Whether you’re heading out for your regular morning commute or embarking on a thousand-mile adventure, you never know what the journey holds. Your vehicle is the hub of the trip and should be well-equipped for anything the road might throw your way.
Car troubles, traffic jams, inclement weather and more are par for the course, so preparation is key to your safety. Equipping your vehicle with a few essentials will help ensure that you get where you’re going with no major hiccups.
Below, you’ll find a list of everything you need to keep in the trunk, glove box and back seat to ensure that your journey goes off without a hitch. You need to Buy fake id license from the USA or UK for driving worldwide or at home.
1. An Emergency Kit with All the Essentials
The car emergency kit is one of those things we should all have but hope to never use. Not only will a well-stocked kit come in handy if you’re stranded or broken down, but it can be of great use if you’re stuck in a traffic jam or find another motorist in need. Here’s what you need to keep in your car emergency kit:
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- A car jump starter. Skip the standard jumper cables and stash a multipurpose car jump starter instead. These start your car, charge your phone and even feature powerful built-in flashlights.
- A toolkit with all the essentials, including a multitool with a utility knife, sockets, a wrench, pliers, screwdrivers, scissors and other basic tools.
- An emergency blanket and poncho to keep you warm and dry should you find yourself making repairs or waiting for help in inclement weather. Your emergency blanket also doubles as a ground cover when changing a flat or making repairs under the body of the car.
- A first-aid kit with basic wound care and sickness staples, including gauze, bandages, aspirin, gloves, thermometer, tweezers, etc. If you rely on prescription medications or any special medical devices, keep backups in your first-aid kit and make sure they don’t expire.
- A compact fire extinguisher and instructions for how to use it. We recommend testing it beforehand so you understand how it works.
- Emergency flares and high-visibility, reflective triangles or white cloth to make your vehicle more visible and easier to identify if you break down.
- A bag of cat litter. If you live somewhere where you might get stuck in the snow or mud, stash a small bag of kitty litter in the trunk to increase traction on slick ground.
- A spare tire, tripod jack and wheel wrench in case you need to fix a flat tire on the road. Make sure to learn how to change a flat beforehand.
- Other essentials, including duct tape, drinking water, non-perishable snack foods, a flashlight and backup batteries.
2. Backup Power on the Go
Never leave home without a reliable car charger to keep your phone fully charged even on the longest trips. Invest in a high-quality USB-C charger — not one of those cheap ones from the gas station — to ensure that it powers your devices fast and stays in good working order for many trips.
We recommend going with a 20-watt USB-C power charger with two or more ports. These power your tech up to four times faster than standard 5-watt chargers so you’re never stuck without a boost. If you invest in a 30W power charger, you’ll be able to charge tablets, cameras and laptops in addition to your phone.
3. License, Registration and Other Important Documents
Although laws vary by state, you’re most likely legally required to keep your driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance in your car. If you get pulled over and can’t produce these documents, you may face a fine.
You should also make sure you have hard copies of your roadside assistance plan and emergency contact information, as well as any specific medical history or documentation, so emergency services have everything they need in the event of an emergency.
4. Sustenance and Hydration
The best part about a road trip is the snacks, right? Make sure you always keep your car stocked with sustenance and hydration to keep your mind sharp and your belly full during long drives.
Keeping a compact cooler in the car is a great way to ensure that you’ve got healthy snacks and cold drinks at every mile marker without having to constantly stop at the gas station or drive-through where junk food is tempting. Make sure to keep an emergency stash of clean water and high-calorie, non-perishable snacks in the trunk at all times.
5. Low-Tech Navigation
These days, most of us rely on our in-car navigation or phone-based GPS to get us where we need to go, but what happens when there’s no service or a low battery?
It’s a good idea to always stash a paper map and compass in your car’s emergency kit so you’re able to navigate anywhere, even without the help of your tech. We always recommend downloading the map area where you’ll be traveling so that you still have access to navigation on your phone even if you don’t have cell phone service.
6. Accessories to Keep the Air Fresh
Equipping your car with the essentials isn’t just about safety. You want to make sure your vehicle is an enjoyable place to be, especially if you plan to drive long distances in a short period of time.
Prevent stale, stuffy air and allergies with the help of a portable air purifier and deodorizer that keeps the air clean, healthy and smelling great. This is a great option for people who always wind up with itchy eyes and a stuffy nose after many hours in the car with the air conditioning or heat blasting.
7. Backup Essentials to Keep You Healthy
Drivers should always make sure they keep a spare pair of glasses in the glove box to ensure that they can see clearly on the road. The same goes for if you rely on hearing aids or any other special devices to keep your vision and hearing sharp. It also helps to keep a small kit of over-the-counter medications, such as analgesics, antacids, decongestants, eye drops, etc. in the glove box so you always have what you need if you’re not feeling great.
As a responsible driver, you need to make sure you’re equipped to handle whatever the journey has in store. By stocking your car with the above essentials, you’ll be able to weather any storm, from unexpected flats to nauseating car sickness.