Remember the old saying, "It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it"? It's an evergreen piece of wisdom that stays true, especially when it comes to what to keep in your car. If it could talk (and not just beep annoyingly when you forget to fasten your seatbelt), your car might tell you it feels a bit naked without its own all-purpose survival kit. From a spontaneous sleepover at a friend's to an unforeseen incident, it's amazing how certain items can act like a knight in shining armor. Today, we're rolling out a car essentials list that would make even the most seasoned survivalist nod in approval.
Before you worry about turning your vehicle into a mobile survival bunker, let's clarify that we're not going all doomsday prepper here. Sure, being prepared for a potential alien invasion is cool — but our focus leans more toward realistic car emergency preparedness. More "help me out in a flat tire situation" and less "help me out in a zombie apocalypse." Still essential, but marginally less dramatic.
So, what are these magical things to keep in your car that could potentially save everything, from a small inconvenience to a major pain in the peach? Do you really need that oversized plushie in the back of your car, or could that space be better used? Fear not, we've sorted it out and put together this list of car must-haves for you to draw inspiration from.
As we gear up, we're not just thinking about those chilling "stranded in the middle of nowhere" scenes from horror movies. We're also considering those everyday occurrences that call for essential car tools — like the heroic spare tire that saves the day when you hit a pothole or the jumper cables that make you a good samaritan to a fellow traveler in need. Agree with an entry? Shower it with upvotes! Spot a glaring omission in our list of car essentials? The comment section is all yours. Share your wisdom, fellow Pandas, and let's make this post a source for road trip readiness!
#1
Renske5060 said:
"Water."
"Water."
TannedCroissant replied:
"This is excellent advice, it’s even better if you combine it with a water bottle."
"This is excellent advice, it’s even better if you combine it with a water bottle."
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39points
#2
kattrapp said:
"Blanket."
benwinsatlife replied:
"Blankets are important if you break down in a cold rural location, but also if you get too lit at the party you can sleep it off before driving home."
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38points
#3
"A fire extinguisher. About 2 years ago I was in the car with my parents when all of a sudden the gears stopped responding and smoke started coming out of the front and back. We parked on the side of the road, opened the front, and a piece (I think it was the battery) was burning. It was only put out because a man who was passing by riding a motorcycle quickly stopped, took off his jacket, soaked it in water from a bottle that he had with him, and covered the fire with it. Turns out he was an ex-fireman. You probably shouldn’t always count on being that lucky."
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38points
#4
pixelunicorns said:
"First aid kit, maps, and emergency supplies."
"First aid kit, maps, and emergency supplies."
Zemu_Robinzon replied:
"In my country, you're legally required to have a first aid kit in a car."
"In my country, you're legally required to have a first aid kit in a car."
Random_Dude81 replied:
"...and a basic first aid knowledge including CPR to get a driver's license."
"...and a basic first aid knowledge including CPR to get a driver's license."
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38points
#6
barefoot-bug-lover said:
"If you travel with your dog, a bottle of water and a drinking bowl."
"If you travel with your dog, a bottle of water and a drinking bowl."
johnnycakeAK replied:
"And a bag with some spare food for the dog. My truck has at least 3 days' worth of food for my dog at all times."
"And a bag with some spare food for the dog. My truck has at least 3 days' worth of food for my dog at all times."
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34points
#7
D4m0n619 said:
"Jumper cables."
"Jumper cables."
User replied:
"This. It’s even better if they are connected to a fully charged battery so you don’t need another car."
"This. It’s even better if they are connected to a fully charged battery so you don’t need another car."
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33points
#8
Gentlegiant33 said:
"Ice scraper/snow brush... where are my MN peeps at?"
"Ice scraper/snow brush... where are my MN peeps at?"
BoredRedhead replied:
"And why is this not mandatory in an “Up north” rental car?!? One company always leaves one, some don’t. Now I have to bring my own on business trips."
"And why is this not mandatory in an “Up north” rental car?!? One company always leaves one, some don’t. Now I have to bring my own on business trips."
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33points
#9
dannycolaco14 said:
"Rain jacket, umbrella, change of clothes."
"Rain jacket, umbrella, change of clothes."
ScaryBilbo replied:
"A change of clothes is more than convenient, plus they go well with any survival/hygiene/aid kit..."
"A change of clothes is more than convenient, plus they go well with any survival/hygiene/aid kit..."
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31points
#10
User said:
"Yourself. Wear your seatbelts."
"Yourself. Wear your seatbelts."
goddessoftrees replied:
"Seatbelts LITERALLY save lives. I was in a serious accident back in November, where my SUV flipped 4 times down a hill and onto a creek bed, finally being stopped by a tree. I would literally be dead without my seatbelt holding me in while the SUV flipped. I was astounded when talking about the accident after the fact at how many people I know that said they didn't wear their seatbelts."
"Seatbelts LITERALLY save lives. I was in a serious accident back in November, where my SUV flipped 4 times down a hill and onto a creek bed, finally being stopped by a tree. I would literally be dead without my seatbelt holding me in while the SUV flipped. I was astounded when talking about the accident after the fact at how many people I know that said they didn't wear their seatbelts."
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30points
#11
"Feels kinda random, but I hate when I’m in someone else’s car and they don’t keep a box of tissues and/or napkins in their car."
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29points
#12
kukukele said:
"Phone charger."
"Phone charger."
TheGuyOnTop replied:
"A "spare" charger. One that you know it's in good condition and will work in case of emergency. Chargers in a car tend to get beat up and fail."
"A "spare" charger. One that you know it's in good condition and will work in case of emergency. Chargers in a car tend to get beat up and fail."
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28points
#13
PagantKing said:
"Dashcam."
"Dashcam."
GodOfThunder101 replied:
"Front and back dash cam."
"Front and back dash cam."
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27points
#15
"Canadian here: A candle and some matches. If you're stuck on the road during winter, a candle can heat your car while you wait for the CAA/AAA."
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27points
#16
"Road flare, the red tube that's essentially a giant match to warn people up the road you've broken down."
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25points
#17
"A fake coin thingy for shopping carts!
Edit because it struck me that this is not common everywhere - in Europe you often need a €1 coin to release a shopping cart for use in supermarkets etc, which you get back when you return the cart to the right place. And you usually can never find a coin when you need it. So people often have little plastic discs or keychains that hold a metal disc the same size as a euro. Very useful."
25points
#18
"A GPS tracker. They’re getting cheaper and cheaper and even low-value cars get stolen now. Crooks steal them and break them apart to sell bits and pieces on eBay."
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24points
#19
"A big shopping bag for when you yet again didn't bring one from home."
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22points
