Do you carry tools, or parts?

I think carrying spare parts may be overkill but, I'm not gonna judge you. The only thing I can really think of to carry (beyond your list) would be a small clamp that allows you to use jumper cables on the jump point under the hood (not all jumper cables can clip to the jump point).

 

I travel with a jump start battery with tire inflator. Never had to use it to jump my 2004 Prius, but have used it many times to help others. The tire inflator function has been very handy.

JeffD

 

Things I've got:

1. Jumper cables.
2. Charger.
3. Wheel chocks (2).
4. Small square of pine board (scissor jack base)
5. Tire plug repair kit.
6. First aid kit.
7. Collapsible orange/retroflective cone.
8. Gloves, rags. (a life saver if changing a tire in sub-zero temps)
9. String (could be invaluable)

Things I throw in for long trips only:

1. Jump start pack.
2. Bicycle pump.
3. Extension chord.

Things I'm thinking to add:

1. An adjustable wrench

 

I've thought about this too. So ar I've got a jump box and a first aid kit. I am a Toyota technician so I have all the tools I need at the shop and a tool bag I fill with tools I'd normally use for certain jobs like water pump, inverter pump, 1/2" snap-on cordless impact with socket for lug nuts, spark plug socket, wobble sockets, and screw drivers. I just need to stock a couple parts. I have a few inverter pumps from the recall that Toyota didn't call back so I keep one in the bag as a back up, I just think I'm going to need a water pump and drive belt for the ICE since it has not been changed yet (I can only imagine it going out like ALL the other pumps I see).

 

1) Seems like you think you'll be stranded or have been stranded before?

2) How many miles do you have? If you have a lot, say >130K miles, those parts will be worthless if you suffer a HV battery failure or a transaxle failure. I singleout these two parts because we all know they will fail, esp the battery. Its just a matter of when, and I don't see anyone traveling with a spare HV battery or transaxle in the trunk.

3) Are you able to change the water pump, belt, and inverter pump yourself? If yes, then bring the tools and add some clear tubing for the bleed, and SLLC (Super Long Life Coolant). If no, then why all the tools? Just bring the parts, and get towed into a repair shop that can work on a Prius, so work can star immediately.

Or go on an aggressive preventative maintenance schedule and get the water pump, belt, thermostat, and inverter pump, changed early, say 110-130K miles? And if you really want a near guarantee, no roadside breakdown, due to a cooling system failure, change the hoses and radiator too. However, hoses let you know when they need to get changed; they get soft/spongy feeling, they may have cracks w/ no leaks (yet), and likely bulge (esp the large diameter upper radiator hose). Radiators usu last a long time too.

I have 128K miles on original water pump, thermostat, hoses, radiator, and HV battery. Transaxle and inverter pump were replaced under warranty at 99K miles in 2011. Belt was changed at 121K miles.

Maybe start a new poll asking when people changed their hoses (which ones) and why? Same for thermostat, waterpump, and radiator. This would give you a part failure time frame.

 

That is my approach to maintaining vehicles, as I have zero interest doing an emergency repair roadside.

However I am prepared to disconnect the 12V battery as a potential workaround to temporarily deal with certain hybrid drivetrain issues such as a high voltage ground fault (typically in the transaxle or traction battery) or a failing traction battery module.

 

Honestly, if you take care of your vehicles, maintaining them meticulously, you will have very few breakdowns.

 

Just thinking back: our vehicles in the '80's came with a rudimentary tool kit. Really rudimentary, but might have made the difference in some situations. Everything was in a vinyl roll-up case with velcro strap. You unrolled it and had the lug nut wrench (which you still get), but also a screw driver, pair of pliers, and..., maybe that was it?

 

I still have some of the tools that came with my 1963 TR4. That car needed a tool kit, but it was fun to drive.

My 2004 Prius has been very reliable and both times that I had problems needing repair on the road, they were traceable to some service done at the dealer done incorrectly. In both cases the dealer repaid me for the on-the-road service required.

JeffD

 

Like others I maintain my vehicles so do not expect a breakdown. I do carry jumper cables and a small tool kit.