What Are The Essentials You Need To Keep In Your Car

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What Are The Essentials You Need To Keep In Your Car?

Nobody plans on having their car break down or experiencing a lengthy delay, whether they are setting out on a cross-country road trip or just commuting to and from work. These do occur, sadly, and drivers are often woefully unprepared to cope with them. This is why it’s smart to always have a go-bag full of necessities stashed in your car, just in case.

 Even if you never end up using them, it’s comforting to know they’re on hand, just in case. Below, we’ll have a look at some must-haves for keeping in your car.  

The Owner’s Manual 

Make sure the owner’s manual is in the glove compartment or wherever you normally keep it. The owner’s manual for your car contains crucial details, such as the optimal PSI and fuel levels, as well as other information that is specific to your model. If you don’t ever use it, you’ll never have to worry about losing it because it’s something that’s always in your vehicle. That’s ideal if you ever want to sell it too, as the new owner is going to want that useful booklet. 

 Phone Charger

You can disregard this if your car (and phone) are equipped for wireless charging. If you’re going to be away from an electrical outlet for any length of time, a portable battery charger is an absolute must. 

It goes without saying that we disapprove of phone use while behind the wheel. Due to technological improvements, however, having your mobile device (legally) in your possession while driving can be advantageous. It can be used for navigation if, for instance, your vehicle is too old to have a built-in satnav system installed. Most modern smartphones already come preloaded with a map app, so all you have to do is place your device in a dashboard mount, enter your route into the app, and hit the road. And, if you break down in a remote area without access to public telephones, having a fully charged phone will be a lot of help in getting in touch with a towing company. 

A USB car charger can be purchased online for very little, and it simply plugs into the car’s cigarette lighter to provide a power source while you drive. If your vehicle lacks this outlet, you can avoid draining the battery by purchasing a portable power pack instead. They are lightweight and portable, allowing you to keep your device charged even after you have reached your final destination.

 Food And Water

Food and water are important in any road emergency, whether your car has broken down or you’re stuck in a long line. So, you should keep non-perishable foods like cereal bars, dried fruit, chips, and so on in your car. If you often drive with other people, be sure to bring more. This will not only keep you from getting cranky while you wait for traffic to move or a recovery van, but it will also keep your energy levels up. 

In the same way, you should always have a sealed bottle of water in your car. This can help you stay hydrated, but it can also be used to fill up your radiator or the bottle that cleans your windshield if you need to. 

 Jumper Cables 

If your car’s battery dies, it’s not always possible or even likely that a kind stranger will be able to jumpstart it for you. Just having jumper cables isn’t enough to get your engine going again. Because of this, you’ll also need a battery booster in case of an emergency. Roadside assistance from your insurance company is always an option, but the wait time is often longer than expected, which can be a problem if you are running late or in a dangerous situation. 

Jumper cables are cheap and can be bought at most stores or online for less than $20. A dead battery is almost always a big surprise and a huge pain. But if you’ve taken the time to buy jumper cables and learn how to jumpstart a battery, your car and, more importantly, your day won’t be dead for long.

 Ice Scraper 

There are a lot of new cars with windshields that can be heated. But having a heated front window won’t stop the rest of your windows and back glass from getting iced up. To do the job, you’ll need to buy a scraper or a can of de-icer aerosol.

Once you turn up the heat, it shouldn’t be too hard to get the ice off your car. If you’re worried about getting your hands cold, there are scrapers that come with mitts attached too. When it comes to de-icers, there are some that are better for the environment than others if you’re worried about what they might do when you spray them. Just research them first so you know what to opt for. 

 First Aid Kit 

If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being involved in an accident, having a first aid kit on hand will allow you to treat minor wounds and limit the extent of the damage while you wait for an ambulance. Bandages, plasters, pain relievers, and other similar items should be included in your pack in case you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to make a quick repair. You could also consider bringing along any personal medications or prescriptions you might need, just in case.

 Fuel Can

This is probably one of the most useful things to have in your car if you run out of gas and have to stop. No one likes to admit that something like this has happened to them, but it happens more often than you might think. 

Even if you don’t think it could happen to you, there are times when you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to look at the fuel gauge on your dashboard before you need to leave. So, it’s a good idea to keep an empty fuel can (also called a “Jerry can”) in the back of your car. 

How big a can you need depends on how big your car’s tank is. It’s best if you get one that adds at least a quarter of a tank of gas. This should give you enough gas to get to your destination or at least to a gas station where you can get more.