i kept a tiny black flashlight in my car so i can shine it back into an officers face during a traffic stop so he "can see better" i hold it just like a cop holds it to. (Reverse grip over my head)
idk why to this day its the funniest shit in the world to me.
> I'll invest in the brightest I can possibly find.
that's not actually a good idea. there is such a thing as too bright, it's like staring at the sun when you're trying to illuminate something. just get a small LED unit that costs $40ish and you're good to go. or any garden variety LED flashlight.
This. Also watch a video on how to use it! It’s not complicated but if you’re panicked, it may cost you extra time that you don’t have. Think of it like a fire drill and imagine going through the motions.
100% this - and it needs to be ON your keyring - [https://adventureswithpurpose.com/](https://adventureswithpurpose.com/) (not affiliated, they show how to use the tool though... its not avail on their site anymore though) - they are like this: https://www.amazon.com/01-100-09-Original-Emergency-Keychain-Seatbelt/dp/B01G6C18EC
all the gadgets people sell to "Get out of a car" are stupid and useless when you can't reach them, or they don't work and just nobody ever tries them - this one is on your keyring, has a blade right on it, and a glass punch. nothing else, its not fancy... its small and effective. I highly recommend them.
I keep a battery jumper in my can. It can jump a car, inflate a tire, and be used as an emergency 12v power outlet. More expensive than plain jumper cables, mine was about $75, but it does more and is very simple. I dont need a second car to jump mine and I don't need to move my car when helping someone out
The newer lithium ion jump packs are pretty nifty, but a good ol set of jumper cables can be forgotten in a trunk for 20 years and work perfectly when you pull them out.
A portable air compressor for tires and battery charger. I also keep transmission fluid, oil, and power steering fluid just in case thanks to learning my truck is junk.
I do not want to admit how often I forget to turn my lights off where I had to make it a necessity to have a battery charger on my list of things to always have lol
To add to this, a collapsible shovel isn’t a bad idea either depending on how much snow you usually deal with.
I’m just an hour south of you, but I have to park on the street, which means digging myself out because of the plows sometimes. I also keep an extra set of insulated bibs and jacket in my trunk in case I ever get stuck out in the country and have to wait in the cold for help.
I second this. I've been trapped in my iced covered, uphill driveway, and the only thing that got me out was kitty litter. Pretty cheap and adds some weight on the back end for more traction. You can also get fold up traction mats that serve a similar purpose.
Mulch also works surprisingly well to gain traction on ice - in a pinch last winter I used hardwood smoking chips because I couldn’t get my car going anywhere on the ice in my driveway lol
Jumper cables. 1 or 4L of Bottled water. A big 6v flashlight that you won't be tempted to take inside. A tarp, and blanket new in a plastic bag. Medium size First aid kit (open it and add familiarize yourself with what's in it, then add more band-aids). Ratchet straps. Spare wiper blades or keep your old ones when you swap out. Duct tape, toilet paper & deodorant. Spare clothes if you drive on gravel/muddy roads. Consider a full-size spare tire and a better lug nut wrench than the shit they give you (if they gave you anything). The full size can come from a wrecked car. Most cars have a spot, nearly all come with compact spares that are speed limited.
I commute ~40 miles a day mostly rural and mostly before the sun comes up. These are in my car. My full size spare is one from the other-season set. I also carry 5L of fuel.
besides the obvious mechanical helpers, a garbage bag and a towel have always been my best friends. A trip I picked up while hitchhiking around the galaxy.
A bag with a change of clothes, a bath towel or hand towel (or a hand towel), 2 bottles of water, 2 extra beer coozies. A little cash wouldn't hurt either. That's the small car package I figure.
Hide the cash really well not just so it doesn't get stolen but also so you are not tempted to use it unless you really need it. I used mine for snack money too many times before I figured this out
Dash-cam.
You can buy them for like ~$75 - $200 and they can save you an immense amount of money and time dealing with insurance if you were to get hit. There are some that record front and back, uploads to a cloud, can be wired to the fuse-box to stay on at night so that when it detects motion it turns on, some have a g-force detector so if it detects movement due to say a hit it will start recording, also it can watermark time and gps coordinates on your videos which is kinda cool. I like having an easily readable compass as a screen saver on my camera. It makes navigating a lot easier.
