How to Prepare for Roadside Emergency Repairs

In this episode of Saturday Mechanic, Ben Wojdyla and Russell Ferguson show how to prepare for, and perform, roadside emergency repairs.
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In this episode, Popular Mechanics' Associate Auto Editor Ben Wojdyla:
* Winterizes the chain
* Changes the oil
* Fills up the gas tank
* Removes the battery
* Cleans the exterior
Who says you can't work on your own car anymore? Follow Popular Mechanics associate auto editor Ben Wojdyla as he leads viewers, step by step, through repairs, upgrades, and troubleshooting tips. Got car questions? Email Ben, and he may answer them on the show.
Connect with Ben Wojdyla:
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Twitter: #!/Ben_Wojdyla
KZbin: / bwojdyla
Email: [e-mail]
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#!/popmech
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[@theferrones]

At 13:40 they finally mentioned my pet peeve: If you’re checking tire pressure or rotating tires it’s a great time to check your spare out. It’s condition and pressure, especially if it’s a used car. Cheers, Bill

[@redactedredacted3721]

i have watched this video a few times over the years, i just wanted to leave a comment to help the algorithm, very inspiring video to help me get thinking about how to augment my kit.

[@ApokaluptoAletheia]

heroic roadside repairs: 1- Alternator replacement (2 x) 2- Ran over a tree that fell in the road at 3am, put on full size dry rotted spare tire just to have that one blow up. I had to drive on the side of the road in the back woods of Florida to the nearest pay phone. 3- Dead batteries 4- Mufflers coming off, had wire up the muffler 5- Fuel pump quit on my once on a major interstate, had to tow the car from Charlotte, NC to Valdosta, GA. May I add that I loved that 1986 Dodge Charger 2.2....

[@frankiejohnson2702]

Father in law and son in law chemistry with these two 😂

[@scottsmith2052]

Great video and great comments. If you are worried about a hose - change the hose and throw the old one in the trunk as a spare. Get the 6-in-1 screwdriver. Pack it all under your truck in the inside well of your spare tire. Along with the hose clamps go extra fuses and relays - these also might be included in the fusebox. Paperclip to jump a brake pedal interlock switch or other connector. Find some random 6-15mm sockets and an extra ratchet and throw them in. After you are done mowing the lawn for the season, throw the gas in the car and the can in the trunk. Try your jack. Stash some cash. Make sure you can get your lug nuts and wheels off at home before you hit the road. Spare key attached to the car somewhere.

[@mx5hong]

I think a compact air compressor is a must. Also a tire plug kit. That way you don't need to put on the spare. Heck, you don't even have to jack the car up. And if you're not comfortable with the plug, the plug will give you some time until you can have the flat professionally patched. Another reason for a plug kit is if your car have the widow maker jack instead of a regular scissor jack. I had one slip under me once and I vowed never to use one again.

[@TikiShootah]

this video is so important and vital its not even funny. tho as a guy that can build a computer from the ground up, but doesnt know much on car maintence, its great

[@FoodOnCrack]

Last night me and my friend got hit against the wheel from the side. We thought the car would need to be towed. Apparently the wheel suffered nothing and only the fender was dented inwards and would hit the wheel if we would drive with it, luckily the BMW had a waterpump pliers in the supplied tool kit. We used it to pull the fender outwards again and drove back home. Definitely recommend the waterpump pliers/channel locks.

[@BlakeWertz]

I would recommend a set of 3 Highway Reflective Triangles and a pack of Flares... These can be found at your local Advanced Auto Parts Store. I would also recommend a reflective vest

[@smitty54017]

Blake Andruw vest kept me from being run over changing my tire in a rainstorm.

[@MrChris-bx7ss]

Damn straight I saw your post after I made mine!

[@caspaabriel4794]

A lot of good tips. But really commend these guys, in the respectful way they work together. Good on you guys!

