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.
Promotion availability and prices can change at any time on Amazon. Information included on this page is accurate as of 2026-02-17 at 09:56 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!
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
Promotion availability and prices can change at any time on Amazon. Information included on this page is accurate as of 2026-02-17 at 09:56 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
Promotion availability and prices can change at any time on Amazon. Information included on this page is accurate as of 2026-02-17 at 09:56 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...
Promotion availability and prices can change at any time on Amazon. Information included on this page is accurate as of 2026-02-16 at 12:30 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.
Honorable Mentions
Duct Tape
Water
Emergency Blanket
Fix-A-Flat
Dash Cam
“A Hot Chick”
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