It’s in your car!

Now that we have that settled, let’s move on to the finer details. One of the great things about the Car Bag is the freedom that comes with not having to carry it around, or think so much about what should go in and what should stay out because you might need to carry it.

Now, that’s not to say you’ll never carry your Car Bag, but guess what? If you do have to carry it and it proves too heavy, just take some stuff out and leave it in the trunk. I know, I know – it’s so easy it’s ridiculous.

Since the Car Bag makes its home in your car, it’s best to think of it as supplemental to one or more of the bags you should already have. But, since you may have to make your home in your car at some point in time, the Car Bag is the perfect place to store things that a) make that less likely and b) make it more comfortable if it does happen.

Car Maintenance Items

It’s true that you could just keep this kind of gear scattered in your trunk, but a bag really does help “organize” these types of things, if only in your mind. In other words, if you have a Car Bag checklist, then you can be sure it’s all in there. I have had a car bag for years, and it really works. It helps me remember what I have and where it is (in the big blue bag!), as well as keep it separated from other things in my trunk that are going in and out more often.

Good things to have in the Car Bag that fall into the maintenance category are:

• Jumper cables
• Jug of wiper fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Brake fluid
• Quart of oil
• A small, empty gas can (I keep a “sip” of gas in mine, but that is not recommended)
• A tire iron
• A multi-tool or small tool set

Some will argue that keeping tools and fluid in your car is pointless if you don’t know where it goes, but that’s not a very smart argument. After all, someone may stop to help, and if you have the proper tools for your car, it could save you a tow truck bill.

Road Comfort Items

These items are as much about comfort as they are about safety, because one follows the other. If you feel safe, you’ll be more comfortable, and if you … well, you get the picture. Just think about what you’d like to have with you if you were stuck in your car for an extended period of time, and voila! You’ve got your own personalized list of items for this category. Suggested items include:

• Road flares
• Safety cones
• Extra cell phone car charger (sealed from damage)
• Rain slicker (for working on your car in the rain)
• Book of quick fix-it tips (for reading while you wait for the tow truck)
• Bottle of ibuprofen (to kill the frustration headache)

Although the Car Bag is important, and one of the easiest bags to implement in your life, there’s no need to let it take over your trunk. Think about your environment, consider the age and durability of your vehicle, and go from there. You’ll be on the road with more peace of mind in no time!