Car essentials

37 Things You Should Have In Your Car

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When you are on the road driving, would you have what you need if your car broke down? Or in case you get a flat tire, do you have the tools needed?  Let us say you are having a long drive and an emergency happens. Do you have the things needed in your car to solve the problem? Check out the list of car essentials that you should have in your car. Then knock on wood that you never need to use some of them.

This list is long. This is a topic that inspires a lot of debate. You don’t need everything on this car essentials list, or don’t have room for it.  It will be up to you.

If you are driving a small car, there wouldn’t be room for everything.  If you are a city driver, you might be within 500 meters from an auto shop or gas station.  So if you rarely go on long drives help is always nearby, and that cuts down your own list of car essentials.

If you take long drives on a regular basis, having the things in the car essentials list in your car will be a good move.

This car essentials list is quite lengthy.  Now that you get the idea, it will be up to you to asses and decide your own needs.

The car essentials list is not about emergencies or safety, either. I have separated the checklists by category below.

The Car Essentials Checklist:

Car Repair and Maintenance

car essentials

Tire Changing

The number one on the car essentials list is a collection of items:

Without them or someone else to help you, the spare tire is useless. If your wheels need a special security key, make sure that’s always in your car too.  The spare tire, tire jack and lug wrench (cross wrench) are absolute car essentials.  They usually come with a car sale, together with the other basic tools.

Tire Pressure Gauge

Check tire pressures on a regular basis.  It can:

  • improve handling
  • increase fuel economy
  • promote tire longevity
  • save lives

Tire Pressure Gauges are small, affordable, and can give you peace of mind when on a long drive.   Yes you can pressure up your tires in a gasoline station or a tire shop but how do you know when you’ve added enough air? Did you add too much? Or did you add too little? Not all gasoline stations/shops have accurate pressure indicators.  Having your own allows you to have a standard means to verify your tire pressures.

Before starting off on a drive, check your tires before leaving home. This saves you a trip to an air station when you don’t need to.

A good tire pressure gauge to have is the Michelin High Precision Digital Pressure Gauge with Thread Depth Gauge (2 in 1 device, digital).  If you don’t want battery powered devices, an alternative is the Armor All ATG4-1003 6-in-1 Tire Pressure Gauge (analog).

car essentials
Michelin High Precision Digital Pressure Gauge with Thread Depth Gauge (Click on the image for more info)
Car essentials
Armor All ATG4-1003 6-in-1 Tire Pressure Gauge (Click on the image for more info)

Tire Inflator (Air Compressor)

I mentioned above that you should always have a spare tire and jack in your car.  But there are times when you cannot get to a shop to inflate your tires and an air pump will save you a ton of time and effort.

The Michelin Hi-Power Tire Inflator is a good device to have in your car.  It also comes with a detachable digital tire pressure gauge.

Car essentials
Michelin Hi-Power Tire Inflator (Click on the image for more info)

Tire Sealant

Tire sealants like Fix-A-Flat or Slime can be very useful.

Car essentials
Fix-A-Flat (Click on the image for more info)
Car essentials
Slime (Click on the image for more info)

Jumper Cables

A dead battery can take you by surprise, so always have on the ready jumper cables. A 3 meter length of jumper cable rated at 400 Amps is good enough.  As an alternative, you can have an emergency battery booster.  This could be an expensive option though.

Car essentials
Jumper Cable (Click on the image for more info)

Owner’s Manual

Keep it in your glove compartment. You never know when you might need it.

Duct Tape

Duct tape is great for temporary auto repairs, roadside first aid, and many more!  Read this article from AskPatty.com that tells us 38 ways you can use duct tape to fix your car.  If you have duct tape, a pair of scissors will come in handy too!

38 Automotive uses for Duct Tape

Gas Can

With all the horrible traffic nowadays, there is a possibility that you may run out of gas while on the road.  You can walk to the nearest gas station when you run out of gas, but how will you bring the gas back to your car? It is not wise to keep a full gas can, though, for safety reasons as it is a flammable spill risk.

Car essentials
Gas Can (Click on the image for more info)

Siphon Pump

A siphon pump can come in handy if you run out of fuel far from a gas station. You could use this if a good Samaritan offers you to get some from their tank. Also, it may come in handy in case your gas can (above) doesn’t have provisions for pouring the gasoline into your tank.

Car essentials
Siphon Pump (Click on the image for more info)

There is nothing worse than driving in heavy rain with passing vehicles kicking mud onto your windshield. Then you realize that you run out of windshield washer fluid. You can use water. But nothing beats the benefits of formulated windshield washer fluid. They remove stains and leave no residual traces on the windshield.  And they do form a protective film to prevent attachment of dust.

Windshield Washer Fluid (Click on the image for more info)

Work Gloves

Keep your hands clean and safe whenever you need to stop for road repairs like changing tires.

Car essentials
Work Gloves (Click on the image for more info)

Multi-Tool

A multi-tool may come in handy as you never know what tool you’re going to need. A multi-tool includes the most common stuff. It is more space-efficient than having a bulky toolbox.

When you think of multi-tools, Leatherman is the most known. There are plenty of affordable options on the market though. The Leatherman Wave is their best-selling multi-tool ever.  It has one-hand opening blades, comfortable handles and 17 essential tools.

car essentials
Leatherman Wave (Click on the image for more info)

Replacement Bulbs And Fuses

For on-the-road repairs, as safety often depends on visibility.  Have replacement bulbs and fuses always on the ready.

