Never forget to pack your trunk with these essential car items!
Vroom, vroom! You’re ready to take your car on a nice road trip, and you’re so excited you can’t hide it. That’s awesome, but while you’re rushing to pack things for you and your family, make sure you don’t forget some essential car items every driver must have in their vehicles.
Some of these things will guarantee you don’t end up stuck on the side of the road, while others will shield you from expensive fines. Now, without further ado let’s start the list with the first mandatory item:
1. First aid kit
A first-aid kit is one of those essential car items every driver must have, no matter what! Accidental injuries can occur at any time and anywhere. Thus, it’s crucial to have a first-aid kit in your vehicle. You don’t need to shell out a fortune for an expensive first aid box—a simple pack that includes plasters and sterile wipes would suffice in case of an emergency.
In addition to the essentials, you may customize your first aid kit by adding items you know you’ll need. If painkillers aren’t included in the pack, we advise making sure you have them. If you have hay fever or allergies, you might also wish to include antihistamines.
Just keep in mind that some items from the first aid kit expire after one year, so make sure you check it regularly and replace what’s not good.
2. A flashlight
Among the essential car items you must have in your trunk is a flashlight. Yeah, yeah, you may be tempted to say, “But I have my phone!” But what if your phone crashes or you don’t have the charger with you and you can’t turn it on? Better safe than sorry is my mantra, so I make sure I always keep one of two tactical flashlights.
In addition to being a self-defense tool, a tactical flashlight will make you more equipped if you become lost in the dark!
3. Phone charger
In the modern world, phones serve as more than just emergency contact devices. That’s why a phone charger is one of those essential car items every driver must have it in their vehicle. We use them for driving apps to find the best route, and to look for local hotels and places to visit.
If at all possible, we advise carrying two chargers, one that plugs into the vehicle’s 12-volt outlet so you can charge there, and another that fits into a regular 3-pin socket in case you need to exit the car.
4. All the necessary documents for your vehicle
License, insurance, and vehicle registration are three of the most essential car items you must have on hand, no matter how short or long your trip is going to be. I usually leave all the documents in the car, so I have them even when I go to the nearest store for my weekly shopping trip.
If you don’t have these necessary items in your automobile, you risk paying substantial fines! Traveling with your driver’s license and car registration is required by law, as in case of an accident, you’ll need these data related to your auto insurance.
Are you afraid to lose them in the car? Don’t worry, you can always copy them and keep the copy under the dash. Plus, you can buy a waterproof document holder to keep them safe. It costs only $14 on Amazon.
5. Ice scraper
I learned this from my husband, even if I used to laugh when I first heard that he always had the ice scraper in the trunk, no matter the season. That’s a bit odd, right? Oh well, the truth is, depending on the state you’re in, an overnight frost can hit anytime, even in early autumn.
I added the ice scraper to the list of essential car items because it can be useful throughout the year, especially for removing bird droppings that you know, can be very unpleasant!
6. Jump starters
If you don’t use your car very often or if you must drive in severe weather conditions, you can get a flat battery. To make sure you’re always ready to solve whatever issue may appear, don’t forget to throw some jumper starters in your trunk.
7. Tire-pressure gauge
While you’re packing your trunk with all the essential car items, don’t forget to add a tire pressure gauge. This tool helps you check if your tires are good to go. A little cylinder with a tab that is pushed out when the gauge is linked to the tire is the most popular design of a tire pressure gauge. If you want, you can buy a digital tire pressure gauge that gives a more accurate measure of the pounds. It won’t cost you more than five bucks at any auto-supply store.
Photo by Alan Mazzocco from Shutterstock
8. A spare tire
Keeping a spare tire in the trunk is probably one of the most essential car items! And you, as a driver, have to know how to replace an old tire as well. Now, this won’t be possible if you don’t have on hand a tire jack and a lug wrench.
Using a tire jack to raise the car and a lug wrench to release the nuts are necessary steps in changing a tire. Ask for advice before going on a lengthy journey if you’re a new driver who’s never changed tires before. If at all possible, take a friend or family member along for the ride.
In addition, you should carry a fluorescent triangle so that you can replace a tire on the side of the road securely and without worrying about oncoming traffic. This leads us to the next essential car item from the list.
9. Fluorescent triangle
Even though we prefer not to think about it, anybody may get into a vehicle accident, which is why being ready is crucial. The reason a warning triangle is on our list of essential items is that it can help stop accidents by alerting other drivers to your presence on the road.
10. Winter car kit
Especially during winter, when weather is always tricky, you must be ready in case of a breakdown, and you might be stuck for a couple of hours in the middle of nowhere. Pack things like a pair of trekking boots, gloves, and a torch in a bag. This is the kind of gear I usually have in my trunk, along with a blanket, hat, protein bars, and whatever else I can think of to keep my family and me warm.
11. A bottle of water ( half of a gallon at least!)
I recommend always keeping one or two unopened bottles of water in the backseat! This is helpful to stay hydrated on hot summer days, but it may also be used as an emergency to heal wounds or refill your windshield washer.
What are those things you never go on a car trip without? Tell me in the comments.
You may also be interested in reading Avoid Going to The Mechanic By Following These Helpful 10 Tips.
