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Meet Kelly and Luke. While they're just heading into the city for the weekend there's a chance
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they will need a few bits and pieces to get them out of a fix. Your car's user manual will help
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you troubleshoot problems and provide information on how to do things like change a tyre. Having a
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spare tyre in the boot is essential for any kind of trip. Just remember to check the tyre pressure.
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You never know when a first aid kit may come in handy so pick one up from your local chemist.
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Keep some spare cash with you for emergencies like if you lose your wallet and need to buy fuel.
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Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, right?
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So chances are if you're going to break down it will be in the middle of a downpour.
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Looks like Kelly and Luke are ready for their city getaway but what about Todd and Ming? They're
Extras for road tripping
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going on a longer road trip so they'll need to add extra items. Throw a few litres of water in the
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boot. You never know when you or your car might need a top up. Printed maps are super useful as a
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backup option if your phone runs out of battery or is out of range. You might need to add eye drops,
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painkillers, and motion sickness tablets to your first aid kit when driving longer distances.
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Todd and Ming are heading into a remote area so they'll need a few extras.
Extras for remote driving
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Jumper leads can be handy but not all cars should be jump started so always read your manual first.
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Always keep oil and coolant in your car in case you need to top them up. Non-perishable
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food will keep hunger at bay while you wait for help to arrive. You'll want to be as visible as
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possible on the side of the road so carry a high visibility vest and reflective hazard triangles.
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Add these extras to your kit when traveling through crazy weather. If you break down you can
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use a blanket to keep warm in the cold or provide shade in the heat. Cat litter can help your
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car get out of icy situations by creating more traction for your wheels. Snow chains can help to
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stop your car slipping in the snow but they should only be used if you know how to fit them properly.
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Keep some glass cleaner and newspaper or a rag handy to make sure your windscreen is crystal
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clear. Sure you might be able to fend for yourself if you get a flat tire or your car battery runs
Roadside Assistance for all conditions
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out. But the good news is you don't have to. AAMI Roadside Assist provides peace of mind that
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you've got backup if something happens or if your tyre changing skills aren't quite up to scratch.
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Yes Todd, we're looking at you! We can respond to calls 24 7. So whether it's your car battery,
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a flat tire, lost or locked in keys, or an empty fuel tank, we've got you covered. You
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can add AAMI Roadside Assist as an optional extra to your AAMI Comprehensive Car Insurance
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for less than 86 dollars per year. Exclusions apply. Check the terms and conditions. For more
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info visit aami.com.au or call our friendly team today on 13 22 44 for more information.
Thinking of taking a road trip? Visiting family in a remote area? Or driving through some crazy weather conditions? No matter where you’re driving or what the conditions are, there’s always a chance you might need some tools to get you out of a fix.
Things to keep in your car
Even if you’re not driving long distance, it’s important to pack some emergency supplies for your car. We’ve broken the essentials up into various driving scenarios, so you can work out what you should store.
Before you hit the road, make sure your car insurance is sorted. Get an AAMI Comprehensive Car Insurance quote as part of your road trip preparation.
City driving
Even if you only drive in the city or suburbs, you should still build a basic car emergency kit. Here’s what you should include.
User manual
Your car’s user manual can come in handy for more reasons than just stopping an unexplained flashing light, or that beeping noise that won’t stop. Use it to help troubleshoot problems, understand your car’s features, and get info on how to safely change tyres and refill fluids.
A spare tyre
Having a spare tyre in the boot is essential for any kind of car trip, whether you’re commuting to work or road tripping in the country. Many cars are fitted with a spare tyre compartment – so all you need to do is keep it stocked and check the tyre pressure every now and then to make sure it’s suitable to use in an emergency. Some newer cars come with a space saver tyre which fits easily into the car. You can only drive at a maximum of 80km/hr with a space saver tyre because they are only designed for temporary emergency use.
First aid kit
You never know when a first aid kit may come in handy. You can buy these from places like hardware stores and chemists. They come kitted out with things like gauze, band aids, pain killers, antiseptic wipes, bandages and more. If you injure yourself while out and about or attending to a car problem, you’ll have something on hand. Good first aid kits will even come with a useful guide.
