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When you hit the road, sometimes the road hits back.
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by John MihalyBuzzFeed Staff, by Clara McMahonBuzzFeed Staff1. A set of lightweight escape tracks that will come in very handy if your car (or a friend's/neighbor's/random person's) gets stuck in the snow, sand or mud. Whether you're off-roading in the wilderness or just doing a Target run, these things can turn a potentially dangerous situation into a minor inconvenience.
Amazon
Promising review: "Saved my bacon after discovering the 'light dusting' of snow I encountered on the trail was actually about 2-feet deep unpacked. First time ever getting the Taco really stuck. Winch self-recovery was certainly an option, but I was in a hurry to wrap up the day and I didn't want to get out the gear. I was very grateful I grabbed my Maxsa tracks before I left. Got the job done very quickly, although I did have to spend a few minutes finding — and digging out — one of the units that was burrowed deep into the snow when I was done." —Terry B
Get them from Amazon for $129.99+(available in three colors and four styles).
2. A handyDip Clip that attaches to your car's vent and will securely hold your Chik-fil-A sauce of choice. It's just one less thing to think about while you're stuck in traffic on a long road trip.
They'll fit onto horizontal or vertical air vents *and* can hold sauce packs from all popular fast food chains!
Promising review: "I love this in my car! It stays in place and lets me do all the dipping I want while I drive without making a mess." —krystie
Get two from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four colors and in multipacks).
3. A digital tire inflator with an LED flashlight that plugs into your car outlet. Just set the PSI and turn the thing on.
Amazon
Includes attachments for blowing up balls, air mattresses, and anything else your inflating needs require, it's also especially useful to buy for your first car.
Promising review: "You only have to be stranded once on the dude of the road to realize how invaluable this is. I’ve used it 4-5 times (for myself and stranded friends) since we purchased it and it works perfectly every time. The auto shut off feature is a huge plus! Easy to use and instructions are there if necessary. Well worth the small amount of trunk space it takes up." —DellaBella
Get it from Amazon for $29.99(available in four colors and for 15% off when coupon is applied before checkout).
4. A can of WD40 EZ Reach Spray, because it can do just about anything, from loosening extra tight lug nuts on wheels to removing leftover residue from embarrassing "Honk if you're..." bumper stickers.
Amazon
Promising review: "I used the WD 40 right away on a stuck, rusted slide lock. After a few sprays and wiggles waits, the slide now works perfectly. I also used it to open a Masterlock that was frozen. After a few treatments, the lock works perfectly. I have used it in so many ways. I can't live without WD 40." —Alma Carrizosa
Get it from Amazon for $11.98.
5. A roll of silver 3M all-weather duct tape to make sure broken things (like a side-view mirror) stay good and stuck on until you can properly repair them.
Amazon
The weatherproof tape can be considered one of the practical things for anyone who owns or drives a caras most reviewers find it durable and long-lasting.
Promising review: "This brand duct tape is outstanding. Fix, seal, build, emergency or not. While hiking, my water bladder tube pierced. Worry not, duct tape to the rescue! A million and one uses." —Bold
Get it from Amazon for $16.55.
6. A durable, three-pocket folding car trunk organizer with handles to keep all your junk in the trunk from rolling all over the place while you're making all those sharp turns.
Amazon
The foldable design also means you'll probably find it useful if you own a car.
Promising review: "It was just what I needed for my messy and unorganized truck! I wanted something not too bulky, but just the right size to help me reorganize my trunk. This product did that for me. I was also concerned that it’ll move when I drove but luckily there is Velcro on the bottom that secures it in place while you drive, and sure enough it did just that! This product does not take up a lot of space and gives you the right amount of measure to place other things like groceries and a suitcase. I am completely satisfied and content with this product! I wish I had it all along!" —Neese
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
7. A three-pack of seat back trash keepers to contain all the junk that's not in the trunk but that's littering the rest of your ride. Can also be used for storage of non-trash items too, making it just one of the cool and useful things for your car.
