In today’s day and age, when everyone is a phone call away, it is hard to imagine not being able to have someone a phone call away to come rescue you when you experience any kind of car problems. It’s also hard to imagine that you would ever be without cell service, but it does happen and cars do break down. When you have the “literal worst day of your life” these handy items everyone should keep in their car will help get you out of almost any situation.
1. Flashlight/Headlamp
This may seem silly because we all have cell phones that come with a flashlight so why would you need another one? Well, if you are stranded and without cell service, your phone will be searching for a signal, which means the battery is going to die faster. If you start using the flashlight, say goodbye to your battery and adios to making a phone call when you actually get service. Headlamps are handy because if you need to change a tire in the dark you won’t have to also try to hold a flashlight. Plus headlamps are smaller and can fit in your glove box.
2. Cross Wrench (Cross Iron, Cross Rim Wrench)
Girls have naturally weak upper bodies (thanks, science), so using a regular tire iron can actually be impossible if you never weights. There are ways to position your body to make it barely manageable to remove the lug nuts with the standard tire iron OR you could get a crossed tire iron and save your self the struggle of trying to remember how you’re supposed to stand while trying to loosen the lug nuts on your tires. The cross tire iron lets you use your legs to loosen and tighten lug nut. These make it much easier for you to change your own tire.
3. Road Flares
Again, road flares can sound silly but every car has a compartment for a spare tire and you can easily fit a few of these bad boys in there, which are vital for safety. Imagine you’re driving to Vegas and it’s the middle of the night and you get a flat tire and there is no shoulder to the road. Would you really want to get hit by a semi-truck while changing your tire because they can’t see you? NO. You’ve seen other cars use them; so don’t be dumb because they take up no extra space in your car. So put some road flares in your car for emergencies or the fourth of July (JK, just emergencies)!
4. Jumper Cables
Everyone’s car battery will die at some point. This will save you and make you look like a hero if your friend’s car dies and you can easily help them restart their car. IF you don’t know how to jump a car shame on you, also read this article http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-jump-start-a-car.html
5. Work Gloves
Cars are dirty and gross, so having a pair of leather work gloves or something similar is great to have. Also especially helpful if it is cold weather to keep you warm while you’re stranded.
6. Emergency Blanket
Even if it isn’t cold outside when you’re putting all the emergency gear into your car, PUT A BLANKET IN THERE. We live in a desert and deserts get really cold really quickly and get crazy weather changes really quickly. If you are stranded having a way to keep warm is vital!
7. WATER
Throw a few plastic water bottles in your car. They always come in handy even if it’s just a really hot day, but if you use them don’t forget to replace them.
8. Non-perishable food items
Having a few protein bars or granola bars in the car is a major key. Always check the expiration date but granola bars tend to last forever. Stick them in your spare tire compartment next to your new road flares and they won’t take up any extra space.
9. Tow Ropes
This is mainly for people who drive SUV’s, keep a towrope in the car. You never know what’s going to happen and since you have a “big” car people will expect you to know how to use it.
10. Wool Socks
To keep your toes warm while you’re stranded because we live in a desert and the only thing we can actually rely on is that it gets really cold at night and the weather is always crazy. So wool socks.
You can purchase all of these items at either the grocery store or Home Depot. Yes it make it seem like you are gearing up for the apocalypse but getting stranded without cell service happens and it sucks but you also should want to be able to be a strong independent women that doesn’t need AAA to fix her car. These items will help you if you get a flat tire, your battery dies, or basically anything except locking your keys inside your car. If your cars are inside the car and you’re not, call AAA and let them be the hero!