Going on a drive can be one of the most exciting things to do and can turn into one of the most dangerous things very quickly. This is especially true in winter conditions as it is slippery and you can literally fly off the road due to that hidden danger – black ice! Even in warmer months you should be taking precautions before you go on a drive. Below is a list of our top 5 things you should always have in your vehicle (no matter what season it is).
1. Booster Cables
This one is a no-brainer; you should always keep a set of booster cables in your vehicle just in case you leave your headlights or interior lights on resulting in a dead battery. If you have booster cables all you have to do now is find someone to boost your car which is better than paying a tow truck company $80+ to come and do it! (Unless you have CAA)
2. Blankets & Candles (Especially In Winter)
Candles can come in handy if your vehicle is dead in the middle of nowhere and you need light or warmth. A few candles burning and being wrapped up in blankets in your vehicle will keep you just warm enough in a winter break down to not have to keep your vehicle running so you can save the gas for when you are free to move your vehicle.
3. Battery Powered Radio (pack some extra batteries)
If the weather is absolutely horrible the radio will help you to find out about weather changes or possibly if the weather is bad enough they will instruct on what you should do to keep yourself safe during the weather conditions. You can also use batteries to start a fire with some steel wool! What the video on how to HERE.
4. Spare Tire, Jack and Wrench
Most vehicles are already equipped with this feature, but if you have lost your spare or lost the jack make sure you replace these very important safety features especially if you are planning a trip and will be on the highways for a long period of time – traffic could be light or non-existent depending on where you are going. Tow truck bills and fixing this issue can be very expensive and this can all be avoided if you just keep a spare, jack and wrench on your vehicle and replace them if they get lost. Also, make sure the spare tire is always inflated to the PSI rating before leaving on a long trip as the tire can lose pressure from temperature changes.
5. Bring a Glass Cracker
If you ever get in a really bad wreck and can’t open your door one of these little tools could save your life. Some of these emergency tools are shaped like little hammers with a very fine point on the end of them so they can fit right in your glove box and you can also buy keychain glass crackers that are equipped with a spring and steel pin that can easily break glass.