Basic Things to Keep in Your Car

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Some of us keep absolutely nothing in the trunks of our cars, while others have enough stuff there to live in their car for weeks. Somewhere in the middle is a list of 30 things that, in our opinion, every car owner should always have at hand.

You can buy packaged emergency safety kits – like this one from AAA , which includes an accessory cable, flashlight, first aid kit, and many other items – but the do-it-yourself approach is more satisfying and cost-effective as you probably already have many of them. these items are lying around. It’s not just about emergencies or security, which is why we’ve categorized the checklists.

Car repair and maintenance

There is nothing better than blowing a tire and realizing on the side of the road that the spare wheel in the trunk is also deflated. (True story.) To keep you working, keep in your trunk:

  • A spare wheel (in good condition) along with a jack and tire fitting , because without them the spare wheel is useless. ( Here’s how to change the tire in case you need to refresh your memory.) Also, if you need a special safety key to remove your wheels, make sure it’s always in your car.
  • A tire inflator and sealant such as Fix-a-Flat that can fix minor leaks (and help you avoid using the above tools) long enough to get you to the auto shop.
  • Jumper cables , because up to the best of us, it happens to run out of batteries. We have a crash course on how to start a car from an external source , but you should familiarize yourself with your own car’s engine in case things turn out a little differently. Alternatively, take a backup battery with you to avoid relying on the Good Samaritan.
  • Instructions for your car , which should already be in the glove compartment.
  • Tire pressure gauge . As our sister site Jalopnik points out , “Checking tire pressures on a regular basis can improve handling, increase fuel economy, contribute to tire durability, and even save lives.”
  • Electrical tape and WD-40 . Seriously, check out these 10 Heroic Duct Tape Car Repair .
  • Repair contact information . Your auto shop business card, your AAA card (if you are a member), and car insurance claim forms will also come in handy – you can find some of these online, but you never know when you will be in an area with no cellular connection or collision with a poorly discharged phone battery. Store them in the glove compartment.

Safety and survival

You may already have an emergency bag . If you spend a lot of time in the car, and it is always there when you are at home, you can simply leave the specified kit in the trunk or create a second, possibly lighter version to take with you on the road.

In any case, your security measures should include:

Several items related to the car:

  • Seat belt cutter and window switch. That’s $ 6 on Amazon . Keep it in the glove compartment or in the door, not in the trunk, of course.
  • Flashes or reflective triangles so you don’t get knocked down when you are parked at the side of the road in the dark.
  • Maps . Yes, paper. (The GPS on your phone can go off and on at the most inopportune moment.)

For emergencies in winter / snow

  • Ice scraper
  • A space mylar blanket to keep warm during a blizzard.
  • Remnants of cardboard or carpet can be placed under the tires when you need to slightly improve traction.

Convenience and comfort

In addition to the basics above, you can keep these things as well:

  • Paper towels or hand towel
  • Napkins or roll of toilet paper
  • Pencil and paper
  • Umbrella
  • Change of spare parts / cash in case of emergency
  • Reusable shopping bags for impromptu shopping trips.
  • Blankets that are useful not only for warming up in an emergency, but also for impromptu trips to the park.
  • Change of clothes : Also a must, because if you get wet in the rain or snow while changing your apartment, you will want to get warm and dry as soon as possible.
  • Masks , just in case – you won’t be caught without them.
  • Hand sanitizer bottle. The pandemic is not over yet.
  • A USB mobile charger (if your vehicle does not have one) and a fully charged power bank. If your car’s battery runs out, you’ll still need to charge your phone, so keep a charged battery in your glove box and check it regularly to make sure it retains a charge.

This is not an exhaustive list and your individual needs may vary. While this may sound like a lot, it doesn’t take up too much space, and you’ll certainly be glad to have them if you ever need them. This post was originally published in September 2013 and was updated on December 9, 2020 to include updated links and recommendations and a new header image, and to align content with the current Lifehacker style.

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