Since I know I’ll need a car in Texas I am making a list of things that would be essential to carry around in a car.
Quick note: This was a compilation of many different Car Essentials guides I read on the Internet. 🙂 I’m not actually keeping road flares in my car…
Naturally, I won’t need a lot of stuff for heavy winters with ice and snow but I’ve added it at the end just for everyone else.
The basics and more
Booster Cables
Just happened to BF because he left the light on by accident and drained the battery.2 Blankets and 2 Towels
One for you, one for the passenger in the car if there is one to keep warm. And in case you have to clean something up or wipe your hands from all that oily gook, you need two tea towels.Car Fluids
Windshield Washer Fluid, Oil and Coolant just because they are basics that should be kept in there.Heat
Matches and a Large Candle because you’d be surprised how warm a Candle can keep you in case you get stuck somewhere. Obviously, the larger the candle, the better.
Light
Get a large, reliable flashlight, but don’t put the batteries in or they’ll drain. Tape the batteries to the flashlight.Disposable Camera & Insurance Forms/Papers
just in case you get into an accident you can take pictures of what has happened, and fill out the insurance forms right then and there.Pad of Paper & Pencil/Pen
Just in case you need to jot down notes to yourself.Spare Tire & Tools
..and the knowledge of how to change a tire in case something happens.Cellphone charger
Just keeping one around will help just in case your cellphone dies, you can use a bit of the battery to charge it to make a call. Of course, this means you need a cellphone with you at all times.You can also buy those quick charge batteries that you just snap into the cellphone and get a quick charging station without a need for the car’s cigarette lighter or an outlet.
Map and GPS Unit
Note the “AND” because in case the GPS dies or doesn’t work, you can’t plug it into the power or even the fact that it’s cloudy or snowing and it won’t work, a map will really help you because sometimes the old fashioned way is the best.Tire Gauges
Foot pump with gauge
Further tyre pressure pen gauge
Tyre tread depth gaugeEco-Friendly Bags
Large canvas type carry bag with handles and Velcro pads to carry groceries or other things so that you cannot say that you forgot your bags!Tools
Wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, and socket wrenches.Rope
Could be handy.
Duct Tape
Tape sometimes fixes all. Duct tape can temporarily fix a broken windshield wiper, hold glass together, pick up glass shards, serve as a temporary gas cover, mend a broken hose and has a thousand other uses.First aid kit and manual
Sometimes we all panic, and include: aspirin, bandages, gauze, eyewash, moist wipes, antibiotic ointment and burn cream.Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods, such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter
This may be going a bit far, but could be useful in dire situations.Box to hold everything in
With a cover. I can’t imagine storing all of this stuff above just lying around in the car. I like things organized. I’d probably also keep a list and date everything so I know when I bought it just in case expiration dates matter (like on food).
If you wanna go a bit far…
Fire Extinguisher
A mini one.Flares
Road flares of course.
Winter Suggestions
– Snow shovel
– Ice scraper
– Snow brush
– Thick huge winter gloves (it’ll be cold scraping snow and ice off)
– Scarf
– Hat
– Mittens
– Driving gloves (thinner so that you can wear them in the car to grip the wheel when it’s cold)
– Non Clumping Kitty Litter (to pour behind the wheel in case you get stuck and your wheels spin on ice)
– Road Salt
Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.
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You can never underestimate the power of jumper cables, I even found one that doesn’t require a 2nd car. I have been using this one I got from http://thepocketjumper.com/ which also charges cell phones
Thanks so much for the great list – just shared it with my new 16 yr old drivers.
this helped so much. i am a new driver and i wouldve been lost without this article!!
I hope you read the other comments too. They are full of great tips.
*lol*
Everyone, I’m not actually keeping that in my car. Just so you know 🙂
I kind of researched a ton of what guys considered to be Car Essentials and mashed it together.
It’s nice to know what has to be weeded out!
Great post. I am Canadian and was looking for a summary of what may help and bam found your awesome post. For where we are (temperatures ranging from -31 to 95 F if not hotter/colder) this was a great help because, unlike in Texas, it is not warm for the bulk of the year and items like hats, shovels, snacks, matches. and kitty litter may help mean life or death depending on what you get in to. Thank you so much for this summary it covers a great range of climates
I agree – total overkill.
Cables are a must – in the heat of TX it will drain your battery faster. Towels and blankets are actually good things as you might need to cradle breakables. Leave the fluids at home and just check regularly unless you have an old car – then carry on long trips only.
TX doesn’t really get cold enough to need the candle and it is dangerous to burn inside your car. Most of those fabrics will give off toxic fumes if accidentally lit off.
Get an LED flashlight or headlamp – batteries will last forever and I have always found need for flashlights.
Make sure it is a pencil – pens will explode sometimes when left in hot cars.
I would get a round gage and hose for a tire gage instead of the pen ones – they aren’t very reliable. About $12-20, and leave the tread indicator at home. You don’t go through tread fast enough to need it on the go.
