A popped or flat tire can quickly turn a fun family road trip into a roadside nightmare. While you can always call for roadside assistance, it’s always best to be prepared just in case you’re outside their coverage area. With the proper tools, you’ll be able to confidently go about your journey, knowing you’re well-equipped to handle basic tire emergencies.
Floor Jack
Consider investing in a floor jack if you have ample space in your car. Floor jacks can help lift and position your vehicle, making it so much easier to replace a popped tire. They’re durable and easy to use. All you have to do is adjust the height using the hand lever. Just make sure to buy a floor jack that can handle the weight of your car.
Our Top Picks:
- OEMTOOLS 24851 22 Ton Air Hydraulic Truck Jack
- OEMTOOLS 24838 2 Ton Low-Profile Jack
- PowerZone 680061-A Floor Jack
Wheel Chocks
A wheel chock is a plastic, wood, or steel wedge that can help stop a vehicle from moving accidentally. It’s placed against the wheel, keeping your car stable as you change the tire. You’ll find different types of wheel chocks on the market, but the best choice is always the one that fits the width of your car’s tires.
Our Top Picks:
Kneeling Mat
Avoid staining your pants by getting a soft kneeling mat for those emergency tire changes. A kneeling mat is a padded surface where you can rest your knee or even sit down as you change your tires. Kneeling mats can vary in size, shape, and design, so you’re sure to find one that best suits your preferences.
Our Top Picks:
Torque Wrench
While some people might argue that it isn’t necessary, we recommend investing in a high-quality torque wrench. A torque wrench is one of the most valuable tools for tire removal. It helps make sure each lug nut is torqued according to your manufacturer’s recommendations. You can also use this wrench for other nuts and bolts, making it a worthy investment.
Our Top Picks:
- OEMTOOLS 25687 1/2 in. Drive Click Style Torque Wrench (25-250 Ft/Lb.)
- Hazet Torque Wrench 1/2 in. Drive 40 to 200 Nm Range
- OTC 5776 Torque Wrench
Breaker Bar
A breaker bar is another must-have tool for changing tires. Sometimes, a tire’s lug nuts can be too tight, making it hard to remove them with just a wrench. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about any of that as long as you have a breaker bar in hand. A breaker bar can loosen stubborn lug nuts and make it easier for you to completely unfasten them with a wrench.
Our Top Picks:
- OEMTOOLS 27121 24 in. 1/2 in. Drive Breaker Bar
- Great Neck FL38 3/8 Drive 8-1/2 in. Flex Handle Breaker Bar
- Hazet Breaker Bar 3/8 in. Drive
Tire Pressure Gauge
When changing your car’s tires, it’s important to check whether or not your spare tire is properly inflated. This is why you need a tire pressure gauge in your tire-changing kit. A tire pressure gauge is a tool that measures a tire’s air pressure, which can affect road safety and fuel efficiency.
Our Top Picks:
- OEMTOOLS 24807 Smart Tire Pressure Gauge
- Performance Tool W3238 Tire Pressure Gauge
- Autometer 2343 Tire Pressure Gauge
Tire Inflator
If there’s one tool you should always bring with you, it’s a portable tire inflator. A high-quality tire inflator can help you maintain the proper tire pressure, reducing the risk of a tire blowout. You can choose from a wide selection of tire inflators on the market, including an inflator with a built-in pressure gauge and an automatic one with a digital display screen.
Our Top Picks:
- AIRHEAD AHP-120 Tire Inflator
- Hazet 90411 Tire Inflator with Pressure Gauge
- Performance Tool 60400 Tire Inflator
Tire Repair Kit
Some tire emergencies won’t always call for a spare tire. If you’re lucky, you can get by with a tire repair kit. Tire repair kits consist of tools such as tire sealants, repair plugs, and an inflator. When you accidentally pop a tire, you can use a sealant or plug to patch up the hole before inflating it.
Our Top Picks:
Spare Tire Tool Kit
Easily remove spare tires mounted underneath your vehicle with a spare tire tool kit of your choice. It’s a great investment if you want a compact kit that has all the tools you need to change a tire. Spare tire tool kits typically consist of a wrench set, hex tools, and a case. Some kits also come with jacks and the spare tire itself.
Our Top Picks:
Work Light
You never know when you’ll run into a tire emergency, so it’s best to be prepared for every scenario, including one that happens at night. Having a work light in your trunk can make it easier to see in low-light conditions, so you can easily see what you’re working with.
You can find different types of work lights with special features, such as adjustable color temperature and luminosity and waterproof designs.
Our Top Picks:
- Dorman 888-5241 Work Light
- OEMTOOLS 26029 2-in-1 Rechargeable Pocket Light
- Performance Tool W2424 Work Light
Keep Reading: Related Posts
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
