“Beautiful car. Where are you from?” the gas station attendant asked as I stepped out of my vintage Porsche. Oregon, where they still offer full service, meant I’d need to show him the fuel filler location on my classic car. “LA,” I replied. “That’s a long drive in an old car! Aren’t you worried about breaking down?” “Not really,” I answered, with a level of confidence I hoped wouldn’t jinx my journey as I restarted the engine.
The truth is, I had put considerable thought into potential mechanical issues for this trip. I had assembled a well-equipped tool kit and packed a few essential spare parts. Having a long-standing “relationship” with this car, like many vintage car enthusiasts, I handle much of the maintenance myself, giving me a good sense of what might cause trouble.
Sure, owning that pristine set of factory tools in a reproduction pouch, meticulously collected from swap meets and eBay, is a point of pride. They are perfect for showcasing in your trunk at concours events or car meets. However, the real joy of owning a classic car lies in driving it, not just parking it for admiration.
Most likely, your classic car isn’t your daily commuter or errand runner. Instead, you take it to club gatherings a few hundred miles away, or perhaps seek out winding roads for a spirited drive. Or, like me, you might consider a road trip up Highway 1 from Los Angeles to Portland, staying as close to the scenic coast as possible, the ideal way to spend a week with your car. There’s an unmatched pleasure in long journeys in a vintage beauty. The experience is more engaging than in a modern car, where windows are up, AC is blasting, music is playing, and everyone is absorbed in their devices, cruising on the interstate just a bit over the speed limit.
So, leave that factory-perfect tool kit in your garage and consider what you truly need for the road. Some items are obvious, others less so. Let’s assemble a practical tool kit for travel, one that’s effective without adding excessive weight or taking up all your trunk space.
First, think about the type of trip you’re planning. Is it a short weekend getaway a couple of hours from home, or a longer journey covering thousands of miles? The distance and remoteness of your travel will influence the essential tools to have in car.
Essential Hand Tools for Your Car
Screwdrivers: Yes, it seems obvious, but a couple of robust flathead and Phillips head screwdrivers are invaluable. They’re perfect for simple tasks like tightening a loose fuel line hose clamp. I also recommend a small precision screwdriver set with interchangeable bits. These are surprisingly useful for minor fixes, even for things like tightening screws on your eyeglasses.
1/4-inch Drive Sockets: This might seem unconventional, but a ¼” drive socket set is incredibly versatile for many common roadside issues, such as battery terminals and small fasteners. They are compact and easy to store. Make sure to include several extension lengths for reaching into tight spots. A flexible extension and a screwdriver-style handle can also be very helpful, especially for accessing those hard-to-reach hose clamps. Consider adding a set of ¼” drive bits, including various types like Torx, to handle different types of fasteners you might encounter.
3/8-inch Drive Sockets and Ratchet: Supplement your ¼” set with a 3/8″ drive ratchet and sockets specifically sized for your car’s components. Prioritize essential sizes like a spark plug socket and a deep socket for your lug nuts. A 3/8″ to ¼” adapter adds versatility, along with an extension or two. Before your trip, check the accessibility of your spark plugs, especially the most difficult one to reach. If a universal joint is needed for removal, make sure to pack one in your car tool kit.
Allen Wrenches: A folding set of Allen wrenches is a space-saving and comprehensive solution for most Allen bolt needs you might encounter on the road.
Ignition Wire Pliers: These specialized pliers are designed to grip the spark plug boot, not the wire itself, when removing spark plug wires. This prevents damage to the wires by avoiding pulling on the wire and potentially separating it from the connector.
Breaker Bar: A 24-inch breaker bar, combined with a socket that fits your lug nuts, is a game-changer when you need to change a tire. It provides the leverage needed to loosen stubborn lug nuts tightened by impact wrenches at tire shops. As a bonus, a 24-inch solid metal bar can also serve as a deterrent or self-defense tool if needed in an emergency situation.
Tire Gauge: Another essential, and indeed a no-brainer. Regularly checking your tire pressure is crucial for safety and fuel efficiency. Consider adding a can of tire inflator like Fix-a-Flat or Slime for temporary puncture repairs. For more comprehensive inflation capability, a small 12V portable air compressor is a worthwhile addition to your car emergency kit.
Water Pump Pliers: Also known as adjustable pliers, these are incredibly versatile. I particularly recommend 10-inch Knipex pliers for their quality and grip. Beyond automotive uses, you might find them handy for non-car related travel situations, like unclogging a hotel showerhead!
Needle Nose Pliers: These are perfect for delicate tasks and reaching into confined spaces. Electrician-style needle nose pliers that include a wire crimping function add extra utility for basic electrical repairs. If you already carry a multi-tool like a Leatherman, it likely includes needle nose pliers, covering this need.
Pliers or Vice Grips: Or even better, both. A set of Vice-Grips (locking pliers) is incredibly useful for clamping hoses, temporarily securing parts, or acting as a makeshift wrench in a pinch.
Wrenches: Select a few combination open-end/box-end wrenches in specific sizes relevant to your car. For European cars, this often means including odd sizes and a 10mm wrench. For Japanese cars, don’t forget a 12mm. You likely don’t need a full wrench set for your car tool kit. Identify the specific wrench sizes needed for common adjustments or repairs on your vehicle and pack those. To keep wrenches organized, use a simple method: take a 3-inch 1/4-20 bolt, a couple of fender washers, and a wing nut. Stack your box-end wrenches on the bolt, using a washer at each end, and secure them with the wing nut. This keeps them neatly together and prevents them from rattling around in your tool bag.
Electrical and Utility Tools for Your Car
Wiring Tools and Supplies: Always carry a sharp set of diagonal cutters and a small crimper/wire stripper. Include a selection of crimp connectors and a roll of good quality electrical tape for basic wiring repairs. A simple test light with a pointed probe and an alligator clip lead is invaluable for diagnosing electrical problems. It allows you to quickly check for power at different points in your car’s electrical system.
Utility Knife: A folding utility knife is incredibly versatile. It’s useful for cutting fuel lines, opening packaging, or even improvising a funnel from a plastic bottle if you need to add oil or coolant and want to minimize spills.
Jumper Cables: Even if your car battery is relatively new, pack a set of jumper cables. They are essential tools to have in car. It’s much easier to get a jump start if you have your own cables, and you might even be able to help out another motorist in need, potentially making a new friend along the way!
Gloves: Include a pair of mechanic’s gloves for general repairs and a pair of heavier leather work gloves for tougher tasks. Adding a few pairs of disposable nitrile gloves is also a good idea for cleaner jobs or when dealing with fluids.
Tool Bag: Choose a small, sturdy tool bag to keep your car tool kit organized and compact. Think creatively about your tool bag – while a surplus store bag works perfectly well, one person found a vintage Louis Vuitton bag at a yard sale and used it for years before realizing its value! The point is to find something durable and appropriately sized to keep your essential tools to have in car organized and accessible.
While this list can’t cover every possible scenario, it’s an excellent starting point for assembling a practical and effective travel tool kit. Remember to consider any specialized tools specific to your car model. We’ll discuss essential spare parts to carry in a future article.
