What items do you deem essential to carry in your car?

[JackReacher]

Troubleatmill said:

Jack Reacher doesn't own a car

true, in fact I have no possessions, merely interested to see what others carry

[citizensm1th]

No worthers originals? what's PH coming to

[eltax91]

I pretty much live in my car so most of the time it has:

In the cabin:
Sunglasses
Gum
Pens
Multi tool
Baby wipes
Ice scraper
Razor & foam
Obd cable
De icer
Laptop bag full of various gear
Sweets and chocolate
Costa cup

In the spare wheel well:
LPG tank
Two mini socket sets
Oil
Anti freeze
Flash lube
Pump
Fuses
Rope
Jump leads
First aid kit
Tyre gunk

A lot of ste in my car!

[vikingaero]

ChickenvanGuy said:

vikingaero said:

Baby wipes (no baby)
Nappy Sacks (rubbish bin and pee sacks)
Fire Extinguisher
First Aid Kit
Camera Rucksack
Chromebook & Tablet
Food, drinks & snacks
Extending wheel wrench
Tool kit
Jump leads
Torches & lanterns
Footpump
Tow rope/tow pole
All the above mainly because I'm the AA to my extended family.

3 huge packs of cave rescue/mountain rescue gear/600m of rope etc

sorry, I could have sworn you said "pee sacks" there...

Yep. Pee sacks!

One evening, many years ago, I was behind a tall HGV that tried to enter the southbound Blackwall Tunnel. It got stuck. I think this was pre the days when they have all these newfangled laser beams, matrix and flashing lights. Traffic was absolutely gridlocked.

Anyone who knows the southbound approach road will know that it is a concrete valley with bus stops etc. There are no convenient bushes to pee behind. After about 2 hours I was busting to go. Only the coaches and people around me made it no go. So I scanned the car for things to pee into. A coke bottle wasn't on inside the car with such a narrow opening (and my mahoosive trousersnake of course). So I devised the idea to put 3 nappy sacks inside each other and line the bottom with tissues to soak up some of the liquid and minimise sloshing.

It was a brilliant idea. You hold the handles of the nappy sack and line the opening up around Mr J. Thomas Esq and pee! Even better you can do it discreetly from the drivers seat. Then you tie the handles up and hang it from your indicator stalk until you find somewhere suitable to dispose of it or find a convertible driver to lob it at.............. [joke alert]

[Scousefella]

In my boot atm I have....

High Viz Coat (work)
Rope
Pump
Jump Leads
Fuel can
Box of Fireworks
Toilet Roll - you never know when an emergency deposit is required.

[VictoriaYorks]

A few CDs, a torch, a screen wiping padded cushion, a phone holder that clips into an air vent. Everything else I need lives in my handbag which is bloody heavy!

[IntriguedUser]

Debit card (Fuel) as mentioned above.

Lost count of the amount of times I've decided to spend £10 on a blast and ended up in Brighton, wizzing around the nice roads near the Devils Dyke!


This is the most important item, not sure I need anything else.

[Shaoxter]

When I get in other people's cars I'm surprised at how many don't carry any water. Could be a lifesaver if you were to get stuck somewhere.

[Mr Ben]

Loose change
Cigarettes
Lighter
Rennie

[citizensm1th]

Shaoxter said:

When I get in other people's cars I'm surprised at how many don't carry any water. Could be a lifesaver if you were to get stuck somewhere.

like the Sahara? honestly I think most people would struggle to be further than 5 miles from some source of water in this country. I hardly think you will die of thirst

[jjones]

rohypnol
gaffer tape
rope
tarpaulin
spade

[lescombes]

Most of what has been said...like Wet wipes etc... but I also carry Hi Viz, Warning Triangle,spare bulbs,First Aid Kit, sleeping bag...

[Cliftonite]

Snow chains . . .

(Seriously! One day I'll get stuck in a muddy field. The fact I never have yet in what feels like over a hundred years' motoring doesn't mean it can't happen!).

[Ian974]

Spanners, sockets, torch, spare coolant, phone. Generally used in that order!

[L555BAT]

This is what I have. With mobile phones and men in vans who will rescue you however pathetic your predicament, I'd say none of it is essential.

For me/people:
1st aid kit
Hand wipes
Sunglasses
Toilet roll
Tissues
Umbrella
Water bottle
Hand alcohol gel
Emergency snacks

For use/convenience:
Collapsible plastic box
Twin cigarette lighter adapter
Phone charger
Road atlas
Parking change
Pen and paper
Compass

For maintenance:
Tyre pressure gauge
Tyre tread depth gauge
12v Compressor
Windscreen cleaning spray
Cloth for windscreen/body
Rag for oil dipstick
Haynes Manual

For emergencies:
High visibility jacket
Small cargo straps
Pliers
Fuses
Jump leads
Fire extinguisher
Screwdrivers, flat and Phillips
Head torch
LED torch, magnetic
Hammer
Flex gloves
Adjustable wrench, small
Spare bulbs
Tow rope
Warning triangle
Wheel brace
Telescopic wheel wrench
OEM jack
Multi tool/knife
Old rain coat
Spare trousers and t-shirt
Latex gloves
Gaffa tape
Emergency cash

Extras for winter:
Ice scraper
De icer
Proper metal digging spade

[Adz The Rat]

Iphone charger
Water
Gym gloves
Iphone to aux cable

[Foppo]

I tow a spare car in case the first one breaksdown.

[miniman]

jjones said:

rohypnol
gaffer tape
rope
tarpaulin
spade

Yon need a sack of lime to go with that.

[RDMcG]

car is equipped with first aid/triangle/fire extinguisher/tire pressure gauge etc OEM.

In the passenger compartment:

Sunglasses

[Scousefella]

L555BAT said:

This is what I have. With mobile phones and men in vans who will rescue you however pathetic your predicament, I'd say none of it is essential.

For me/people:
1st aid kit
Hand wipes
Sunglasses
Toilet roll
Tissues
Umbrella
Water bottle
Hand alcohol gel
Emergency snacks

For use/convenience:
Collapsible plastic box
Twin cigarette lighter adapter
Phone charger
Road atlas
Parking change
Pen and paper
Compass

For maintenance:
Tyre pressure gauge
Tyre tread depth gauge
12v Compressor
Windscreen cleaning spray
Cloth for windscreen/body
Rag for oil dipstick
Haynes Manual

For emergencies:
High visibility jacket
Small cargo straps
Pliers
Fuses
Jump leads
Fire extinguisher
Screwdrivers, flat and Phillips
Head torch
LED torch, magnetic
Hammer
Flex gloves
Adjustable wrench, small
Spare bulbs
Tow rope
Warning triangle
Wheel brace
Telescopic wheel wrench
OEM jack
Multi tool/knife
Old rain coat
Spare trousers and t-shirt
Latex gloves
Gaffa tape
Emergency cash

Extras for winter:
Ice scraper
De icer
Proper metal digging spade

I assume that the shopping goes on the roof!!