Bought my first car, what are some essentials and not-so-obvious things I should buy/keep in my car?

r/

Bought my first car, what are some essentials and not-so-obvious things I should buy/keep in my car?

Comments

  1. Random_Dude169 Avatar

    Probably a small first aid kit and make sure you have the tools to put a spare tire on. Those are the only things I make sure to always have in my car

  2. ElegantMankey Avatar

    Cooling fluid and Engine Oil that are fit for your car (check in the car user guide)

    Wet wipes

    A roll of bags for trash

    First aid kit

    Glowing yellow vast and that Triangle you put on the ground.

    Spare tire + I recommend the electric jack and screw driver

    Electric tire pump and Battery thingy to help you start your car if it dies

  3. RabidusUnus Avatar

    I think the bare minimum should be:

    First aid kit

    Bottle of water

    Jumper cables

    Flashlight

    Emergency $50 Bill

    During the winter maybe a blanket.

  4. Quaortem Avatar

    I have a way to change my tire, an extra pen and extra pair of clothes in my car always

  5. ra__account Avatar

    At least $20 in cash, well hidden in case you lose your wallet/phone or need gas in the middle of nowhere when their card machine is down.

    I usually keep a go bag with a change of clothes and toothbrush and a sleeping bag as well.

  6. EmirNL Avatar

    Jumper starting cables for dead batteries.

    High visibility vests.

    A small medical kit.

    Emergency money.

  7. TryBananna4Scale Avatar

    Hide some cash. Keep a few groceries store plastic bags, shove them between the seats, or under the trunk mat . Something to wipe with.

  8. I_am_Reddit_Tom Avatar

    Tyre inflation kit. Blankets. Can of petrol. Bottle of water.

  9. PunkAintDead Avatar

    Everyone’s mentioned the high priority items, so let me suggest to you keep a towel and/or blanket in your car. Blanket helps if you need to take a quick nap or want to lay out at the park or the beach. Towel for the same reasons + you can use it to clean up

  10. DonVonTaters_IV Avatar

    In the spare tire compartment put in a big water bottle and some energy bars in case you ever get stranded. Also a pair of shoes, hat and gloves. I know someone who almost lost their feet because they got frost bite when their car broke down and they only had dress shoes.

    Also sunscreen, ibuprofen

  11. BlazeSpliffington Avatar

    Towel/Blanket (for sleeping and cleaning), some cash, deodorant, maybe a spare change of clothes, tyre Jack and spare tyre, Hi-Vis, Torch, Phone charger power bank thingie, or a way to charge your phone in the car, Emergency Jump start kit, Windscreen de icer (spray and the scraper)

  12. Redcarborundum Avatar
    • Tire patch kit
    • Tire inflators, electric is better than canned
    • Flashlight with magnetic base (can’t patch / change tire in the dark)
    • Jumper cable
    • Small toolkit that includes various sizes of sockets, screwdrivers, and pliers
    • bronze & steel brushes
    • Utility knife
    • First aid kit

    The common problems with cars that you can work on are low/drained battery and a flat tire. The toolkit allows you to loosen the terminal nuts, and the brush can clean the dirt that prevents contact. The jumper cable can charge your battery and jumpstart your car with help from another car.

    The tire patch kit is to patch holes in your tire, the inflator inflates it once it’s patched. The utility knife cuts the excess patch string.

    First aid kit is to patch you up when you cut yourself the first time you tried this.

  13. SolitaryOne Avatar

    – First Aid Kit
    – basic tool kit
    – Flashlight AND head torch
    – Safety Vest
    – Tire Pump
    – I personally keep a couple MRE’s in my car aswell

    and because i saw you were canadian

    – mylar thermal blankets
    A car battery booster pack (useful during winter depending on here you are in canada)
    an onboard car battery charger (regardless of whether or not you have a block heater and battery blanket this is still incredibly useful… again depends on where you are in canada)

  14. PienaarColada Avatar

    Everybody here is so prepared, but what I reach for the most and never have;

    A pen, painkillers, windshield fluid, sunglasses, small change, lip balm, SPF, napkins, wet wipes, a tide pen, a charger, tampons.