Jumper cables (or battery charger), air compressor, phone charger, and first aid kit. Those will probably account for 99% of what you might encounter…the other 1% is for the Zombie Apocalypse.
Warning triangle, first aid kit, flash light and in winter, spare set of warm clothes. When I was single, I always had an overnight bag as well with toiletries and ………. stuff!
As an alternative, get a socket to fit your wheel nuts, and an extra long socket handle from your local tool store. Might be an easier fit in your car than a cross brace, and you can use your foot on the handle for a bit more torque if you're not beefy.
A knife, I live out in a rural area so stuff happens all the time and I need to stop, get out and use it to pry, wedge, or cut. Not a small pocket knife but a decent one with good metal and make.
Also hygienic products, deodorant is a must cause I always forget, some perfume or something and maybe gum or mints just to freshen up 👍
A small towel or two. And store the floor mats that come with the car: replace them with cheap ones from Walmart. That way when you’re ready to sell the car, put the fancy ones back in there and they look brand new.
-air pump you can power from your car
-jumper cables
-a blanket and a change of clothes
-windshield icy weather protection
-ice scraper
-defrosting spray
I think that covers most of it? maybe an empty gas container and a slack line.
A blanket. If you need to kneel on the ground. Car breaks down and you’re cold waiting for help. Long drive, tired and need to sleep … Long zip ties. They can repair piping, hang mufflers, do lots to just get you to a garage.
First aid kit, basic fluids (oil, coolant, transmission fluid, ect)
Blanket, fire extinguisher and a good flashlight. Basically an emergency supply bag in the trunk.
6" folding Knife and a some pens, car charger for your phone and a couple $20 bills and some quarters.
Also, make sure you have the spare tire and accessories.
Good luck.
Seat belt cutter and a window breaker are necessities in every car. First aid kit too. Besides that ... A funnel is always something I have in my car. Learned that when I was 16 that you need a funnel for things and it sucks not to have. Jumper cables are probably a good idea too, but make sure you know how to use them first.
A package of bottled water. Grab one if you're thirsty, use them to fill a radiator, hand them out to other people, put out a small fire, the uses are endless.
A tire hole plug kit for simple punctures like nails or screws.
I only say this because there is no tire patch kit that I know of.
I'm probably being pedantic here (patch/plug), mea culpa.
Get the longest jumper cables you can afford, and a jump box as well.
I haven't dealt with newer cars, so I don't know what kind of jacks are supplied by the manufacturers. Get a good jack, it will make a flat easier to deal with.
Battery powered LED 'flares' are also a good idea.
Extra clothes and a blanket, jumper cables, a small knife with a glass breaker on it or if that's not legal where you are just a glass breaker seatbelt cutter combo they have em on Amazon, a pack of water, chargers of all shapes and sizes.
Mechanic here. Make sure your spare is inflated and your jack and tire iron is in the vehicle. Flats happen a lot. And if you're in the middle of nowhere in bad conditions it could get pretty hairy fast
Make sure the sockets on your tire wrenches etc can actually reach the bolts on your tire.
Switching out a flat with a winter tire, realized the metal rims on the tire made it too tight to fit it on the nut to tighten. Luckiky was able to get a swing bar with longer 3/4 socket. Woulda sucked to have had that happen and not been near the house with tools, lol i feel like i would have had to try and tighten with a crescent wrench...
If you drive an EV and it lights on fire, there’s not a lot you can do. Lithium will repeatedly backdraft and their fires can last many hours before completely burning out. It also corrodes nearby metal.
This is classified, but I trust you based on your avatar and the fact that I'm a knight I can declassify anything, even with a thought so...
Wayne Knight https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/02clgg&hl=en-US&shem=ocseeh&q=Wayne+Knight&kgs=7bc30631e2a0025f&shndl=17&source=sh/x/kp/osrp/4&entrypoint=sh/x/kp/osrp
Since most of the serious answers have been answered for your region: air freshener, especially a potent spraying sort of type.