[@ApokaluptoAletheia]

More Roadside repairs: 1- radiator leaks are always fun....1981 Olds Cutless 2- Tire blew up while my wife was driving 70MPH in SC on a Sunday Morning. Blue laws in SC prohibit anything but food to be sold on Sunday. Had to drive the car to Augusta, GA to get a new tire. 3- The second alternator replacement happened on the interstate just outside of Washington DC...in the middle of the night. May I add that fire ants are not fun critters to play with while fixing a car.

[@henriquetriaca245]

Im brazilian, I do not understand anything but i love cars

[@funkysatty]

seeing a FWD car with a spare tire on the Front is a big pet peeve of mine. Why wouldn't you take the good rear and put it up front where you get power, majority of stopping and turning? only exception is a snow storm i say

[@stevecollins2770]

Soft drink syrup is delivered to restaurants in similar bag and box combinations. I think they hold 2.5 and 5 gallons. I drove a compact spare for 90 miles before it blew out and shredded.

[@tristannolan85]

when i first started carrying tools about a week later my vehicle broke down going up the road..my alternator was literally falling apart. i was able to use a wrench and put the belt back on and get to where i was going..been carrying tools ever since. i keep sockets, couple wrenches, pliers, couple screwdrivers, some electrical tape.

[@SchottenbauerVideos]

Thanks for the video!

[@AjayKumar-fd9mv]

Thanks, this is really informative

[@ApokaluptoAletheia]

Even more roadside repairs: 1- Universal joint on a 1973 Ford F100 Ranger 2- C-joint on that 1986 Dodge Charger 3- Same Charger... Brake disk exploded... 4- 1989 Dodge Reliant K ... replaced the spark rotor and distributor There may be more roadside adventures but hey you can't list them all. So my E-kit in my cars are fairly extensive including a full tool set plus the kitchen sink.

[@OutdoorLifeKR]

this episode is really helpful one. Thanks!!

[@atraxr603]

I freaking hate those space saver spares. They are the bane of my existence. There is nothing like a proper spare...

[@daltonchanch6067]

In particular, when you are with bunch of people, loosing their damn minds, in the middle of absolute Nowhere, Montana, on the side of a super dusty dirt road with a Grand Caravan that has only 2 ply tires to begin with, and thats just the way it is, because thats what fleet services gave you. In all seriousness, I will never go on a long road trip again without having at least one full size spare. Although it didn't matter in the end, it took four days to get a replacement.

[@mattdrives4757]

Just got my Jeeps oil changed and tires rotated, it got me thinking about putting together a kit like this. I like to fix things myself when I can.

[@scott762mm]

I like the video you have provided us with, and I have some of those items in my kit including the chunk of plywood for the jack. A 5x5 inch works for me but you should consider doing a video for a specialized kit for cold weather environments. I live in Minnesota and the weather can be brutal in the winter, everyone seems to have a kit in these videos for moderate to mild weather conditions.

[@fcporto0629]

thanks for the video and telling us how to do some of these things

[@Motorfixable]

Just a notice, in several country's its not legal to have this wheel on the front. Due to the different diameter. It affects braking and steering much more than if it is mounted on the back. So its a pain in the ..... with tires like that. If you have the space needed, I will recommend to use a standard tire as a spare instead. Then you do`nt have to change two wheels for one flat. This is not meant as a criticism, just for your information since your audience is worldwide.

[@JohnCharter]

Screw type hose clamps are very useful too. Having multiple smaller clamps, you can link them together should you need a larger one. Great episode guys.

[@flightsimboy27]

id was at dallas tx and i ran over a nail luckily i had a kit just like you! thank you :)

[@tristannolan85]

i also keep tow straps, jumper cables, battery terminals, fuses. my vehicles break down alot lol

[@SlackersIndustry]

i liked that little trick to raise the tire back onto the car

[@pmcg97]

Is the space saver tyre not supposed to be fitted onto the rear ? 😎

[@BigFro420]

Thanks for the cool vid

[@stlouisx50]

Great video, some other items that would be good are; a candle inside a coffee can, matches, blanket.

