Buying a new car is always accompanied by pleasant emotions and a thorough check of all systems before the first check-out. However, few owners pay due attention to the contents of the hidden niches of the luggage compartment, where they often hide. zip-pack. The abbreviation stands for “Spare Parts, Tools and Accessories”, and this set is not just a formality, but a mandatory element prescribed in the technical documentation of any vehicle.
Knowing the exact composition of this kit is critical, since if components are lost, dealerships may refuse warranty service or require full payment for the restoration of the complete set. Owners need to clearly understand the difference between consumables, staff tools and emergency supplies in order to properly manage their resources. motor-car.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what items should be in your car according to factory specifications, how to properly keep records of spent items and why marking on parts plays a key role in insurance cases or the sale of a vehicle.
Decoding of the abbreviation and the purpose of the set
The term ZIP came to the civil automotive industry from the military and industrial sphere, where spare parts logistics is of paramount importance. In the context of a passenger car, this concept hides the totality of all the items that the manufacturer delivers with the main product to ensure its operation, maintenance and minor repairs along the way. Appointment This set allows the driver to independently eliminate the simplest faults or replace the broken elements without contacting the service.
It is important to distinguish between a regular ZIP, which comes "from the factory", and extended sets that the owner can buy separately. The staff set is strictly regulated by the manufacturer's regulatory documents and is part of the constructivity car. Its presence is checked when accepting the car in the dealership, and the absence of even one element can be the reason for making a claim.
⚠️ Attention: The absence of elements of a standard ZIP (for example, a towing hook or a jack) may be the basis for refusing to evacuate the car on insurance or when calling special equipment, since there will be nothing to hook the car.
The composition of the kit directly depends on the class of the car, its configuration and the sales market. For example, for cars designed for the northern regions, the set may include special preheaters or heaters, while for the basic versions of the budget segment, the list will be minimal. Understanding this hierarchy helps the owner not to demand from the dealer what is not originally intended. configuration cars.
Staff tool: jacks, keys and tenants
The basis of any set of ZIP is a locksmith tool necessary for basic operations to replace wheels, filters or candles. The central element here is jack-up. In modern cars, the most common rhombic mechanical jacks or bottle-type hydraulic devices. It is important to monitor the condition of the thread and lubrication mechanism, as rust can make its use impossible in an emergency.
The second most important element is the collar or balloon key. Often manufacturers save space and weight by supplying combined keys that combine the functions of a jack collar and a head for wheel bolts. For cars with cast discs, a special ZIP may include a special secretion-head Or a sleeve that will make it difficult to access.
In addition, the set may include:
- 🔧 Divorce key or a set of carob keys to adjust the tension of the belts or battery terminals.
- 🔩 Candle key with a rubber insert for fixing the candle, often combined with a collar.
- 🧤 Installation blade to remove wheel caps or skin elements.
- 🔌 Squirt Check the oil level (if it is not built into the cover).
The quality of the metal from which the tool is made is usually average, as it is designed for rare use. Excessive force when unscrewing the "stiffened" bolts can lead to deformation of the faces of the key. Therefore, for complex work, it is recommended to have a professional garage. toolkit with a lot of safety.
☑️ Checking the condition of the instrument
Consumables and Quick Replacement Elements
The second category of items in the set of ZIPs is consumables that may be required during operation. These include external lighting lamps, fuses of various denominations and drive belts. Availability of spares lamp This is especially true for cars where replacing the light source requires partial disassembly of the headlight or removal of the bumper.
A set of fuses is usually presented in the form of a plastic cassette or a package with colored elements. Each color corresponds to a certain current strength, and the replacement of the fuse with an analogue with a large nominal value is strictly prohibited, as this can lead to fire of the wiring. In modern cars with complex electronics, ZIP can also include special vehicles. pince Removing miniature fuses from the mounting blocks.
⚠️ Warning: Store spare lamps and fuses must be in a dry place, preferably in the original packaging. Humidity and temperature changes in the trunk can oxidize the contacts of the lamps, making them unsuitable for use at the right time.
For some models of cars, especially SUVs and commercial vehicles, the ZIP includes spare drive belts (generator, GUR, air conditioning). Their presence allows you to continue driving when the belt breaks, although the functionality of the car will be limited. This group can also be attributed to spark-plug For engines with a high resource, although in recent years manufacturers have increasingly excluded them from the base set, relying on long service intervals.
Marking of safety locks
The color of the fuse corresponds to its nominal value: pink - 30A, green - 30A (depending on the standard), blue - 15A. Always check the marking on the body of the burned element before replacing it so as not to disrupt the electrical network.
Emergency supplies and security equipment
The third, and perhaps most important from a security point of view, group of items in the kit ZIP - is emergency supplies. This includes a towing cable, an emergency stop sign and a reflective vest. Presence hook (often screwed into a bumper and stored in a niche zip) is a mandatory requirement for technical inspection in many countries.