    Also, always keep a 20 in case you forget your wallet and need gas.

  15. Mischavus1 Avatar

    Jumper cables, a blanket, fix a flat, tire inflator and a spare tire bc new cars generally only come with a donut spare; including making sure you have a jack/lug wrench to change a tire.

    Experts have also recommended some water and a little food in the event you get stranded or crash somewhere remote. You have to change them out periodically to keep them fresh, though.

  16. SnooBunnies7231 Avatar

    If you live in an area with snow, I would say a small shovel. I’ve been blocked in by a snow drift that piled up while I was working.

  17. Ongocito Avatar

    Paper towels and Kleenex

    Jumper cables or Battery jumper ( like $100 investment you don’t need another car to jump battery)

    Lil fire extinguisher

    Notebook

    Pens

    Trash bags

    Towel and rags (microfiber rags are the best)

    Container to keep all this in so it doesn’t get messy in your trunk

    Tool kit

    Change of clothes

    First aid kit

    Mini vacuum

    Baseball bat for bad guys, thugs, and assassins

    Air freshener

  18. Dairgo Avatar

    Regardless of the cars age things:

    Jumper cables or a jump box

    Proper tools for changing tires (the right sized socket, 1/2″ drive ratchet and breaker bar 18″)

    Tire air pump and possibly last resort fix a flat can

    A flashlight

    As others have mentioned

    Keep the essential fluids in your car

    Oil, steering fluid, coolant, brake fluid, keep them in a tote or cardboard box in the trunk.

    A funnel and a rag, if keeping fluids in the trunk.

    You’ll learn soon enough if your car uses certain fluids or has leaks. Also note if it’s a newer vehicle (2009 or newer) you may have electronic assisted steering, and no need for steering fluid.

    If you’re comfortable with mechanical things, a simple socket set, screwdrivers, and pliers. Sometimes simple repairs can get you rolling again, and you may need some simple tools to do that.

  19. Sad-And-Mad Avatar

    Small roadside kit so you can easily change a tire, small first aid kit, jumper cables, tire pressure gauge, and if you live somewhere with cold winters then keep a small throw blanket and a few tea candles with a lighter in your car for the winter. A small candle can keep your car a few degrees warmer while you wait for a tow truck.

    I also keep $20 in my glove box in case I lose my wallet so I can buy gas.

  20. thehumanscott Avatar

    The back of my car has the following:

    • Jumper Cables
    • First Aid Kit
    • Air Pump
    • small blanket
    • small pillow
    • bottled water

    It’s all stuff that I hope I won’t need, but better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

  21. johnqpublic81 Avatar

    The things I keep in both of my vehicles. First Aid kit, pen and small note pad, small tool bag, air compressor, change of clothes, napkins, and jumper cables.

    I tend to be over prepared for everything though. Every single one of those things has come in handy at one point or another.

  22. hammerofspammer Avatar

    I always have these. They take up almost no room:

    TP with ziplocks/trash bags
    Mylar emergency blankets
    First aid kit with good shears (AKA trauma shears) and a tourniquet
    Leatherman or equivalent
    Battery jump starter
    Pen/pencil and paper
    Emergency whistle
    Disposable plastic poncho
    Bic lighter

    More bulky, but handy:
    Folding shovel
    Upgraded lug wrench (because they’re always over tightened)
    All weather blanket

  23. Tayaradga Avatar

    Here’s a very niche one, a seatbelt cutter/window smasher. I have one in my car. Thought process is if for whatever reason my car goes under water and I can’t get my seatbelt off, it’ll let me cut the seatbelt off and then smash my window to swim to safety. What are the chances of that ever actually happening? Pretty damn slim. I live in the mountains. But ya never know.

  24. HeavenBlade117 Avatar

    If you can afford it, a good portable jump start battery kit.

    Doesn’t hurt to be prepared in case your battery dies and you have that jump start battery kit to at least save yourself a tow or worse.

    They’re not that big or heavy, usually fit in a sleeve or pouch, somewhat expensive but worth the money in an emergency.

