One of the entries in the last Struggleville Loot Box giveaway was to answer a question. What is something every car on the road should have in it? Over 600 of you answered the question so below is a list of the top 10, along with some honorable mentions. (When we used to do top 10 lists more often people would sometimes get confused. Number 10 is the tenth most popular and number 1 is the most popular. From 10 to 1…)
10. Fire Extinguisher
- Durable metal head designed to meet demanding needs.
- Corrosion resistant metal gauge easy-to-read color coded gauge provides accurate measurement.
- Metal pull pin with safety seal to help prevent accidental discharge and discourage tampering.
- Secure extinguisher mount, bracket and strap are included for secure placement of extinguisher.
- Easy instructions with a chemical resistant and water proof label with 4-step instructions wont deteriorate.
Promotion availability and prices can change at any time on Amazon. Information included on this page is accurate as of 2024-12-24 at 07:23 CST.
This suggestion is top notch. I have had 2 fires and a fried wire that smoked more than the Marlboro Man in my 1966 Caprice. Thankfully none of them burnt it to a crisp but I sure would of felt better having a fire extinguisher near by!
9. Tire Inflator
This is one I have in my own car and a fine suggestion. I had a tire go down on my 2012 Terrain, was able to pull over and air it up with one of these guys. For me the tread split from the sidewall so as soon as the compressor kicked off you could hear an audible SSSHHHHHHHHH. Didn’t hold long but got me to a parking lot where I could put on the spare.
8. Seat Belt Cutter / Window Breaker
I need to pick up some of these. Everyone has heard a story of someone getting in an accident and being stuck in the car because of the seat belt. Gas slowly dripping from the tank, pooling up behind you, the stench in the air. It just takes one spark and here you are dangling upside down thinking about how you should of bought that seat belt cutter that loud mouth guy told you about.
7. Spare Tire
On its face this may seem too obvious. I thought so at first and then I realized 3 of my 4 cars don’t have one. I would add to periodically check to make sure its inflated (Of course if you are following along with the list you already have an inflator in the event its flat.) and check for cracks or any other signs it could possibly leave you with a false sense of security.
6. Emergency Roadside Kit
- 【Things you may need】: This roadside assistance packages is a perfect gift.Contain the necessary roadside kits, snow shovel, flashing lights, reflective triangle warning signs,...
- 【Safe and durable】: UL certified jumper cables are safer and more reliable than other non-UL certified cables. Four huge alligator clips provide excellent grip. The grip of the...
- 【Car repairs tool box】: Small and compact, suitable for any place, the tools are neat and orderly. Including hammer, pliers, utility knife, tape measure, PVC tape, digital...
- 【Upgrade kit】: Our hammer head is made of high-quality high-carbon steel, with a pointed and flat hammer. It helps to use any side of the car escape tool to quickly break the...
- 【Emergency car kit】: This emergency kit car, It’s lightweight, compact. that can fit anywhere in your backseat, trunk or even in your spare tire compartment, can handle...
Promotion availability and prices can change at any time on Amazon. Information included on this page is accurate as of 2024-12-24 at 07:24 CST.
This certainly has some overlap with other items on the list and really we are putting together our own emergency kit. After looking through pages of kits on Amazon I realized no one kit has everything that I would want and I am willing to bet its a mixture of decent stuff and absolute junk. The kits are a good jumping off point I would inspect each item to decide what needs to be upgraded and what needs to be added to the kit.
5. Mechanic Set
- 322-Piece Basic Tool Kit For Everyday Chores And Repairs
- Chrome Vanadium Steel Tools With Heat Treated For Strength And Durability
- Packed In 18" Durable Nylon Bag For Easy And Flexible Storage
- Includes Hammer, Level, Tape Measure, Utility Knife, Pliers, Screw Drivers, Hex Wrenches, Cables Ties, Socket Sets
Promotion availability and prices can change at any time on Amazon. Information included on this page is accurate as of 2024-12-24 at 07:24 CST.
