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On average, Americans drive 41 miles round trip every day. Your car is pretty much your second home. From trips to work to errands, road trips, and backpacking with your family, your car is where you spend a great deal of time getting to your destinations.
We know that sometimes life becomes a blur, and you may forget your car essentials. You never know when you may find yourself stranded on the side of the road.
Sounds familiar? Keep reading to learn the one and only checklist of car essentials that you’ll ever need.
The Ultimate Car Essentials Checklist
There’s no doubt that vehicle ownership comes with a lot of responsibility. From remembering to get regular oil changes to taking care of unexpected repairs, there’s a lot to keep track of. To help make things a little easier, especially if this is your first car, we’ve put together the only checklist of car essentials you’ll ever need.
This checklist includes everything from must-haves like jumper cables and a first-aid kit to nice-to-haves like sunshades and portable phone chargers. No matter what kind of car you have or how long you’ve been driving, this checklist has everything you need to keep your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently.
Essential List 1: Car Documents
You should always keep a few critical documents in your car in case of emergency or unexpected circumstances. The following includes your:
- Driver’s license
- Registration
- Copy of car insurance
- Medical and Travel Insurance
- Car manual
- Emergency contact info
- Road map – Even if you have a GPS, having a physical map in your car is always a good idea. You never know when technology might fail you, so it is always good.
If you are pulled over or have an accident, you must show your documents to the police, so make sure you have them in the car. Having these on hand will make the process much smoother, learn more here.
Essential List 2: First-Aid Kit
A first-aid kit is always included on any essential list, and for a good reason. You never know when you or a passenger might need bandages, pain relief medication, cold compress, etc. Keep your kit stocked and easily accessible in case of an emergency.
- Medicine
- Alcohol
- Emergency blanket
- Band-aids
- Gauze bandage
- Medical tape
- Scissor
Essential List 3: Car Tools
The following list is the car tools. You will never know when you need a spare tire when you are on the road. Whether you’re a new driver or a seasoned veteran, it’s always a good idea to have a go-to list of items that you need for car troubles:
- Spare tire
- A car jack and tire iron
- Toolbox
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight
- Fire extinguisher
- Fuel can
- Reflective triangles
Jumper cables are another must-have, especially if you live in a colder climate where batteries are known to die. Reflective triangles are a necessity if you ever find yourself stranded on the side of the road.
And last but not least, a fire extinguisher should be in every vehicle – you never know when you might need it to put out a small fire.
Essential List 4: Vehicle Accessories
There are a lot of different vehicle accessories that you can buy for your car. But these are the must-haves:
- Dashcam
- In-car charger
- Windshield and window sunshades
- Mobile phone charger
The dashcam has now become essential to all vehicles. It can be a lifesaver, providing invaluable footage in the event of an accident. According to a recent blog, studies shows that there was an estimated 86% decrease in accident-related expenses because of the help of dashcam.
Essential List 5: Winter Emergency Tools
There are a lot of essential items that you need for your car in winter. It’s important to have proper winter emergency tools in your vehicle.
- Snow Shovel
- De-icer
- Ice Scraper
- Extra blanket
- A bag of sand or cat litter (to help get your car out of a ditch)
Make sure you have a full tank of gas and that your windshield wipers are in good condition. It’s also a good idea to keep a bag of snacks and water in your car if you get stranded.
Essential List 6: Clothes and Accessories
Before hitting the road, make sure you have clothes and accessories:
- Extra clothing
- Raincoat
- sunglasses
- Warmers
- Umbrella
You will never know when you will need extra clothing or your windbreakers.
Essential List 7: Baby Stuff (if applicable)
Suppose you have a baby or toddler. Securing this stuff is a must. Here’s a checklist of vehicle essentials you’ll need to keep your baby happy and healthy on your long drive.
- Car seat
- Formula
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Bottles
- Snacks
- Drinking water
- Bibs or burp clothes
- Blankets
- Extra clothes
- Toys
Especially for long drives, you must make sure that you always have your baby bag handy.
Essential List 8: Pet Stuff (if applicable)
There is no definitive checklist of car essentials you’ll need for your pet, as every pet is different and has different needs. However, there are a few basics that you’ll need for every pet, whether you’re taking them on a road trip or just running errands.
That list includes:
- Leash
- Pet food
- Water
- Poop bag
- Diaper
- Water bowls
- Medicine or ginger snaps
- Blanket
- Toys
Traveling with your pets or furbabies is an awesome experience for pet lovers. Make sure your furbabies are comfortable.
This Ultimate Car Essential Checklist Will Help You in Any Situation
It’s no secret that owning and operating a car can be expensive. Between gas, insurance, and maintenance, there’s much to keep track of. And, of course, there’s always the potential for unplanned repairs and unexpected costs. So, what’s a driver to do?
The answer is simple: be prepared!
Make sure you never leave home without these car essentials. So print out this car essentials list and keep it in your glove box for reference. And be sure to share it with your friends and family so they can keep their cars in tip-top shape, too!
Did this guide help you? Browse the rest of this section for more advice on various useful and exciting topics.
