THIS MONTH Technical Editor
Binky P. Siddayao OPPOSITE LOCK
hen on the road your world can get dangerous when you least expect it. There will always be a chance something wrong could happen when on the road so it is best to be always prepared, as the Scouts motto goes. An injured person will need basic and quick medical response so a First Aid Kit becomes the single most important thing you should have. Basic First-Aid Kits are available at major drugstores while specific kits may be procured with the Philippine National Red Cross. Make sure to always check and update all items as some do expire. Being able to see what you are fixing in the dark or the need to look around the engine of your car at night requires a flashlight. Get a good quality torch preferably with an ordinary bulb with ‘D’ or ‘AA’ batteries (and spares) they last longer than LED’s (make them your back-up) even when accidentally dropped. A wired service lamp clamped to your batteries is also handy. Whatever the cause, having a dead battery is very frustrating, such a simple piece of equipment such as a jumper cable can get you back on the road and to the nearest parts store or shop. Remember to use and choose a proper cable
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size that suites your vehicle, the higher the cable gauge (numerically) the thinner the wire. A fire extinguisher can stop something that could turn into a disaster. Make sure they are compact and easily accessible inside the vehicle. Prevent under or over inflation-related blow-outs from happening by keeping tab on the pressure in your tires with a tire gauge. A proper tire pressure can maximize your fuel mileage and the life of the tires’ tread. Pay particular attention to tire pressure when weather changes. An accurate legit tire gauge may cost more but will pay-off in the
long-term. One item even astronauts always have in outer space are Duct Tapes, generally those silvery gray color sticky cloth, can fix multitude of problems. From a temporary fix of a damaged body work to quick fixes on hoses and other parts, the ever reliable duct tape can patch things up together to haul yourselves to the nearest service station. Make sure to get quality tape, as the more expensive stuff sticks better and in a wider range of temperatures and situations. Always keep a roll handy on board. Sometimes things come loose even on most modern
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cars, whether from vibration, age, or for other reasons. So a set of back wrench, sockets, screwdrivers and pliers will come in handy. A simple tightening of whatever is loose will solve the problem. This can be especially helpful with a loose battery terminal connection, a slipped hose clamp, or other obvious problems under the hood. Keep them in Roll Tool Bag to save space and clattery noise. This epitomizes a short list of items on some of the most functional and likely items you’ll need, requiring minimal mechanical or other knowledge to use. These are the basics.
There will always be a chance something wrong could happen when on the road so it is best to be always prepared, as the Scouts motto goes.
❞ GET IN TOUCH
✉ binkypsiddayao@gmail.com
6 AUTOCAR.COM.PH AUGUST 2021
Photo by Chinmay Jade on Unsplash
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