Reddit reviews Tooluxe 50002L Universal Tire Repair Kit to Fix Punctures and Plug Flats, 35-Piece Value Pack, Ideal for Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, ATV

It's all about disposals, tools do nothing to help you if you don't have replacement parts or parts to rig something up. Mostly my kit is used to limp my unreliable "fun" car home if I break down. I would never do extensive work on the side of the road (too dangerous), and I very rarely need to have an actually mechanic do anything (hence why it breaks down a lot) so I don't want to pay to have it towed to a shop.

To start: zipties, duct tape, metal compression bands, electrical (fuses, wire nuts, crimps, tape etc.), and I carry some common problem bolts.

One of my recent 'creative' fixes to a broken weld

Edit: One other recommendation - buy a cheap kit for patching flat tires like this I've used this more than most of the tools in my cars, mostly on friends' vehicles (it's really impressive to someone non-mechanically inclined that you can fix a flat so easily). But mostly it's because I'm spoiled and don't like changing tires without an impact gun and a lift, so I'd rather just repair the flat on the vehicle then put a spare on.

Dude, go to pep boys and grab a pack of those beef jerky things. Keep a set of pliers in the car. If you hit a nail or anything like that, just yank it out, stick the sharp stick in the hole a few times, then stick the beef jerky thing in the hole with the other stick. These things have saved me from having to go to a shop for a new tire probably about two dozen times in five years of driving.

One suggestion from past experience, buy a tire plug kit like this or this. If your area is hit by a serious storm there will be roofing nails and other debris on the roads. The plugs will usually do a good job with nail punctures and it's easy to do.

Buy this, patch your own tire. Feel like a man.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002I52RG0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_yMBlDbSXXSQEZ

I usually stop around 3-4:00 PM and figure out where I want to stop that night, then call ahead if I'm getting a hotel room and make a reservation somewhere. You can also read-up on camping on BLM or NFS lands, either campgrounds or remote. State parks also may have campgrounds.

I carry a tire plug kit. This will save you massive amounts of time if you get a flat in a remote area. Watch a few youtube videos if you've never used one and you should be fine.

I also carry a small 12v cigarette-lighter-powered air compressor for reinflating the tire, and a tire pressure gauge because I don't trust the ones on the cheap pumps.

If you are going to travel through remote areas in the west always carry some food and water.

Buy one of those sponges with the nylon netting on the outside or a loofah or one of these. You'll probably want to clean the windshield of dead bugs more often than just when you get gas. Bring a jug of water to assist. Carry an extra jug of wiper fluid.

Research the historical day/night temperatures if you will be traveling in the inter-mountain west. It can actually get quite cold at night if you're camping. Pack appropriate clothing. Monsoon season in the desert southwest can go to early October. Assume you might get rained-on a bit.

Check state DOT websites for conditions ahead at high mountain passes in the Rockies and the Sierras. Some of them start closing due to snow by mid-September.

If you are going to more than two or three national parks buy the annual pass for $80 at the first park you go to. It will pay for itself several times over.

IMHO carrying a bunch of spare parts or tools is overkill but a spare headlamp bulb and a package of assorted zip ties aren't a bad investment. Make sure your brakes are in good condition before you leave if you are driving in mountain areas.

I carry a paper road atlas as I find it useful for longer-distance planning than zooming in/out on an ipad or phone. You can get Rand McNally Road atlasses near the checkouts at a lot of Walmarts.

You'll find that the octane levels of gasoline sold at high altitudes is a few points lower than at sea level. Using 85 octane in a car that usually uses 87 is fine, etc.. Pay attention to the labeling on the pumps elsewhere. At certain places in the Midwest gas stations sell high-ethanol mixes that are inappropriate for non flex-fuel cars. They will still sell the regular stuff, just pay attention to the labels.

Know that this sign means that you can come upon cows standing in the road at any time. Avoid driving these roads at night, or at least keep the speed down and be prepared.

I have this kit:
https://www.amazon.com/Tooluxe-50002L-Universal-Punctures-Motorcycles/dp/B002I52RG0/

(Actually, I have 2 of them, and I keep one in each of the daily drivers along with a pump)

OOoOO I wouldn't recommend that type of kit with the slime in it for the Model 3. Because the tires have that foam on the inside, the slime type products probably aren't a good idea. Patch kit is ok. Something like this

https://www.amazon.com/Tooluxe-50002L-Universal-Punctures-Motorcycles/dp/B002I52RG0/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=tire+patch+kit&qid=1562791455&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Or just call Tesla roadside and have them fix it or they can call a tow truck to get your car to the shop to fix.

I keep a looped-end tow strap along with the ring hooks to connect to the recovery points on the front and rear bumper. Makes it easy to ask for help if I get stuck -- just flag down a bigger vehicle.

I also carry a tire plug kit like this one: http://amzn.com/B002I52RG0 -- that's helped me a couple of times -- plus a small 12V air compressor to give you enough pressure to limp it to the gas station for a full tire fill.

I am not knowledgeable, i just dealt with it couple of times with tires nails.

Sidewall damage(nail in the sidewall of the tire), must replace for safety to avoid blowout when you hit a bump. Sidewall material are thinner because it flexes.


There are tire plug kit (https://www.amazon.com/Tooluxe-50002L-Universal-Punctures-Motorcycles/dp/B002I52RG0/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=tire+plug&qid=1572574280&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011&rnid=2661617011&sr=8-6) , but it requires massive force to shove the plug in and pull it out while leaving plug attached (think of it plug filling the hole to seal the ). This is not really recommended and not exactly safe imo. You are better off bringing to tire shop and tell them to patch it completely (beware some will just plug it because is easier for them, always ask for patch plug combo. Patch plug look like this https://www.amazon.com/Hanperal-24Pcs-Rubber-Repair-Patch/dp/B01NADRACD). Requires to remove the tire off the rim and shave the inside tread to make a better seal.