Essential car items

[Andy008]

What basic items should I keep in my car at all times?

[lady_p_gold]

Well it might sound a bit far fetched but I always keep one of those things that breaks the glass .. just in case I was trapped. I also keep a duvet cover in the back which I use as a cover to put shopping on etc. but in an emergency if you were stuck somewhere cold it would come in handy. You should also have a fire extinguisher but I still haven't got one!

[stanleyman]

I have a fire extinguisher (used four times always someone elses car!) spare fuel, spare water, spare bulbs, spare fan belt, can puncture foam, WD40, tools, warning triangle, jump leads, tow rope, footpump, torch, leadlamp, blanket, warm jacket, hat, waterproofs x 2, towel, cleaning cloth, plastic bag, bottle of water by each seat, sweets, chocolate, first aid kit and tablets including headache, diacalm, heartburn etc., wipes, camara, phone, charger, change for the tunnel, pen and pad, twenty pound note. Cuddly toy, toaster, blender, vacuum cleaner, basket of fruit, cutlery set...

[derekpara]

I think our freind Stanleyman has listed all the essential ( and some of the inessential) items, but I would add a High Viz vest in case of breakdown on motorways or other roads at night. I believe they are compulsory in some countries.

[dot.hawkes]

What about the in car entertainment? 6 disc CD changer in the boot with a boom box, two 8" portable DVD players attached to the back of each rear seat, the champers chilling in the ice bucket and of course, the optics.

[chazza]

I keep a first aid kit, umbrella, ice scraper, deicer, snow brush and a spare mobile phone

[tubeway]

I keep loads of stuff in the boot - mainly tools of the trade - so if I am in a traffic jam and somebody needs their hearing aid adjusted or are needing a hearing test then we are well sorted!

[peterd]

missed spare fuses stanleyman ! Apart from that, good effort

[BillyNoMates]

One of those cheap disposable cameras is a must for taking pictures after an accident - providing it wasn't too serious.

Very useful in providing insurance companies with information.

[stanleyman]

Actually I was working from memory and I do also have spare fuses, an umbrella, deicer, tidetable, bike rack (dad I've got a puncture!) and the jacket is a reflective boatwear type, plus a kitchen sink of course.

[Toureman]

You have forgoten your wife Stanley, you might get a puncture and need a wheel changing!

[stanleyman]

She's got a mobile phone, I can always call her and anyway I might need time to get the mistress a taxi.

[kepla]

I also have to admit to always having a camera with me to take pictures after an accident. It does mean that I have to slow down well as I drive past so that I get some good shots. Got a great couple of pics the other day of a lorry which had 'fallen over' on the M61 and shed its load all over the central reservation.

[mcb123]

i recommend an a-z map book, cant go wrong with one of them, especially when ur going on long journeys

[markja]

stanleyman, do you have a plug for that kitchen sink? waste of time carrying it if you don't. don't worry though if you don't have one, i've got a spare and will gladly send it to you if needed.

[Toureman]

Good one Stanley!

[stanleyman]

Thank you markja but the sink is not plumbed in and I carry it just in case I might need it, just like the rest!