Twelve Items You Should Always Have In Your Car

Once you have passed your driving test and gotten out on the road in your own vehicle, it soon becomes clear that you still have an awful lot to learn. One of the biggest things to understand is that you now have complete responsibility for yourself and the vehicle you take out onto the road. This obviously means that you should drive safe at all times and respect other road users, however, it also means that you should be prepared if anything goes wrong.

To help with that, here’s a short list of the things you really need to have in your car at all times.

1. Tyre changing supplies, like a spare tyre, a lug wrench, a tyre jack and some WD40 will mean you can change any punctured tyres in a pinch, rather than being stranded for however long it takes for the repair company to reach you.
2. A set of jumper cables is always useful, as you can use them to give other cars a jump start if they need it, plus you will have them on hand if your own vehicle needs the same treatment.
3. Keep the owner’s manual in the glovebox at all times as it will be handy to refer to, you will always know where it is and you can pull it out if required.
4. A petrol canister is always helpful. You shouldn’t keep it filled in the car, but have it available just in case you lose track of the amount of petrol you have and need to make a trek to a nearby petrol station. After all, you can’t carry petrol in your hands.
5. A pair of sturdy gloves will be a lifesaver if you have to get down and dirty while changing a tyre or examining the engine.
6. Always have blankets and a hot water bottle during the winter, as this will keep you warm if the car completely breaks down in potentially dangerous conditions.
7. A couple of snacks and a bottle of water or two could save your life if you end up in an emergency situation. Plus the water could prove useful if you need to mix it with coolant to put in the radiator.
8. A road map book could prove useful if your phone runs out of juice or GPS is proving to be less than reliable.
9. An ice scraper and de-icer spray will always be useful when the windows freeze over. They are far better choices than using a kettle of hot water, which can crack the windscreen due to the sudden temperature switch.
10. A car-adapted phone charger will ensure you always have juice running to your important devices.
11. Some strong gaffa tape is always helpful to have around, as you never know what uses you might find for it.
12. A little first-aid kit and a torch may prove very useful in an emergency situation.

So there you have it. A short list of twelve items that you should have in your car at all times. Keep these in mind and drive safe!