10 Essential Items to Keep in Your Car for When Life Happens
Be prepared, not scared: what to keep in your car for life’s “just in case” moments.
Flat tyre? Dead Battery? Or worse, you took a wrong turn and then your GPS fritzed. We’ve all been there! While you can’t predict when vehicle emergencies will happen, it pays to be prepared.
Take your boot from empty space to rescue place on wheels—here are essential tools to keep in your car for every “what now?” moment.
The Non-Negotiables
1. Warning Triangle and Reflective Vest
Make yourself visible to other motorists immediately. This bright buddy is crucial for alerting other drivers to a breakdown, especially on busy roads.
Visibility is crucial for safety, and it’s a legal requirement. Place it at least 45 metres behind your car to alert others.
2. Phone Charger Or Power Bank
This point speaks for itself. You want to be able to call for help and use your Matrix Roadside Assist in an emergency.
3. First Aid Kit
A basic medical kit can make all the difference while waiting for professional help for cuts, scrapes, or something more serious.
You can purchase various pre-packaged first aid kits from local pharmacies. While a small kit will contain the essentials, a larger kit will contain more of what you may need in larger quantities. For example, burn shield, surgical gloves, a CPR device, and a rescue foil blanket.
There are also specialised roadside kits, including first-aid items and tools like jumper cables and spares to plug a puncture temporarily.
Create a designated place for the first aid kit to access it quickly in an emergency.
4. Jumper Cables
Flat batteries inevitably strike at the most inconvenient moment possible.
If you don’t have a specialised roadside emergency kit, ensure you always have jumper cables in your car. Know how to use them so that you’re equipped to get yourself back on the road as fast as possible.
5. Tyre Changing Tools
Hand-in-hand with jumper cables, you should always keep tyre-changing tools. You will need a jack, wheel spanner, and the know-how to use them. If you’re unsure, practice at home before you need to do it roadside in the dark!
6. Duct Tape
Yes, really. Remember that your goal is to get back on the road, out of harm’s way. All you need is a quick fix to get home! From holding broken mirrors to sealing a boot that won’t close, it’s the unsung hero of the roadside.
The Smart Additions that Make Life a Bit Easier
These aren’t strictly essential, but they can certainly make a tough situation more bearable.
7. Fully Charged Torch
Because changing a tyre using your phone torch is like looking for a contact lens in a swimming pool.
A torch is also handy to signal for help.
8. Multi-tool or Basic Toolkit
A small set of screwdrivers, pliers, and an adjustable wrench can be surprisingly handy for minor repairs.
9. Raincoat or Umbrella
Random cloudbursts happen. A raincoat or umbrella is handy to have around, emergency or not.
10. Water
It’s a great idea to always travel with water. Besides the obvious hydration, especially if you’re stranded for some time, you could need it for your car if it is overheating.
The “You’ll Thank Us Later” Items
Overachiever or nervous nelly, keeping these items will put Mary Poppins’ bag to shame.
Here are some lifesavers you won’t find in any conventional “car essentials” list, but you’ll be ever thankful you have them.
- Non-perishable snacks: A hangry driver makes poor decisions! Energy bars, biltong… or that one emergency KitKat are fantastic to have in an emergency (or unforeseen 3-hour traffic jam).
- Wet wipes: No matter how sticky the situation. 😂
- A flask of coffee: Because it’s always the perfect time for coffee, especially if you’re waiting for roadside assistance (though ours is quick, we promise).
- Notebook & pen: Should the phone and power bank fail, a trusty notebook is good for jotting down driver particulars or other must-remember details. You could also sketch your feelings instead of draining your phone doom-scrolling.
- Spare sunglasses: Squinting in traffic is not a vibe.
More of How Matrix Has Your Back
Jokes aside, we’ve honestly thought of everything, so you’re never stranded.
- Roadside Assist: When your car decides it’s taking the day off, our 24/7 Roadside Assist brings mechanical help directly to you.
- Panic Alert with Remote: One press of your Panic Button immediately connects you to our response team.
- Crash Alert: In severe situations, our Crash Alert technology automatically detects collisions and dispatches emergency services to your location should it be required.
- Home Drive: Had one too many at that business dinner? Our Home Drive service ensures you and your vehicle get home safely.
- My Panic App: Protection beyond your vehicle with MyPanic, providing emergency response wherever you are.
For longer journeys, check out our comprehensive Long Distance Travel Safety Checklist to ensure you’re fully prepared for the open road.
Being prepared for the unexpected doesn’t have to be scary. By keeping these essential items in your car and knowing that Matrix has your back, you can travel with greater confidence.
