When driving, an accident or breakdown can occur at a moment’s notice, so it’s always best to be ready for any scenario on the road. Stay prepared by always keeping these items in your car for emergencies.
Jumper Cables
Perhaps the most common vehicle problem that many drivers encounter at some point is a dead battery. The battery may die because the owner left the headlights or an interior light on, it might be too cold outside, or the battery simply ran out of juice due to reaching the end of its lifespan.
Whatever the case may be, if your vehicle’s battery does die, you will want jumper cables in the car so you can quickly and effectively bring the battery back to life. You can also consider a portable jump starter pack that doesn’t require another car’s battery for a jump-start.
Interesting Fact: Jumper cables are not named so because they jump-start your car, but are named after their founder, Leon Jumper, who invented the cables in 1863 before there were even cars!
Coolant
Engine coolant helps keep your vehicle from overheating while driving. Without sufficient coolant, your engine could heat to the point of damaging its components and producing steam under the hood.
It’s important to know what to do if your car overheats on the road. You may be able to fix it quickly by adding more coolant to the system. But if you don’t have any engine coolant in the car, you’ll have to stop at a gas station or store or call a tow truck to bring some. Ideally, it’s best to keep a small, portable bottle in your trunk at all times in case engine overheating does occur.
Phone Charger
A phone charger is another item you should always keep in your car for emergencies. If your car breaks down and you’re stranded on the side of the road, you’ll need a working phone to call for help.
However, if your phone is dead and you don’t have an extra battery, you could be stuck for much longer or forced to trek to the nearest gas station for help. Be sure to keep a car charger and a portable phone charger in your car so you’ll always have enough power in your phone to call for help.
First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is something you’d always rather have and not need instead of need and not have. If you get in an accident and someone is hurt, a first aid kit will help you patch up injuries like simple cuts and bruises. A quality kit can also help you address more serious injuries until the injured individual is able to seek professional care.
You can find all kinds of first aid kits online from the Red Cross, including small versions specifically meant for your car.
Tire Patch Kit
Even if your vehicle has a spare tire, it’s always wise to keep a tire patch kit in your car. Incidents on the road are unpredictable, and your vehicle could experience punctures in multiple tires.
Tire patch kits are inexpensive and will help you seal the puncture so you can refill the tire. This should make it safe enough to at least drive to the nearest service center for appropriate tire repair or replacement.
