Owning and maintaining a car is a responsibility. By keeping yourself prepared you can safeguard your future self. Here are a few things that I recommend the average car enthusiast should keep in their car at all times.
Space Saver Spare
A flat can hit you at any time, be prepared by checking the air pressure in your spare every month or so and ensure that you have a lug wrench, emergency jack, and some kind of illuminated road marker like a flare or caution triangle. Check that your spare is correctly sized for your vehicle. On many cars a smaller spare tire is provided but the smaller outer diameter means that this space saver spare will be turning at a higher rate than your other wheels. This isn't as much of an issue when installed on the rear of a FWD car, but on a driven axle - or heaven forbid an AWD car, you really need to be careful because major mechanical damage can present itself.
A "Stranded" Kit
This would be a shoebox sized plastic box with items in it to help you out if you ever find yourself stranded. Items in the box might included a blanket, a flashlight, a few granola bars, a first aid kit, a pen and paper. Bonus items might be a few common sized tools that might come in use for roadside repairs.
AAA
Although this doesn't particularly go in a trunk, I always recommend a roadside assistance membership. Some can get it as part of their auto insurance, I choose to go through AAA. A membership can easily pay for itself after just one tow, especially if you have a plan that has up to 100 miles of towing. But they can also send out a truck if you run out of fuel, need a jump-start, lock your keys in your car, or prefer someone else to change a flat for you.
For anyone who is mechanically inclined, it doesn't hurt to have a spare accessory belt, a selection of fuses and relays, and some headlight/tail light bulbs.
Finally, something else to keep in your trunk is a lot of open space. Meaning, don't fill your trunk with clutter. It makes everything more difficult if you ever have car problems. Also, in the event of a car accident you don't want your personal belongings strewn all over the road.
What are your favorite trunk emergency supplies?
About the Author: Glen Cordle
Glen is a mechanical designer from Minneapolis Minnesota. An old-school motorhead at heart, he respects anything that's had passion poured into it. A jack of all trades, master of some.
