7 Most Useful Items to Keep in Your Car

Be ready for anything while you’re out and about

Let’s be honest. Many of us would be lost without our cars. Traveling to work, to sports events, to see our friend’s and relatives, or to the beach could be challenging without transportation plans. 
Everyone treats their cars differently. Some packed a trunk full of items ready to tackle anything, while others have nothing at all. But one thing’s for sure; none of us keeps gloves in our glovebox (do you?). 

What you keep in your car will also depend on where you live. For example, if you live in the city, you wouldn’t need a full-on emergency kit as everything is nearby. Whereas living in the country equates to driving long distance to shops and businesses, you’d need to make sure you’re much more prepared. 
Now we could give you a massive list with 50 odd items you need to carry in your car. But that would be pointless. You’d have no room for your passengers, and the extra weight would cost you a bomb in petrol. 

So, let’s look at the seven most useful items to keep in your car

1.  Napkins

If you haven’t got a glove box full of napkins, you’ll be sorry. When you hear ‘whoops’ you won’t have an absolute panic, if you’ve stocked your glove box full of napkins. So every time you go through a drive-thru, make sure you grab some napkins and you’ll be ready for any surprise mess. Wet wipes (like the Red Rooster/KFC variety) also works great. 
     

2.  Duct Tape

Firstly, a disclaimer – this is not to be used to quiet your passengers, no matter how tempting. Duct tape is fantastic for fixing multiple car issues: sealing burst radiator pipes, glass chips, breaks of shatters, tyres stuck in the mud, broken lights, small fender benders (tape up your bumper bar to get to the repair shop) and much more. 
     

3.  Tyre Changing Items

Most cars will have a spare tyre, jack, and a wheel brace. It’s also super handy to have a can of WD-40 and work gloves to help loosen the wheel nuts. Be prepared that most mechanics will tighten wheel nuts with rattle guns so it may be almost impossible to loosen the nuts. In this case, it would pay to have roadside assistance, or a super friendly smile to get help from passersby.
     

4.  A Flashlight

If you happen to break down at night time, a flashlight will be your savior. Not only will you be able to look under your bonnet or around your car for faults, but it can help keep passengers calm on dark stretches of a lonely road. You can also use it as a beacon so your roadside assistant (or partner, hubby, father, etc.) can find you.
    

5.  Food and Water

Keep a little esky in your boot and pack it with water bottles and some non-perishable foods. Having a backup food supply will stop the ‘I’m hungry’ complaints from the back seat. You never know when you’ll get stuck in a traffic jam or break down so having a stash will make sure you are kept hydrated and fed.
    

6.  A Pair of Runners

If you’ve ever been stranded on the way to work because your car broke down, you would know the pain of walking in heels to get help. Or you’ve been a kilometre away from the petrol station and ran out of fuel. Next time you upgrade your runners, keep your old pair in the car trunk for emergencies. And if you ever get the urge to go for a runt, you’ll be all set.
   

7.  A Car Phone Charger

Having a charged phone is a must-have in today’s world. We are always on, and always reachable. Get into the habit of plugging your phone into your charger when you get in your car to ensure you’ve got battery life. There’s no point in having a mobile phone in an emergency if it is out of battery.

Think about the way you use your car and create your list

The above list is by no means exhaustive, and multiple items could be added, like the essential first aid kit (that’s a given if your passengers are kids). Think about where you live, how you use your car and the distance you drive and create your list.