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You will have seen several life hacks if you have a social media account anywhere online. These hacks cover every life genre, including some that can help you escape a tight spot on the roadside.

But do any of them work?

Before we suggest some roadside hacks that work, let’s talk about general safety.

General Safety Reminders When Working Roadside

No matter how dire the situation may seem, neglecting to prioritise safety can worsen it. And sometimes, these life hacks are only partially safe suggestions themselves.

Make sure you’re safe along with your passengers.

When working on the roadside, your first task is to assess the traffic flow. Areas with high-density traffic, such as highways or roadside areas on a blind rise, can be hazardous.

If you are able, put on high-visibility clothing or a bib. This will ensure that drivers riding past will see you.

It is a South African legal requirement that vehicles registered after 1 July 2007 carry an emergency triangle sign. So, if you’re required to do some roadside work, place it in a position that’s visible to warn drivers.

It’s also essential to remain alert and focused when working on a vehicle on the roadside. Putting a foot out of place accidentally can be the difference between life and death.

The next item to consider is equipment. Before resorting to any of these hacks, having the right tools for the job is best. Many motoring-related outlets stock a purpose-packed tool kit for emergencies.

If you’re worried about what should be in an emergency roadside kit, here’s a quick checklist:

  • Jumper cables or a smart jumper cable battery pack;
  • Tyre pressure gauge
  • Your car’s jack and lug wrench
  • Properly inflated spare tyre
  • Reflective warning triangle
  • Multi-tool such as a Leatherman
  • Headlamp and torch with spare batteries
  • Duct tape and zip ties
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Emergency blanket
  • Tow rope

This checklist is just a basic and general outline of equipment needed for unforeseen situations. Customise your kit based on your specific requirements and the emergencies you may encounter.

You should check your emergency kit regularly to ensure everything is in working order.

Now that we’ve outlined the usual items you need in a car let’s focus on roadside hacks that work.

Useful Roadside Hacks

Even with the best emergency roadside kit, some hacks will help in a tight spot. These include:

No Traction

When your car’s tyres begin to spin in mud or snow, you need to add additional traction.

While some expert 4x4ers will have traction mats, your vehicle’s rubber mats are great for the average sedan driver.

Simply place your floor mat close to the tyre/s that are currently spinning. The distance between the tyre and mat should be as close as possible so it can grip. When driving, make sure to take it slowly. High revs will just shoot the mat away.

Slow and gentle will win this race.

Sinking Car Escape

Often, you’ll see posts about breaking the glass of a sinking car with a headrest, but unfortunately, this is not a bankable solution.

Using a ceramic spark plug is a roadside hack that works every time. To break the window, ensure the sharp ceramic tip hits the glass surface first.

This situation is dire, so use a ceramic spark plug if you have it.

Windshield Repair

There’s nothing more hair-raising than seeing a rock hit your windshield, causing a chip or large crack across it. A great tip to stop the damage from spreading is to use clear nail polish.

This windshield repair is temporary; you will still require a professional to see the windscreen.

But what if you’re struggling to keep your windshield defogged?

A Potato Keeping Your Windshield Clear

If you are struggling to keep your windshield defogged, rubbing a raw potato on your windshield can help prevent it from fogging up.

The stickiness of the starch helps to provide a barrier between the glass and excess moisture in the air.

There are reports of potato juice, a waste product of vodka distillation, being used to keep snowy mountain roads clear in the state of Tennessee, USA.

Make-shift Funnel

If you need to refill fluids but don’t have a funnel, you can cut the top off a plastic bottle and use it as a funnel substitute.

Reflect Away The Heat!

We’ve all seen or even owned foil-lined sunshades for cars’ windshields. But did you know you can use one to reflect sunlight away from your car’s windows?

It can help keep the interior cooler on extremely hot days on the open road. Just make sure it doesn’t block the driver’s view.

Armed with these roadside hacks, you should be ready for any cross-country adventure. If you need help with your battery ever, make sure to contact us.