Keep This, Ditch That
Your car says a lot about you. Not just in the model or color, but in the stuff rattling around inside. Somewhere between “I might need this someday” and “I forgot this existed,” our vehicles quietly fill up with things we swear are useful. So, to help you differentiate what's taking up space and what's actually important, here are 10 things to always keep in your car and 10 you should toss.
1. Jumper Cables
Battery trouble can always sneak up on you, especially during temperature changes or after leaving your lights on by mistake. Jumper cables let you quickly revive a dead battery. They’re straightforward to use and incredibly reliable in urgent moments.
2. Spare Tire With Jack And Lug Wrench
Having a spare tire, along with a jack and a lug wrench, turns a major headache into a manageable hiccup. Learn to lift the car safely and loosen lug nuts the right way before you find yourself on a narrow roadside shoulder.
Steve Rainwater from Irving, US on Wikimedia
3. First Aid Kit
Small injuries don’t wait for convenient places to happen. So, stock your kit with items like adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, and pain relievers. Toss in a pair of gloves and a few extras that make sense for your region or family.
Mathurin NAPOLY / matnapo on Unsplash
4. Tire Pressure Gauge
Tires might look fine at a glance, but the wrong pressure can silently sabotage your safety. A tire pressure gauge takes the guesswork out and gives your tires the attention they deserve. Keep it handy, check monthly, and don’t forget the spare.
5. Flashlight (With Extra Batteries)
When your car dies at night, or you drop something between the seats after sundown, nothing beats a reliable flashlight. Moreover, a proper flashlight lets you inspect under the hood or find your way through dark parking lots.
6. Emergency Blanket
Even if you don’t live in a cold climate, weather can surprise you—and cars don’t hold warmth for long when turned off. An emergency blanket takes up no space but can keep you warm if you're stuck overnight or waiting hours for help.
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7. Multitool Or Swiss Army Knife
Modern multitools pack an impressive amount of problem-solving into your palm. One tool becomes ten, and it fits in your glove box. So, choose one that feels solid in your grip and doesn’t rattle with use. You'll be surprised how often it earns its keep.
8. Water Bottles
Besides hydration, water is useful for rinsing off cuts or cooling off overheating systems. Keep sealed bottles in your trunk or under the seat. They hold up well to temperature swings and don’t spill like reusable ones can.
9. Phone Charger Or Power Bank
Losing your phone’s battery cuts off your GPS, music, contacts, and emergency services. That's when a charger that stays in your vehicle comes in handy. It ensures you’re always connected, no matter how long the drive or how far from home.
10. Vehicle Registration And Insurance Documents
Storing these papers in your glove compartment is simple, but you’d be surprised how many people forget or misplace them. If you ever need to show these documents quickly, you’ll be grateful they’re not crumpled under a pile of napkins or lost in your backpack.
Now, here are ten things that are just hogging space for no good reason.
1. Mini Vacuum Cleaner
At first glance, a tiny car vacuum sounds useful. But these handheld gadgets often lack real suction and roll around after every turn. Don’t waste trunk space or deal with the tangled cords. You’ll get cleaner results with less hassle by leaving it out of your emergency setup altogether.
Baseus Car Vacuum Cleaner Review by Before You Buy Guy
2. Half-Used Toiletries
Lotion, deodorant, that almost-empty dry shampoo—none of it belongs in your car long-term. Heat turns these into chemical experiments. Exploding caps and sticky messes are not the kind of “signature scent” you want for your ride.
Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels
3. Duplicate Cup Holders
Extra cup holders clipped to doors or vents are more trouble than they’re worth. Most cars come with enough holders to get by. If you need more, look for a solid floor-mounted version. But otherwise, skip the ones that slide around and spill iced coffee on your lap.
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4. Full Tool Chest
Having tools in your car makes sense—but dragging half your garage around doesn’t. That heavy box eats trunk space and makes finding the one tool you need a headache. Save the full set for your home bench.
5. Expired Emergency Snacks
That granola bar from three summers ago? It’s probably more packaging than food now. Old snacks melt, crumble, and attract pests—not to mention, they lose nutritional value over time. Just ditch the stale trail mix and free up the glove box space.
6. Scented Trash Can
Scented bins quickly turn into odor bombs, and the filters don’t keep up with food wrappers and coffee cups. Instead of the scented versions, use resealable bags or small disposable liners. They’re way easier to swap out.
Drive Auto Car Trash Can Review by SCO Reviews
7. Massive Subwoofer Box
A subwoofer box does more harm than good for most drivers, as it takes up your entire trunk. Not to mention, unsecured audio boxes become dangerous projectiles in a crash. Unless you’re in the sound competition circuit, stick with a balanced stereo.
8. Unused Sports Equipment
Tennis rackets, cleats, basketballs—these things sneak into the trunk and never leave. They pile up and make it harder to find anything else. So, leave the gear at home. You’ll thank yourself the next time you search for your jack under three yoga mats.
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9. Phone Mount That's Barely Holding On
You adjust it, it falls. You hit a bump, it catapults your phone into the footwell. If your phone mount is more dramatic than helpful, replace it. Nothing screams “upgrade me” like a broken grip and a scratchy suction pad from 2019.
Fix Car phone holder keeps dropping by Logical
10. Backseat Organizer
What starts as a clever way to keep things tidy often turns into a chaos magnet. These organizers are filled with all the unnecessary stuff. Go through them regularly, or don’t use one at all. A clutter-free backseat is safer and makes life easier for passengers, big and small.
