Items You Should ALWAYS Have in Your Car
Before getting on the road, make sure you’re prepared for the worst by having the proper equipment stored in your car. The following list goes over items every driver should have in their vehicle:
Tire Changing Supplies
The first thing on our list is actually a collection of items – a spare tire, tire iron, and tire jack. If you’ve got these essentials on hand, then you’ve got everything you need to change a flat tire.
Jumper Cables
A dead battery is one of the most common vehicle issues, so jumper cables are a must-have for any driver. Whether you accidentally left your lights on, or cold weather completely drained your battery, jumper cables will bring your car back to life with the help of another driver and vehicle.
First-Aid Kit
A first-aid kit is one of the most basic items everyone should have in their car for minor wounds. Make sure that it’s stocked with essential items like bandages, gauze, antibiotic ointment, and nonlatex gloves.
Owner’s Manual
Car manuals are often stuffed in the glove compartment, never to be looked at again. However, they contain a treasure trove of vital information about your vehicle. You never know when it might come in handy, so never remove the owner’s manual from your car.
Car Repair Information
In addition to the car manual, a business card for your auto repair shop and car insurance forms should be stored in your glove compartment. Always have emergency contact numbers handy, most importantly your insurance company and the local police.
Flashlight
Keeping a flashlight in your car year-round is a good idea, but with less daylight during the winter, it can be especially useful. Sure, your smartphone has a flashlight app on it, but it’s not as useful as a real one. Whether you’re changing a tire or jumping your car’s battery, you want something that shines bright.
Tire Pressure Gauge
Checking tire pressure on a regular basis is a great habit to get into. Properly inflated tires improve gas mileage, promote tire longevity, provide better traction, and even save lives. Tire pressure gauges are small, affordable, and can give you peace of mind when heading out on a long drive.
High Visibility Vest
If your car stalls or breaks down, you’ll need to get out of the vehicle to check on things. A high visibility vest will help ensure that you’re visible to other drivers on the road. You can also put out reflective warning triangles so traffic knows that there’s a problem up ahead.
These are just a few suggestions for what to have in your car. It’s important to keep in mind that your needs might vary depending on weather conditions. Top Driver’s safe driving tips for driving during the winter goes over some other supplies to have on hand this season.
Frequently asked questions
What items should you always keep in your car?
Every driver should carry a basic emergency kit. The essentials include a spare tire with a jack and lug wrench, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, your owner's manual, insurance and registration documents, a flashlight with fresh batteries, a tire pressure gauge, and a high-visibility safety vest. Cold-weather drivers should add an ice scraper, a small shovel, a blanket, and a phone charger. These items cover the most common breakdowns and minor emergencies, including flat tires, dead batteries, and being stranded after dark. Total cost for the entire kit is usually under $100.
Why do you need jumper cables in your car?
A dead battery is one of the most common reasons drivers get stranded. Headlights left on overnight, extreme cold, an aging battery, or even a slowly failing alternator can leave you unable to start the engine. With jumper cables and a willing motorist, you can jump-start your car in under five minutes. Look for cables at least 12 feet long with a 4-gauge or thicker wire to handle modern vehicles. A portable jump-starter battery pack is an even better option if you drive alone often, since it lets you start the car without needing another vehicle nearby.
What should be in a car first-aid kit?
A basic car first-aid kit should contain adhesive bandages in several sizes, sterile gauze pads, medical tape, antiseptic wipes or antibiotic ointment, nonlatex gloves, tweezers, scissors, an instant cold pack, and a small supply of over-the-counter pain reliever. Add a few personal items if you or family members have specific needs, such as an EpiPen, inhaler, or prescription medication. Pre-built kits from pharmacies or auto stores cost $15 to $30. Check the kit twice a year to replace expired items and restock anything you have used. Store it where you can grab it quickly, not buried under the spare tire.
Why should you keep your owner's manual in your car?
Owner's manuals contain information you cannot easily find anywhere else when you need it most: jack point locations for changing a tire, recommended tire pressure, the meaning of every warning light on the dash, fluid capacities, and the location of fuses if something stops working. Most are tucked into the glove compartment from the factory, and that is exactly where they should stay. A digital copy on your phone is helpful, but a paper manual works even if your phone is dead or you have no signal. Treat it like part of the car, not optional reading material.
Why is a tire pressure gauge worth keeping in your car?
A pocket tire pressure gauge costs about $5 and helps you maintain the single biggest factor in tire wear, fuel economy, and braking performance. Properly inflated tires improve gas mileage by up to 3 percent, last significantly longer, provide better traction in rain and snow, and reduce blowout risk. Check pressure at least once a month and before long trips, with the tires cold (driven less than a mile). The recommended pressure is on a sticker inside the driver's door, not on the tire sidewall. Cars built since 2008 have tire pressure monitoring systems, but the warning light only triggers after a tire is already significantly underinflated.
What extra items should you keep in your car in winter?
Winter driving in the Midwest demands a few additional supplies. Add an ice scraper with a snow brush, a small folding shovel, a bag of cat litter or sand for traction if you get stuck, a warm blanket or two, hand warmers, a flashlight with extra batteries, an extra hat and gloves, and high-calorie non-perishable snacks like granola bars. Keep your gas tank at least half full all winter to prevent fuel line freeze and to give you more reserve if you are stranded. Top off windshield washer fluid with a winter-rated formula that will not freeze.
