Duct Tape
Duct tape is small and light so it's easy to keep in the trunk and can save you in a bind for situations like keeping your muffler attached temporarily.
Honestly, once you start carrying around duct tape you'll be surprised at all the applications it has. Did someone knock off one of your side mirrors? Duct tape will work as a temporary fix until you can get it repaired. Small tear in your upholstery? Seal it up with duct tape ASAP to keep it from growing larger.
2
Fire Extinguisher
In an accident a fire extinguisher can help put out a small fire and prevent disaster. Having one of these in your car can seriously be a lifesaver; keep an eye on the expiration date and make sure the one you have is in working order.
Having this in your car can make you a hero in a lot of situations. If a kitchen fire breaks out at a friend's house and they don't have a fire extinguisher, you can run out to the car and grab yours. Seriously, the world would be so much safer if everyone went around with fire extinguishers in their trunks.
3
WD-40
This popular lubricant can come in handy in a pinch, helping to loosen a bolt when changing a tire or doing just about any work on your car. It's also great for removing gunk and gum that may have gotten stuck to your car.
Let's face it, you probably have a can of WD-40 somewhere in your house already, right? You may as well just keep the can in your car; it's small, lightweight, and can be a real lifesaver in an emergency situation.
4
Blankets
It's good to have a blanket to stay warm and comfortable in your car. This is especially important if you live in an area where it gets very cold during the Winter time; you never know when you might get stranded and have to spend the night in a broken-down car with no heater.
Even in non-emergency situation blankets can come in handy. Forgot to bring a jacket on a camping trip? Wrap yourself up in a blanket to stay warm. Friend wants to bring his muddy dog into your car? Put a blanket down on the seat to save your upholstery.
5
Owner's Manual
This of course should be in the glove compartment, but just in case it's not, here's a reminder! The owner's manual can offer useful information about tasks such as changing a tire.
Keeping the owner's manual in the car will save you a lot of headaches down the road. This is particularly true when it comes to oil changes and repairs. Without the manual you are going to drive yourself crazy over little things like how to change the digital clock or set your radio presets; if you are buying a used car make sure there is a manual in the glovebox.
6
Lug Wrench
If you get stuck with a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, your spare tire is going to be pretty useless without a lug wrench. Changing a tire is never fun but it's even less fun when you don't have a lug wrench and you're coming up with all sorts of crazy ideas to get those lugs off. Nothing else will work...trust us, we've tried.
7
A Shovel
Your car could get stuck in all sorts of things such as snow and mud. A shovel is a great tool to have in your car all year round as you can use it to dig yourself out of a nasty situation.
It's better to have a 'spade' type shovel, one that is slightly sharp at the end and not flat. Always be cautious when digging your tires out, and never dig while someone is slamming on the gas, as this could lead to a serious injury.
8
Duct Tape
Duct Tape comes in handy in many situations and you can repair just about anything with it. When your car has some sort of mechanical malfunction it could be a roll of duct tape that makes the quick fix that gets you from point a to point b. Don't ever underestimate the power of duct tape!
9
Gas Can
Running out of gas is a lot like locking your keys in your car, you don't think it's going to happen but then it does and it's embarrassing. Keep a gas can with a few gallons of gas in it in your car at all times. When you run out of gas in the middle of nowhere this could be your only hope to make it to the next gas station.
10
Extra Clothes
You never know when a car is going to come out of nowhere and just splash a whole bunch of muddy water all over you. You could get messy doing a whole bunch of other things as well so keep a change of clothes in your car. Don't forget to pack a sweatshirt incase you get stranded somewhere cold!
11
Food
It's always good to stash some food away in your car for those days that you don't have time to stop and pick something up. If you become stranded it could also save your life. Keep a few non perishable food items that you don't have to cook in your car because they will last for a long time and they will be there for you when you need them.
12
Water
If you get stuck somewhere or have to walk a far distance to get help you are going to get thirsty so don't forget to pack some water. You might also need it for your radiator or to clean your windshield.
In an emergency water will become a very important commodity, just in case you should have a gallon or more in the trunk of your car. It will weigh you down a bit, but it's definitely worth it.
13
Spare Key
Don't feel bad about locking your keys in your car, we've all done it before and will most likely do it again at some point. The best way to avoid this is by stashing a spare key somewhere on your car with a magnetic key holder.
The best place is underneath the bottom of a car, make it a hard to reach spot. Obviously you don't want it in an easy-to-spot place where a thief could potentially find your keys.
14
Jumper Cables
Leaving your car battery on for long periods of time to use your radio or headlights can drain it very quickly. Keep jumper cables in your car at all times. Not only will they help you restart your car but they might even help you make a new friend! When you are stranded on the side of the road at 3AM and need a jump to get home, you will find out who your true friends are . . .
15
Tire Pressure Gauge
Replacing your tires can get expensive. Take a little time to check the pressure in your tires every single day so that you can save yourself some money later. We swear it will only take a second. Your tires can tell you how much air pressure they should have, your manual which you hopefully also have in your car will help you out here too. When it doubt, 32 psi is a common standard.
16
First Aid Kit
Danger never takes a day off so you can never be too prepared when it comes to first aid. Bandages, antibiotics and other medicines will all come in handy at some point. Make sure you don't forget the aspirin for when the annoying people you travel with give you a headache. This stuff could also come in handy if you witness an accident on the road, you may be able to help someone before the paramedics get there.
17
Flashlight
Flashlights are essential when traveling in an automobile. If you ever have to change a flat tire on the side of the road in the middle of the night you will be happy that you have on in your car. Unless you have some sort of superpower that allows you to see in the dark, you will need one because we're assuming you don't have superpowers...wait...do you?
18
Money
Have you ever left your wallet at home? This type of thing happens all the time. In an emergency you might need some cash as well. Avoid this dilemma by stashing a little bit of money away in your car and that way leaving your wallet at home won't ever be a problem.
19
Car Jack
There are many great reasons for having a car jack in your car at all times. They come in handy when you are stuck in the mud, have something stuck under your car or for changing a flat tire. With car jacks like the exhaust air jack, lifting up your car has never been easier, so don't go too far without one.
20
Spare Tire
If you get a flat tire and you don't have a spare...you won't be getting very far. It seems like common sense but you wouldn't believe how many people drive around without a spare tire. If you have some extra cash to throw around, buy an actual tire to replace your undersized donut and you will thank yourself later.
