It’s always wise to be prepared for unexpected situations on the road, especially during long drives. Car emergencies can happen to anyone, and having the right equipment can make a significant difference. However, stocking your vehicle with individual emergency tools can quickly clutter your limited car space.
Emergency kits are a great starting point, particularly for roadside assistance scenarios. Beyond the standard kit, there are crucial tools designed for situations where you might be trapped inside your car, needing to quickly cut a seatbelt or break a window. While no one anticipates a car accident or being caught in rising floodwaters, having a compact tool for these low-probability but high-risk events is undeniably smart.
Seatbelt cutters and window hammers are commonly available, often combined into a single, dual-function tool. But there’s an even more versatile option: multifunction emergency tools that integrate these essential safety features with additional helpful functionalities. These 6-in-1 car safety tools offer utility both during emergencies and for everyday use.
Aldi offers such a device under its Auto XS brand. Let’s delve into the Auto XS 6-in-1 Auto Emergency Power Tool to see if it lives up to its multi-functional promise.
The Auto XS 6-in-1 Auto Emergency Power Tool, identified by Product Code 12785, is an Aldi Find, meaning its availability is limited. In March 2021, it was priced at an attractive $7.99. Similar 6-in-1 tools online often retail for two to three times that price, highlighting the potential value of this Aldi offering.
The package includes:
- The 6-in-1 Auto Emergency Power Tool
- A micro USB charging cable
- An instruction manual
It’s important to note that the included cable is micro USB. Users with USB-C or Apple devices will need to use their own compatible cables.
This compact tool boasts a range of features:
- LED Flashlight: Offers low, high, and flashing light modes for visibility in the dark or signaling for help.
- Micro USB Port: Used to recharge the device itself, ensuring it’s ready for emergencies.
- Battery Indicator Light: A blue light indicates the charging status and also helps locate the tool in low-light conditions.
- Standard USB Port: Allows the tool to function as a power bank, charging your mobile devices.
- Function Button: Controls the flashlight modes and displays battery capacity.
- Seat Belt Cutter: A recessed blade designed to quickly and safely cut through seatbelts in emergency situations.
- Car Charger Plug: Integrated car charger to plug into a standard cigarette lighter socket for charging the tool or other devices.
- Removable Magnetic Cover: Protects the safety hammer and features a magnet for attachment to metal surfaces.
The tool’s dimensions are approximately 4.57 inches in length, 1.57 inches in width, and 1.02 inches in thickness. It’s backed by a 2-year warranty, handled by Wachsmuth & Krogmann, a common warranty service provider for Aldi products. The tool is manufactured in China, as indicated on the packaging.
This versatile device can operate both when plugged into a car’s power socket and using its internal battery. It can charge devices via the car socket or function as a portable power bank. Aldi states that the battery fully charges in 3-4 hours, whether charged through a car socket or a USB connection, such as a phone charger or computer USB port.
The battery serves as a power source for both the power bank function and the flashlight. To check the battery level, a short press of the side button illuminates 1-4 blue dots, representing 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% charge. Holding the same button activates the flashlight, and subsequent short presses cycle through low, high, and flashing modes. Holding the button again turns the flashlight off.
The seatbelt cutter is conveniently located just below the flashlight button. To use it, the instructions recommend holding the seatbelt taut with one hand, placing the belt into the cutter slot, and pulling the tool across the belt at an angle. Due to its sharpness, caution is advised during use.
The safety hammer is positioned under the removable cover, at the end of the car charger plug. It features a sharp point that is exposed when the car charger end is pushed in – exercise caution! To use the hammer, remove the cover and strike the corners of the side window (not the windshield) with the car charger end. The instructions reiterate the sharpness of the safety hammer.
A magnet is integrated into the bottom of the removable cover, allowing it to be attached to metallic surfaces if needed.
Testing of the tool’s functionalities confirmed that the flashlight is adequately bright for emergency use. The charging function also worked as expected, successfully charging a phone both when plugged into a car and when used as a power bank. However, it’s worth noting that this tool does not support fast charging protocols found in many modern smartphones.
The seatbelt cutter and hammer functions were not tested practically due to the lack of spare seatbelts and car windows. However, both appear sufficiently sharp and are presumed to be effective for their intended purposes.
Final Verdict:
The Auto XS 6-in-1 Auto Emergency Power Tool is a worthwhile and compact multi-tool for vehicle emergencies. Combining six functions – car charger, safety hammer, seat belt cutter, power bank, magnetic cap, and flashlight – into an $8 package offers considerable value. While long-term durability remains to be seen, the included 2-year warranty provides reassurance for its lifespan. This tool is a practical addition to any car for enhanced safety and preparedness on the road.
