Be Prepared For Anything While On The Road
Anything can happen while you're on the road. Even if you exercise extreme caution and safety, there are always unpredictable occurrences that can cause problems. That's why you should always have a nicely stocked car filled with useful items that are ready at a moment's notice. Great for making temporary fixes or getting out of sticky situations, here are 20 great tools and items that you won't regret storing in your car.
1. Flashlight
Yes, while your phone might have a flashlight built into it, it's much better to have the actual item on hand when you need it. You never know when you might be stuck on the road in the middle of the night. Without any light, how do you expect to get things fixed? Having a flashlight on hand never hurts.
2. Portable Vacuum
If you ever eat or do other things in your car, you're bound to make a mess at some point. Whether it's spilling your lunch, dropping groceries, or kicking up dirt, things might start getting a little dirty. Having a handy-dandy little vacuum in your car is exactly what you need to keep things tidy. Whether it's battery-powered or a plug-in, this nifty tool can come in handy for a variety of reasons.
3. Jumper Cables
There's nothing more annoying than dealing with a dead car battery, especially if you're parked somewhere other than home. How are you supposed to deal with it if you don't have the tools on hand? That's why it's always a good idea to keep some jumper cables in your trunk. Taking up little to no room, this item can really come in handy when you need it most.
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4. First-Aid Kit
Accidents can happen at any time, even when you least expect them. It's absolutely essential to keep a stocked first aid kit in your car at all times. Prepare for the worst - you never know when you might need a Band-Aid, or in the worst case scenario, something much stronger.
5. Tire Plug Kit
Did you accidentally drive over a nail? Dealing with flat tires is the worst. In case of an emergency when you need to get from point A to point B, a tire plug kit will get you there. It will help you temporarily fix up your tire; we doubt you would ever complain about keeping this in your car.
6. Umbrella
Depending on where you live, rain could fall from the sky at any point. If you live in an area known for having unpredictable weather or rainy seasons, the stashed umbrella in your car will certainly come in handy at some point. Saving you from taking an unwanted bath, it's an unsuspected hero that will save the day when you least expect it.
7. Wrench
Perfect for screwing and tightening bolts and nuts, you never know when you might need a wrench. And because you don't know what it might be used for, we highly recommend getting an adjustable one. That way, no matter what you need it for, you'll always be ready. Nothing will ever be loose again when you've got this tool around!
8. Screwdriver Set
While wrenches take care of all the nuts and bolts, you have to be prepared for anything. What are you going to do if it's something else? To ensure that you're ready for any car-related emergency, keeping a screwdriver set next to your wrench is a must. You need the entire set so you can quickly screw in any size nail that comes loose.
9. Duct Tape
You might laugh at the idea of duct-taping your car together, but if you ever get into an accident (knock on wood) and you need a quick way to keep things together, duct tape will be your knight in shining armor. It's obviously not a long-term solution you can keep forever, but it will do its best to get you where you need to be. Besides, tape can have a lot of different uses, so it'll never hurt to keep a roll stored away somewhere.
10. Phone Charger
While we may joke about how obsessed we all are with our phones, it is our main source of communication, especially during moments of need. The last thing you want to see is a phone with no battery left when you're trying to call for help. That's why keeping a charged battery pack in your car will always be useful, not just for everyday use, but also during emergencies.
11. Tire Pressure Gauge
If you're driving and you feel that the steering is off, it could be related to your tires. Yes, tires are a part of the car that needs to be checked on pretty regularly. A tire pressure gauge lets you know what pressure your tires are at, which is crucial not only for safety but also driving efficiency.
12. Blanket
While it's great to have for any cute car-related date nights, we're talking about keeping a blanket in your car for safety reasons. You never know when your car might break down in the middle of nowhere. Whether it's during a cold season or simply in the night, you may have to wait a while in your car until help arrives. Without a heater to turn on, you can always rely on your stashed-away blanket for some warmth and reassurance.
13. Ice Scraper
Particularly for those of you who see some pretty cold winters, you'll probably want to keep an ice scraper meant for cars stored away. Who knows, maybe you'll be parked at the mall when heavy snow falls! Great for getting off light snow, we do caution that you should be careful if it's ice. You don't want to damage the glass!
14. Car Manual
You might be confused at this point, but just picture this. Your phone has run out of battery, you're stuck somewhere with help far away, and your car needs some fixing. When technology fails you, always trust paper! Having the manual for your car will come in handy in ways you won't realize until it happens. No one knows every little detail about their car, so having this booklet on hand will guide you in a moment of need.
15. Car Jack
Need to change a flat tire or even worse, need to get under the car to make a repair? You'll definitely wish you had a car jack on hand in this moment. So, skip the panic and just keep one at the ready instead! It helps you lift the car so you can get your fixes done; this is definitely a useful tool that many people will need at some point. Just make sure you're careful with it and proceed safely.
16. Glass Breaker
Should you ever be stuck in a dangerous situation where you can't get out of your car, you'll be so happy to have kept a glass breaker hidden away. This safety tool will help you escape through the windows should you ever need to.
17. Reflective Triangles
We all know how difficult it is to drive at night, and if your car ever breaks down and you need to pull over, you'll essentially be invisible. With no headlights to turn on, you're in serious danger. That's why reflective triangles are a necessary safety tool that can protect you from harm. Just place them on the road to alert drivers that you're there.
18. Spare Tire
We know that not every car will have the space, so this is more for you large car owners. If you drive something that's capable of storing a spare tire, we definitely recommend it. You never know when you might drive over a construction site, get a nail stuck in your tire, and suddenly end up stuck in the middle of the road. It's just nice extra insurance that'll keep you feeling ready for anything.
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19. Gloves
It might not seem clear as to why this is a useful item to keep in your car, but during cold winter seasons when our hands just freeze the moment we leave the house, you want to make yourself as comfortable as possible if you ever need to fix a car problem outdoors. Whether it's fixing a tire or scraping off snow, keep those hands as warm as possible (you do have to drive after)!
20. A Map
When technology fails us, old school items will always come in to save the day, like maps. Should Google Maps ever shut down on you, a real, paper map will get you to where you want to be. It's always a good idea to keep some on hand, so that if you're ever lost, you can find your way out comfortably.
