No one wants to have car troubles while out and about, but sometimes there's no way to avoid this. What you can do is be better prepared to resolve your roadside issues with some basic items.

What to Always Carry in Your Trunk

Drivings may not feel like a dangerous activity because it's most likely part of your everyday life. However, car troubles and other issues can come up when least expected. To keep these issues from turning into into a bigger problem for you and your car, be sure to always carry these important items in your trunk.

A Spare Tire

Although a flat tire may come as a complete surprise, you can definitely be prepared to fix this situation. For starters, be sure you always have a spare tire in your trunk. Of course, a spare tire isn't enough since you'll also need the tools to change your flat tire for the spare. You'll need basic tools like a tire iron, a lug wrench, and a tire jack to remove the old tire and replace it with the spare. If you've never changed a tire before, have someone teach you how to do it. Finally, be sure to check on your spare tire periodically just to be sure it hasn't deflated over time. If it has, fill back up so that it's ready for use.

Emergency Tool Kit

Beyond the tools you'll need to change a tire, it also helps to carry a few more basic tools in your trunk. A basic tool kit or emergency kit may be all you need to take care of some roadside issues. Basic things like a tire gauge can help you keep your tires at their recommended pressure and a foldable shovel can come in handy if you get stuck in snow or dirt. Think seasonally as well. For example, if temperatures take a significant dip during the winter in your town, carrying an ice scraper to remove ice from your windshield can be essential.

Extra Fluids

If your car has a leak, you may start to run low on whatever fluid is leaking. Chances are you may not notice the leak before you start to run low on a fluid like oil, coolant, or even brake fluid. If you get caught off guard, you can be left stranded on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck. This is why carrying extra fluids in your trunk is so important. If your coolant is leaking and your car starts to overheat, letting everything cool down and then topping off your coolant can be enough for you to make it to a mechanic. An easy way to prevent issues while on the road is by keeping up with vehicle maintenance. This includes getting a synthetic oil change in Williston when your car needs it so that you can avoid issues with your engine. Use a quality oil like AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil. To find even more synthetic oils like this, contact Advanced Filtration Technologies, Inc at (701) 572- 3780.

Jumper Cables

Batteries don't often inform you that they're coming to their end, so it's not uncommon for drivers to get stranded thanks to a dead battery. Luckily, this isn't hard to resolve if you have the right equipment. Carrying jumper cables in your trunk means you'll always be prepared to jumpstart your battery as long as there is at least another drive around who can help you out. Jumper cables are relatively inexpensive and don't take up much room, so you can put them in your trunk and forget about them until you need to use them. You can also invest in more high tech gadget like a portable jump starter which can jump start your car all on its own as long as its charged.

Your Owner's Manual

Having your car's owner's manual on hand can be a lot more useful than you may think. Not only will this help you identify important parts of your car, it can also give you valuable information when you find yourself dealing with a malfunction. Don't forget to also carry a trusted mechanic's information as well as your car insurance information. This can come in very helpful if you experience roadside issues and need someone to come to your rescue.

Get a Synthetic Oil Change in Williston, ND

Before your engine has a chance to develop any issues, get a synthetic oil change in Williston, ND. Using a quality synthetic oil can help your car stay in better shape for longer. To learn more about the benefits of synthetic oil, contact Advanced Filtration Technologies, Inc. at (701) 572- 3780.