Amazon
Promising review: "I had a similar litter bag years ago in a different vehicle so was looking for the same thing. This little bag is perfect for the random tissue or gum wrapper that might otherwise end up on the floor of my car! It's a great size in that it holds a surprising amount of stuff, yet has a slim enough profile to not take up too much space. I've hung mine from the gear shift so it's easy to reach, while the one in my old vehicle I hung from the hinges of the front seat armrest. Both places worked fine. It's also easy to empty by just separating the hook & loop tape at the bottom. I can recommend this litter bag with the understanding that it's not for the entire takeout bag from a fast food restaurant!" —Mr me
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
8. A case of 64 purified emergency water pouches that each contain a little more than 4 oz. of agua. Now we're not saying keep all 64 pouches in your car (hey, a deal's a deal) but they do last up to five years and can double as ice packs when frozen.
Amazon
Promising review: "I use these for the 6 gallons of water my wife and I have in our 72-hour grab-and-go pack. There are two advantages to this product. One, you don't have to worry about cleaning out and disinfecting water every year. I just keep track of the shelf date. Two, they are small and can be stuffed into the small unused spaces that larger items in a pack create. I would never be able to fit 6 gallons into our packs if they weren't packed with a small quantity of water in these puncture-resistant pouches." —Sequoiadendron gigantea
Get it from Amazon for $32.72.
9. A car windshield sunshade to keep you from burning your hands on the steering wheel after you've parked in the sun for hours.
Amazon
As one of the car products that must've been designed by geniuses, it even comes in multiple sizes (depending on your make and model) with a money-back guarantee.
Promising review: "This is super easy to use. Open and put it in the window, can't get any easier than that. My GMC Denali sits outside in the Southeastern NC sun all day and this really made a difference. When I get into my truck I can actually sit on the leather seats without being burned. It also keeps the sun off my dash which is important down here in the Southeast. I would definitely recommend it.' —Sharon
Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in sizes XS–XXXL).
10. A Bigfoot air freshener that "smells just like a Sasquatch." Luckily it's pine-scented because if we had to guess, the natural stench of Big Foot probably wouldn't be so appealing.
Amazon
Promising review: "This little guy makes me smile every time I look at him. What's more he smells like a pine forest. Beware he's very aggressive when you first get him out of his packet so I'd advise airing him out a bit before you invite him into your car. He's a bit overpowering at first but over time he mellows out and is a real delight." —Amazon reviewer
Get it from Amazon for $6.19.
11. A two-pack of auto insurance and registration document wallet holders for those unfortunate times when you'd be asked to produce your insurance or registration information. At least you'll know exactly where they are.
Amazon
Promising review: "I was getting tired of having my insurance and registration paper just thrown in my glove box haphazardly. Not only did it look tacky but digging through the glove box was more of a pain when you had to deal with loose papers in the glove box. I tried this out to have some structure in my glovebox and I'm pretty happy with it so far. Plus, it looks better and organized in my glovebox." —Jared
Get it from Amazon for $4.55.
12. The Car Guys Super Cleaner, which is formulated to work on soooo many different surfaces in your car (upholstery, leather, vinyl, wood trim, carpet, floor mats, and more) so you can keep your ride nice and clean on a regular basis.
Promising review: "This is the best stuff I’ve ever used. It literally works on every surface, even glass! I wouldn’t use it on my windshield but my navigation system screen and all other glass/plastic surfaces were spotless and streak free! The picis of my son’s seat before and then after one application of Super Cleaner. Took less than 5 minutes and only a moderate amount of elbow grease. I am a Car Guys die hard from here on out." —Melodicardia
Promising review: "Stop what you’re doing and add this to your cart, then come back to read the reviews. Former nanny whose frequent fliers for the past 7 years have been primarily five years old and younger, and you can imagine the toll that has taken on my backseats. The spray was so easy to use and came with a towel that worked well, and took everything out! Any parent or caregiver knows about the horrors of mystery stains! The picture [above] is of a pop (soda) explosion that had dried, and it cleaned up like nothing happened. The smell didn’t seem strong or bother me at all, and I did the whole interior of my car. I am so happy with the results and will be ordering a second bottle when this one runs out." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $16.97.
13. Or a no-rinse carpet spot cleaner that'll tackle those grassy, muddy, oily, and/or foodie stains that you've grown used to, but never fond of.