Spare cash (kept well hidden)
As much as society is becoming cashless, it’s a good idea to keep some spare cash tucked away somewhere out of sight. Don’t store heaps of money in your car. Twenty to fifty dollars is sufficient for small emergencies. For example, if you lose your wallet and are running out of fuel.
A poncho or umbrella
Murphy’s Law dictates that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. So, chances are, if you’re going to break down, it will be in the middle of a downpour. Keep some kind of weather protection gear in your car so you can stay safe and dry.
Road tripping? Add these:
Whether you’re visiting family in the country, or embarking on your Great Australian Road Trip, put some extra thought into packing a car emergency kit before a long drive. Stay safe by adding these extra items.
Emergency water
Under normal conditions, the average human can only survive a few days without water – so it never hurts to store a few litres in your car boot in case you break down or get stuck. It’ll also be useful if your car needs water.
Roadmap
You may be reliant on Google Maps. But a printed map can be really useful as a backup option if you phone runs out of battery or your GPS is out of range. At the very least, make sure you study your route thoroughly before you set off on your road trip.
First aid additions
Long distance drives can strain your eyes. Keep yourself fresh with eye drops to moisten your eyes and remove any dust particles.
It’s also a good idea to store painkillers to keep headaches at bay, and motion sickness tablets for passengers who may need them.
Extra tools for driving in remote areas
If you live in a remote area or regularly travel though the country, include these extra items to your car emergency kit.
Jumper leads
Car batteries don’t last forever – especially if you accidentally leave the interior light on! Store some jumper leads in your car in case your battery wears out and emergency roadside assistance isn’t available. Read your car manual carefully to work out how to use them properly.
*Note – some modern cars shouldn’t be jump started, as it can affect their internal computer systems and cause expensive damage. Read your car manual before purchasing jumper leads.
Oil and coolant
Keep these fluids stored in your car for emergency top ups. You should check your car’s oil levels regularly to ensure it’s running smoothly. Coolant should be topped up, so your car doesn’t overheat.
Food
Consider keeping some non-perishable food in your car, especially when driving in remote areas. If you break down, you can sustain yourself while waiting for help to arrive.
Safety tools like a high visibility vest or hazard triangle
Store some high visibility safety materials in your car. If you break down or have an accident, you have a way of indicating to other drivers that there’s a hazard on the road.
Crazy weather essentials
From scorching weather in the summer months to heavy snow in alpine regions, Australia has a wide variety of weather conditions. If you live somewhere that experiences extreme weather – or if you plan to travel through crazy weather – add these extra items to your kit.
Blankets
If travelling in cold weather, having a spare blanket or two in the boot will come in handy if you break down and need to wait for help to arrive. In hot weather, blankets can also be rigged up to provide much-needed shade.
Cat litter
It sounds strange. But cat litter can create more traction for your wheels if it’s snowy and slippery. Store a bag in your boot in case you need help getting your car moving.
Snow chains
Only use snow chains if you know how to properly fit them to your car. These can help avoid your car slipping in snow and causing an accident.
Glass cleaner
If it’s excessively sunny, a dirty windscreen can cause distracting reflections and impair your vision of the road. Store some glass cleaner and a rag, so you can give your windscreen a quick polish if needed.
Roadside assistance for all conditions
AAMI Roadside Assist
While there are ways to fend for yourself if you get a flat tyre or your car battery runs out, you don’t necessarily have to! Consider getting AAMI Roadside Assist for peace of mind. You’ll have backup if something happens – or if your tyre changing skills aren’t quite up to scratch.
We can respond to calls 24/7 and tow cars up to 100km from the breakdown location to the nearest accredited repairer. Our emergency roadside assistance services can cover you for:
- Car batteries: jump starting your car if the battery is flat or arranging a replacement battery (at your own expense and subject to availability).
- Flat tyres: fitting your car’s spare tyre or towing your car to the nearest tyre outlet or place of safety.
- Emergency fuel: up to $10 emergency fuel so you can get to the nearest petrol station.
- Lost or locked-in keys: we’ll arrange the spare key to be delivered or arrange to gain access to your car (up to $250).
You can add AAMI Roadside Assist as an Optional Cover to your AAMI Comprehensive Car Insurance. Get an online car insurance quote simply and quickly. If you’re an existing AAMI Comprehensive Car Insurance customer, add Roadside Assist to your policy by calling our friendly team on 13 22 44.