« on: January 05, 2019, 08:04:44 PM »
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https://www.moneytalksnews.com/slideshows/28-things-you-should-keep-in-your-car/?all
28 Things Everyone Must Keep In Their Car
These tools and conveniences will help protect drivers from hassle, danger and calamities on the road.
Gael F. Cooper • January 5, 2019
Cars can be smooth little self-contained universes, but when something goes wrong, that universe can collapse quickly. Whether you’ve been driving for decades or have a new teen driver in the house, it’s useful to review what special items can really come in handy when stored in your car.
Not everyone needs all of these items all of the time. (Good luck fitting them all in a smart car or Mini Cooper.) I grew up in Minnesota, where having a bottle of sunscreen handy for half of the year would’ve seemed like a sad, sick joke. And my Phoenix friends rarely need a blanket or parka unless they’re mountain-bound.
But knowing what’s available, and what your own family, climate and natural-disaster risk may require is a place to start. Here are 28 items you should consider — what you end up actually loading in the trunk is up to you.
1. Jumper cables
No question, you have these, right? Even cars in great shape can end up with a dead battery, or you may need them to help someone who’s less prepared. This Pennzoil Booster Cable Set, with a carrying case, goes for less than $15.
2. Water bottles
A bottle or two of water can come in handy not just for drinking, but for everything from cleaning a small cut to sloshing over a pair of hiking shoes that are just too muddy to wear back into the car.
3. Jacket or sweater
Even in warm weather, once the sun goes down it can get surprisingly chilly in most places. And if you don’t want to pack a blanket, a jacket can double as one, especially to sling over kids’ cold legs.
4. Sunscreen
The American Academy of Dermatology reports that 1 out of 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and warns that even on cloudy days, up to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin.
5. Bug spray
Because mosquitoes don’t announce their presence until it’s too late.
6. Flat-tire repair tools
Even the newest and most well-kept car can get a flat tire. Cans of Fix-a-Flat, Slime or a similar aerosol tire inflator can help you limp to the repair shop, or at least get to a safe parking spot. For bigger issues, a tire-repair kit might help, but it’s always good to make sure you’ve got a spare tire and the tools and knowledge to change it.
7. Energy bars, trail mix or dried fruit
Not many of us will end up trapped in our car for days, though it has certainly happened. But a healthy snack can be useful even in non-emergency situations, such as after a strenuous hike or when you realize that all the restaurants on your road-trip route hung up the CLOSED sign hours ago. Pick your favorite from the wide array of energy bars on the market.
8. Seat belt cutter/window breaker
Once upon a time, I would’ve thought this combination seat belt-cutter/window smasher tool was excessive. Then I moved to Seattle, where my job required me to cross a high bridge over deep water twice a day in earthquake country. Suddenly, it didn’t seem at all excessive to stow this in my glove box.
9. Ice scraper
Minnesota native tip: A driver’s license or credit card will work to scrape your windshield in a pinch, but you’re going to end up with ice and snow all over yourself in the process, and it will take a lot longer. Splurge on the kind of ice scraper that you wear on your hand like a mitten.
10. Kitty litter or cardboard for traction
Most every driver knows that sickening sound of tires spinning and getting no traction, whether on snow, mud or ice. Tucking a piece of cardboard or a carpet remnant under your tires can help you get out of a sticky situation. But if you’ve got a large enough trunk, a container of kitty litter will also help. Sprinkling it below the stuck tire can give you just enough oomph to move forward. I am not kitten you.
11. Paper towels
I never leave the house without a roll of paper towels tucked somewhere in my trunk or back seat. In the last week alone, I’ve used them for snack spills, in cases of sudden carsickness and to deftly remove a spider from the dashboard. A small roll can play a big role.
12. Pen and paper
It’s easy to fall back on our smartphones to jot down important info, but sometimes old-school is best. You don’t want to take time for a phone to boot up when you’re scribbling down the description or license-plate number of that car that just rear-ended you and took off. These are among the items we recommend you always buy at the dollar store.
13. Phone charger
Smartphone chargers that plug into the dashboard are right up there with sliced bread as brilliant inventions in my book. Your car may have a port all ready for your charger, or you may have to use your cigarette lighter. If you want a charger that doesn’t draw on your car’s power, a portable charger, such as a Mophie external battery pack, is a good option.