Tire, jack, and socket for a flat is essential – just remember to fill the tire every time you fill your regular tires. All other tools are just nice to have. A leathermen multitool would probably serve you just fine.
Duct tape doesn’t like the heat either. You will need to replace often.
LOL…good grief FB, expecting the world to come to an end?
In Texas weather, there’s no way I can keep all of that stuff in the car. The heat here would kill the disposable camera and the candle in quick order. Plus, there’s not much need for a blanket. Usually a sweatshirt is fine. Also, the water bottles are out, too because of the heat. I mean, you could technically drink the water still, but the plastic leaks toxins in the water when left in the heat too long, so I’d rather not drink it.
I like the idea of a towel because every time I pick up a drink at a drive-thru, they never wipe it off and they overfill it so I inevitably have that in my car. It becomes a mad dash to my destination just so I can wipe it out. That’s frustrating.
I think someone mentioned it, but I’d add a tire pressure gauge to the list, too. Great list, though!
Kristy
http://www.masteryourcard.com
LOL.. I’m weird I know. Thanks for the additional tips
I’ve thought more about it, and I’ll do what you’ve said. Keep a basic list and a ‘nice to have’ list.
Am going to update with your suggestions now!
WHOA girl, you're going a bit overboard methinks 🙂 But nobody can say you aren't well-prepared. Just keep in mind it's a car… it's mobile… the chances are that if you're really so stuck in your car that you would need half of that stuff, then you're probably stuck in your seat and wouldn't be able to access a box in the trunk.
I would do away with things like car fluids (keep at home and just check regularly to ensure you're topped up), food staples, heat, cellphone charger (charge your phone at home), tools (overkill), scarf, hat, mittens, etc. You don't need all that stuff. And do you really need to have non-clumping kitty litter AND road salt? You could get a mini flashlight to put on your keychain so that you don't need to keep a flashlight in your car.
But, some of the items on your list are really important to have. Here's what I keep in my car and I've never gone wrong:
-jumper cables
-spare tire
-tire pressure gauge
-emergency kit containing a blanket, bandages, scissors, tape etc
-box of kleenex
-driving mitts (the scarf/hat/2nd pair mitts etc are things that you would be wearing when you leave the house if you need them. You only need 1 pair of gloves kept in your car)
-map
-ice scraper/snow brush (one end is a brush, the other end is a scraper)
-car insurance papers
-1 bottle of water
Things that I always have with me in my purse that should be with you in the car:
-camera
-pen & paper
-Driver's License
-cell phone
-sunglasses
That's it. And that's all I've ever needed in 12 years of driving.
Not something extra, but make sure your spare tire holds air, and isn’t dry rotted or else wise damaged. It is most likely as old as the vehicle it is with, so it helps to give it a once over every so often.
In Texas, you’ll want a small battery operated handheld fan. If you break down in summer it’ll make you much more comfortable until help arrived. Also, I have a little tool that can break the car window underwater if you ended up in a lake or something.
I second the AAA suggestion. My family has used their service for years and it has really helped us a number of times. It is not expensive and being a member also gets you discounts at many hotels.
Two things I wouldn’t worry about. First the candle. It will never last past the first summer with the heat here in Texas. If it’s 107 Farenheit outside, just imagine how hot it can be inside a car. Plus you have the blankets which should help. Worst case, during the winter here I throw a sweatshirt or extra jacket in the car to just stay there, just in case something was to happen. Second the tire depth tester. Save yourself some money by using a coin. A penny or a quarter will give you the same information. Just google tire tread penny test and you will find instructions!
If your cell phone has a decent enough camera then the disposable camera probably isn’t necessary.
Definitely get one of those emergency tools that lets you cut your seat belt and break through the window if needed.
Also, a mini manicure set, plenty of napkins and tissues, a packet of utensils, and a prescription bottle full of quarters.
One concern with keeping a disposable camera in the car is related to how hot it can get. Remember how the car can become an oven (when the temperature isn’t -40 like now…)? Well, those temperatures can damage film, so if you are keeping a disposable camera in the car, don’t expect it to last as long as the “process by” date on the package.
Wow girl…I hope you get a big box! Lol…if I may make a suggestion. My family (and I) belong to a company called AAA (it may just be a U.S. company) which offers (for a price, unsure what exactly) a roadside help service. Basically, you get a card with a phone number and membership number in it, and anytime you get into any sort of trouble (flat tire, run out of gas, get stuck in a ditch, car won’t start, lock your keys in your car etc.) you can call the number and they will bring a tow truck to boost you, change your tire, unlock your car etc. It is a really handy service, and usually pretty quick (they arrive usually in less than a half hour, unless for instance, if it is the dead of winter and EVERYONE is having problems starting their car, but even then, if your situation is urgent such as being stuck somewhere out in the cold, they answer you first). Anyway…I’m sure you can look into it more yourself…but it would really help you to cut down on the size of your box 🙂