It’s better to be safe than sorry
When packing for something like camping or a road trip, there are certain essentials that absolutely must make the cut. A tent, the associated camping gear, snacks, water, a sleeping bag, you get the idea. Similarly, when driving a car, whether it’s just for the daily commute, a grocery run, or seeing your loved ones on the other side of town, there are a few things that should always come with you. Here are five things we deem essential whenever you find yourself behind the wheel (or yoke) of a motor vehicle.
1) Survival Kit
Disaster can strike anywhere, anytime. Whether it’s a small cut or something more serious, being prepared to take care of yourself or anyone around you can save the day. There are nearly infinite choices out there, but these two are some of the most impressive kits I’ve found on Amazon. This EVERLIT 250-piece kit has everything you could hope to have on hand in an emergency situation, from a flashlight and glowsticks to an emergency thermal blanket and every kind of medical wraps, bandages, and wipes you could think of. For $38, or $50 off-sale, you simply can’t beat that price.
If you want to go a little overboard, this Abpir 318-piece kit has everything from the EVERLIT kit, but adds even more items like a folding shovel/pick, a lamp, and a multi-tool axe. At $38, I can’t imagine every item is of the highest quality, but we can’t argue with the sheer quantity and variety this offers. Do keep in mind that these kits often count 50 cotton balls or 50 Q-tips as individual items, so they may not have as many things as they advertise.
2) Fire Extinguisher
Insert the “EVs always catch on fire” joke here if you must, but the reality is that any car can catch on fire, whether from a factory defect or some kind of damage. This $22 Kidde 10-B:C fire extinguisher is the one I often see people carry, and I personally have one in each of my cars. Make sure you keep it somewhere where it’s easily accessible in a pinch, and keep an eye on the gauge to make sure you replace it once it expires.
3) Blanket
Whether you’re waiting on the side of the road for the tow truck on a chilly night or a surprise drive-in date comes up, a blanket is a handy item to keep around in your back seat. Sure, you could get a cheap blanket for next to nothing from Amazon or TJMaxx, but our friends at Pure Parima have one to take your blanket game to the next level. Not only does the “washed waffle” weave have a cozy, vintage look to it, but it’s also made of 100% organic cotton. It’s a little pricey off-sale at nearly $100, but it offers the perfect blend of warmth and luxury, and can be used on its own or as part of a multi-layer setup.
4) Jump Pack
You might be familiar with keeping jumper cables in your car, but what happens if your electrical system goes out in the middle of nowhere with no other vehicle around to help you out? I would argue that a portable jump pack is a better solution for situations like this, and the NOCO Boost GB40 is a tried-and-true player in this space, boasting a 1000A capacity and a 100-lumen LED flashlight to boot. With a price of $100, too, this is the jump pack to have.
5) Tire Inflator
Now, yes, if your tire absolutely blows off your wheel, a tire inflator won’t do you any good. However, if you just have a small leak and need to keep the tire pumped until you get home or to the nearest tire shop, a portable tire inflator is a must. This $32 AstroAI unit is a personal recommendation that works as it should, and even comes with a few extra attachments for filling up different kinds of tires.
Final thoughts
Are there certain items we missed that you think should’ve made the list? Do you have better alternatives to some of the brands we mentioned here? Let us know in the comments!
About the author
Gabriel Ionica
Senior Editor, Autoblog