She can than also clear the code and see if the code comes back.  

Adding her to your AAA Gold and a credit card might be good too. 

A decent snow shovel, if you need to chain up you may need to shovel some snow. Practice chaining up so you’re not in trouble and never done it.

Tire slime

I've been getting a $30 HF tool kit for each car.  It has a socket set, wrenches pliers and some other basic stuff; my son has used his quite abit in his apartment moreso than for the car.  I put some velcro on the bottom so it doesn't slide around in the trunk.

This reminds me I don't think daughter's car has one yet, and she'll be leaving for BGSU mid August

Edit, apparently it's now $42

Tools are great but think about first aid/safety as well. A nice thick blanket, some glow sticks and a well thought out first aid kit will go a long way in case the unexpected happens.

If you call AAA, I hope you have a better experience than I did recently. I would have liked to at least have been upgraded from no service to merely terrible.

Don't forget electrical tape and a Knipex Pliers Wrench.

matthewmcl said:

There are some very nice portable tire pumps. I like the slime one the best for 12V plug in work. Not quite up for rick crawling, but very handy if you are in the middle of nowhere and realizing you need a few psi.

I have a Slime compressor too, and it works well.  They're small so it will take a while to pump up a flat, but they do the job.  

These days it seems like people buy a jump pack instead of relying on jumper cables, then  if you have a dead battery you don't have to wait around for some other driver to come along.

Realistically, she most likely won't be doing any real repairs on the side of the road.  I think having some sort of roadside assistance coverage is the most important thing; I've had AAA coverage all my life, and have always had good service from them.  Others may disagree but I suppose the quality of their service depends on location.

Unless she's some sort of adventurer, I would imagine 99% of her driving will be around the college and in the Reno metro area, so it's not like she's going to be marooned out in the mountains somewhere.

It may be useful to put together a small collection of suitable spare fuses and light bulbs that she can keep in the glove box.

I have two daughters of my own.

The jumper cables are a "no" for me. A NOCO jump box is my solution. Just make sure your girl is reliable enough to keep it charged up every 6 months or so.

You've got her in a decent 80k miles Korean car that's 11 years old. She will be fine. No need for code readers and fuse assortments or extensive tool selections. She will come home a few times per year and you'll do what dads do and that's check her car out thoroughly before she leaves back to college. When I know my college daughter will be back at the house I always have fresh wiper blades, oil change stuff, and whatever maintenance needs all waiting for her to get home. Then I put on the dad hat and get real thorough getting her ready for another semester. 

In reply to Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) :

You just stuck the landing on envisioning who I am.

She's majoring in biology so if she can't remember to keep the jump box charged, we've got waaay bigger problems and thank you for the wiper blade recommendation; on my mind but not on my list.

To all, thank you so much for your guidance....it takes GRM to raise a child or something like that.  

XLR99 (Forum Supporter) said:

I've been getting a $30 HF tool kit for each car.  It has a socket set, wrenches pliers and some other basic stuff; my son has used his quite abit in his apartment moreso than for the car.  I put some velcro on the bottom so it doesn't slide around in the trunk.

This reminds me I don't think daughter's car has one yet, and she'll be leaving for BGSU mid August

Edit, apparently it's now $42

I do the same. It still goes on sale for $29 with coupon occasionally.

Make that several LED flashlights, in the cubbies, glove box, or console and at least one in the trunk as well.  They're cheap.

Tub of wipes.  Messes happen.

Some latex or nitrile gloves for dealing with non-mechanical messes.

+1 on the portable battery pack, much better option. It can also power her cellphone if she get stuck somewhere with a dead phone battery. 

I would also recommend a spare key on the vehicle, getting locked out is a real PITA in remote places. 

I also put cash and a credit card in my daughter's card, that will get her out of most situations. 

Congratulations! My son is attends UNR too. He'll be a sophomore this year. He's driving a 2010 Mazda 3. As long as the car is reliable the best upgrade is GOOD tires. We bought him a set of Vredestein Quatrac Pros and they were great in rain and light snow/icy conditions. The reality is that if she's living on or near campus she won't NEED to drive anywhere.

He came home twice over the winter. We had him fly because the weather over Donner Pass is so unpredictable. It turned out to be a non event this year, but we also have friends that had to make a 18 hour drive to pick up their daughter a couple years ago. 

Here's what I told him to keep in the car:

A case of water

A blanket

Snow chains, gloves, small 2x4 blocks (very handy to drive the car up on while you install chains).

Flashlight

Jumper cables or jump box

Basic metric tool kit

Honestly, the chances of something breaking that he can actually fix are pretty small. I'm more worried about him freezing or dehydrating if he has a problem.

I don't think 395 is as bad as 80 in the winter, but they do close sections when the snow gets bad. I'd plan on having her fly home over the winter.

Lithium jump pack!! I use mine way more than expected.

I am going with blanket or rolled up sleeping bag , sweater and beanie cap , warm gloves and "work" gloves , socks , rain pancho , 

water and something to eat

fix a flat , AAA card

Tools are nice but will she use them ?
 

and a big hug.....

All good suggestions and I concur with those who say focus first on personal safety items over tools.   First aid kit, rescue tool (window hammer/seatbelt knife combo) and an emergency blanket.   Small fire extinguisher doesnt hurt either.

Being who I am everyone always thought I'd turn my daughter into a mini mechanic, but I never pushed it on her.  But what I did do was teach her just enough to know when she's getting screwed.   So above all else make sure she never feels afraid to call home for advice.    Mine really wanted to prove her independence and could be stubborn about it but when she got a flat due to a puncture and the shop tried to tell her she had to have 4 new tires because "if one went the others arent far behind" and "by law we cant let you drive the car out of here" she called dad.   Teach her how not to get taken advantage of because unfortunately those mechanics are still out there.

Beyond that I got her a small HF tool kit as mentioned above and taught her how to change her oil.   She didnt often do it on her own but somehow having the tools to do it impressed upon her the need to keep up with it.

Definitely agree with the jumper packs, they are awesome and I keep them in the glove boxes of all my less used vehicles.   Fix a flat is the devil but she should have some anyway, its a nightmare to clean up after but when you need it, you need it.

Hive,

First, thank you so much for taking the time to provide your guidance.

Behold, the official GRM inspired automotive tool kit (the ice scrapper was camera shy and at a minimum, tire chains are pending acquisition).

My daughter is absolutely the type of person to use the safety vest and gloves...not in a Cartman "you will respect my authority" type of way...she just likes being totally prepared.

Perhaps this belongs in the Minor Win thread but as Aircooled and I entered Harbor Freight to buy almost all of the items, he let me know that he was going to pay for everything as a graduation gift for my daughter.

I obviously chose right in picking him to be her god father...please join me in giving uncle Aircooled a huge, well deserved shout out!!!

I lke to put all those geegaws in a milk crate in the back, keeps all the fluids upright and happy.  

Make sure she knows what tools she has.  I dont carry anything in my vehicle other than a leatherman unless I am going somewhere for work, but if someone else has tools I can likely fix their issue for them or at least give it a decent shot.