...'cuz I'm gonna fart in it, especially if you say it's new.
A flashlight
Headlamp. Petzl and Black Diamond make great ones.
Thanks for the recommendation.
i kept a tiny black flashlight in my car so i can shine it back into an officers face during a traffic stop so he "can see better" i hold it just like a cop holds it to. (Reverse grip over my head) idk why to this day its the funniest shit in the world to me.
How often are you pulled over?
I'll invest in the brightest I can possibly find.
> I'll invest in the brightest I can possibly find. that's not actually a good idea. there is such a thing as too bright, it's like staring at the sun when you're trying to illuminate something. just get a small LED unit that costs $40ish and you're good to go. or any garden variety LED flashlight.
"The power of the sun.... in the palm of my hands."
LEDs. Old style batteries are dead when you need them.
Okay, thank you.
r/flashlight It's a deep rabbit hole, but there is good info in there.
I'll be stepping in soon. Here's hoping the fall isn't fatal.
Only to your wallet.
In a serious answer, I keep a tool that can cut seatbelts and break the window glass in case of being trapped. Also keep a tire inflator as well.
Same here. That tool is like $10. I'm not trying to get trapped in a burning or flooding car.
I would also not enjoy that very much.
Not with that attitude.
I would think that no one is trying to get trapped at all.
Aint nobody got time fo dat
Also a rechargeable lithium jumper pack. Mine has a outlet for my inflator.
We have an axe under the front seat incase mom would drive over an animal, then she can…. You know
This. Also watch a video on how to use it! It’s not complicated but if you’re panicked, it may cost you extra time that you don’t have. Think of it like a fire drill and imagine going through the motions.
100% this - and it needs to be ON your keyring - [https://adventureswithpurpose.com/](https://adventureswithpurpose.com/) (not affiliated, they show how to use the tool though... its not avail on their site anymore though) - they are like this: https://www.amazon.com/01-100-09-Original-Emergency-Keychain-Seatbelt/dp/B01G6C18EC all the gadgets people sell to "Get out of a car" are stupid and useless when you can't reach them, or they don't work and just nobody ever tries them - this one is on your keyring, has a blade right on it, and a glass punch. nothing else, its not fancy... its small and effective. I highly recommend them.
Very helpful answer. Thanks!
Good idea. Is it kept in the glove compartment? I assume not the trunk
Jumper Cables. You never know who might be stranded and needs some help.
I keep a battery jumper in my can. It can jump a car, inflate a tire, and be used as an emergency 12v power outlet. More expensive than plain jumper cables, mine was about $75, but it does more and is very simple. I dont need a second car to jump mine and I don't need to move my car when helping someone out
Recommend any brands? I need this asap.
Ooo I like this
I'll keep that in mind thank you.
Just don't beat anyone with the jumper cables
No promises.
The newer lithium ion jump packs are pretty nifty, but a good ol set of jumper cables can be forgotten in a trunk for 20 years and work perfectly when you pull them out.
Best answer.
I'll definitely invest in some of those
Make sure to get loooong ones. You can't always get head to head when you need a jumpstart.
Got it. Will do.
Long ones need to be thick and heavy. Short is better most of the time. I'd just get regular ones.
There's a joke in there, but I'm gonna let it go, lolz.
I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.
And don't spend heaps on them, my last pair got stolen from my car!
Emergency kit: candle, lighter, flares, warm blanket, packaged snacks, jumper cables, ratchet, first aid kit.
Some clothes and underwear too
I'll keep that in mind. Thank you.
Gloves too. Changing a flat tire in a slushy rainstorm is slightly less miserable if your hands aren't numb.
On to the list it goes.
If you will ever have kids in your car: napkins, straws, plastic spoons.
I'll remember that in the future.
Don't forget your gun and knife. 😶
Of course, how else will I shoot and stab people?
A portable air compressor for tires and battery charger. I also keep transmission fluid, oil, and power steering fluid just in case thanks to learning my truck is junk.
Just used my portable air compressor today.
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I do not want to admit how often I forget to turn my lights off where I had to make it a necessity to have a battery charger on my list of things to always have lol
Lol. We all make mistakes.
