Must-Haves For Your Car
Owning a car is a huge responsibility, and whether you’re heading out on a road trip or just heading over to your friend’s place, there are a few things you should always have in your possession. Below are some of those things that you should never leave home without.
Insurance
This may be a given to most people, but the importance of good car insurance cannot be stressed enough. Not only is it a legal requirement, but it helps to protect both others and yourself in the event of an accident. Cost of damages to all vehicles involved, legal expenses, loaner cars for when yours is being fixed, and many other things can quickly add up. A good insurance policy will protect you from those costs, whether you were at fault for the accident or someone else was.
First Aid Kit
No car should be without a first aid kit. You never know when you may need one, but you can bet that if you don’t have one in your car, there will come a time that you will be kicking yourself for not having one. Should an accident occur and you are there before the emergency services have arrived, your basic first aid kit could be the difference between life and death for some people. It is a small expense and will be well worth it should the need ever arise.
Spare Tyre and Kit
Especially if you are going on a long journey, you never want to be without a spare tyre. Some cars these days come with run-flat tyres, eliminating the need for a spare. However, should you be running traditional tyres on your car, you should definitely have a spare that is in good condition and most importantly, at the correct pressure. You should also make sure that your car’s jack and tyre wrench are stowed safely. If you’re not sure how to change a tyre, make sure you learn how to before you need to. The last thing you need is to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with no phone signal trying to figure out what to do. It’s incredibly simple to do, but it is important to get the steps in the correct order to make the process as easy as possible.
Map
We may live in a world of mobile technology, but sometimes the old ways are best. A map can’t run out of battery, lose signal, or send you on a weird route through a field for no reason. Make sure you know how to figure out your location using place names and structures around you. It never hurts to be prepared, and a good map can get you out of a sticky situation when your phone has died, and you are hopelessly lost.
There you have it, a few essentials for any car journey, be it long or short. Obviously, if you are travelling in particularly hot or cold weather, then you should add to your supplies. A good amount of water is advisable in all situations, but blankets, a shovel, and some grit can work wonders in the ice and snow.