12 Must-Have Things for Cars: Vehicle Essentials for Every Driver

A car accident or a breakdown is something we hope never happens to us. It can be stressful, overwhelming, and even life-threatening. Stock your vehicle with the right tools, as those fuzzy dice will only get you so far. Even if you know you’re the safest driver in the world, you may run into a situation where you see someone else in a bad situation, and you have the perfect tool to help. 

In this guide, we’ll go through a list of the most important things you should have in your car in case of emergencies. These must-haves also make great gifts for car essentials for new drivers.

Auto Essentials 

1. Spare Tire – Perhaps the most important car necessity that you may already have, a spare tire, is essential if a tire blows out or suddenly loses pressure. If you buy a used car, make sure you've got a spare tire! Periodically check on your spare tire to make sure it’s in usable condition – do it every time you have your oil changed. However, a spare tire won’t be of any use to you without…
2. Tire Jack and Tire Iron – These will allow you to lift a part of your car a few feet off the ground and remove the lug nuts, so you can safely change your tire. You’ll also want to make sure your tire jack is in working order. Most new cars come equipped with a spare, jack, and iron, but some newer cars are replacing these with lighter weight (and, we assume, cheaper) sealant kits.
3. Tire Pressure Gauge – To avoid a blowout, it’s good practice to periodically check your tires' pressure to ensure all four (or six or more, depending on what you drive) are properly inflated, especially if your vehicle doesn't have a tire pressure management system (TPMS). If you find your tire pressure too low and there are no gas stations nearby, you may need…
4. Tire Inflator Kit – A tire inflator like this will charge directly from your car’s auxiliary power outlet (also called a cigarette lighter). Having a wireless pump like this will mitigate the need to put on your spare if you experience low tire pressure while on the road. 
5. Jumper Cables – If your car battery dies, you won’t be able to start up your car. Keep a pair of jumper cables in your car, so you can recharge your battery from someone else’s charged battery (a pair of jumper cables also allows you to help out someone else if their battery is dead). 

Emergency Items to Keep in Car

1. Tool Kit – You never know when you’ll need to undo screws or bend something with a pair of pliers, whether you're stuck on the side of the road, enjoying a road trip, or just helping a friend. You don’t need a large tool kit for a vehicle: a multi-tool will probably do the job, but you’ll be thankful you remembered to pack one.  
2. Battery Charger – While jumper cables are helpful, they do require someone else to have a battery nearby that you can siphon the charge off. If you’re stranded without power, a charger can give you the necessary jump to start your car. Best of all, this battery pack can also power phones, laptops, and other devices while on the go. 
3. Fuel Can – Running out of gas on the road is something we hope never happens to us (but it happens to us all at least once, to be honest). However, if you are running on empty, you might need to walk to the nearest station with your fuel can. Not ideal, but far better than being stranded. 
4. First Aid Kit – Another item you’ll ideally never have to use, but is a life-saver in a pinch. A good first aid kit should have band-aids, disinfectant, gauze, and gloves. And, in the post-COVID pandemic world, might as well throw in a couple of masks, to be safe. Even if you get a little cut while on the road, you’ll be thankful you remembered to pack your first aid kit. 
5. Car Hammer/Seat Belt Cutter – An essential item you’ll hopefully never have to use, a car hammer usually has a seat belt cutter built into it. This tool allows you to smash your window open and cut your seat belt off if your car is submerged in water or in any other situation where you can’t get the door open. 
6. Cleaning Supplies – Ever spill coffee or food in your car? The sooner you can clean the stains out of your car, the less likely they’ll be a permanent fixture to your vehicle. Consider stocking your car with wipes, paper towels, a trash can/bag, and cleaning spray for those most annoying moments. 
7. Flashlight – You won’t be able to do any maintenance if it’s dark out, and you’re stuck without a flashlight. While most phones have flashlight features built-in, you never know when you’ll need to conserve your precious phone battery. 

While these items are essential for your car, there are many other things that you may need if you drive in situations or areas that have specific hazards. For example, if you drive off-road, you may want to keep a few pieces of cardboard that you can put under a tire in the event you lose traction on the road and get stuck.