6 Essential Items to Keep in the Trunk of Your Car

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Monday, 24 February 2020 13:11

6 Essential Items to Keep in the Trunk of Your Car | Virginia Auto Service

It’s difficult to think of everything that you might want to keep in your car’s trunk, which can result in being unprepared in the event of an emergency. As a responsible motorist, you want to compile a thorough list of what you should always have on hand as a driver. These can include items not only for emergency preparedness, but also convenience and car maintenance. This is a good way to save time and money and eliminate frustration if anything goes wrong while driving. Here are 6 essential items to keep in the trunk of your car in case of emergency.

1. A first aid kit. If you are in any type of accident or your car suddenly breaks down, you want to have first aid supplies ready. A good first aid kit should include sterile gauze and bandages, cotton swabs and medical tape, and a cold pack to reduce swelling. You can also add items like insect repellent, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, and an over-the-counter pain relief mediation.

2. A set of jumper cables. A dead battery is one of the most common car problems that could leave you stranded. Find a working set of jumper cables and locate your car’s battery and battery terminals. Having a set of jumper cables onboard is also nice to be able to help another motorist that becomes stranded from a dead car battery.

3. An adjustable lug wrench and tire jack. Tire blowouts are another common problem that can happen while driving, potentially leaving you stranded. You want to be able to take off a faulty tire and put on the spare if needed. It is a good idea to keep a lug wrench and tire jack in the trunk as well as some other basic tools like a screwdriver and a pair of pliers.

4. An aluminium flashlight. Having car problems while driving at night, especially during bad weather conditions, presents some added complications. Not being able to see well in the dark can prevent you from identifying and fixing car problems. Make sure that you get a high quality aluminium flashlight with LED lights. Keep new batteries on hand, stored separately in a plastic bag.

5. Tire pressure gauge and air compressor pump. Most modern cars come with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) that will alert the driver when tire air pressure is low. But the sensors used in TPMS systems can wear out or get damaged from bad road conditions. There are a lot of inexpensive, quality tire gauges available that will allow you to check the air pressure in your tires at any time. Buying an air compressor will also come in very handy to be able to adjust the tire air pressure on your own. You only need a portable air compressor that can plug into the lighter socket inside your car.

6. Emergency warning triangles. You want to alert other drivers if your car is broken down on the shoulder of the road close to oncoming traffic. Emergency warning triangles are safer than road flares, and are collapsible, taking up little room in your car’s trunk. Placing these triangles in front of and behind your car, along with using your car’s emergency flashers, will make it much safer if you must make any roadside repairs.

In addition to the essential items needed for emergency preparedness and car maintenance, you can also keep some other convenient things in your car’s trunk. These can include items like a blanket, an umbrella, an all-purpose spray cleaner, paper towels, your car’s manual, and a spare change of clothes.

For all of your vehicle’s service and repair needs in Phoenix, Arizona, you can trust the ASE certified technicians at Virginia Auto Service. Our award-winning staff has been recognized for their leadership, integrity, and commitment to excellence. Just schedule an appointment with us online or give us a call at (602) 266-0200.

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