  25. OhTheHueManatee Avatar

    Jumper box, 1st Aid kit, towel, rope for the trunk or truck bed, extra shopping bags, anything to change a tire, list of info like numbers/address in case your phone doesn’t work, change of clothes, make sure your reg and insurance are the easiest thing to grab from the glove box so you’re not rooting around for it if a police officer asks, a small toolkit (with a leatherman, knife, screwdriver, wrench, duct tap, knife) flashlight (put the flashlight in a bag with the batteries out of it so they don’t drain on you), your choice of OTC meds, deck of cards, emergency cash including coins, if you have a baseball bat for altercations be sure to have a glove and ball (your lawyer will thank you).

  26. iconmotocbr Avatar

    First aid kit

  27. 4ries Avatar

    Jumper cables are good, but really what you need is a portable battery jump starter. They’re about 100$ and they’re super easy to use, just put the ends on the terminals and press a button, and it works flawlessly every time, holds a charge basically forever, and you don’t need another vehicle to be able to jump, so if you’re alone that’s okay

    Also, you’re able to help someone out with actually 0 risk to your own car. Jumper cables aren’t risky per se, but there’s more risk than with a separate battery

  28. mirsole187 Avatar

    A go bag and a change of clean work clothes.

  29. Roosted13 Avatar

    As a dad I keep the following:

    Paper towels
    A beach towel
    A change of clothes with an extra pair of flip flops and sweatshirt
    A change of clothes for my boys
    A knife with a seat belt cutter and a window breaker
    A really soft hand towel for cleaning my shades and soaking up condensation in my cup holders
    A little flip book for my registration and insurance
    Jumper cables
    iPhone chord
    Small first aid kit
    Hairbrush
    Generic razor and a small fingernail clipper / tweezer set – nothing worse than missing a spot shaving and figuring it out after you’re already at work

  30. RickyRacer2020 Avatar

    2 gallons of water, rags, flashlight, duct tape, vice grips, pliers, screw drivers, fire extinguisher, jack, spare tire, first aid kit, spare power pack to jump start you own car with.

  31. t0mt0mt0m Avatar

    Blanket, flash light, tire inflator kit, and first aid kit

  32. lucksh0t Avatar

    Jumper cables. They don’t take up much space and you never know when your battery is gonna die or someone will need a jump. I’ve only had to do it a few times but u never know when u will.

  33. Leneord1 Avatar

    First aid kit with bandages and tampons, reflective thermal blanket, a bottle of water that you don’t leave out for months, insurance card, current registration, charger for your cell, multi tool, napkins, grocery bag for a trash bag you can easily swap.

  34. artteach2020 Avatar

    A flashlight, flat and phillips screw drivers, a window break tool, a blanket, and a case of water, in addition to the tire changing tools mentioned by others.

  35. WormholeManBad Avatar

    Here is my check list I have for both mine and my wife’s vehicles. I have added a lot of more over time but this standard.

    Small First Aid Kit + tampons

    Vehicle fire extinguisher

    Small thing of sun screen and bug spray

    Multi vehicle Tire Iron

    Window Punch

    Cheap-o ratchet and tool set (so if i help someone they can have it and its easy for me to replace)

    12ft jumper cables (saved my life a few times, cant always park front to front to jump a car)

    Flash light and head lamp with spare batteries

    Emergency flares/flashers/visibility vest

    Tow straps

    Fuel Funnel

    3 pack of rain covers and emergency blankets

    Change of clothes (socks, pants, shirt, jacket, gloves depending on temperature) if you’re in snow/rain and you’re soaked getting in dry clothes is a life saver.

    Flannel blanket

    1-2 gal of purified water

    Like i said I’ve added more like a knife and fire starter, small bag of kindling (dryer lint balls dipped in vaseline), and an extra box of ammunition for my normal conceal carry.

    If you got any questions let me know.

    All of this minus the water fits in a standard backpack/duffle bag. I change the water out every 5-6 months during spring/summer

  36. Howudooey Avatar

    Make sure you have the tools and know how to change a tire. Jumper cables. An electric air pump. A battery charger. Basic first aid kit.

  37. jupiterspringsteen Avatar

    A pen
    Some mints or boiled sweets

  38. No_Salad_68 Avatar

    A small bottle of engine oil.