[@GordanMFreeman]

All cellular devices, by federal law, have to be able to dial emergency numbers, whether they are "activated" or not.

[@furyiiiplate]

Another valuable contribution. Mostly I like to see kids smack their grapes on a railing while skateboarding(yeeOuhhhh), but other times I want to actually learn something on KZbin.

[@johnathanmason2644]

This video should have more views

[@MrKronen75]

Bring a relay ? , who would have thought, brilliant

[@Kevin-vx3hg]

I'd need to carry a water pump, turbo and set of coil packs, yano, coz they are common failures. Got a keep those gloves too for constant exposure, coz it's constantly breaking down

[@mattc5647]

Good review. If all you have is a small donut spare, if you have the ability put it on the least important tire. So a car like this is usually FWD. I wouldn't put it in the front if I could help it. Swap a rear tire to the front and put a donut on the back. Also buy a small trolley jack. Their $30-$40.

[@Mail4dalej]

Running late to a state park b4 gate closes. No time to stop for gas. Ran out of gas. Think think. Colemam fuel down the hatch! Made it in time.

[@victor11172]

Hello you mantioned some flashlight but didnt say what flashlight it was what brand or model thank you

[@TheBigBenji890]

We once were driving from Kansas to Wisconsin in our suburban with a deck boat behind us. We ended up running out of gas at 2 in the morning in the middle of Iowa. Haha we were stuck until we though of jacking the boat up and using the little left over gas in it to get us down the road haha. We ended up only being a mile away from a station haha

[@Khanhie2907]

One of my cables fell off of its place. The engine was still going but the thing won't go. I have a standard and I felt no pressure in the shift knob. With the momentum I had, I kept going to find a place to pull over then I found some zip tie in the car and found out that the cable slipped out of place and I lost a nut or screw. Then I had to zip tie the cable to the transmission mount thing and drove it home. I saved about 250$ on towing and it took me about a minute to trouble shoot

[@JIGGLYsHoW]

Always needed for a FORD

[@tragichero7746]

tire plug kit... you can get a cheap set for under $5. also a 12v pump for another $5

[@HUMC5]

FIX IT WITH THE HAMMER! XD

[@fcporto0629]

some new cars don't even have a spare they have something like fix a flat

[@frugalprepper]

I keep a few short pieces of short pvc pipe in different diameters in my care with some assorted hose clamps. This can work to make a patch for a blown radiator or heater hose. Also when I change my belt I change my tension er pulley as well and then keep the old ones in the trunk. A cheap alternator from a junk yard that fits your car is also a good thing to keep in the trunk.

[@SANDMAN1996SS]

Would it be wise to carry a filter for the water? it's still not as good as distilled water but it's better than pouring UNFILTERED river water directly into your engine???

[@prs314]

In the engine? You think coolant goes right into the engine?

[@essentialdeparture9999]

@@prs314 Yes, coolant goes into the engine! That's how it transfers the heat and cools the engine, through passages in the engine! lol

[@MrChris-bx7ss]

You guys forgot one thing that is very inexpensive and could save your life whilst fixing your vehicle on the side of the road....... A flourescent reflective safety vest which only costs a few dollars.

[@HaroRider03088]

I just drive a Honda..

[@beyond305]

WHAT OLD CELL PHONE WORKS WITH OUT A CARRIER?!!?! PLZ TELL ME !!

[@mylifeisJDM]

A handful of roadside flares > a little LED flashlight. Flares are WAAY brighter.

[@countycoroner5784]

I agree. when you need to be seen, a flare is the way to go for sure.

[@ec6933]

Flares. Always carry road flares. I can't tell how many times they have saved lives

[@tokiohotelsucks123]

the description is wrong

[@qaisalehremi8456]

call the authority

[@CDF56]

A 2-3 ft 2x4 can be handy, sometimes when I've had a flat I had to slide underneath and use it to slam the rim to get a tire free.

[@mattdrives4757]

Would a rubber mallet be better?