Promising review: "I had terrible rust and oil stains all over the seats of my car. I tried other cleaners but they made the stains darker. I took it to the dealership to see if they could get it out and they flat out told me no, so I gave up and lived with it for five years. I tried this after it was recommended by a friend. I sprayed it on and literally watched the stain run right off my seat. It was amazing! I thought I was going to have to pay hundreds of dollars to replace the seats in my car because nothing else would work. This stuff really is awesome!" —Brittany
Get a 32-ounce bottle on Amazon for $6.65.
14. A 24-piece bungee cords assortment jar (including 10-inch, 18-inch, 24-inch, 32-inch, 40-inch cords and 8-inch canopy/tarp ball ties) for securing objects inside or outside of your car, especially when you need to leave the trunk open.
Amazon
Promising review: "These bungees are great! We have a hatchback and often ride with our two big dogs and cat in the back, so they come in quite handy to keep any luggage we might have up against the side, giving the animals the most room possible. There are a few different sizes and it's convenient that they come in a little container so I can keep them in my car and keep them organized. I'm very satisfied!" —Jenny M
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
15. A keychain car escape tool to cut through seat belts and break car windows that you'll be happy to have (just in case) but even happier to never have to use.
Amazon
Promising review: "I work in the Medical and Rescue field and have to say this is a great product to have on your keychain. One of the concerns I had when buying this was the breakaway portion of the device itself but that was an unfounded fear. This is something that will save your life if you are ever trapped in your own vehicle as it will stay connected to your keys in the ignition which means that you will be able to reach it without a major issue. It will not easily detach without you pulling it off which means will be available where you want it when you need it. I have nothing negative to say about this and have bought one for my wife as well to have." —Aizrec!
Get it from Amazon for $9.30+ (available in two colors).
16. A windshield cleaning tool with extendable handle and washable reusable microfiber cloth so you can remove all the dirt, dust, moisture (fog) on the inside and outside of your car's glass. Now you've got no excuse for those dirty windows.
Amazon
Promising review: "I've always had to go through contortions in order to reach the forward edge of my vehicle windshields. I don't know why I never thought of getting one of these earlier. The handle collapsed down for easy storage, and it comes with three pads/socks/booties that are easily removable for washing. I was able to wash both car windows in a matter of minutes, without even having to go to both sides of the car to do it. It even comes with a handy storage bag for keeping everything together and easy to find." —SS
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
17. A super large, super warm military wool blanket to keep in the trunk for cold weather emergencies or warm weather picnics in the park. Bonus: doubles as a seat cover if you've got a passenger or pet you're worried about making a mess.
Amazon
Promising review: "This inexpensive washable wool blanket should be in every car, truck, and RV as a “just in case” item. Be sure to wash it several times before use and tumble dry low. It will shed a lot, but makes the blanket nicer for use. I have one for my dog’s bed as she seems to like the feel of wool to lay on." —Chris J.
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in nine colors).
18. A 24 oz. can of Fix-A-Flat tire inflator that will seal small tire punctures in large tires and "provide enough inflation to lift tire rim off the ground." The hose top will also work on all wheels.
Amazon
Promising review: "Bought this as the last resort backup option if I got a flat. Well...got a flat and this was the last chance option. Worked well enough to get me to a shop to get the tire patched without ruining the rim of the wheel. That's what it is for and that's what it did. 5 stars." —Dave D
Get it from Amazon for $9.97.
19. A car jump starter that doesn't require another car to give yours a boost and holds a charge for up to 12 months. Also works on boats and lawnmowers.
Amazon
Promising review: "Rattling around in the trunk for a year, it got me started without breaking a sweat. I decided to let the device do its thing. I kept it on the dead battery for 15 minutes and it finally cranked over and started. Amazing. It took every drop of juice this little gizmo could muster and it brought back a battery from the dead safely and automatically and got me unstuck. Best money spent. If it ever dies, I'll replace it with the same brand without hesitation." —Nameless Faceless One
Get it from Amazon for $99.95.
20. A pair of flex-grip work gloves made from synthetic leather so they don't shrink. Cold-weather insulation will keep those digits warm when working on your car during the most bitter of winter months.
Amazon
Promising review: "Used for various projects around the house, from working on the car to replacing a light switch. These gloves have held up well with good enough dexterity to handle wiring and good enough padding to feel safe pulling off the lawnmower blade. The touch screen ability with thumb and index finger is nice although quite frankly they are often just too dirty to take advantage of." —Alex
Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in sizes S–XXL).
