6 ITEMS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS KEEP IN YOUR CAR

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6 ITEMS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS KEEP IN YOUR CAR

Admin • September 10, 2019

Towing Kit | Indianapolis, IN | HIX Wrecker Service, Inc.

No one plans for their car to break down, but you should be prepared. While there are many items you can or should keep in your care, there are some that can literally save your life. If you want to better protect yourself when driving, check out these six items you should always keep in your car.

1. Jumper Cables

Jumper cables can be used to restart your battery if it dies. Of course, you can only use them if there is another car around that can provide the power. With jumper cables, you may not even need to contact a tow service to take your car to the shop, saving you money and time.

As an added benefit, if you happen to come across someone with a dead battery, you can use your own jumper cables to help them if they don't have any.

2. Seat Belt Cutter/Glass Breaker

Seat belts are designed for safety, but if they get stuck, they may pose a threat. For example, if you crash into a lake and the seatbelt won't unlock, you can drown. With a seatbelt cutter, however, you can just cut yourself free.

If you are in water, however, it may be impossible to open the door and/or roll down the windows. Luckily, most seat belt cutters also come with a glass breaker, which you can use to escape. If you don't have a glass breaker, the headrest can often be removed and used instead.

3. Flashlight

A flashlight is another must-have. If your car breaks down at night, you may need power to fix the car or find help. A basic flashlight is fine, but remember to carry spare batteries too. Instead, however, a crank flashlight may be a better choice. These allow you to twist a crank for power, so you don't need to worry about batteries.

These crank flashlights may also have a crank radio attached. This is a great way to find out what's going on. For example, if a natural disaster caused your car to crash, you can use the radio to see how severe the damage was.

4. Spare Tire

One of the most basic items everyone should keep in their car is a spare tire. Tires are durable, but they eventually wear down. Plus, you never know when you might run over a nail or other item that may pop a tire. Keeping a spare tire in your car allows you to replace the damaged tire and keep driving. Again, this can save you money and time.

If you don't have the right tools, however, the spare tire is useless. You need to keep a car jack and lug wrench, so you can actually replace the tire.

5. First Aid Kit

If you do get into an accident, help may not arrive immediately, so it's important to keep a basic first aid kit with you. While you can't fix broken bones with it, you can clean and bandage wounds while you wait for help.

Your first aid kit should come with different types of bandages, adhesive tape, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, sunscreen, cotton balls, tweezers, gloves, etc. if you have special needs, such as medication, keep some in the first aid kit too, and make sure to replace it before it expires.

6. Traction Mat

A traction mat is a device that can help provide traction when you get stuck in the snow or mud. You simply place it under the tires. The tires grip it like they do the road to pull the vehicle out of the snow or mud.

If you can't afford a traction mat, you can also use kitty litter. Just keep a bag of litter in your vehicle, and if you get stuck, pour it by the tires. The grit will help provide some grip and traction.

With these necessary items, your driving trips will be much safer. Of course, in some cases, you simply need help from a tow service to take your car home or to the shop. If you would like to know more about towing services, contact us at Hix Wrecker Service.

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