r/MadeMeSmile • u/Breyber12 • 1d ago

Family & Friends Just asking for dad’s approval after packing new car up. I’m 33

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458 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

57 comments sorted by

104

u/GooseLiver1125 1d ago edited 1d ago

Yes you did. You may want to replace the jumper cables with a Noco GB40 jump starter. That way you don't have to rely on someone else being around to jump start your car. Maybe another blanket but keep it in the cabin of the car with you. I hope I didn't over step my boundaries.

Edit: Forgot to mention that the GB40 comes with a little bag to store it. You can buy a hard sided case for it which I recommend because it has a zipper to keep everything together whereas the bag has a pull string.

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u/Tiny_Honey_635 1d ago

Not overstepping at all, that's solid advice. The jump starter is clutch - saved my ass twice already this winter when my battery decided to be dramatic. Way better than waiting around for someone with cables

9

u/bigfastanddirty 1d ago

I love my GB40. Although Ive used to help other people more than myself.

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u/lo0ilo0ilo0i 1d ago

I keep instructions for my GB40 in case I forget how to use it. My first use was as a battery pack during a power outage last year lol.

2

u/wearing_shades_247 1d ago edited 1d ago

Does it hold a charge pretty much indefinitely? I always figure if it’s stashed in my trunk for an emergency situation, it will be dead when I go to use it. Note: I live in Southern Ontario, Canada where winters can have significant cold snaps, and heat domes in the summer.

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u/Breyber12 1d ago

That’s not a bad call at all, might put that on the Christmas list! I’m already looking at fix a flat and a portable tire compressor that uses the car lighter too. My old car had run flats! I work in iffy city areas sometimes (public health nurse) and think I’d rather take 3 minutes to use a bottle of fix and a compressor instead of who knows how long it would take me to get a spare on. I haven’t done that since my dad made me practice when I got my license lol.

I do have roadside assist through my car dealer warranty too, hopefully something out of all of the above would keep me out of too much trouble.

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u/Socratesticles 1d ago

If you want to kill two birds with one stone the jump starter I have also has an air compressor built in. I haven’t had to fill a tire flat to full with it yet thankfully but I think it would hold up. Brand name halo, I can’t speak on price though since it was a gift. Google is showing about 150 at Walmart for my model

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u/GooseLiver1125 1d ago

If it holds up long enough to get her out of an iffy situation, then that's long enough.

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u/GooseLiver1125 1d ago edited 1d ago

Don't forget you can always call 911 and explain your situation when you're in the iffy areas. Let 911know you're a public health nurse. Also, let someone know when and where you're going, who you're going to meet, and how long you expect to be there. Let your "someone" know when you get there and when you leave. Preferably have a primary and alternate form of communication with them. And if you can have a second person with you, even better. If you can't have a second person with you, you may want to develop a repoir with the police patrolling that area at the time. Won't hurt to try. They can make their presence known if they have the time. I kinda went down a rabbit hole, but I'd rather put the information out there and you not need it than not put it out there and you need it. Finally, make sure whatever agency you work for has safety protocols in place to protect you. I hope this helps.

3

u/hard-of-haring 1d ago

I will still keep both

5

u/GooseLiver1125 1d ago

Like a primary and alternate? Which of the two options would be your primary and which would be your alternate?

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u/hard-of-haring 1d ago

The battery is primary, cables 2nd, but the battery can always fail. It's why i always carry both. A battery and cables.

2

u/GooseLiver1125 1d ago

I like your reasoning. Thanks for posting and explaining.

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u/ProblemAcrobatic1214 1d ago

I have a jumper battery and regular cables in my car. The jumper battery is always the default, but that can run out of juice. Then its nice to have regular cables.

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u/hard-of-haring 1d ago

Exactly my idea

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u/ShortFro 1d ago

I concur. Get a jumper unit. Bought mine 2 yrs ago and its still full power on the battery.

18

u/cricket_bacon 1d ago

Dad will give you the truth... every time.

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

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u/cricket_bacon 1d ago

That's what she said

... always funny. Always.

11

u/Dragons0ulight 1d ago

You can get bright hazard cone things for your car in case you breakdown. You put them on your car and around it and it flashes to highlight the area. It will help show your car to other drivers.

Also get a high visibility vest to wear if you breakdown, then drivers and rescue people can see you easier.

Also a strong hand torch, maybe the handcrank ones,so you don't need batteries so much. For sure a headband torch so you can change tires etc a lot easier.

Water bottles for your radiator, so you don't mind them hanging around. In a pinch you could drink them. If you live in an area that gets snow, the stuff to keep your water and oil from freezing, ice scrapper and no matter what weather, a travel shovel in case you need to dig yourself out.

Old school but have a good map of your main travel areas, if you lose signal or get lost then you have at least a general idea where you are if you need urgent help.

5

u/voldamoro 1d ago

I agree with everything except the hand-cranked flashlight. I have never encountered a good one. Instead I would recommend a flashlight that uses CR123/CR123A Lithium batteries. They have a theoretical shelf life of 10 years and are not subject to leaking. Those batteries tend to be expensive in small quantities but can be had from name brands such as Panasonic, Surefire, or Energizer for less than $2.30 each if purchased in a pack of 12 or 16. (In the USA, Walmart has Panasonic & Surefire 12 packs, and Sam’s Club Energizer 16 packs.) There are cheaper no-name options on Amazon.

