"New" Car Supplies

I got two extra large ziplock bags (bigger than the gallon size) for my son.

In one, I put immediate emergency supplies, like a flashlight, gloves and hat, extra batteries for the flashlight, a reflecting triangle, magnetic combo flashlight/blinker, some wrenches and duct tape and electrical tape, jack knife, etc. - the kind of stuff you would need quick access to in the event of a breakdown or mechanical problem.

In the second bag, I put things that could come in handy in case he ever got stuck in a blizzard or found himself having to pull over for a long time (if there was a traffic emergency, or he ran out of gas in a remote area, for example. In that bag I put a space blanket, hand warmers, energy bars, a couple of bottles of water, notebook and pen, laminated card with his ID on it and phone numbers, some quarters and dollar bills, a first aid kit, some basic tools, etc. That bag wouldn't need to be grabbed as quickly as the first.

Jumper cables, flashlight, snow chains, small collapsible shovel, waterproof knee protectors? Even if he never needs those things, he could stop and help someone else who needs a hand.

We got our kids basic care care kits like these from Wal-mart....

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?redir=0&ta...

They have first aid supplies, jumper cables, emergency triangle, and other items they may need in an emergency. Be sure that the jumper cables are quality, though... sometimes the ones in the kits are pretty cheap, with thin wire. I 'think' that the lower the gauge number, the better.

Hubby says that the longer the cables, you also need a lower gauge cable. His cables are also very long (20') which seems extreme, but he can pull BEHIND people and jump start their car, rather than being "nose to nose".

(He jump-starts a lot of cars at the clinic where he works... he's quite a handyman!)

Mini tool box with: flashlight, tire air pressure guage, tire iron to take lug nuts off in case of a flat tire, flares, spare tire, blanket, botted water, screwdriver, mini hammer.

Insurance w/road side service or AAA membership.

How exciting for him.

How about a bunch of car wash goodies (sponge, soap, windex wipes, armor all) in a bucket and a gas gift card??

The things I won't leave home without: AAA membership, jumper cables, portable air compressor, tire iron and jack, extra fluids especially coolant and widow washer fluid, rags, first aid kit and camp blanket, cat litter (for getting out of snow). I also leave a cell phone charger, tire gauge and one of those pocket tools with everything on it in the glove compartment. And a seat belt cutter/window hammer. People don't think about that, but I have to have one on my bus and now I always keep one in the car too.

An American Automobile Associated membership which includes towing.
A gas card preloaded with some money?
My insurance company handed out wallet sized cards with "what to do in case of accident", I have it stuck in the display of my car so I see it every day.
A trash can since teen cars can soon become garbage dumps.
A card from the local car wash with 10 washed pre-paid?
Oh I just remembered - a show I watched said that in case of emergency, most people leave their car and then the police find the car but no drivers (like snow, heavy rain, breakdown in dark area). The advice was to stay in your car and to have a coffee can in the trunk filled with: a candle and matches for light and even some warmth, a pack of cards to pass the time, some hard candy or PB crackers to stave off hunger and a small water bottle. I never had to use mine but in Ohio you may have some bad weather that could overload cell towers and he may be stuck somewhere for a while. Could not hurt to have a small can in the trunk just incase. Perhaps a car blanket and a pillow as well.

When I bought my first car, my sister gave me a gas can and jumper cables. I thought it was totally lame at the time, but they came in really handy over the years.

Make sure he's got a Jack and things to change a tire. Also a small storage bin with a flashlight, a few food goodies, a blanket, and etc just in case he gets stuck somewhere. Not sure if you have snow but chains too. Things like that.

I like everyone else's ideas.

I'm too lazy to wash my vehicle so I'd probably buy a gift certificate to a car wash ;-)

We also like the 'electronic' air pressure gauge.

Car wash and wax..that's the first thing my son did. Also floor mats and a cool key ring! And the insurance card! LOL

get him a box to keep in the trunk at all times, it should have stuff like windshield washer fluid, a gas card for emergency, a blanket, lock deicer, a bag of sand or salt, a small shovel for digging out of ditch. oh and the air freshener is always a good thing also lol

How about a bucket with a large sponge and car wash? Does it have a CD player? You could give him a CD of his favorite singer/group.

Great ideas! I don't think I saw an ice scraper in the list below.