5 essentials to keep in your car

A first aid kit, jumper cables, a tool kit, a flashlight, and a spare can of fuel are the five most important things you should have in your car.

Road trip is one of the best and most affordable ways to see the country. While it's true that you can fly just about anywhere, airfare can be astronomically expensive and they keep cramming you into tighter and tighter places. Plus, hovering nearly 40,000 feet above the ground, you miss out on seeing everything in your path, which is half the fun! Driving your own car alleviates many of these problems by allowing you to bring every member of the family with you, including furry ones. Of course, there are things to worry about while on the road, such as breakdowns and dead batteries; So here I've compiled a list of the five most important things I think you should keep in your car to prevent one of these situations from completely ruining your good time.

Complete first aid kit with basic first aid guide

A cut on your arm or a blister on your leg? A throbbing headache that won't go away? Got burned by something? Having a first aid kit in the car always helps in these small situations, providing you with antiseptic wipes, bandages and sterile pads to treat any wounds, as well as many other things that may come in handy.

Most vehicle manufacturers provide a small, basic tool kit at the rear of the vehicle. Usually just changing the tire is enough, and it probably comes with a screwdriver. Go to your local auto parts store or hardware store and buy a basic car tool kit. They are relatively inexpensive and can really help in a pinch. Even if you don't know how to use everything in it, someone will stop by to help you.

Jumper cables or compact battery jumper pack

One of the worst things that can happen on the road is a dead battery. This can make you waste valuable time waiting for someone to help you start your car. When someone does offer you help, it's better for you to have jumper cables than to find they don't have them either. A compact battery starter is even better because then you don't have to wait for anyone to help you and you'll be back on the road in no time.

Bright flashlight with good batteries.

A flashlight is one of the most important things that should be in any car, traveling or not. In addition to being used only for seeing in the dark, flashlights allow you to be seen if it's dark outside and you're on the side of the road, or signal for help from passing cars.

Clean empty canister

I know it sounds funny to suggest keeping an empty fuel can on hand, but an empty can does not carry the risk of fuel leaking inside your vehicle or filling it with noxious fumes. If it has been used before, make sure it is washed thoroughly to avoid bad smell inside the car. If you run out of fuel, you can either hitchhike or walk to the nearest gas station, where you will otherwise be forced to buy a gas can at a higher price.

While it would be quite difficult to keep everything that you might need in the car in case of a breakdown, having these things will allow you to be better prepared if something happens. All of this is listed in addition to a few other things you should have with you at all times, including drinking water, some cash, a basic credit card for emergencies, and a mobile phone with a fully charged battery. Emergency calls to 911 go through any available network, so even an old, deactivated phone works well for this purpose. If you want even more peace of mind, you can invite AvtoTachki professionals to your home or office and perform a full vehicle inspection to make sure your vehicle doesn't have any issues to worry about.