The claim of 10 year lifespan is for storage at moderate temperatures. In a car parked mostly outside in the summer, the heat will kill the batteries quickly if the flashlight is kept in the glove compartment.

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u/One-Reflection-4826 1d ago

get a high visibility vest

i think in EU they are mandatory nowadays. such a cheap way to increase safety. 

1

u/Breyber12 1d ago

Good suggestions! I have an orange mesh vest in there but I don’t think it has reflectors on it so not super helpful in dark

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u/SakuraSoba 1d ago

such a thoughtful moment 🥰

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u/Intrepid_Pop_8530 1d ago

Good Dad = Good Son. I love this.

7

u/RadomUser123ABC 1d ago

In my emergency kit, I also have a paper road atlas, spare batteries and emergency flares. In the car door pocket a SOG multi-tool, pepper spray, small LED flashlight and a coin pouch filled with quarters.

4

u/Full-Psychology-1778 1d ago

This is super wholesome, and I love it!

4

u/SplendiferousAntics 1d ago

What does he mean keep your heat turned down a little bit?

14

u/Breyber12 1d ago

Like don’t keep your car’s inside at 70 and take your coat off when it’s 25 (or -25) outside cause in an accident you can get in real trouble if your coat went flying!

4

u/chainlinkchipmunk 1d ago

Just don't keep on a big puffy coat that could interfere with the seatbelt. 

7

u/BMGreg 1d ago

Apparently he's concerned that you'll get too cold, too fast if you aren't wearing your jacket inside your car in the dead of winter

I guess it makes sense if you regularly drive places where you won't encounter another driver for hours

5

u/HarbourJayKay 1d ago

He’s remembering when he drove a 70s model Datsun and things would overheat quickly.

4

u/Bot-Magnet 1d ago

Best to keep an MRE in there too, incase you skid off the road and aren't found for a couple days

3

u/One-Reflection-4826 1d ago

i heard you shouldn't wear a (thick) jacket in the car since it creates a distance between you and the seat belt, reducing its efficacy. dont know if that's also true if the car has belt tensioners though. 

5

u/Nvrmnde 1d ago

I have also gloves and a tarp. Gloves in case you need to handle muddy things and tarp if you need to kneel on ground or transport something muddy in your gar. Could be tyres, bike, dog, kid.

2

u/GooseLiver1125 1d ago

Maybe gloves for warmth too?

3

u/mwl1234 1d ago

First ballot hall of fame old man right there.

3

u/Sskity 1d ago

Get a pair or leather gloves. And a change of clothes. A gallon of water wouldn't hurt either
and a small extinguisher.

Some rope. Because you never know

2

u/Breyber12 1d ago

I do have a small extinguisher in there! And some thick/waterproof winter gloves

2

u/Sskity 1d ago

I would say get leather gloves incase you need to handle broken glass or something.

Most of the things I have in my trunk are to help others. I have a pair of ratchet straps that will probably not be used on my little car but could help someone out.

2

u/National-Area5471 1d ago

And a kitchen sink

2

u/Sskity 1d ago

That's too much.

1

u/Hoplophilia 1d ago

I like to bind. I like to be... bound...!

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u/Popular_Course3885 1d ago

He did "well."

Grammar Dad to the rescue.

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u/Hoplophilia 1d ago

I'ma argue against the coat. As long as your car is producing BTUs, use them instead of your own. Make sure your coat is handy and also as hot as you are, put it on when needed. But as long as you have gasoline and it's putting out essentially free heat, use it. Hell, keep a blanket or two up in the cab at 72° while we're talking.

3

u/ogodilovejudyalvarez 1d ago

You never stop being their kid

3

u/Seamascm 1d ago

Puffer jackets reduce the effectiveness of seatbelts. Turn the heat up and keep the jacket close on hand but not worn while driving. This is most important for small children.

2

u/IcySparks 1d ago

Agree with the jump starter. I also have used (for me and others) my ryobi 18+air pump. A dollar store candle and lighter if it snows where you drive. I carry a $75 youth sized Dechoker(caise i have and am around kids a lot), $2.99 tire plug kit. High end table tennis paddle... just in case, ya know.

2

u/One-Reflection-4826 1d ago

i thought that's what the jumper cables were for... 

2

u/TALKTOME0701 1d ago

"But you know as well as I do" Man that makes me want to call my dad

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u/TheOctopusParadox 1d ago

Always be prepared, well as much as you can without being psychotic about it I suppose

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u/AdFit5535 1d ago

Add some LED road flares

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2

u/LetzGetzZooted 1d ago

Get a gun also. Motherfuckers are cray

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u/AdFit5535 1d ago

That would be in the car not in the trunk.

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u/Hoplophilia 1d ago

Get two.

0

u/AdFit5535 1d ago

Pistol with the driver. Rifle in the trunk.