Published: Thursday, June 28, 2018
Ever found yourself stuck in the car waiting for the sudden downpour of rain to stop while wishing you’d put that umbrella in your backseat? Our motoring experts reveal 13 items you should keep in your car at all times – rain, hail or shine.
1. Duct tape
Windscreen cracked or brake lights smashed? Keep a roll of duct tape in your glove box for temporary quick-fixes until you can get it looked at by a repairer.
2. Wind-up flashlight
Broken down on a dark road or need to check something under the bonnet? A wind-up flashlight recharges by you manually winding it up by the handle, so all you’ll need in order to keep this nifty torch shining are your muscles.
3. Reusable shopping bags
How often do you get to the supermarket and realise you forgot to bring plastic bags? Forking out a few cents to buy another one or two one might not sound like much, but do your bit for the environment by investing in a few tote bags which you can keep in the boot.
4. A piece of paper with details on what to do after a crash
It can be hard to remember all the important details you need to collect after you’ve been in a crash. Why not print off a copy of this info here and leave it in your glove box? Hopefully you never have to use it, but it’s good to know the info’s there.
5. Umbrella
There’s nothing better than a cloud-free sky – until you pull up to your destination, put your car in park and Mother Nature decides to surprise you. That’s when an umbrella stored safely in the back can save the day – or at least your hair.
6. Car manual
Most people already keep this in their glove box but probably don’t realise how much useful info it contains. Want to know the recommended tyre pressure for your car? You’ll find the answer and more in your owner’s manual.
7. Phone charger
The amount of time we spend on our phones means they’re bound to go flat fast. Most cars now have USB ports for phone chargers, so plug one in to save you from having to find a place to charge your phone when you’re on the road – just remember not to use it while you’re driving!
8. First-aid kit
Every driver should do their best to be prepared for a medical emergency on the road. You don’t need to be medically trained to keep a first aid kit in your car and use it to assist an injured person. Most include the essentials like bandages, antiseptic creams and sterile gloves, like the St John first aid kits you can buy from RAA Shops or online here.
9. Street directory – what’s that?
We’ve relied on Google maps for so long, we’d be lost without it – or would we? When your phone dies and you don’t have your charger, open up the good old street directory (yes, they still exist!) You can get them from any RAA Shop or head online here.
10. Sunglasses
The sun might not being shining as bright these days, but a pair of sunglasses kept in your glove box will help reduce glare and keep you from squinting.
11. Gloves and a roll of paper towel (or even toilet paper!)
Need to check your engine’s oil level? Put on a pair of gloves and wipe the dip stick with a piece of paper towel. If you keep these two items together in your car, you won’t end up with oil-stained fingertips.
12. Sunshade
Having one of these folded in your glove box has multiple benefits – they can protect the internal wiring in your dashboard from those bright UV rays and keeps your car a little bit cooler on hot days.
13. Loose change
No more coins strewn around your living room – hide them in a safe spot in your car. You’ll never know when you might need for a few cents, or a dollar or two.