Auto Safety

July 23, 2008 by George
Filed under: Safety 

Poor Squeaky doesn’t seem to be having any luck with cars lately.

I’ve been an AAA member since I had my first car.  Their basic package is about $45 per year, depending on where you live.  AAA is worth every penny for one important reason.  If you get stuck, you have to dial one number and someone comes to help you.  No worrying about which tow shop is open or whether or not they have trucks.  One number, help is on the way.

The last time I used AAA, I was driving from Charlotte to Nashville.  It is a long drive, and I wasn’t paying too much attention.  I thought to myself “I wonder when I need to get gas?”…looked down…and found out I was running on fumes.  Two miles to the next exit….and then my engine died.  I was in the middle of Tennessee.  No idea where I was.  I knew the road I was on, and the mile marker I was at.  That was it.  I called AAA, 30 minutes later a truck brought me gas, and I was back on my way.

The other cool thing about AAA….it protects the person, not the car.  So if your traveling with friends, for example, and their car breaks down, you still get your AAA benefits.

I think AAA is part of the basic safety package that you should have for your car, like a jack or a spare tire.  It make sure you are never in a position where you can’t get help.  It can be the difference between being able to wait in your locked car for the to truck that you KNOW is coming, versus hanging out the white flag and hoping someone swings by.

Other basic equipment that you should have in your car at all times:

  • Jack
  • Spare Tire (Sorry, Squeaky. :) )
  • Jumper Cables
  • Flashlight.  Make sure the batteries work.  A LED/Lithium combo like this is a great choice.
  • Multi-tool.  I like the Leatherman line.  I have a Surge in each of my cars.
  • Duct Tape
  • Locking Pliers
  • Multi-bit screwdriver

Even if you aren’t comfortable working on the car…keep these tools handy.  You may run into someone who is.

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Comments

2 Comments on Auto Safety

  1. Bitter on Wed, 23rd Jul 2008 8:17 am

    2. You can usually get your money back in the discounts, too. Between the NRA discounts and AAA discounts, I usually do pretty well in savings each year.

  2. George on Wed, 23rd Jul 2008 8:58 am

    3. Absolutely right, Bitter. (Welcome, BTW, I’m a huge fan!)

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