What is in your break down box?

[natejgreene9871]

I like to drive my 400e on long road trips and I keep a box in the trunk of break down items. Mostly electrical items that could leave me stranded that I wouldn't be able to pick up at a common parts store.

Does anybody else do this? What else would be good to add to the box?

 

[daantjie]

More safety related but gloves, headlamp and flashlight, warm coat and blanket. You never know if you might get stranded overnight somewhere.

 

[500AMM]

I concure with @daantjie and I would also bring some basic tools of proper quality and various accessories;
- bit set w/bit screwdriver, or a combi set
- a set of pliers
- 8" or 10" spanner
- insulation tape
- duct tape
- zip ties
- 1++ meter of 1,5 mm2 cable
- bottle of water
- rags/ paper roll
- wipes is really nice
- for spares - anything electric like; control modules, EZL, relais, fuses...

A flat tire rarely happens, but make sure that the spare wheel is holding needed air pressure to be driven on. If wide wheels sits on the car, the flat tire may not fit inside the spare wheel trunk and has to be put elsewhere - even inside the car, then a large solid plastic bag is handy for protecting the interior. That plastic bag is also handy to lay on the ground in case you have to crawl under the car, or use it as a raincoat. Unexpected things may happen at inconvenient places so I bring a 100 x 100 x 30 mm piece of hard wood as a base plate for the jack on gravel or swampy ground.

USAG combiset

You never go wrong with Knipex

 

[rayhennig]

Does anybody else do this?

Yes. EZL, fuel pump relay (MAS box), OVP relay, accelerator cable, bulbs and, oddly, there's a front wheel bearing in there although that's not exactly a roadside repair.

Oh, and a range of tools, a torch, a "head torch", silicon fluid and work gloves.

RayH

 

[gsxr]

I like to drive my 400e on long road trips and I keep a box in the trunk of break down items. Mostly electrical items that could leave me stranded that I wouldn't be able to pick up at a common parts store.

Does anybody else do this? What else would be good to add to the box?

I do this for long road trips only (hundreds of miles away from home), and yes, one of each CAN module plus EZL. Make sure you have an L-shaped Allen wench to allow swapping the CAN modules, and the necessary tools to R&R the EZL. Never had a failure, but I don't want to be 500 miles away from civilisation and have a failed module render the vehicle undriveable.

Moderation is needed or you'll end up with the entire trunk packed with your entire part+tool collection, so be reasonable.

In addition to what was mentioned above, make sure to carry a battery booster pack like a NOCO GB70 / GBX75 or similar. The unit needs to be beefy enough to crank an M119 with a completely dead (not just weak) battery, even in sub-zero temps... AND have clamps/jaws that fit neatly on Group 49 recessed terminals. You can test this at home by disconnecting the battery and connecting the jumper box directly to the clamps/wires on the vehicle side so the battery is totally isolated. The engine may not crank as fast as with the battery but it should be close.

 

[szvook]

1. Tools that came with the car.
2. Duck tape and electrical tape.
3. Zip ties.
4. Engine oil.
3. Coolant.
4. Brake fluid.
5. Transmission fluid.
6. Rubber gloves.
7. Microfiber towels.
8. A few bungee cords.
9. Flashlight.
10. A few flares.
11. Jumper cables.
12. Spare EZL.
13. SOG Super Bowie knife.
13. Sig Sauer P220, with 2 extra magazines and 100 rounds of ammo.

 

[rayhennig]

10. A few flares.

Why do you need 1970s trousers? A roadside fashion statement, perhaps?



R

 

[svhamelly]

Cell phone with towing company in contacts

 

[gsxr]

Cell phone with towing company in contacts

This is great if you break down where there is cell service! My wife recently needed a tow and you guessed it, the truck broke down in a dead zone (details here).

Fun fact: Some national parks, like Yellowstone and Glacier, have limited cell service in most areas and large sections of the parks have zero cell service.

 

[Glen]

I always carry my cordless tire inflator. Re: cell coverage, very soon this will not be an issue. DTC (direct to cell) service from Starlink is coming. T-mobile will have it first but all carriers will get it eventually.

 

[R129 UK]

A flat tire rarely happens, but make sure that the spare wheel is holding needed air pressure to be driven on. If wide wheels sits on the car, the flat tire may not fit inside the spare wheel trunk and has to be put elsewhere - even inside the car, then a large solid plastic bag is handy for protecting the interior.

Like this?

 

[500AMM]

@R129 UK, you've obviously been there already.

Yes, such a simple thing as a big plastic bag is underestimated - occupies a minimum of space and you'll be sooo happy when you've got all the fun creep up your spine and used all "reinforcement words" AKA swearing, and suddenly realize that "I have that plastic bag!!"

 

[R129 UK]

@R129 UK, you've obviously been there already.

Yes, such a simple thing as a big plastic bag is underestimated - occupies a minimum of space and you'll be sooo happy when you've got all the fun creep up your spine and used all "reinforcement words" AKA swearing, and suddenly realize that "I have that plastic bag!!"

Yes, don't underestimate the size of these 18" wheels. The bag was a huge industrial style bin liner and it still wasn't big enough to cover the whole thing!!

 

[WDB748372]

One thing I thought was also worth mentioning is torquing the wheels so you're able to remove them with the tools in your vehicle. I do this the first thing after purchasing a new to me (used) car. Can't tell you how many times I went to help a friend stuck on the side of the road unable to remove their wheels bolts/nuts.

 

[AMG5PT4]

Spare Serpentine belt and belt tensioner tool?

 

[gsxr]

Spare Serpentine belt and belt tensioner tool?

I was debating this as well, and in the past I've kept a spare in the tunk. Doesn't take up much space and can be tucked by the spare tire. However... serpentine belts are awfully rare roadside failures IME/IMO, and if you are anywhere near a McParts / FLAPS you can probably obtain a replacement.

 

[sheward]

I keep the belt and a spare TENSIONER...because I own the early version.

 

[gsxr]

I keep the belt and a spare TENSIONER...because I own the early version.

Good point. Early cars with manual tensioner, wouldn't hurt to have the spare... but that ain't fun to replace away from home.

Spring-loaded late tensioners are very rare failures (for OE, not aftermarket).

 

[emerydc8]

Spare Serpentine belt and belt tensioner tool?

I also printed out a diagram of how the belt is situated around the pulleys to save some roadside aggravation. As @AMG5PT4 suggested, don’t forget a breaker bar with female Torx for the later-model tensioners, otherwise a spare belt won’t help much. I can’t remember what tools are required for the early-models.

 

[R129 UK]

I also printed out a diagram of how the belt is situated around the pulleys to save some roadside aggravation. As @AMG5PT4 suggested, don’t forget a breaker bar with female Torx for the later-model tensioners, otherwise a spare belt won’t help much. I can’t remember what tools are required for the early-models.

I have an image folder on my phone with various bits of useful info just in case.

I also have a Dropbox folder, mainly of pdfs for various jobs or additional info in case of trouble. My classic is covered by my roadside assistance but I doubt many patrol guys could do the necessary should the worst happen and the M119 lets me down…

 

[bclifton]

Spare Serpentine belt and belt tensioner tool?

(just kidding of course!)