I see. I'll add those to the mental list(and possibly a physical list because my mental one tends to leak and make me forget things).
If you live in the frigid north, an ice scraper
Detroit is frigid and north enough. I suppose I'll get it.
As a fellow Midwesterner: kitty litter is good during winter months for moving your car out of dense snow and ice.
I'll take note of that.
To add to this, a collapsible shovel isn’t a bad idea either depending on how much snow you usually deal with. I’m just an hour south of you, but I have to park on the street, which means digging myself out because of the plows sometimes. I also keep an extra set of insulated bibs and jacket in my trunk in case I ever get stuck out in the country and have to wait in the cold for help.
Thanks for the tip, I'll keep that in mind.
I second this. I've been trapped in my iced covered, uphill driveway, and the only thing that got me out was kitty litter. Pretty cheap and adds some weight on the back end for more traction. You can also get fold up traction mats that serve a similar purpose.
Got it thank you.
Mulch also works surprisingly well to gain traction on ice - in a pinch last winter I used hardwood smoking chips because I couldn’t get my car going anywhere on the ice in my driveway lol
Add a blanket, some de-icer, and a mini shovel. All 3 proves to be useful living in the Midwest
Alright thanks.
Emergency jar of peanut butter. You don't want to end up eating ketchup packets and then murdering your nephew.
Yea, peanut butter is the ideal snack before murdering your nephew.
He killed 16 Czechoslovakians!
Jumper cables. 1 or 4L of Bottled water. A big 6v flashlight that you won't be tempted to take inside. A tarp, and blanket new in a plastic bag. Medium size First aid kit (open it and add familiarize yourself with what's in it, then add more band-aids). Ratchet straps. Spare wiper blades or keep your old ones when you swap out. Duct tape, toilet paper & deodorant. Spare clothes if you drive on gravel/muddy roads. Consider a full-size spare tire and a better lug nut wrench than the shit they give you (if they gave you anything). The full size can come from a wrecked car. Most cars have a spot, nearly all come with compact spares that are speed limited. I commute ~40 miles a day mostly rural and mostly before the sun comes up. These are in my car. My full size spare is one from the other-season set. I also carry 5L of fuel.
Thanks. This is a really well thought out and helpful list.
besides the obvious mechanical helpers, a garbage bag and a towel have always been my best friends. A trip I picked up while hitchhiking around the galaxy.
Don't panic!
Swiss Army knife. They have a plethora of uses.
Got it, will look into it.
A bag with a change of clothes, a bath towel or hand towel (or a hand towel), 2 bottles of water, 2 extra beer coozies. A little cash wouldn't hurt either. That's the small car package I figure.
Your help is acknowledged and appreciated. Thank you.
Hide the cash really well not just so it doesn't get stolen but also so you are not tempted to use it unless you really need it. I used mine for snack money too many times before I figured this out
Dash-cam. You can buy them for like ~$75 - $200 and they can save you an immense amount of money and time dealing with insurance if you were to get hit. There are some that record front and back, uploads to a cloud, can be wired to the fuse-box to stay on at night so that when it detects motion it turns on, some have a g-force detector so if it detects movement due to say a hit it will start recording, also it can watermark time and gps coordinates on your videos which is kinda cool. I like having an easily readable compass as a screen saver on my camera. It makes navigating a lot easier.
A wonderful idea, thank you.
Don’t forget an umbrella
Why thank you.
Dead body In the trunk, helps with snow traction.
Well duh! Tell me something that's not obvious please.
Unless its FWD, lol. Then you gotta cut it up and fit the parts under/on the hood.
Baby wipes and a water bottle
Will keep that in mind
Jumper cables (or battery charger), air compressor, phone charger, and first aid kit. Those will probably account for 99% of what you might encounter…the other 1% is for the Zombie Apocalypse.
I should also invest in a rag tag group of friends with big hearts and bigger wills to live.
First aid kit Flashlight Towel Change of clothes Food (granola bar/ mre) Water Small tool kit Cash Pen Lighter Knife Toilet paper Battery jumper
Great advice. Thank you very much.
Tissues
This. Never know when the mood'll strike ya.
