7 Important Items to Always Keep in Your Car

What to Keep in Your Car: 20 Things That Will Come in Handy

Whether you’re commuting to work or taking a long road trip, it’s best to prepare for when plans go awry. That’s why you need to keep several things in your car in case something goes wrong during your travels. Seasonal weather is also a factor concerning what to keep in your vehicle, so as summer fades into fall, revisit the items you carry with you and re-stock as is necessary.

Let’s assume that you already know that you should have the spare tire aboard, as well as the jack and lug wrench supplied by the car company that built your vehicle. Keep in mind that some vehicles have a tire inflator kit in place of these items. You should also have copies of your car registration and proof of car insurance in the glove compartment, along with the original owner’s manual.

What, aside from these items, is good to have along for the ride? Let’s take a closer look.

What to Keep in Your Car for Breakdowns Jumper cables If your car’s battery dies, or if you encounter another motorist who needs help, a set of jumper cables comes in handy. Before using them, however, be sure you know how to jumpstart a car. Flashlight If you suffer a breakdown after dark, you’ll want a flashlight. Choose an LED flashlight with plenty of illumination and regularly check that the batteries are good. Carrying a spare set of batteries is also a wise idea. Flares and matches or reflective emergency triangles When you experience car trouble, you should pull as far off of the road as you can to ensure your safety. Lighting road flares (using a box of matches you keep in the car) helps to warn other drivers that you’re on the side of the road and to slow down. An excellent alternative to road flares is a set of reflective emergency triangles. Multi-tool device You’ll need basic tools to assist you if your car breaks down. A multi-tool device, such as a Leatherman, comes in handy and doesn’t take up much space inside your vehicle as a tool kit might. Duct tape and plastic zip ties In addition to a multi-tool, a roll of duct tape and a bag of plastic zip ties can prove useful to secure loose items until you can get them repaired. Waterproof tarp If your car breaks down, you might need to get down on the ground to investigate or perform a makeshift repair. When a tire goes flat, or if you need to install tire chains, you’ll also be in contact with the ground. A waterproof tarp is perfect for such situations. Wet wipes and rags After investigating or resolving a mechanical problem, you’ll want to use wet wipes to clean up. Rags are also helpful, and they can assist during the investigation and resolution of a problem. Water and non-perishable snacks Depending on the situation, you could have a long wait for help after your car breaks down. Especially if you’re traveling with children or in a remote area, it’s a good idea to have water and non-perishable snacks such as nuts or jerky in your vehicle.

What to Keep in Your Car for Emergencies First-aid kit You want to have a first-aid kit in your vehicle. At a minimum, it should contain adhesive and fabric bandages, anti-bacterial spray, antibiotic ointment, medical tape, and scissors. Many also include medical gloves, alcohol cleaning wipes, antiseptic, gauze, and tweezers. Escape tool An escape tool cuts through seatbelt webbing and breaks window glass from the inside. This tool is useful if you run off of a road into a body of water, so keep it in your center console or glove compartment and not in your trunk or cargo area.

What to Keep in Your Car for Warm Weather Bug spray, sunblock, and a sun hat If you break down on a hot and muggy summer day, keep in mind that you won’t be able to run your vehicle’s air conditioning. You’ll need to wait for help outside. Having bug spray, sunblock, and a sun hat will protect you from mosquitoes and a sunburn. Umbrella Keeping an umbrella in your car is smart, even if you live in the desert. Otherwise, sudden, unexpected rainstorms can catch you unprepared.

What to Keep in Your Car for Cold Weather Ice scraper and snow brush When the snow flies, you’ll want to have an ice scraper and a snow brush inside of your vehicle. If the weather calls for freezing rain, it’s a good idea to remove the ice scraper and keep it in your home because you might need to chisel your way into your car after the storm. Blanket, gloves, and hat Breakdowns in the winter pose a severe threat to your health. You’ll need to be prepared to keep yourself and your passengers warm in the absence of the car’s heater. Blankets, gloves, and hats are a must for people living in cold-weather climates. Kitty litter To help your tires get traction, kitty litter is useful. You don’t want to carry an entire bag of it, which takes up space and adds significant weight. A quarter of a bag should be enough to assist you in slippery situations. Washer fluid When driving in winter weather, your windshield gets filthy, and fast. If you run out of washer jet fluid, you could suffer significant visibility problems as a result. In winter, carry washer fluid in your vehicle to avoid this problem. Do not use water, which could freeze and damage your washer system.

