What Should You Always Keep in the Car

Once you begin driving on your own, you will need to know what things you should have in your car at all times. Some essential things to keep in your car at all times are the owner’s manual, proof of insurance, and registration card. However, in addition to these obvious things you should leave in your glove compartment, there are many other useful items you should have in your trunk at all times in case of an emergency.The things you will need certainly include a very detailed map of your state and a road atlas. These are great to have even if you use a GPS navigation system, because maps work even with no power. This brings up another essential item to have and that is a flashlight. You will need to see in the dark at one time or another whether you get stranded or your tire needs changing. You don’t have to have gone to driving school to know a good flashlight with fresh batteries is one of the best tools you can have in your car.Some other smart items to carry with you at all times include a first aid kit, a can of lubricant, a can of fix-a-flat, a tire gauge, a tire air pump, a tire repair kit, and road flares. If you have ever had to change a tire or fix anything on a car you know how easily you could be cut or injured. If you have a first aid kit on you, you will decrease your chances of infection by cleaning and dressing all your cuts right after they happen. You could have a tire go flat at any time and the tire doesn’t care that you are on the highway nowhere near any stores. If you are already prepared with either fix a flat or a tire repair kit, then you will have nothing to worry about. Road flares can keep people from hitting your car while broken down in the middle of the road, especially if your power is out. It is also a great idea to keep a can of lubricant in your vehicle in case the bolts on your tire get stuck. Spraying a bit of it on them will usually loosen them right up for you and save you hours of frustration.Other good items to carry include booster or jumper cables, a battery charger, towels (cloth or paper), duct tape, and an extra key. Things like a portable battery charger will also help you because some of the items on the list need batteries to work and they can easily go dead on you. Jumper cables will help you in case you happen to leave your lights on all night and drain your battery dead. Towels are helpful in most any case because you can lay on them, clean your hands with them, or anything else you need. Duct tape can hold many things together temporarily until you make it home. Everyone who has ever locked themselves out knows how an extra key could help you. With a hide-a-key you could stick one anywhere under your car that will hold a magnet and always have it handy.You might have learned to carry most of these in your driving lessons but even if you didn’t, now you know how important they are to have. All these tools could make an emergency much easier on you and in some cases might even save your life.