6 Things to Keep in Your Car for Daily Driving
A practical checklist for everyday trips, delays and looking after your vehicle
Start with the trips you actually make
Start with a quick check of what is already in your car. A commute with children, a long rural drive and a short trip across town can call for different supplies. Keep the useful basics together, then add what suits your passengers, season and route.
Before buying tire tools or battery equipment, check your vehicle manual. Some cars have a spare, some use a different flat-tire system, and jump-start instructions vary. Knowing how to contact roadside assistance is part of the plan.
1. Roadside and first-aid supplies
A working flashlight and a basic first-aid kit are sensible starting points. Choose supplies you know how to use, such as bandages, and check their condition before a trip. A blanket can be useful during a delay, particularly when travelling with children or in cooler weather.
For personal medicines, follow the labelled storage conditions and ask your pharmacist about travel storage. A car is not automatically a suitable place to keep them.
NHTSA’s roadside-kit guidance includes a first-aid kit and flashlight alongside a phone charger, food and water.
2. Water and snacks
Bring drinking water and a few nonperishable snacks for an unexpected delay. Choose food that suits everyone travelling with you, including any dietary needs, and bring enough to share with your passengers.
Pack fresh food for the trip rather than treating it as a permanent car supply. Follow storage directions and check what needs replacing when you unpack. The snack tray shown here includes fresh fruit as well as packaged food.
3. A phone charger and the right cable
A charger is only useful if its cable fits the phone you are carrying. Check the connection to your vehicle’s power outlet before you need directions or a call for help. Set up navigation while parked.
A portable power bank gives you another charging option away from the vehicle outlet. Check that it is charged before your trip and follow its operating and storage instructions. Do not assume a phone power bank can jump-start a car or power a dash cam.
4. Tire equipment and a pressure gauge
Check which flat-tire equipment your vehicle specifies and where it is stored. That may include a spare tire and lug wrench; a warning device or jumper cables also need to suit your vehicle and the way you can safely use them. Follow the vehicle’s own flat-tire and jump-start instructions. Carrying equipment is not a reason to attempt a roadside repair you cannot safely perform.
Keep a tire pressure gauge handy. NHTSA advises checking tires, including a spare where fitted, at least monthly when cold. Use the recommended pressure on the vehicle’s Tire and Loading Information Label or in its owner’s manual.
The BlackboxMyCar Pencil Tire Gauge shown here is an example of a pencil-style gauge. Read NHTSA’s tire-pressure guidance for the pressure-check basics.
5. A cloth and suitable cleaning supplies
A small spill or bird dropping is easier to deal with when you have a cloth and the correct cleaner. Choose a product labelled for the surface you need to clean, and check any care instructions for your vehicle’s trim, glass, tint or coating.
Handle cleaning while parked. If something is blocking your view, stop somewhere safe before dealing with it.
Our car-care accessories are a starting point for finding useful supplies. Check each item’s intended use before choosing it.
6. Driving documents and contact details
Keep the driving documents you need organized so you can find them when asked. Check your local licensing authority’s requirements, including those for places you plan to visit.
Keep emergency contact details and your roadside assistance number with your trip information. A paper copy is useful when your phone is unavailable. Review those details when your vehicle, insurer or contact information changes.
Check your supplies before the next trip
Replace what has been used up, check the condition of your equipment and remove anything that no longer suits your trips. We would start with those small checks before buying a large ready-made kit.
If you are also choosing a dash cam, our team can help you work through the camera, power and installation options for your vehicle. Send us the model you are considering, your vehicle and how you plan to use it.