What to Keep in Your Car for Convenience Cell phone charger We are dependent on our cell phones and smartphones, and when the battery powering them goes dead, we lose our primary form of communication. Keeping a charger in your vehicle and using it while driving is essential not just for your convenience but also if you break down on the side of the road. Tire pressure gauge Maintaining proper tire pressure is one of the best ways to maximize fuel economy, minimize tire wear, and maintain a vehicle’s proper ride and handling characteristics. Using a quality tire pressure gauge is always better than using the air machine indicator at your local gas station. Reusable grocery bags Many states have banned the use of plastic grocery bags, or they require stores to charge extra for plastic or recycled paper bags. In response, reusable grocery bags are increasingly popular. Be sure to keep them in your car, so they’re available during impromptu trips to the market. Hand sanitizer As society has learned, easily infectious germs are everywhere. Thus, it is a good idea to have hand sanitizer in your vehicle for when you cannot wash your hands, such as after refueling your car.

39 Things You Should Have In Your Car At All Times

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7 Important Items to Always Keep in Your Car

Although we can’t always be prepared for everything, there are often things that we can do to help ourselves in the event of an emergency. An emergency can happen anywhere – even while driving. So while we cannot always expect to find ourselves in an urgent situation, we can at least prepare for it. Here are 7 important items that you should always keep in your car.

1. First Aid Kit

One of the most important items to always have on hand – including in your car – is a first aid kid. First aid kits contain many helpful items, such as bandages, gauze, antibiotic cream, and more. You can choose to purchase a premade kit or to customize your own.

2. Warm Clothing and Blankets

For those of us who live in regions of the country that grow colder during certain months of the year, it is very important that you have a way to warm up in your car in a situation where you are stuck without a running heater. In order to prepare for such a situation, you can keep warm clothing such as sweaters and sweatshirts or even blankets and sleeping bags in your vehicle. These items can also serve various other purposes (e.g. to dry off) if need be.

3. Water Bottles

Since we cannot fit every little thing in our vehicle, items that serve multiple purposes are extremely valuable. One such is a water bottle. Water bottles are helpful since not only can you hydrate yourself by drinking the water, but you can also clean oil off of your clothes if you’ve been changing a tire, and you can even use it to cool off an overheating radiator.

4. Spare Tire

As mentioned, it is possible that you may have to change a tire. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for your tires to ride over something sharp and become punctured. When that happens, having a spare tire is imperative; so too is knowing how to change one. Keep in mind that you will also need the proper tools to change it.

5. Tool Kit

Just as changing a tire requires certain tools, there are certain circumstances in which having various tools on hand can help you out of a serious situation. Consider keeping the following tools in your vehicle:

Antifreeze

Brake Fluid

Duct Tape

Pliers

Screwdrivers

Tire Gauge

6. Jumper Cables

Unfortunately, when we forget to do something as simple as turn off our headlights, it can run – and ultimately kill – your battery. Jumper cables can help to get your vehicle started again. You will need someone else’s vehicle to help you. Simply attach them to the correct terminals of their battery and follow instructions.

7. Emergency Flares

We cannot always predict when and where our cars will break down. Sometimes this can happen in remote or dangerous locations. By placing flares around your car, you can help to draw the attention of others to you and your vehicle.

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If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, it can feel overwhelming. But you shouldn’t have to pay the price for someone else’s mistakes. At MPJ Law Firm, we have a deep understanding of car accidents and a long history of dealing with insurance companies. We will always act in your best interest. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!

Posted in: Automobile Accidents