Don’t Start Your Engine Before You Pack These Car Essentials

While it’s not a good idea to load up your car with loads of ‘just-in-case’ items, there are some things that you’ll never regret keeping in your car boot.

It’s impossible to control when and where a car emergency can happen, but what you can control is how prepared you are to handle it. Here are the essential items for your vehicle that we think you should always have to hand. 

Spare Tyre or Puncture Repair Kit

A lot of modern cars now come with a puncture repair kit in the form of sealant and compressor, rather than a spare tyre, but whichever one your car comes with – make sure you keep it in the car! If it’s a puncture repair kit, familiarise yourself with how to use it, and if it’s a tyre, keep it with a car jack and wheel-nut wrench as it will be useless without them. If you need a special key to remove your wheels, this should stay in your car at all times. 

Reflective Warning Triangle

These notify other car drivers that you’re broken down ahead, so place one at least 45 metres behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road. Reflective warning triangles should however never be used on motorways.

Car Manual

Have you ever sat down to really read through your car manual? We’re betting you haven’t, and it’s packed with information that could be crucial in an emergency. You’ll be able to learn everything from the correct tyre pressure to the type of coolant you should use by flicking through your manual, so keep it in the vehicle to refer back to when you need it. 

Jumper Cables

If there’s one item you’re guaranteed to need when you don’t have it, it’s a set of jumper cables. Keep these in your car boot so you can quickly tackle a flat battery, or help someone else with theirs.

Road Atlas

A road atlas seems practically prehistoric in the era of smartphones with built-in GPS, but they have one timeless advantage – they don’t have batteries that run flat, or need a signal to work. Keep a road atlas in your glove compartment for those inevitable moments when your smartphone decides to be stupid.

In-Car Charger

Speaking of smartphones, it’s ideal if you have an in-car charger to supply the juice as soon as your device starts to run low. 

Torch

Preferably of the wind-up variety so you don’t have to worry about checking batteries, a torch comes in handy at the most unexpected of times. 

Hi-Vis Clothing

No, it’s not stylish, but Hi-Vis clothing (such as a vest or jacket) could save your life if you have a car emergency after dark or in conditions with poor visibility. Donning Hi-Vis clothing to inspect your car should be the second thing you do, after putting on your hazard lights. 

First-Aid Kit

Sometimes it’s not just the car that may need tending to. A First-Aid Kit is a critical item for every vehicle, and be sure to keep it replenished. 

Bottles of Water and Snacks

You could be in for a long wait if you need roadside assistance, so store a couple of bottles of water and a box of cereal bars or other snacks in the boot. 

Blanket

Especially during the winter, a thick blanket provides warmth and comfort as you wait for help to arrive after a breakdown or emergency. Keep at least one in your car to keep the chills away.