When out driving in your car there are all sorts of scenarios and different weather conditions you need to be prepared for. But perhaps you’re not sure as to what are the best things to keep in your car. Here’s our guide of key things to keep in your car; to make sure you’re best prepared for potential difficulties ahead.
Spare tyre
Some new cars will include a spare tyre inside which is great, but if not then it’s worth investing in one that’s suitable for your vehicle. If you already have a spare tyre, whether that be a full-sized one or smaller space-saver tyre, then you should keep it in your car at all times. You never know for sure when you might get a puncture.
Along with the tyre itself, you should also keep a car jack and suitable wrench onboard so that you can complete a tyre change. It’s worthwhile familiarising yourself with the location of these tools and how to use them.
Bear in mind as well that you could end up needing to change a tyre in a precarious area, such as the motorway or up a narrow steep road. If the road you’re on feels dangerous for going out to do a tyre change, then you’re better off calling a breakdown service to do it for you. Spare tyres are one of the most important things to keep in your car.
Pressure gauge
Keeping a tyre pressure gauge stored in your car means at any appropriate time you can check up on the pressure levels of your tyres. If you think one or more of your tyres are under or overinflated then you can check quickly. In our experience, tyre inflators at petrol stations can be quite inaccurate, so it’s best to double check.
If you’re unsure about the optimum tyre pressure levels for your car, then try consulting your manufacturer’s handbook. This handbook is also worth keeping in your car at all times and is typically found in the glove box compartment.
Jump leads
Keeping a pair of jump leads in the boot is useful if you are ever unfortunate enough to suffer a battery failure with your car. This tool consists of a pair of thick electric cables with clips fitted at either end. Jump leads are used to recharge a vehicle’s battery by connecting it to the battery of another vehicle.
If you are unsure at all, however, as to how to use the jump leads properly, then leave them and seek professional help from a service garage or emergency service, as it can be dangerous to proceed.
Torch and high visibility vest
It’s possible you could be left having to check or fix something on your car from the outside when it’s the middle of night. Keeping a torch and high visibility vest are useful thins to have in your car, because not only want to be able to see what you’re doing but it’ll let other road users see you too. For your own safety, always wear a high visibility vest if you step out of your car while on a motorway.
Car emergency kits
To ensure you’ve got everything you need in case of an emergency situation, you can always invest in a car emergency kit. Car emergency kits or roadside emergency kits offered online and in stores by various safety organisations and can vary between about £15 and £40 in price.
Equipment typically found in car emergency kits include items mentioned above like jump leads, a torch and a pressure gauge. These kits also usually come with a hazard warning triangle to warn other road users that your car has broken down, a tow rope, a foot pump, grippy cotton gloves and spare batteries for your torch. These kits contain some of the best emergency essentials for your car.
Phone charger
For less than a tenner you can get yourself a phone charger which can work off your cigarette lighter. That way if you’ve been out on the road awhile and you need to call an emergency service, it won’t be a problem if you only then discover your mobile phone has little battery life left.
Ice scraper/de-icer spray and winter clothing
During the winter months you’ll have to contend with cold weather, which will frequently leave your car with a frosty windscreen during the early mornings and overnight. Keeping an ice scraper or de-icer spray in your car makes sense during this time so you can quickly ensure your visibility when driving isn’t compromised.
During the winter as well, the temperatures could stoop very low while on the move and rain shows are always likely. So some spare warm and waterproof clothing is worth keeping in the car so you are best prepared if the weather turns for the worst.
Map of Britain’s roads
Even if your car has a sat-nav system onboard, it’s always worthwhile keeping a map that details the UK’s roads. This can serve as a backup option in case you don’t have a sat-nav system, or it goes faulty or you usually rely on internet-based navigation and can’t get a connection one day.
