Australia is a driving nation. In 2016, there were 18.4 million registered motor vehicles in Australia, and due to the scale of our country, many of us are accustomed to driving long distances. No-one likes to be caught short if something unexpected happens on the road. So to help you be prepared, here is a list of 10 items we recommend you keep in your car at all times.    

1) Glovebox essentials pack

For peace of mind, keep a pencil case in your glovebox with all those useful little items that you usually find yourself fumbling through the centre console for. This could include a small notepad and pen, some spare change, a coin or token for the supermarket shopping trolley, a spare key for your house, and a tape measure.

2) First aid kit

If you are driving with young children, are embarking on a long trip or if any of your passengers have special medical needs, you may wish to make your own first aid kit, or purchase a ready-made one. Keep it in an accessible place and check it regularly to make sure that equipment or medicines haven’t expired.

3) Spare tyre

Always travel with a fully inflated tyre in your boot, and ensure it’s ready to be used in case you get a flat tyre. In Australia, it’s a safety requirement that all tyres, including your spare, have a tread of at least 1.5mm. If your particular Mitsubishi vehicle has a spare saver wheel and tyre, it’s important to remember that it should only be used in emergency situations and for as short a distance as possible.

4) Safety triangle

If you break down, or need to change a flat tyre, placing a red safety triangle on the road (35-40m) before your car will quickly alert other drivers. This is particularly the case at night or in very foggy or overcast conditions. If you do have to stop on the side of the road, make sure you always keep your hazard lights on, and only exit the vehicle from the left hand side to avoid stepping into traffic.

5) Sun protection

When you buy a new car, you want to do all you can to protect your upholstery and interiors to maintain the appearance and re-sale value of your car over time. Mitsubishi’s One Touch Shade provides relief from the heat and harsh effects of the sun. It has been designed specifically to follow the contours of the interior windows of certain models, and clips onto the inner window frames in seconds. It is made from a material that is highly reflective and features a spring mechanism for compact storage when not in use.

As well as protecting your car, why not also throw in a pair of spare sunglasses, and a bottle of sunscreen for you and your passengers. Make sure it’s out of the sun so it doesn’t expire.   

6) Basic cleaning kit

To keep your car looking its best, you’ll want to clean up spills as they occur – particularly if they’re the type made by young children! As some commercial cleaning products and wipes can damage your car’s interior, it’s wise to keep a small cleaning kit in the boot of your car at all times. Include some water, a small amount of general detergent and a soft cloth that you can use to clean your upholstery. Throw in some plastic bags for disposing of any mess, and a roll of paper towel in case you need to mop up spills.  

7) Travel rug

As well as being handy when you stop for a spontaneous picnic or park trip with young kids, a travel rug can be very helpful if you need to wrap items or protect your interior in any way. It can also be helpful if you do happen to break down at night.

8) An old phone

For emergency situations, it can also be very helpful to keep a second, charged phone in your car- in case your current phone runs out of batteries or has a technical issue. It can even be worth investing in a basic pre-paid phone that you can simply use as a back-up. Even if you’re out of range, you can always dial 000 if needed. For this same reason, it can also be handy to keep some spare change in your glovebox in case you need to make a call from a public phone. 

9) Jumper leads

At some time in our lives, most of us have faced the situation where we’ve left the car lights on and discovered we have a flat battery when we’re running late for work. With a set of jumper leads, however, the problem can often be fixed easily and quickly. You’ll never know when a set of jumper leads will deliver a return on your investment!  

10) Re-usable shopping bags/basket

By keeping a bundle of re-usable, sturdy shopping bags in your car boot at all times, you’ll always be prepared if you need to visit the supermarket – and you’ll be doing your bit for the environment too!