“Beautiful car. Where are you from?” the gas station attendant asked as I stepped out of my classic Porsche. Oregon, where they still offer full service, meant I had to show him the fuel filler location. “LA,” I replied. “That’s a long way in an old car! Aren’t you worried about breaking down?” “Not really,” I said, with a touch of confidence, hoping not to jinx myself as I started the engine.
The truth is, I had given considerable thought to potential issues on this trip and had packed a well-equipped tool kit, along with a few essential spare parts. Having a deep “relationship” with this car, like many vintage car owners who handle their own maintenance, I had a good sense of what might cause trouble.
Sure, owning that pristine factory tool set in a reproduction pouch, meticulously assembled from swap meets and eBay finds, is a point of pride. It’s great “trunk candy” at car shows and coffee meets. But the real joy of owning a classic car lies in driving it, not just showcasing it.
You probably don’t use your classic car for daily commutes or errands. Instead, you take it to club gatherings hundreds of miles away, explore winding roads, or perhaps, like me, embark on a scenic tour like Highway 1 from Los Angeles to Portland. There’s an unmatched pleasure in long journeys with your vintage beauty. The experience is more engaging than in a modern car, where you’re often isolated with windows up, AC blasting, and media distractions.
So, leave that factory-perfect tool kit in your garage and consider what you truly need for travel. Some items are obvious, while others might be less so. Let’s assemble a practical tool kit for road trips, one that’s effective without being too bulky or heavy.
First, think about the nature of your trip: Is it a short weekend getaway close to home, or a longer adventure spanning thousands of miles? This will influence the scope of your essential car tools.
Screwdrivers: Yes, it’s basic, but a couple of sturdy flathead and Phillips screwdrivers are essential car tools. They are perfect for tightening loose hose clamps on fuel lines or adjusting various components. I also recommend a small precision screwdriver set, useful for delicate tasks like fixing eyeglasses or interior trim pieces.
1/4-inch Drive Socket Set: A set of sockets in ¼” drive might seem small, but it’s incredibly versatile for many common roadside fixes. They’re ideal for battery terminals and various smaller nuts and bolts. Ensure you include several extension lengths to reach into confined spaces. A flexible extension and a screwdriver-style handle are also invaluable – the flexible extension is particularly useful for reaching tricky hose clamps. Consider adding ¼ drive bits in Torx and other drive types for added versatility.
3/8-inch Drive Socket Set: Complement your ¼” set with a 3/8-inch drive socket set and ratchet for larger tasks. Focus on sockets specific to your car. Always include a spark plug socket and a deep socket for your lug nuts. A 3/8 to ¼ adapter expands your socket options, and extensions are again crucial. Check accessibility to your most difficult spark plug to reach; if a universal joint is needed for removal, pack one in your car tool kit.
Allen Wrenches: A folding set of Allen wrenches is compact and covers most common needs for hex-head bolts you might encounter on your vehicle.
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 directly and separating it from the connector.
Breaker Bar: A 24-inch breaker bar combined with a socket for your lug nuts makes tire changes significantly easier. The added leverage is invaluable for breaking loose stubborn lug nuts. Plus, a sturdy 24-inch bar can serve as a deterrent if needed!
Tire Gauge: Another essential tool for your car, a tire gauge ensures your tires are properly inflated. Consider adding a can of tire sealant like Fix-a-Flat or Slime for emergency flat tire repairs. A small 12V tire inflator is also a worthwhile addition, allowing you to reinflate a tire after using sealant or to top off pressure.
Water Pump Pliers: I highly recommend 10-inch water pump pliers, especially Knipex brand for their quality and grip. Beyond car repairs, they are surprisingly versatile – even useful for adjusting shower heads in hotels!
Needle Nose Pliers: Needle nose pliers are essential for grabbing small parts in tight spaces. Electrician-style needle nose pliers with a crimping function add extra utility. If you already carry a Leatherman or similar multi-tool, it likely includes needle nose pliers, covering this need in your car tools.
Pliers and Vice Grips: Include a set of standard pliers and vice grips, or locking pliers, in your tool kit. Vice grips are incredibly useful for clamping, holding, or even temporarily patching leaks.
Wrenches: Select a few combination open-end/box-end wrenches in sizes specific to your car. For German cars, you’ll often need odd sizes and 10mm. For Japanese cars, 12mm is crucial. You don’t need a full set; focus on sizes relevant to your vehicle. To organize wrenches, 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 with a washer on each end, and secure them with the wing nut – a neat and compact way to keep them together in your car tools.
Wiring Repair Kit: Always carry basic wiring repair tools. Pack sharp diagonal cutters, a small crimper/wire stripper, a selection of crimp connectors, and a roll of good quality electrical tape. An inexpensive test light with a pointed probe and alligator clip is invaluable for diagnosing electrical issues and tracing power problems.
Utility Knife: Folding utility knives are incredibly handy. They’re useful for cutting fuel lines, opening packaging, or even fashioning a makeshift funnel from a plastic bottle if you need to add oil or water and want to avoid spills. This eliminates the need to carry a separate funnel in your car tool kit.
Jumper Cables: Even if your car battery is relatively new, always carry jumper cables. They make jump-starting your car or helping others much easier. You might even make a new friend by jump-starting someone else’s vehicle!
Gloves: Include a pair of mechanic’s gloves and a pair of durable leather work gloves. Adding a few pairs of disposable nitrile gloves keeps your hands clean for less messy tasks.
Tool Bag: Choose a small, sturdy tool bag to keep your kit organized and compact. The goal is to have a concise set of tools tailored to your car. Be creative with your bag choice. While an army-navy surplus bag works well, one person even repurposed a vintage Louis Vuitton bag until they realized its value!
While it’s impossible to anticipate every roadside scenario, this list provides a solid foundation for your travel tool kit. Remember to include any specialized tools specific to your car model. We’ll discuss essential spare parts to carry in a future article.
