Keep your summer road trip rolling: Vacation time is here, and here are two products that make your automotive journeys more safe and secure year-round.

First is an upgrade of one of last year's best-received products, the Wolfbox jump starter/compressor. These compact, rechargeable devices combine a fast and accurate automatic air compressor, a powerful flashlight with multiple modes, and a jump starter powerful enough to crank and start a large V8 diesel engine. This makes starting the average automobile or SUV a cakewalk in comparison. It also charges your portable devices via USB-C and everything is conveniently packaged in a semi-rigid case. It makes for a reassuring companion on long trips and especially in the winter, when tire inflation and battery issues are most likely to happen. I use mine regularly to fill bicycle tires and top off car tires, and several readers have reported satisfaction with the jump start feature. The more powerful Wolfbox MV24A 4000A Jump Starter with 160PSI Air Compressor is currently available for the same price as the entry-level model I reviewed last year. Listing for $139.99, using the code WOLFBOX50 at checkout on Amazon reduces the price $50 to $89.99. I would love to see manufacturers include these as standard equipment with new cars but until they do, at least they are very affordable!

Next is a product that is getting good reviews from car enthusiasts, and a recent experience has me thinking about getting one for myself. Many modern vehicles do not include a spare tire and have run flat tires, or include an inflation kit with sealant. Unfortunately the sealant only works if you have a puncture. Two months ago I hit a huge pothole on the interstate, flattening a brand-new run flat tire and damaging the sidewall, though the wheel fortunately avoided damage. (You can drive on a run flat with a puncture, but not sidewall damage.) Fortunately, I have a full-size alloy wheel and tire I put together to use as a spare on long trips. AAA came and put it on so I could resume my journey, but it is heavy and takes up a lot of trunk space. Because of this I only take it on long trips, and even then, not all of the time.

This led me to Modern Spare. Modern Spare sells kits with a spare tire engineered specifically for your vehicle and everything needed to change it. The lightweight tire is sized between a space saver and a full-size wheel and tire. This means it conserves space, but you can drive faster and further than than the typical 50 mph/50 mile space saver limitation. The kits I investigated start around $380. I contacted the manufacturer and though they have a discount code box at checkout, they are not presently offering any discount codes. modernspare.com

Q. Your latest column about CPAP/BiPAP and distilled water was really helpful for me, thank you. When you refill those small bottles and put them in your checked bag, have you had trouble with them leaking? If so, what remedy has worked for that?

—E.G., Pittsburgh

A. I have not had any problems with leaks. The 8-ounce Aquapap bottles are made of dark blue plastic (the color reminds me of an old medicine bottle) and though they look like ordinary water bottles, they are very stout and strong and the cap screws on very securely. I have been so confident in them the thought of leaks never even crossed my mind until I received your email. You could double-bag them in 1-gallon Ziploc bags for extra protection, but I do not think it is necessary.

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