Essential Things You Should Always Have in Your Car
When it comes to car issues, it pays to be prepared. While many lists contain dozens of "essential" items that "must" be in your car at all times, crates of supplies can eat up your trunk space. That's why we here at MotorWorld | MileOne Autogroup condensed the list down to some of the most practical items you may find yourself needing on the road.
Repair and Maintenance
- Your car's manual: Keep it readily available by leaving it in the glove compartment.
- Jumper cables: Dead batteries can happen to anyone at any time. Even if someone is willing to jump your vehicle, they might not have the cables to do so.
- Spare tire, tire jack, tire iron: Even if you don't know how to change a tire, it's never too late to learn.
- Tire sealant: Though you should always have a spare, sealant provides a quick repair to a leaky tire.
- Duct tape: You'd be surprised what it can fix (temporarily, at least).
Emergency Situations
- Ice scraper: Depending on where you live, this can be a great timesaver. (For the record, credit cards are great ice scrapers--until they break.)
- Empty gas can: This can come in extremely handy for those that like to live on the edge and consistently drive on Empty.
- First aid kit: You never know when you will need one for yourself or someone nearby.
- Flashlight: Changing a tire is difficult enough, even moreso in the dark.
- Maps: A good old-fashioned paper map never needs recharging. (Great for when Google Maps isn’t working or when your GPS doesn't have a signal.)
- Reflective triangle: Vital to keep you safe on the side of the road at night.
Everyday use
- Roll of quarters: Useful for tolls, parking meters, you name it.
- Car-adapted phone charger: Phones just always seem to die right when you need them most. Nip that problem in the bud and invest in a charger that plugs into your vehicle.
- Umbrella: No one likes getting caught in a downpour (and tire punctures always seem to happen in the rain for some reason...)