Glove Box Essentials
You might think of your car's glove box compartment as just another storage space to keep miscellaneous items, but mechanics and experts alike agree that there are dos and don'ts of what to place in there. Curious what the essentials—and non-essentials—are? Here are 10 items you should always keep in your glove box and 10 things that shouldn't be there.
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1. Important Documentation
Keep important documentation, like vehicle registration and insurance papers, in a dedicated, color-coded envelope so that it's easy to fish out whenever you need it. If you're worried about this information being stolen in case of car theft, you can also research if there are alternative ways to keep digital copies with you instead.
2. Cleaning Supplies
Wet wipes and napkins are lifesavers when you accidentally spill your morning coffee all over yourself. You might also want to keep a pair of gloves stored in your glove box (pun intended) as well, just in case there's a particular sticky mess that requires them.
3. Flashlight
You always want to keep a flashlight in your compartment, too. This will come in handy when you accidentally drop your phone through the seat gaps at night, or when your car battery unexpectedly stops working. Make sure to swap out the batteries once a year so the light doesn't die when you need it most.
4. First Aid Kit
While you hopefully won't need anything more than a band-aid for small cuts, a mini first aid kit with antiseptic and gauze will come in useful when you or your passenger gets a minor injury on the road. You always want to be prepared, after all.
5. Owner's Manual
You likely already have this inside your glove box, and you'll want to make sure it stays there. This manual can help when you need to troubleshoot problems with your vehicle, and can be used as a reference book for mechanics working on your car.
6. Sunglasses
You don't want to be squinting out your windshield on sunny days, so make sure to keep a pair of sunglasses with you. Plus, if you ever want to change up your outfit or style on the go, these emergency shades will immediately complement any look.
7. Phone Charger
On a road trip and forgot to top off your phone before leaving the house? Throw a phone charger into your glove box and you won't need to worry again. You don't ever want to be in a situation where you're stranded in the middle of nowhere with a dead phone.
8. Tire Pressure Gauge
This small tool helps to ensure your tires are properly inflated and ready to go. You'll want to check the pressure of your wheels often; after all, driving with under-inflated tires can be dangerous, as it can significantly affect your control and maneuverability of your vehicle.
9. Notepad & Pen
Sure, you can technically just jot notes down in your phone, but if you're old school, keep a notepad and pen handy in your glove box. You never know when you need to write something important down—and when your phone might run out of battery.
10. Snacks
Keeping a few packs of crackers, granola bars, and bags of trail mix will ensure you don't go hungry if you're ever stranded on the side of the road. Make sure to store snacks that don't spoil as quickly, or you'll be dealing with a smelly mess if you forget about them.
These are the 10 essential items you should keep stored in your glove box—but what about things that shouldn't be there? Here are 10 items that can go.
1. Driver's License
Even if you keep other important documentation in your glove box, like your vehicle registration and insurance papers, you don't want to store your driver's license in the same envelope. Your license should be with you at all times, so leave it tucked safely in your wallet.
2. Wallet
Speaking of your wallet, you definitely don't want to be leaving this valuable in your glove box. The only time you might keep a wallet in there is if it's completely empty and acts as a backup, but even then, it's best to store it safely at home or in your personal bag.
3. Keys
If you have a set of spare keys, keep them with you or leave them at home. You never want to place them in your glove box; the last thing you'd want is for a car thief to not only gain access to your vehicle, but your home as well.
4. Old Receipts & Other Garbage
Old receipts, food wrappers, and ketchup-stained napkins are probably not things you'd want to keep stored in your glove box. Not only do they cause clutter and disorganization, but they might create a saucy mess and soil important documents and items.
5. Medicine
Medicine, especially prescription medicine, should be stored at room temperature. Keeping your bottles in the glove compartment can make the drugs less effective, and you'll need to go through the trouble of obtaining new ones. Given how expensive medication can be without health insurance, remember to store it in your personal bag whenever you're on the go, and not in the car.
6. Valuables
Other valuables, like your phone, laptop, tablet, and purse, should never be crammed in the glove box. For one, a car thief can easily nab these items with your vehicle if you leave them in there. Plus, many electronics are temperature sensitive, and keeping them in a scorching or freezing car can damage internal components.
7. Batteries
While you might think of leaving a pack of batteries in your car in case you need to swap out old ones in your flashlight, you're better off not keeping spares. In extreme heat, battery acid can leak—something you never want to happen.
8. Garage Door Opener
We've already recommended against keeping your spare keys in your car, so following that logic, you definitely don't want to leave your garage door opener in your glove box, either. After all, if a car thief were to gain access to your vehicle, they could quickly find out where you live, open your garage door, and do more hefty damage.
9. Aerosol Cans
Aerosol cans, like hairspray, makeup setting spray, or deodorant, should never be stored in your glove box. Like electronics and batteries, these cans are temperature sensitive, and extreme heat or cold could cause them to expand and explode. Their contents are often extremely flammable as well, which makes it even more dangerous.
10. Plastic Water Bottles
While it's understandable to want to leave a few water bottles in your car during the summer, it's best not to leave plastic ones. In high heat, the bottles could melt and leak harmful substances like bisphenol A (BPA) into the water, which could then allow bacteria to multiply and make you ill.