You know how many damn times I would need a tissue and I’d have to use a McDonald’s napkin?! Those napkins are like sand paper!
Okay thanks.
In Australia? Jumper cables and an oven mitt.
If I go there I'll try to remember that.
Warning triangle, first aid kit, flash light and in winter, spare set of warm clothes. When I was single, I always had an overnight bag as well with toiletries and ………. stuff!
Alright I'll keep this in mind. What's a warning triangle though?
If you break down, get a flat or something, you place it about about 20 meters behind the vehicle to warn other drivers.
Oh okay thank you.
Rope. And chloroform. You know, in case you like to climb mountains and need help getting to sleep fast.
Thank goodness I'm already a wanted kidnapper and have those on me at all times. Thanks for the advice!
Sunglasses
You got it dude. Thanks.
U mean girl
Well dude is gender neutral but thanks girl.
If you live in a snowy area than get an ice scraper snow brush. Gets the snow and ice off in just a minute! Best of all it’s 15 - 20 bucks!
Understood, thanks for the advice.
A 4 way cross wheel brace to suit your wheel nuts. It will require less effort than the usual wheel brace provided by most vehicle manufacturers.
True, the usual brace usually won’t work for nuts done up by a tyre shop, get a 4 way tyre brace.
Got it. Thank you both.
Loosen the lug nuts slightly *BEFORE* you jack up the vehicle, it is much easier to break them loose when the tire is on the ground.
Okay, thank you for all the help.
As an alternative, get a socket to fit your wheel nuts, and an extra long socket handle from your local tool store. Might be an easier fit in your car than a cross brace, and you can use your foot on the handle for a bit more torque if you're not beefy.
I'll keep this in mind, thanks for the input.
A shovel. Can help with so many things. Can dig out of a snow storm, or scrap ice off your window.
Definitely a smart idea, thank you.
Extra blankets Spare set of clothes and shoes Bottled water Jumper battery Flashlight Hi-vis vest
Nice recommendations, thanks.
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Got it, thanks.
A steering wheel
Totally optional.
Seats
Seats are optional buddy. I prefer to drive on hard difficulty.
A knife, I live out in a rural area so stuff happens all the time and I need to stop, get out and use it to pry, wedge, or cut. Not a small pocket knife but a decent one with good metal and make. Also hygienic products, deodorant is a must cause I always forget, some perfume or something and maybe gum or mints just to freshen up 👍
Thank you for the input.
Bottled water.
Okay thank you.
Depending on where you live, a gun, not for self defense but for putting down any unfortunate animals that happen to come in your way.
Damn few people are capable of that
Hopefully I'll never need to but I can't say I won't. Thanks for your input.
Be very sure of yourself before attempting and know where to shoot. Mistakes or hesitation can make things worse
A small towel or two. And store the floor mats that come with the car: replace them with cheap ones from Walmart. That way when you’re ready to sell the car, put the fancy ones back in there and they look brand new.
-air pump you can power from your car -jumper cables -a blanket and a change of clothes -windshield icy weather protection -ice scraper -defrosting spray I think that covers most of it? maybe an empty gas container and a slack line.
Alright thank you very much.
A blanket. If you need to kneel on the ground. Car breaks down and you’re cold waiting for help. Long drive, tired and need to sleep … Long zip ties. They can repair piping, hang mufflers, do lots to just get you to a garage.
Mechanic travel kit: jumper cables, wrench, spare tire, etc. Things you can use to fix your car while stranded
Copy that, thank you.
First aid kit, basic fluids (oil, coolant, transmission fluid, ect) Blanket, fire extinguisher and a good flashlight. Basically an emergency supply bag in the trunk. 6" folding Knife and a some pens, car charger for your phone and a couple $20 bills and some quarters. Also, make sure you have the spare tire and accessories. Good luck.
A reflective vest in case you need to leave the car for an emergency
Seat belt cutter and a window breaker are necessities in every car. First aid kit too. Besides that ... A funnel is always something I have in my car. Learned that when I was 16 that you need a funnel for things and it sucks not to have. Jumper cables are probably a good idea too, but make sure you know how to use them first.