14. Umbrella
Rainstorms can be sudden and give no warning, so a pocket umbrella that can slide into your glove box or the pocket of your car door will ensure you’re not left all wet.
Depending on your climate, you could go something extra sturdy, like this Samsonite Windguard, or check out the many inexpensive options that would work in a pinch.
15. Blanket
Not every car has seat heaters, so a small blanket can fill the bill, even for a short ride to school on a snowy day. Blankets also have many emergency uses, from keeping travelers warm in a broken-down car to carrying an injured animal found on the roadside.
16. Reusable bags
Many shoppers are used to bringing reusable bags to the grocery or drug store these days. But the bags also can come in handy for everything from hauling library books or Goodwill donations to collecting beach toys, and thus keeping the sand out of your stereo.
17. Small tool kit/multi-tool device
A hand-held multi-tool includes such items as a can opener, small pair of scissors, screwdriver and more. It fits neatly in a car’s glove compartment or center console and can come in handy for a myriad of reasons, from minor car repair to sawing open that ever-tricky plastic packaging that protects your new electronics purchase. Those who are a step more handy might prefer a small tool kit stored safely in the trunk.
18. AAA or towing service info
If your car does break down, who you gonna call? Sorry, the Ghostbusters won’t help, but if you subscribe to a group like AAA or have towing and repair services through your car warranty, keep that info handy. It’s smart to have it saved in your cellphone, but an old-fashioned paper version in the glove box is a good backup.
19. Insurance info
You likely carry your insurance card in your wallet, but make sure there’s a copy in the car as well, especially if other people drive your vehicle.
20. Car owner’s manual
What’s it mean when the CHECK ENGINE A1 light comes on — is it just time for an oil change, or something bigger? As cars get more and more complicated, it can be surprising how many odd little quirks of the car the vehicle owner’s manual can shed light on. Your manual includes information about maintenance, security systems and understanding the dashboard display gauges and other components.
21. Matches or lighter
You may need to strike a flame for something fun, like lighting your daughter’s birthday cake at the trampoline place or getting the campfire started for s’mores. Or it could be for something more serious, such as if you’re ever stranded in a blizzard. It’s not a bad idea also to carry some long-burning candles if you frequently drive into snowy rural areas.
22. Tire pressure gauge
Many modern cars can read your tire pressure and digitally report the results. But if not, a simple tire pressure gauge is easy to use and small to store. Consumer Reports recommends checking your tire pressure at least once a month and before starting on a long trip.
23. Windshield wiper fluid
Windshield wiper fluid seems like a no-brainer, but it can also be an out-of-sight, out-of-mind item you may not think to carry. You can run out of fluid quickly when other cars keep splashing melty slush in your field of vision, so keep the jug in your trunk, not in the garage at home.
24. Flashlight
You don’t have to be Nancy Drew to need a flashlight. Not only is it useful outdoors, but you might need one to peek into the crevices and corners of your car seats when a cellphone or parking ticket inevitably slips away. Make sure to keep fresh batteries in it. This is one time you don’t want to be de-lighted. There are many to choose from, of course. We recommend the reliable Made in the USA flashlights produced by Maglite.
25. Gloves
Gloves can be a useful car item, whether they’re tough work gloves or winter warmer-uppers. Either kind will help protect your hands if you need to change a tire or make another minor repair in order to get safely back on the road. Check out some options here.
26. Map
In this world of map apps and GPS devices built into cars, paper maps get a bad rap. Electronic devices can’t always be counted on, and in special circumstances, such as planning a road trip, being able to see the entire state at once can be useful. Keep one on hand.
27. Baby wipes
Parents and messy eaters don’t need anyone to tell them this, but sometimes, moist baby wipes can run rings around dry paper towels for quick cleaning jobs. These travel packs of Wet Ones are conveniently wrapped in bundles of 20.
28. Backup shoes
Just as you can never predict rainstorms, you can never predict muddy or otherwise messy ground. And if you have a child, they’ll never remember to tell you about the big hole in their rain boots until right after they’ve jumped full-force into a puddle.
What secret weapons do you keep in your car? Share with us in comments below or on our Facebook page.
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