what spares / tools do you carry?

[outdoorjoe]

Some good ideas especially spare fan belt! why are the obvious things things so ... obvious when someone says it!

latex gloves are also a great idea I keep my overalls in the boot all purpose really, warm if you break down in the cold weather, keep you clean if you need to do a repair in your good clothes and you can lay on them!

other things i remember

a foot of fuel pipe
gaffer tape
zip ties
radweld (have to be desperate)
paper and pen!

keep safe
Joe

[Xantia-nut]

Ay up!

I carry a Halfrauds Pro socket set and a small toolbox containing those spanners not in the SS.

Plus some oil, coolant and screenwash.

[JPB]

...I'm new to this Rover business, but the general opinion seems to be that the four-cylinder cars need an additive.

I've heard that said, often by men with deerstalkers between sups at their pint of Auld Ridiculous but none of these men can explain how softer valve seats would stay put in the surrounding aluminium.
The senior tutor in materials at work, on the other hand, goes by the title of Doctor and he got his PhD off the back of research into this very subject area back in the late '90s when samples were tested from several cars that were said, by legend, to be unsuited before and compatible after a certain date. In all cases bar one (of which some in a moment), the samples from either end of production were identical in terms of their composition.
The engines used in his last survey were the all-aluminium 1974 748cc Reliant engine vs an 848cc example from 2001, one from a 1966 Rover 2000 TC vs a 1975 2200, a P5B engine vs one from a 1995 Discovery, a pair of XKs, one from a 1960s S Type vs one from a 1980s Daimler DS420 and a 1725cc Rootes OHV unit in isolation since the myth of the time stated that none of those were suited to unleaded fuel. A couple of iron headed engines with freshly cut seats were included; one B20 from a 1969 Volvo 144 the other also a B20 from a 1975 Volvo 240 before they started putting the OHC engines in them, that last stated by the manufacturers to have induction hardened seat areas in the iron head. The hardening wasn't very deep if that had been its original head but that was the only pair that displayed any difference, all tube stock tested where removed from aluminium heads was found to be of a spec so similar that no difference would have been detectable in use with either car of a pair or indeed of the entire sample since none had suffered from any signs of recession which was hardly surprising given the the materials were the same.

College isn't back up until mid September but I'll be in setting up for my fresh crowd the fortnight before and can grab any further information then for anyone who wants it.

And on topic: My AA card, mobile phone and a leatherman multi tool and small, cheap DMM. Anything more involved is handed on these days.

[suffolkpete]

Nevertheless I think I'll carry on using 95RON with an additive. It's cheaper, even though the price differential between regular and super is 5 - 7 p, rather than the 9p you suggest. You can't always get super everywhere.

[mr rusty]

I carry the usual- a small cheapo plastic toolbox with a few spanners ranging between 1/4" and 9/16", some screwdrivers, a mole wrench, pliers, fanbelt, and a collection of bits of wire, tape, various crimp connectors, cable ties, stanley knife, hose repair stuff and some hose clips. These will fix nearly any roadside emergency other than a totally immobilising mechanical failure.

I also carry a torch, an old coat for grovelling on the floor on, and some dry handcleaner, since if something does break it'll be guaranteed to be the dark, very possibly raining, and I'll be wearing clean clothes. Even a simple roadside wheel change can leave you with dirty hands and knees.

[Martin Evans]

Yes I forgot that I have an old boiler suit in the car and some hand wipes. I don't always remember to move those between cars, which is why I probably forgot them now At the moment they are in the boot of the Midget. There is also a seat cover.

[Maaarrghk]

Most of the above, plus a sturdy length of rope, a 9" diameter 1/2" thick steel plate to sit the jack on, a bit of old floorboard to sit on top of the jack and a large tin of matt black paint and lambswool roller in case I come across some poor motorist afflicted with a bad case of shiny paintwork - I always like to be in a position to help others.

[TerryG]

Remind me never to park near you!

[Maaarrghk]

Oh, I only need to be passing by Terry.