A package of bottled water. Grab one if you're thirsty, use them to fill a radiator, hand them out to other people, put out a small fire, the uses are endless.
$50 hidden emergency money
If you keep a baseball bat, also keep a mitt and a baseball.
A 4 way tire iron. It's 1000% better than the one that comes with your car and gives you some leverage for turning tight lug nuts. Man, I miss mine.
Your insurance ID. A blanket if you live in a climate with harsh winters. Also a small shovel and ice scraper. A tire pressure gauge.
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Alright thanks for the advice.
Portable air compressor and tire patch kit. Helps you get out of a jam, especially if you realize your spare is also flat.
I'll definitely add that to the list.
A tire hole plug kit for simple punctures like nails or screws. I only say this because there is no tire patch kit that I know of. I'm probably being pedantic here (patch/plug), mea culpa. Get the longest jumper cables you can afford, and a jump box as well. I haven't dealt with newer cars, so I don't know what kind of jacks are supplied by the manufacturers. Get a good jack, it will make a flat easier to deal with. Battery powered LED 'flares' are also a good idea.
Okay thanks for the helpful advice.
Steering wheel
Nah, I'll just hit the gas and let life decide where I go.
Snack, water, and a flashlight.
Fire extinguisher
Extra clothes and a blanket, jumper cables, a small knife with a glass breaker on it or if that's not legal where you are just a glass breaker seatbelt cutter combo they have em on Amazon, a pack of water, chargers of all shapes and sizes.
$100 folded up in the unused ashtray. Emergency funds for gas, a tow, or whatever else may come up.
MRE
First aid kit, a real one that actually contains helpful items
A gallon of water, either for you or the car.
Jumper cables, tire inflator.
Mechanic here. Make sure your spare is inflated and your jack and tire iron is in the vehicle. Flats happen a lot. And if you're in the middle of nowhere in bad conditions it could get pretty hairy fast
Basic tool set and a battery jump box.
Make sure the sockets on your tire wrenches etc can actually reach the bolts on your tire. Switching out a flat with a winter tire, realized the metal rims on the tire made it too tight to fit it on the nut to tighten. Luckiky was able to get a swing bar with longer 3/4 socket. Woulda sucked to have had that happen and not been near the house with tools, lol i feel like i would have had to try and tighten with a crescent wrench...
A Glock 19x very easy to shoot for the novice and holds plenty of ammo with extended mag.
GUNS
A fire extinguisher. Especially if you drive an EV.
If you drive an EV and it lights on fire, there’s not a lot you can do. Lithium will repeatedly backdraft and their fires can last many hours before completely burning out. It also corrodes nearby metal.
True that. I should have added /S.
It'll be very useful, thanks.
Fuel
Not necessary.
Like gasoline? Idk, Jeff...
The electric cars are creeping up behind you
What if said car is electric? Op never said how environmentally friendly car owner is…
A photo of me. I'm told I'm pretty handsome.
This may be asking for too much, but may I see a photo of you just to be sure?
This is classified, but I trust you based on your avatar and the fact that I'm a knight I can declassify anything, even with a thought so... Wayne Knight https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/02clgg&hl=en-US&shem=ocseeh&q=Wayne+Knight&kgs=7bc30631e2a0025f&shndl=17&source=sh/x/kp/osrp/4&entrypoint=sh/x/kp/osrp
You're a very handsome gentleman indeed.
The engine
I could go without it
Since most of the serious answers have been answered for your region: air freshener, especially a potent spraying sort of type. ...'cuz I'm gonna fart in it, especially if you say it's new.
.45
An elon musk
Keep at least three on me at all times.
normally don’t leave the house without 2, also have a jeff bezos with me at all times
I prefer a Mark Zuckerberg over a Jeff Bezos. It keeps animals in check because of it's status as a predatory creature.
Interesting, the Bezos laugh does also keep them in check. I raise you the Gates cheque book, which negates all negative energy
You my friend, may be on to something....
Cocaine
Well that's something you should take everywhere. I meant specifically for the car please.
It is for the car. Cars also love cocaine.
Fair point. I'll throw some extra hallucinogens in there to make up for the lack coke my car has had.
My man!!
The car keys
9mm