Car essentials
Fuses (Click on the image for more info)

Safety

There are safety items in the car essentials list too!car essentials

First Aid Kit

Accidents do happen and you will never when you are going to need a first aid kit.

Car essentials
First Aid Kit (Click on the image for more info)

Flashlight

It is hard to change a tire in the dark. Or in case you lose something under the seat, it won’y be easy if it is already dark. A flashlight or mini-lantern would help. Most cellphones though have flashlight functions so they would do. 

The Energizer Vision Headlight allows itself to be strapped onto your head to provide hands-free illumination in any environment.

Energizer Vision Headlight (Click on the image for more info)

 

Fire Extinguisher

I hope this never happens. If your engine ever catches fire you will be glad that a fire extinguisher is always on standby.

There are small portable fire extinguishers which look like a can of spray paint or bug spray.  You don’t need those gigantic, wall mounted fire extinguishers that you see in establishments.

Car essentials
Fire Extinguisher (Click on the image for more info)

Food

Imagine going on a long drive or on a road trip. It is a good idea to have some food in the car in case we get hungry and there is no suitable place to stop and eat on sight.

Water

Same as above, having water could be a lifesaver.  Plus, empty water bottles may are useful for some emergencies. Think calls of nature or in case you need water to cool down your engine.

Reflective Triangle (Car Early Warning Device)

This is a necessity in case we need to stop for repairs.  In the Philippines, it is required by law for every car to carry a set of Early Warning Devices.  This is a must have in the car essentials kit.  Here is a good article from TopGearPH on how to set-up EWDs.

Car essentials
Early Warning Device (Click on the image for more info)

Printed Maps

Not really needed as we have Waze, but if you are not familiar with a place that you are in, it is good to have a map just in case.

Seat Belt Cutter And Window Breaker (Car Hammer)

Keep this in your glove compartment, not in your trunk, obviously.  This is actually not expensive, better to have it than not. In case you get stuck inside the car, the car hammer can help you get out.

Car essentials
Seat Belt Cutter And Window Breaker (Click on the image for more info)

Convenience And Comfort

In addition to the basics above, you might want to keep these things around also as part of your car essentials kit:

Car essentials

Paper Towels

A hand towel, Tissues, roll of toilet paper, wet tissues, alcohol, band-aid, cotton buds, safety pins, small towel, etc.  This is for cleaning your hands, dealing with accidents, spills, etc.  Quick cleanup options are always a good thing.

Pencil And Paper

Great for jotting down directions in case you are lost. Or your contact and insurance info after a minor accident. Or the name of that amazing restaurant you stumbled into. Or the license plate number of the guy who cut you off and went all road rage on you.  Most cellphones nowadays do have note taking functions though.

Umbrella

Imagine running from the car to your office door while it is raining without an umbrella.  Enough said.  In the Philippines, an umbrella is also a useful sun shade.

Spare Coins/Emergency Money

For toll fees, parking, etc.

Reusable Shopping Bags

For those impromptu shopping trips.

Blanket

May come in handy not just for keeping warm in emergencies, but also at the park, picnics, etc.  It is also an ideal cover for the back seat when you have wet and muddy passengers or pets with you.

Change Of Clothes

Can be considered an emergency item, because if you get drenched in rain, it is no good to sit around like that.  I would also suggest keeping an overnight bag in the trunk. Have a toothbrush, clean clothes, etc. This is in case you can’t get home because of floods. You may end up staying the night at the office, or at a friend’s house. If you drive around with kids or pets, you might need to add the things that you will need for them.  And if you are a female, keep stuff like hair ties and a comb, as well as small bottles of hand lotion and sunscreen.

USB Mobile Device Charger

Keeping a charger in your car may be one of the best decisions you will ever make. Keeping your phone plugged in while you drive ensures that you have a fully charged battery whenever you arrive at your destination, even if you ran GPS, Waze, Maps and Spotify the whole way.

Car essentials
Car Charger (Click on the image for more info)

Cellphone Holder

Last year, the Anti-Distracted Driving Act was implemented.  Enough said. With this, trouble with the law may be avoided.  A cellphone holder mounted below the dashboard is a good choice.

Car essentials
Cell Phone Holder (Click on the image for more info)

Solar Phone Charger

A solar phone charger with a power bank could be very useful if everything is dead in your car.  It could also be a lifesaver in an emergency. Imagine being stranded for days, and yet you still continue to charge your phone. Invaluable.

Car essentials
Solar Phone Charger (Click on the image for more info)

Small (Personal) Cooler

small cooler is great for fresh or frozen items in case we do some impromptu shopping at a grocery store.

Car essentials
Small Cooler (Click on the image for more info)

SUMMARY

There you go!  Quite an extensive list right?  I do have most of the items in my SUV and just have the really important ones in my hatchback.  Depending on the drive, particularly for road trips,  I do make adjustments though and bring the other car essentials.  Better safe than sorry.  How about you?

Do you agree or disagree with our list of car essentials? Tell us what we missed in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post or found it useful, please share it and leave a comment! I love hearing from you!

Car essentials

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