Just hit a pot hole and the wall of my tire is fucked. Popped the trunk to replace it but I forgot the scisor jack that came with my car doesn’t work. Long story short, I had family who lived near by pick up my floor jack and ratchet kit. Now I am looking into tire replacement, but also how I can just solve this on my own the next time.
Are bottle jacks good for emergency tire replacement, or should I just look for a scisor jack? I feel like bottles are easier, but theres always a few people saying they are junk when I look into them. I have a tire iron but had them grab my ratchet set just in case since it was next to the jack.
I just feel like a dumbass now and want to make sure I’m not a dumbass in the future
Bottle jacks are awful. Scissor jacks are weak and can crumple sideways. Get a hydraulic jack.
Other essential items:
Jug of water in case you overheat
Simple tool kit; adjustable wrench, multipurpose screwdriver, hammer, and so on.
Jumper cables
12v tire pump
BT computer reader and a phone app
Socket set
4-way tire iron for use on any vehicle
Jug of engine oil
A bottle jack is a hydraulic jack. Do you mean a trolley jack, perhaps? Those are rather big to fit in a car, a bottle jack is nice and compact.
I got a combination jump-starter battery pack and air pump, and I’ve actually used it a few times. I much prefer it to jumper cables. It’s easier to connect up (just two clips) and there’s no need for a second car. Just pop the hood, click click, and voom. Very much appreciated when the temperature is -30 and it’s pitch black outside. It’s got a built in light source and USB charger, too.
Just make sure to check its charge every once in a while, and top it up if it’s low.