Pro tip: the $11 hose clamp that saved my $900 beater on I-40 outside Flagstaff

Michael Wright · 2026-10-08T19:00:06.338576+00:00

So I'm driving my 2001 Civic home from a camping trip two weeks ago and about 20 miles west of Flagstaff the temp gauge starts climbing fast. Pull over, pop the hood, and there's coolant spraying everywhere from a cracked upper radiator hose. I had a roll of electrical tape and a Leatherman in the trunk, so I wrapped the split and topped it off with two water bottles from my cooler. Got me 30 miles to a parts store in Flagstaff where an $11 clamp and $19 hose fixed it in the parking lot. Anyone else keep a spare hose and clamps in the trunk, or am I overthinking it?

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Pro tip: the $11 hose clamp that saved my $900 beater on I-40 outside Flagstaff | Cars Under 5k - Rigidtalk