Everyone, I’m not actually keeping that in my car. Just so you know

I kind of researched a ton of what guys considered to be Car Essentials and mashed it together.

It’s nice to know what has to be weeded out!

Cables are a must – in the heat of TX it will drain your battery faster. Towels and blankets are actually good things as you might need to cradle breakables. Leave the fluids at home and just check regularly unless you have an old car – then carry on long trips only.

TX doesn’t really get cold enough to need the candle and it is dangerous to burn inside your car. Most of those fabrics will give off toxic fumes if accidentally lit off.

Get an LED flashlight or headlamp – batteries will last forever and I have always found need for flashlights.

Make sure it is a pencil – pens will explode sometimes when left in hot cars.

I would get a round gage and hose for a tire gage instead of the pen ones – they aren’t very reliable. About $12-20, and leave the tread indicator at home. You don’t go through tread fast enough to need it on the go.

Tire, jack, and socket for a flat is essential – just remember to fill the tire every time you fill your regular tires. All other tools are just nice to have. A leathermen multitool would probably serve you just fine.

Duct tape doesn’t like the heat either. You will need to replace often.

In Texas weather, there’s no way I can keep all of that stuff in the car. The heat here would kill the disposable camera and the candle in quick order. Plus, there’s not much need for a blanket. Usually a sweatshirt is fine. Also, the water bottles are out, too because of the heat. I mean, you could technically drink the water still, but the plastic leaks toxins in the water when left in the heat too long, so I’d rather not drink it.

I like the idea of a towel because every time I pick up a drink at a drive-thru, they never wipe it off and they overfill it so I inevitably have that in my car. It becomes a mad dash to my destination just so I can wipe it out. That’s frustrating.

I think someone mentioned it, but I’d add a tire pressure gauge to the list, too. Great list, though!

Kristy
http://www.masteryourcard.com

I’ve thought more about it, and I’ll do what you’ve said. Keep a basic list and a ‘nice to have’ list.

Am going to update with your suggestions now!

I would do away with things like car fluids (keep at home and just check regularly to ensure you're topped up), food staples, heat, cellphone charger (charge your phone at home), tools (overkill), scarf, hat, mittens, etc. You don't need all that stuff. And do you really need to have non-clumping kitty litter AND road salt? You could get a mini flashlight to put on your keychain so that you don't need to keep a flashlight in your car.

But, some of the items on your list are really important to have. Here's what I keep in my car and I've never gone wrong:

-jumper cables
-spare tire
-tire pressure gauge
-emergency kit containing a blanket, bandages, scissors, tape etc
-box of kleenex
-driving mitts (the scarf/hat/2nd pair mitts etc are things that you would be wearing when you leave the house if you need them. You only need 1 pair of gloves kept in your car)
-map
-ice scraper/snow brush (one end is a brush, the other end is a scraper)
-car insurance papers
-1 bottle of water

Things that I always have with me in my purse that should be with you in the car:

-camera
-pen & paper
-Driver's License
-cell phone
-sunglasses

That's it. And that's all I've ever needed in 12 years of driving.

I second the AAA suggestion. My family has used their service for years and it has really helped us a number of times. It is not expensive and being a member also gets you discounts at many hotels.