what should you always have in the car with you?

Answer 1

I need gas in the car :-)

A blanket, spare tire, flashlight, and mace

Answer 2

OK, I have seen some good answers, some bad answers, and some really stupid answers. First of all, this is not a stupid answer, but the law enforcement in many areas is now saying to carry a photocopy of the title instead of the original because if someone steals the car and finds the title in it, they can forge your signature and transfer the title to themselves, making it very hard for you to prove that it really is your car.
Now, for what to have in case of an emergency, I recommend you not only carry this stuff, but make sure you know how to use it ahead of time.

Things to always carry:
driver's license
proof of insurance
photocopy of title
Spare tire (full size if it fits the spare tire area)
jack and tire iron
maps
jumper cables
flashlight (Mag lights are excellent)
air pump (12V) and tire plug kit
containers of all necessary fluids (antifreeze, brake fluid, oil, etc.)
duct tape
water-can be used in the car or for drinking
extra fuses
small first aid kit
blanket
a few flares
a couple dollars in change
extra belts and the tools needed to install them
clean rags or paper towels

Things to add for long trips:
small empty gas can
cell phone or CB radio
a small quantity of food and drink (not alcohol)
extras of any required medication

For winter in cold climates:
short-handled garden shovel (much better than the cheap plastic "car" snow shovels)
warm set of clothes (sweat suit, thick socks, gloves, hat)
mixture of salt, kitty litter, and sand
extra sand for weight (rear wheel drive only)
matches/ lighter
chemical hand-warmer pads

Some of these items are for driving in more rural areas, and for a smaller car some of the "everyday" items can be moved into the "long trip" category. Also, if you don't know how to use any of the listed items, you could just eliminate them, or add things that you would like to carry as well. For example, instead of the air pump and tire plug kit, you could carry a can of fix-a-flat, but understand that if you use it on a tire that could otherwise be fixed at a garage, the chemicals in the can will prevent any patches from working. Also, the cans of fix-a-flat freeze and become useless in the winter in colder areas. If you are not very handy, you can eliminate things like the tire plug kit and the replacement belts altogether and rely on a tow truck, or if you are knowledgeable about fixing cars you may want to add a small tool kit and a change of clothing (in case your car breaks down when you are wearing something dressy). These items are just suggestions. Read through the list and think about what you really would or would not be able to use in any kind of a break down.

One other useful tip is that on a front wheel drive car, if you have to use a small spare (peanut or donut spare) it should always go on the back. If one of the front tires blows out, first take the full size tire off the back wheel on the same side of the car as the flat and put the small spare in it's place. Then replace the damaged tire on the front of the car with the full size tire you took off the back. This is especially important for driving in bad weather conditions like rain or snow, because a small spare on the back end of a front wheel drive will not negatively effect how the car drives nearly as much (or badly) as it would on the front. It is really best to carry a full sized spare, but in some cars the area for the spare just won't fit a full size tire. If it does, get one. You'll be safer if you do.

Answer 3

If I'm driving long distances on the highway, a beautiful and
understanding woman should always be with me in the car.
She will keep me company, take away my monotonous ride
and cheer me up during the journey.
That's what I call happy driving!

Answer 4

your cell phone so you can call for help when you break down or get a flat tire. you should always keep some chnge in there too in case your cell phone goes dead or you are in a bad area. Also, it might be a good idea to keep a one time use camera in the glove box in case you were to get into an accident you can have pictures.

Answer 5

A 44 Magnum, that way when some jerk comes up and tries to mug you you can engage him in a gunfight, and then ask,

"I know what you're thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I've kinda lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?"

Answer 6

General Automotive priniciples:

·Don’t let your gas tank get empty – fill it whenever it gets ½ full.
·Make sure your spare tire has air in it.
·Make sure you have a jack and a lug wrench in your trunk.
·Keep a quart of oil in your trunk.
·Check your oil and coolant overflow tank every time you buy gas.
·Carry a cellular phone in your car if you have one.
·Keep some change in the car for tolls and pay phones.
·Don’t pick up hitchhikers.


Some time ago we handed out backpacks to keep in the car to all family members. Here is the list:

·Backpack (to hold rest of stuff)
·Water – 4 liters, Aqua Blox or equivalent, potable and sterile
·Food – Emergency Food Bars, jellybeans
·Vitamin/Mineral supplements – Double X (take with meals)
·Survival kit (compass, saw, fishhooks, etc.)
·SAS Survival Guide Book
·Box of matches (kitchen)
·Hand warmers (use in mittens or pockets)
·Flashlight (spare bulb in end cap)
·First aid kits (minimal/trauma)
·Map (road)
·Red kerchief (aerial flag, bandaging, general)
·Emergency stove (heating / cooking)
·Metal cup (snow melting / cooking)
·Bright Orange Poncho (high visibility raingear)
·Survival blanket (silvered plastic)
·Feminine napkin (bandaging, as well as obvious)
·3 yards duct tape (bandaging, repairs)
·potassium iodide tablets (in case of nuclear attack)
·Star Flash ® Signal Mirror (can be seen up to 100 miles away)
·Jet Scream ™ Whistle – (loud, no pea, works when wet)
·P-38 Can Opener (in case motor oil is in a can)
·Spare flashlight batteries
·‘Cold Steel’ Bushman survival knife (don’t take the backpack on an airplane!)
·Copy of this document (for what it’s worth)
·Change of socks and underwear (you must add this)

Other things to keep in the car:

·Boots / hiking shoes
·Pair of jeans
·Sweater
·Stocking cap
·Mittens / Gloves
·Blanket

A new item I am going to add is a large packet of red (sugar mix) kool-aide. Got the idea from a friend who's a pilot. It's not to drink, it's to spread on the snow when the search planes come.

Answer 7

Driver's license, car registration, and proof of insurance.

Answer 8

Your girlfriend, at least when you get lost or breakdown, you will never be lonely. If shes with you and you do breakdown, run out of gas, whatever. Take a nice romantic walk with her.

Answer 9

Depends on where you live.

Like where I live, always in winter have a blanket.

General always haves flashlight, some tools, spare tire.

Answer 10

flashlight, flares or triangles, blankets, candles, firstaid kit, a sign saying call 4 help or cell phone. tire gauge, duck tape. And your insurance card, driver liscenses.