This one is HUGE! I started driving in 2002 but learned how to drive in my ’66 Caprice. It was my daily driver and it left me stranded more times than I can count. Broken brake line, broken throttle return spring (twice), throwing the alternator belt and getting all bound up, braking the air shocks over rail road tracks, bulk wire connector at the firewall not staying connected, overheating in 4th of July firework traffic, stranded at a gas station for a reason I can’t remember… but why go on, you get the idea. A good mechanic set in the car can really save your but and every car of mine has one. Its another thing that is hard to find an all encompassing kit. The one above is a little more expensive then I was hoping for but it had a lot of stuff I would want in a kit. Also I would go with the bag style over the plastic case because its easier to make your own additions to the kit. Lastly, don’t get something too big. If it takes up too much room it will end up on the garage floor when your car leaves you stranded in a parking lot and you won’t even remember until you go looking for it… ask me how I know.
4. Floor Jack
- Min. Height: 5.25", Max. Height: 12".Pumping Handle : 1
- All welded Steel frame Construction with rust resistant
- Large Steel casters and swivel casters for easy maneuverability
- Sturdy carrying handle
- Blow mold case for easy storage
Promotion availability and prices can change at any time on Amazon. Information included on this page is accurate as of 2024-12-24 at 07:24 CST.
I have never kept a jack in my car but I understand the thought. (Remember 75% of my cars don’t have a spare tire so…in the event of a flat tire the jack would only mock me.) Some responses included “a better jack” and a “hydraulic jack”. So I picked out this 2 ton trolley jack on Amazon that you see above.
Make sure your vehicle is within the weight limit and that it can lift high enough to get the wheels off the ground. I like that its in a case, won’t loose the handle and hopefully won’t roll back and forth as you are in that stop and go traffic.
3. First Aid Kit
- 140-piece Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose Portable Emergency First Aid Kit is ideal for home, in cars, outdoors, dorm rooms, and while camping, cooking or on-the-go to help care for...
- All-purpose, compact first aid kit includes essential first aid supplies like cleansing wipes, gauze pads, assorted bandages, rolled gauze, antibiotic cream, itch stopping cream,...
- Includes a variety of Band-Aid Brand Adhesive Bandages in assorted sizes for minor wound care, as well as Band-Aid Brand First Aid Products gauze pads, non-stick pads and rolled...
- Includes full size 0.5 oz Neosporin + Pain Relief topical cream to help prevent infection while relieving pain and full size 1.0 oz Extra Strength Benadryl Itch-Stopping topical...
- Travel first aid kit also contains Tylenol Extra Strength acetaminophen pain reliever caplets and a Bengay Non-Medicated Instant Cold Pack to help ease minor aches and pains, as...
Promotion availability and prices can change at any time on Amazon. Information included on this page is accurate as of 2024-12-24 at 07:24 CST.
First rule of road side emergencies is stop the bleeding. Its distracting, slippery and there is always that annoying person asking “did you know you’re bleeding?” And I know, real men don’t use band aids but its not really for your present self its for your future self. Next time you get pulled over and don’t have blood stains all over your seats you will thank your past self.
2. Flashlight
Couldn’t agree more with this one and glad to see you guys put it on the list. I went with the Olight Baton 3 above because Olight is my favorite flashlight company and the Baton 3 is really nice. It is small and compact but really bright and has good battery life. Whatever you do don’t rely on the flash on your phone! You may think it doesn’t suck but it absolutely does suck and you won’t agree with me until its too late.
1. Portable Jump Starter
I admit I may have poisoned the well a little bit with this one. Anyone who watches the tool deal videos on my Youtube channel has definitely heard me say… multiple times… that one of these should be in every single car on the road. Hopefully I have said it enough that I have beat you into submission and you now agree with me. But seriously on top of being able to jump start a dead battery these also function as a charger for a phone, tablet or other devices. They usually also have a flashlight but NO it does not replace having another quality flashlight! This is another item I have in all of my cars and have bought for family members. Its also an item I have used countless times. The TackLife one listed above is the one I reach for most often.
Honorable Mentions
Duct Tape
Water
Emergency Blanket
Fix-A-Flat
Dash Cam
“A Hot Chick”
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