No one wants to end up needing roadside assistance or towing service. However, there are certain emergency car situations that occur even if we don’t want to. In some situations, we can remedy the car on our own but there are also certain situations where we need help. Either way, it is best to be prepared with the things you are likely to need in various situations. Below are some of the essential things that you should keep in your car.
Things To Keep In Your Trunk
The trunk provides a space for your luggage or items you want to transport. However, there is much space there for items that you won’t really need on a regular basis. Such items will be useful when your car breaks down or when there are some maintenance issues that affect your car.
Spare Tire And Tools
Having a flat tire is a very common reason why your car may need roadside assistance or towing. Being prepared for a flat tire means you have to have the tools and a spare so you can go on your way or to the nearest shop to get new ones. Of course, you also have to know how to change a flat tire.
Jumper Cables
These will help you when your car won’t start due to battery issues. These are the essential tools that you will use when jumpstarting your car. Make sure you get high-quality ones so that they last and won’t end up electrocuting anyone because of the wear and tear they get. Note: Don’t attempt to jumpstart your car if you are unsure of how to do it or if you haven’t done it before. There is a risk of electrocution and damage to both vehicles.
Heavy Duty Cable, Rope, Chains, Or Tow Straps
If you have been off-roading, you know that it is essential to bring a rope or cable because it comes handy whenever you get stuck. If your car is smaller it can also be towed by another larger vehicle, provided that it is just pulling you to safety. If you are to have your car towed, it is best to use a tow truck because the trucks are made for that job. If you try to tow a car with another car, there is a risk of damaging both cars.
First Aid Kit
Being involved even in a small accident can very stressful. If you hurt yourself, even if it’s just a scratch, the first aid kit can do you good. Some of the things that you should definitely include in your first aid kit are gauze pads, tape, ointments, tweezers, scissors, disinfectant and allergy mediation.
Warm Blanket
If you are driving in an area where winter comes, you definitely want to keep these handy. It will be very useful in case your car’s heating is affected when your car breaks down. You may also want to add some gloves to keep your hands warm. These will help keep you more comfortable and less likely to have hypothermia while you wait for roadside assistance
Flares And Reflective Signs
Flares and reflective signs will help make you more visible at night in case you have a roadside emergency. Making sure that you are visible to other people will help prevent them from crashing into your car.
Items To Keep In Your Glove Compartment
The items you keep here are smaller and will be readily available when you need them.
Flashlight
You should always have a flashlight in your car. It will not only help you in the dark but it can also assist you in the day time when you want to take a closer look at your engine. Make sure that they have batteries or just get the hand-crank types if you want to skip worrying about the batteries.
Phone And Charger
Who doesn’t travel with a phone these days? Your phone can help you with directions, you can use it to call for help when an emergency comes and you can use the camera to help you take pictures of your car and the damages it has. However, you should also not forget to bring a phone charger. You can bring a power bank or a charging cord that connects to the car.
Things For Safety
Aside from the things mentioned above, you should also keep some things on you or immediately next to you for your safety. Such items could include a pepper spray, personal safety alarm, or self-defense keychains. You can use these in case someone attacks you or tries to attack you.