    An ice scraper (if relevant).

    A decent torch (‘flashlight’), gloves, single use rain poncho and high-vis vest.

    One of those little jump starter packs (and keep it charged). Aside from starting your car if the battery is flat, most have a USB outlet. If you’re stranded, at least your phone won’t die.

    If your vehicle has a spare tyre: Jack and wheelnut wrench,

    A small toolkit with spanners, sockets and screwdrivers. I have one in my car. It’s about twice the size of a sunglass case and it’s saved me multiple times. If something like a wiper nut or battery terminal becomes loose you can just fix it.

    Some spare fuses (in a variety of ratings) and a fuse puller.

    Wet wipes in the glovebox for cleaning your hands (steering wheel) after repairs (or chips).

    This might sound like a lot but most of it will fit in a container the size of a shoebox. Obviously the jack and wheelnut wrench won’t, but most cars have a specific location for those under the floor of the boot (‘trunk’)

  39. dtbrown Avatar

    Nobody has mentioned this yet, but it has saved me on multiple occasions.

    I keep a change of clothes in my car. Including underwear, socks, and an old pair of shoes.

    Got to the gym and forget socks? No problem.

    Got a flat tire on the way to work? Put the t-shirt on, change your tire, and keep your dress shirt clean and not-sweaty.

    Trusted a fart you shouldn’t have? Good thing you have backup in your car.

    All 3 of these have happened to me.

  40. 16402 Avatar

    Never ever let your car run close to empty on gas. Quarter tank at the absolute least before filling up again.

  41. Butane9000 Avatar

    Check under the mat in your trunk to see if you’ve got a spare tire, Jack, and other essentials. These tend to be manual but good in a pinch.

    But the generals:

    • a couple bottles of water. If you ever get stuck somewhere on the side of the road having even a little water will help especially if you’ve got to hike to get gas or within cell range.
    • medical kit – very basic stuff. Usually part of a minor survival not by night be worth getting one separate.
    • survival kit – something to have if you get stranded in the woods or out in the boonies. Usually have a basic knife, fire starter, cord, blanket etc.
    • car repair stuff – spare tire, air pump, Jack, basic tools, jumper cables, portable generator
    • gas can – doesn’t have to be full but handy in order to get gas in an emergency. You can have gas in it but make sure it’s secure. I found that lesson it the hard way.
    • spare tote bags – handy if you need to put stuff together and not have it laying around everywhere.
    • inverter/charger – some form of phone charger in your car.
  42. jquest303 Avatar

    Phone charger, small first aid kit, tire inflator that plugs into the cigarette lighter in case you drive over a nail or screw. I’d even recommend a bottle of water (glass is best) just in case. One time I got stranded on the side of the road for 12 hours with no cell signal and no water. It was horrible.

  43. Nuttadamus Avatar

    I had all kinds of stuff in my car. I was actually surprised about the amount of items when I sold the car. I live in a country where we get cold winters, and I frequented rural areas, so I had some stuff not necessary in a city. And no, I wasn’t preparing to hide bodies. Although I guess with this kit I could’ve.

    A jack etc. to change a tyre, these came with the car. Tyre repair foam kit (my car had no spare tyre). First aid kit, flashlight, high-vis vest, blanket, extra jacket, gloves, hat, jumper cables, a good shovel, plastic bags, duct tape, matches and paper to make a fire, bottle of water, instant coffee, mug, painkillers. I had chocolate bars and nuts etc., which I regularly snacked on, but replaced before I ran out, or at least before longer trips.

  44. modabs Avatar

    Sounds like some of these guys keep half an autozone in their cars. All I’ve ever kept is the stuff to replace a tire, a first aid kit, and jumper cables.

  45. 216_412_70 Avatar

    Only thing I keep in mine is an old winter army field jacket when the weather gets cold. Just in case….

    Other than that, I just keep it in great shape so nothing happens.

  46. EdumacatedRedneck Avatar

    I keep a leatherman in my glove department. I also always have duct tape and a well stocked first aid kit.

  47. attainwealthswiftly Avatar

    If you use an iPhone, CarPlay is great.

  48. I_love_pillows Avatar

    Fire extinguisher.