Welcome to the first edition of Lessons Brittany Learned the Hard Way. If you’ve ever had a morning ruined by a low tire or a dead car battery, then you can relate. Allow me to share a couple of my mitigation strategies for these situations that might cost me time, money, and stress.
The kids and I are usually right on the edge of leaving on time (or already officially late). By the time we get outside to the car, there is no time to waste. That’s when my car decides to tell me that it has a flat tire. Rude.
1. Light-duty Air Compressor
I have a small air compressor almost exactly like this one (my exact model was discontinued). It’s perfect for airing up the bicycle tires, pool floats, balls, and my car’s low tires. The tank is tiny, so it only takes a minute or two after you turn it on before you are ready to use it. It has a gauge that allows you to see how much pressure you’ve set the tank to and how much pressure the tire is measuring as you fill it. Once you’re done, you turn the air compressor off and loosen the release valve on the side to let the extra air out so it doesn’t hold moisture.
For things like this, I really like to buy at Harbor Freight. I usually have a coupon, but their prices are reasonable enough to purchase an item right when I absolutely have to have it. It’s a good place to get some basics for the home/car and feel prepared.
This air compressor doesn’t come with the nozzles and hose, so you’d also want this kit to go along with it. Thankfully a staff member saw me purchasing my air compressor and ran over to me in the check out line to bring me this kit. I had no idea what I was doing. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice if you have tool questions!
*Bonus pro-tip…. This nozzle kit even comes with tape. It looks like electrical tape and can be wrapped around the end of the hose where the nozzle will screw on to make it more air-tight. Wrap opposite of the direction you will screw the nozzle on, that way you won’t undo the tape as you turn the nozzle.
2. A Battery Jumper
I have saved the day for myself and for friends by having this little gem handy. The best parts: you don’t need to know how to use jumper cables, you don’t need to wait for it to charge when your car is all hooked up, and you don’t need a second vehicle. Sometimes placing a second vehicle within reach isn’t even possible.
The day I bought this, my car was stuck inside a 2-car garage that was single-wide and double-long. Of course I was pulled in to the very depths of the space, where a second car and a tow truck were not viable options. It was Mother’s Day and I was stuck at home with my little ones. Awesome, right? My dad ran by Harbor Freight and picked up the battery jumper. He brought it to me, saved the day, and then took us girls to lunch. I didn’t even know that a battery pack like this existed. Not everyone has someone who can save them in a time like this, so I would have it on hand BEFORE you need it!
This jumper got my car running easily. It feels like a best-kept secret. Why doesn’t everyone have one in their car’s emergency gear?
How it works: Keep it charged. The package said it holds up to a 70% charge after 2 years. I check mine whenever I think about it and I also have an annual reminder alarm set on my phone to charge it. Just in case. The link below also has a YouTube video that explains how to use it, which was very helpful.
- Place the red grip on the positive node and the black grip on the negative node.
- Plug the power cord into the battery pack.
- Turn the power button on. The LED lights will light up. Hold the red “start” button for about 3 seconds until the green LED light turns on.
- You can start your car right away. No waiting like when you jump a car the traditional way.
- Take off the cables and pack it back up!
There is also a flashlight on the battery pack and a space to plug in a phone charger cable (USB) that could come in handy if you’re broken down or camping (check your phone’s cords to make sure you don’t need any kind of adapter to plug into a regular USB port).
BONUS: Find a reliable auto shop in your area for when problems you can’t resolve on your own.
This time last year, when I had just begun teleworking due to COVID, my car gave me the gift of a flat tire twice in the same week. I was able to drive to the shop but it was probably not awesome that I did that. I did use my air compressor to fill it before I left the house, knowing it wouldn’t hold air for long.
This was before the widespread use of masks and everyone was nervous about the unknowns of COVID. Most places were completely closed down. I didn’t want to take my kids inside the shop, so we brought blankets and toys and sat on the bench outside. My shop had my tire repaired by the time I got the kids settled to play.
If you’re local to the Madison, AL, area, the shop I use is Clem Tire Company on Highway 72 in Madison. I have been to their shop countless times in the last 9 years and I am treated with respect every single time. Other women will feel that statement. I’m not treated like a girl who doesn’t know anything about cars, an easy target to upsell a service I don’t need. They take the time to explain what I need to know and are never condescending. They’re timely, affordable, and kind. I’m sold.
I’m not paid to write nice things about Clem Tire. I just despise walking into any other shop as a single woman and seeing the dollar signs in the staff’s eyes.
How much will it cost me?
All of the items mentioned in this post could be purchased at full price for a total of $164.97 (plus tax). A solid investment that is bound to pay for itself many times over!
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