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Opinions vary among car owners as to what must absolutely be kept in a car. The athletic and active young man always carries a football or Frisbee in the backseat and the photographer carries a tripod in the trunk.
The dog lover carries tennis balls and an assortment of chew toys and the frequent dater carries a pack of gum in the console in-between the driver and passenger seats.
Despite the different lifestyles of drivers they can all agree that there are certain items that should be carried at all times. Here are 15 essential items to keep in your car.
Note: This list excludes lawful things like proof of insurance, registration, etc.
Spare tire, tire jack, and tire iron - Save money and avoid calling a tow truck by keeping these items in your trunk. Even better, make sure anyone driving your vehicle knows how to properly use them.
Sunglasses - Year round, you never know when that wicked glare from the sun is going to strike. Better safe than sorry. Blanket - A nice soft blanket can be used to keep warm in case of an emergency, enhance your picnicking experience or serve as something to lay your baby on to change a diaper while on a road trip. The uses go on and on. An old ratty blanket can be used to help you get out of mud or snow if you're stuck.
Jumper cables - Hopefully you never have to use them on your car but it's always nice to be the helpful stranger who can assist anyone who has a battery that died. Just remember these simple tips to do it right.
Water - Just a few bottles should be enough for any emergency. Great for drinking, washing hands or wounds and useful to clean up messes.
Owner's manual - This is usually already in the glove compartment and it should stay there. Most owner's manuals have a table of contents or index that is very useful so don't feel like you're stumped whenever your car starts acting up. You can usually diagnose the problem yourself by consulting this manual. It'll also show you where fuses and other important car features are located.
Tire pressure gauge - Cheap, small, easy to store, and easy to use. Enough said.
Maps - You know… the paper kind. Just in case you lose cell service or a GPS connection.
A fully charged phone - Nothing fancy. Just something you can keep in the car all the times just in case you need to make an emergency call.
First-aid kit - Again, hopefully you never have to use it but having it in the car gives you peace of mind… Oh, and it might just save you. Granola bars - If you ever break down in the middle of nowhere and you are hungry you will be glad that you kept these handy.
Flashlight - Something small and flimsy or something large and durable. This one is dealer's choice. Nobody knows better than you how much money you want to spend and how much car space you want to take up with a flashlight. Whatever you choose though, make sure it has fresh batteries and works properly.
Ice scraper - Avoid the awkward credit card shuffle and cracked bleeding knuckles by investing in a decent ice scraper.
Duct tape - Much like "the force" it has a light side, a dark side and it holds the universe together. There is not shame in making a temporary repair with duct tape. Baby wipes - Why is it that it takes most people having a kid of their own to discover the universal power of baby wipes? Baby wipes will save you in a variety of instances — especially where water might not be the best cleaning agent.
Now that you're armed with the essentials it's your job to make them fit in your car nicely so they aren't disrupting you, or passengers, from enjoying the ride. Sure hope you played Tetris as a kid!