[@biturboism]

OMG a spoiler on that thing is a crime against humanity!

[@qaisalehremi8456]

what happened to the note that i told you about

[@RoadRunnerMeep]

17:50, you shouldn't drive on spare that isn't the same diameter period. You will fk up your cars transmission frm the different rolling radius A different width tyre is OK (eg 255/55/16 instead of 305/55/16) for example, but if your car has 16" wheels and your spare is a 15", you should not use it whatsoever

[@TheCriticalChris]

Take the scissor jack and toss it in the friggin' garbage! Get a decent small floor jack or a combo bottle jack & jackstand.

[@allenh8710]

I can't believe how many new cars don't come with a spare tire.

[@qaisalehremi8456]

dont let them make you forget the old proves

[@toolsonabudget7763]

anyone else notice some tension between these 2 lol?

[@Tungsten23]

The whole "put the spare under the frame as a jack stand" is funny. I'm positive if it does fall, the car will hit the on the brake rotor.

[@qaisalehremi8456]

2hours after work to liberet your self from the pc, it worth

[@johnkidane7164]

I am alive. So i am the winner!

[@qaisalehremi8456]

nothing to be afraid of, its your rights

[@qaisalehremi8456]

keep the note in front of your eyes until you call and get to the authority

[@dude2106]

Why not?

[@Sandbag1300]

@ 1:41, maintain your vehicle and you won't have problems with hoses or belts. However, with an over 500,000 mile car I would be more concerned about transmission and engine seals failing at highway high operating temperatures. It is a fools errand to think s/he can fix a well maintained car on the side of the road - except for a flat tire or to put out an engine fire or to jump a dead battery. Flashlights are for personal use to see in the dark for things like tire changing, they will NOT be seen by other drivers. For that, one needs three or more big reflectors or big flares. Bring a fire extinguisher and 2 gauge jumper cables. Also, bring a tool like a Leatherman Raptor and store it in the center consol to cut seat belts, cut clothing, and break side windows to escape after a crash. After all, you are strapped and trapped in a tin gas can! Above all, remember the most dangerous place to be is stopped on a highway or side of the highway after dark as other drivers may not see you and crash into you.

[@chilljd9412]

Sandbag1300 ',

[@napalm1101]

> Bring a fire extinguisher and 2 gauge jumper cables. If your car is well-maintained you won't need jumper cables since your battery and charging system is also well-maintained.

[@qaisalehremi8456]

how long you want to stay under this computer keep the note in front of your eyes

[@qaisalehremi8456]

they will concvince you more and more call now

[@CPLBSS88]

Flashlight technology has came a LONG way.. those lights are crap compared to what is out there - and not for much more money, but you get way more light in a much smaller package.

[@pointbreak8293]

I’d keep more tools than that in that Chevy... typical gm’s always on the side of the road lol

[@qaisalehremi8456]

why no one called the authority

[@qaisalehremi8456]

all of you must do it , no matter what they do to, it musnt stop to ask for your rights

[@qaisalehremi8456]

did you call the authority

[@qaisalehremi8456]

did the people of the last shift forgot what to do by making think something else, maybe they make them think about something they usually do

[@bloodsongsToolreviews]

I bet they chose a Chevy for a reason

[@Fahmimohmmed]

1ts

[@qaisalehremi8456]

SHOW THEM EVIDENCES AND LEARN CALL THEM BRING THEM IF YOU CAN SHOW THEM MY STORY

[@MrMoonout]

All you need is some duct tape, wd-40 and a multitool.

[@qaisalehremi8456]

dont let them take your lifes

[@bmwmsport11]

I don't really have a repair kit. I don't take old cars or unreliable cars on trips.

[@qaisalehremi8456]

dont believe anything in your mind that will stop

[@w210onpoint2]

This is ridiculous lmao these guys are not mechanically inclined whatsoever

[@SlackersIndustry]

just wait til unsee the video were they were compressing coil springs and almost killed each other 🤣

[@qaisalehremi8456]

what happened to the note that i told you about