The emergency stop sign must comply with GOST or international standards (UNECE), have a stable base and reflective surface. In the dark or in conditions of poor visibility, this element ensures the safety of the driver who is at the side of the road. In some configurations, the ZIP also includes recoil-back (shoe) which are mandatory for trucks and are recommended for cars when parking on steep slopes.
The composition of the emergency set may vary:
- 🚗 Towing cable with hooks at the ends (often at least 4 meters long).
- 🦺 reflective vest (Must be used to get out of the car on the roadway).
- 🚨 Emergency stop sign (Folding or in the form of a triangle).
- 🔦 Lantern (In some configurations, operating from the onboard network or autonomous).
Separately, it is worth mentioning the first aid kit and fire extinguisher. Although formally they are often not included in the factory ZIP, but are purchased separately or supplied by the dealer as a related product, their placement in the regular trunk fasteners is a mandatory requirement of law. The absence of these items entails penalty Checking documents by traffic police officers.
Place the reflective vest not in the back of the trunk, but in the pocket of the driver's door or under the seat. By the rules, you must be in the vest when you get out of the car on the highway, and looking for it in the rubble of the trunk can be dangerous.
Specificity of ZIP for cars with different types of engines
The set of ZIP varies significantly depending on the type of power unit. For vehicles with petrol engines are characterized by the presence of candle keys and spare candles. In diesel versions, spark plugs are absent, but there may be elements for maintenance of the preheating system or special keys for removing fuel filters that require more frequent replacement.
Vehicles with hybrid installations or fully electric Vehicles (EVs) have a unique set of ZIPs. You will not find candles or generator belts in the classical sense. Instead, the kit may include special dielectric gloves, tools for emergency shutdown of a high-voltage battery or plugs for charging ports. Working with such components requires special qualification and compliance with safety precautions.
| Element of ZIP | Gasoline engine | Diesel engine | Electric vehicle (EV) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candle key | There is. | No. | No. |
| Spare candles | Often | No (only incandescent) | No. |
| ABB instrument | Basic key | Basic key | Dielectric set |
| Drive belts | Aye (optional) | Got (often) | No. |
Owners of cars with turbocharged engines should pay attention to the presence of clamps and pipes for the intercooler system in the ZIP, although this is rare in modern sets. The basic rule: the more complex the engine design, the more specific the tool can be, and the higher the likelihood that serious repairs will be required. specialized devices that are not included in the basic set.
Accounting, storage and recovery of lost items
Proper storage of a set of ZIP is the key to its safety and readiness for use. Usually all items are stacked in plastic organizers, bags or secured in special niches under the boot floor. It is important (regularly check) the condition of the fasteners, since from vibration plastic fixtures can break, and a heavy jack will begin to beat against the body, damaging the body. paintwork And it makes noise.
If you used any element from the kit (for example, replaced the burned fuse or lost the towing hook), you must restore completeness as soon as possible. This can be done through official dealers, ordering original spare parts by VIN-code, or picking up high-quality analogues in specialized auto tool stores. When ordering through a dealer, it is important to indicate not only the model of the car, but also the model of the car. completementBecause the sets may be different.
The recovery process often includes the following steps:
- Search for the catalog number of the lost item.
- Ordering from an official importer or in an online spare parts store.
- Purchase of a universal analogue (for example, a universal jack instead of a regular one).
- Packing new items in appropriate packaging to prevent clangling in the trunk.
Full equipment ZIP is not only a requirement of the law, but also a matter of your safety and financial protection when selling a car or the occurrence of an insured event.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I sell a car without a set of ZIPs?
It is possible to legally sell a car without a VIP, since it is not part of the VIN code. However, the lack of a standard tool and accessories significantly reduces the liquidity of the car and its market value. Buyers often see this as a sign of carelessness towards the machine as a whole.
Where is the ZIP usually found in modern cars?
In most passenger cars, the ZIP is located in a niche under the false floor of the trunk. In some models (for example, hatchbacks or crossovers), the organizer can be attached to the side walls of the trunk or located under the second row seats. The exact location is always indicated in Operational manual.
What to do if there is no towing hook in the kit?
If the car is new, you must contact the dealer with the requirement to provide the missing item, as it is mandatory. If the car is used, the hook can be purchased separately, picking up the thread (most often it is the metric thread M12, M14 or M16) and the length of the pin corresponding to the hole in the bumper.
Does the absence of PPI affect warranty service?
The mere fact of the absence of a ZIP is not a reason for removal from the warranty on the engine or gearbox. However, if the breakdown occurred due to the use of a non-standard tool from your personal set (for example, tore the thread with an inappropriate key), warranty repair of this node may be refused.