Whether you’re a new driver or just bought a new car, you must make sure you’re prepared whenever you hit the road. This could be driving to work or finally taking that road trip you’ve always planned. To avoid mishaps, you need to ensure you have everything you need in your car. So, here are ten essentials that every driver should keep in their vehicle.
Repair Kit
The clearest essential is a repair kit. Although you may not be able to fix everything, it helps to know how to change a tire if you get a flat. You can also keep spare bulbs in your vehicle and learn to replace your brake lights if they blow out and you are alerted by the police. Knowing how to fix the little things can save you plenty of money and time in the long term.
First Aid Kit
Hopefully, you never need to use your First Aid Kit, but it’s still useful, especially if you enjoy hiking or other outdoor activities. Your kit doesn’t need to be too comprehensive, but packing some band-aids, disinfectant, and bandages can make you and your passengers feel more comfortable in case someone gets hurt.
Emergency Contact Numbers
No one wants to get involved in an accident, but sometimes you could collide with another vehicle or experience another issue. Having emergency contact numbers for towing services and local police and medical services can help solve things quickly. You may also want to keep a cheap spare phone in your car if your smartphone runs out of battery while you’re driving.
Spare Clothes
You never know what could happen when you’re driving, especially if you’re taking a road trip. The last thing you need is to get in a car wearing wet clothes or find yourself stuck somewhere cold when all you have are shorts and a t-shirt. A spare set of clothes, including shoes with full coverage, sunglasses, and a warm blanket, can avoid many potential problems if you get stranded somewhere.
Snacks and Water
Likewise, snacks and water can make the time pass more comfortably if your vehicle breaks down or you need to make an emergency stop at a motel in the middle of nowhere. Keep a crate of water bottles in your trunk as well as non-perishables that are easy to eat either hot or cold. Bags of dried fruit, protein bars, and chocolate are all good things to have but don’t forget to restock them before they expire.
A Map
Many drivers rely on their phone’s map app or satellite navigation. While you can generally rely on these, there’s no guarantee that they will always work for you. You may lose your signal or the system could be faulty. You must learn to read a road map in case this happens. Using road signs and landmarks as well as this can help you find your way even without the benefits of technology.
The Instruction Manual
Every driver should acquaint themselves with their vehicle’s instruction manual. Giving it a quick read can teach you more about your car than you thought, and can save you plenty of trouble in case you encounter an issue that you’re unfamiliar with. The manual will outline proper tire pressure, tell you what the different buttons mean, and much more to make you more confident behind the wheel.
Insurance Details
Hopefully, you never get pulled over, but if you do, you need to make sure you have all the relevant documents and information with you. Your insurance details are arguably the most important alongside your license and it should help clear up any issues you have with the police who may just be looking for any excuse to give you a ticket.
Weather Tools and Accessories
You need to include all the equipment you might need regardless of the weather and winter tools and accessories are arguably the most important. Learning how to de-ice your windshield quickly and effectively can make your winter driving safer. You should also focus on clearing snow off the tires to prevent clogged treads that can increase the chances of skidding.
Spare Cash and Accessories
There’s nothing wrong with keeping some spare cash and other essential accessories, such as your charger, in the glove box. This can be beneficial if you arrive somewhere that doesn’t accept credit card payments, such as small parking lots or random attractions on the side of the road. Additionally, a charger can keep your phone on and connected.
Prepared
It’s always better to be over-prepared than get stuck in an emergency. If you can fill your vehicle with these essentials, you can drive with confidence and easily overcome any problem you encounter.
