Car batteries quickly drain if headlights or interior lights remain on with an inactive engine. You may return from shopping or attending a baseball game, for example, to find that you had left your headlights on and are unable to start your car. If you have jumper cables in your trunk, simply request the help of a friendly passerby to hook his battery to yours and supply you with the proper charge. In case you prefer to solve the problem independently, you may wish to pack a portable charging box in your trunk. This unit will provide you with the cables and the charge you need to get your battery running and your car on the road again.
A first aid kit is a necessary trunk item for emergency purposes. In the event of a motor accident, a first aid kit may provide significant and even lifesaving assistance before ambulances arrive at the scene. For minor accidents, auto-related or otherwise, first aid kits provide sanitation and pain relief. A standard kit should include such basic first aid items as bandages (both adhesive and non-adhesive), gauze, antibacterial creams and minor painkillers.
Flat tires are one of the more common dangers on the road; with a spare tire and tire jack handy, you may avoid waiting around to pay for a tow truck. Many cars have a special area beneath the general trunk space that is meant for tire storage, enabling you to keep your trunk free for other useful items. The tire jack allows you to lift the car sufficiently in order to change the flat tire for the fresh one. If you do not have room for a spare, consider carrying a donut instead; this is a temporary wheel suitable for driving short distances to the nearest auto shop for a standard tire replacement. Be especially cautious while driving with a donut, because it is not as sturdy as a standard tire.
Cold weather and harsh driving conditions call for special winter items on the road. Extra layers and extra changes of clothes come in handy for the unexpected cold or in case you get wet. Extra quantities of antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid may also be necessary; as temperatures drop overnight, your engine may freeze up, and windshield wiper fluid is especially useful in the winter time when windows get dirty from the heavily salted roads. Also keep a window scraper in the trunk.
Depending upon the conditions under which you may be driving, a number of additional trunk items may prove useful for your trip. For traveling at night, consider a reliable flashlight in the event that you have to pull over and inspect something. A strong cable or coil of rope may prove handy in case your car gets stuck in a ditch or sinks deeply into mud or snow. For longer and more adventurous trips, it is always a good idea to bring plenty of water and some snacks in case you are stranded. The trunk is also a good place to store cleaning supplies for long road trips in order to keep your car tidy and sanitary.
