Social media is plagued by videos of car owners packing their glove compartment with hand sanitizers, lip balms, and snacks. While you might enjoy keeping these things on hand, there are far more important items you want to ensure are on hand. In fact, there are several items that are essential for storing in your glove compartment to keep yourself and your vehicle safe.
At Paskett Auto, we understand the importance of keeping your glove compartment packed with essential documents, safety equipment, and more. Storing the wrong items in your glove compartment may leave you feeling stranded in the event of an emergency. If you want to learn more about what you should store in your vehicle’s glove compartment, keep reading.
The History of Your Glove Compartment
Your glove compartment, also known as the glovebox, originated in the early 20th century as cars became more common. Initially, it was a place designed to hold driving gloves, which were essential for early motorists to protect their hands from the elements and to ensure a good grip on the steering wheel. However, over time, driving gloves fell out of fashion. While they became less common, the space still acted as a reliable place to store essentials in your vehicle. But, what essentials should you store in your glove compartment?
Essential Documents
There are several essential documents you should keep in your glove compartment, especially if you get into an accident or are dealing with dashboard warning lights, including:
Your Insurance Card
One of the most important items you should keep in your glove compartment is a copy of your insurance card. Proof of insurance is essential in the event that you are in an accident or you get pulled over. By keeping a copy of your insurance card in the glove compartment, you ensure it is easily reachable when you need it most.
Your Registration
In addition to needing proof of insurance when being pulled over, you will also need proof of vehicle registration. When putting your insurance card in your glove compartment, make sure that you also put a copy of your vehicle registration in there to ensure you have it if you ever need it.
Your Owner’s Manual
While the entire manual isn’t necessarily going to be helpful while driving your vehicle, it does have some important information in it. When your car’s dashboard lights turn on, the manual can help you identify the problem, helping you determine if you need to take your car in for maintenance or repairs.
Safety Equipment
Roadside emergencies can happen at any time, and it is essential that you have safety equipment on hand when they occur. Some of the essential safety equipment you should keep in your glove compartment include:
A Flashlight and Extra Batteries
Whether you drop something under your seat or get a flat tire after nightfall, keeping a flashlight and spare batteries in your glove compartment will provide you with adequate light. Make sure to double-check the flashlight regularly and replace the batteries as necessary to ensure it is always in good working condition.
A Multi-Use Tool
Multi-use tools can be an invaluable addition to your glove compartment in a variety of situations. These tools feature small scissors, screwdrivers, and pliers to help you make small repairs to your vehicle before taking it in for more significant repairs.
A First-Aid Kit
The American Red Cross sells car first aid kits, which provide you with a variety of bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, and more to keep yourself safe in the event of an injury. Whether you’re dealing with a small cut or a larger injury, keeping your first aid kit on hand is a great way to ensure proper coverage and protection from the elements.
A Seatbelt Cutter
The idea of having to cut off your seatbelt is incredibly daunting. However, while you might not want to think about it, keeping a seatbelt cutter in your glove compartment is a great way to protect yourself from getting stuck in your vehicle, especially in the event of an accident.
Roadside Assistance Tools for Your Trunk
Your glove compartment isn’t the only place where you can store things in your car. You can also store things in your car’s trunk, especially to keep you safe when dealing with vehicle malfunctions and accidents. Some things you should store in your trunk include:
Jumper Cables
You never plan for your car’s battery to die, but, the day may come and you want to be prepared when it occurs. By keeping jumper cables in your car’s trunk, you can protect yourself from being stranded and having to pay a high towing bill instead.
A Spare Tire
When you get a flat tire, it can be frustrating to have to swap it out. But, what’s even worse is opening the trunk of your car, only to remember you’ve already used your spare. Make sure you always have a spare tire on hand so you don’t end up stranded somewhere, waiting for a ride home.
Keep Your Car Safe by Scheduling Regular Maintenance
While there are many things you should keep in your glove compartment to stay safe while driving, that isn’t the only way to keep your vehicle safe. Scheduling regular vehicle maintenance is also a great way to stay safe from harm. If you are looking for a reliable automotive service provider in the Roy, Utah, area, turn to our team at Paskett Auto.
Our team has provided reliable automotive care to car owners across the Wasatch Front for years, making us the perfect choice for your vehicle as well. Whether you want to schedule regular maintenance or oil changes, our team is here to help you through it all. If you would like to schedule vehicle maintenance with our team, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
