Car Must-Haves: 27 Things You Should Always Keep in Your Car
Here are the top 27 things you should always keep in your car.
Written by Alex Reale
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
There’s nothing more stressful than getting in the car, starting your journey, and realizing you didn’t put your new registration or some other essential item in the glovebox. To save some heartache, and protect yourself from unplanned incidents, it’s important to load your car up with a few items.
Car Must-Haves
Though we’re always doing our best to avoid being pulled over, if you were in fact going 75 in a 60, you’ll want to be sure you can present the officer with your license and registration. And while you’re at it, make sure you have your insurance on hand, too, in case that’s requested, or if you get into a mild fender bender and need to have your paperwork available.
If your engine tuckers out inexplicably during a trip to Trader Joe’s, you’ll feel better approaching a fellow grocery shopper to ask for a jump if you have your own jumper cables to bring to the table. This goes without saying, but having a spare tire on hand is crucial, and you won’t be able to change it without the accompanying tire jack and lug wrench, so have those on hand, too.
Similarly, stick a flashlight in your glovebox or trunk in case you’re stuck jacking up your car at night. And if you’re hearing a weird noise and can’t quite pinpoint it, it’s nice to have your owner’s manual available to see if it’s worth investigating before you call a tow.
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Basically car must-haves
MORE: Repairsmith Says These Are the 8 Reasons Your Car Would Leak Oil
A tire pressure gauge is another helpful item to stick in your car, plus a sealant and a pump in case of leaks. Duct tape also comes in handy for a wide variety of things, including as a stopgap before the pros can take a look at your pipe issue or crack in the chassis.
Ideally, you’d also have some extra motor oil stashed away, but read the manual before recklessly dumping it in. Loading up on water is another great idea, as both you and the car will want it if you ever get stranded on a desert road. And in case you have an issue on a busy road or highway, pulling to the shoulder and taking out your reflective triangle is a helpful way to make a DIY flare to warn other drivers to slow down and steer clear.
Honorable mention
MORE: Why Is Your Car Heater Blowing Cold Air?
Safety while driving is of the utmost importance, but it’s nice to have other bases covered, too. Work gloves are unassuming and useful in case mid-drive repairs are needed, and throwing some wipes and paper towels in the back can’t hurt, either. Snow driving is a whole different beast, but everyone can benefit from having a foldable shovel and a spare set of chains in the back. You never know when you’ll have to rush off to Tahoe.
Finally, it never hurts to have the old standbys: paper maps, extra shoes, coins, blankets, nonperishable food, and phone chargers. Anyone who complains about space taken up by these essentials is doing it wrong.
Looking to insure your well-stocked car?
Jerry
is a personal insurance broker that lives in your pocket. But don’t worry about buying tiny office furniture—Jerry is an app. Once you download Jerry, just answer a handful of questions that will take you roughly 45 seconds to complete and you’ll immediately get car insurance quotes for coverage similar to your current plan. Jerry customers save an average of $887 a year. 
4.7