21. A portable solar panel battery charger with three USB ports that doubles as a three-mode lantern for when the sun (or your flashlight) goes down.
Amazon
Promising review: "I live in my car by choice and I needed something to help me not drain my car battery all the time and still keep my tech life going. I've been using this power bank for almost four months now and I'm pretty pleased. I've used it to power many devices including many phones, various Bluetooth headphones, my vape and e-pens, and whatever my friends need charging too. It's a godsend. Charge the power bank by day, charge my devices at night. Speaking of night, I'm so glad it has two flashlights. One in front of it that's directional, and an enormously brighter one on the bottom. The bottom one will illuminate like 30 feet away. It's like 3/4 the intensity of a vehicle headlight from the 2000's decade. " —Angel
Get it from Amazon for $59.99(clip the coupon on the product page to save 15%; available in three colors).
22. A five-pack of 48-sheet waterproof notebooks, because you will always need something to keep in the glove box to write on that isn't a bunch of napkins from Wendy's.
Amazon
Promising review: "These are the best notepads I have ever purchased. I work a lot with water so I carry them on my vest or shirt and they handle the water very well. I even showed my coworkers at work pouring a water bottle on them. It took a bit of damage but not as much if it was a regular paper notepad. They are very durable and strong. I highly recommend them to anyone in a trade or traveling." —Ricki Ramirez
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
23. A digital tire pressure gauge for checking the PSI on your wheels to keep them in peak road-ready condition (and make them last longer). Works on truck, motorcycle, bicycle tires too.
Amazon
Promising review: "This pressure gauge was a bit more expensive then what I'd like to pay. However, it definitely came in handy at night when I needed to check my tires. The blue light makes the process so much easier to find the stud that sticks out of your tires and check your tire pressure. The device also allows your to switch between pressure units (I just use the psi). So far I've had this product for six months and haven't need to change to the battery or any problems. I recommend this product." —Annie
Get it from Amazon for $10.79+(clip the coupon on the product page to save $2 on select colors; available in three colors).
24. A four-pack of car headrest hooks, because there's never a good place to hang your bag that gives you easy enough access to what's inside and keeps it one place while you drive.
Amazon
Promising review: "These are one of those things you don’t know you need until you see them. Very sturdy, not cheap at all. Honestly, I drunk ordered these and I’m super glad I did. I will use them to hook grocery bags on the way back from the grocery store so they don’t fall over. For now...they work great for my umbrella." —Adam S.
Get it from Amazon for $11.97.
25. An impact- and water-resistant dynamo crank radio that's biggest selling point is it's ability to manually charge your phone. After that, the solar panel, LED flashlight, and multiple weather stations are totally clutch.
Amazon
Promising review: "I bought this earlier in the year after the California earthquakes to put in my emergency kit. I take it everywhere and on vacation with me. For the past couple of months, it’s lived in the trunk of my car. I took it out to use it today and it’s still completely charged. It’s a bit beat up from being in my trunk but it’s held up amazingly for being thrown around with a softball, softball bat, and all the other things in my trunk. I’m sure it’ll survive an apocalypse." —Penguinio
Get it from Amazon for $49.95+ (available in five colors).
26. A 100-piece first aid kit packed with bandages, butterfly closures, gauze pads, ointments, examination gloves, an instant cold compress and more for any emergencies that don't (hopefully) require a trip to the emergency room.
Amazon
Promising review: "I bought this first aid kid with the intention of keeping in the car. Having kids, accidents always happen. It is the perfect size to keep in the trunk. It has everything you could need. However, I wish it would have come with more of the normal size or even bigger Band-Aids versus the extremely small ones. But for the price, it was worth every penny!" —Julie H.
Get it from Amazon for $8.65.
27. A set of six LED road flares with nine lighting functions (including the universal distress code S-O-S) for roadside emergencies without the hassle (or danger) of a chemical pyrotechnic display.
Amazon
Promising review: "Excellent designed product. Our FD is using these instead of traditional safety flares. There are flexible light pattern settings and can be used on top of traffic cones or underneath to illuminate. Set on the roadway they can be run over without breaking apart. Magnet is strong for sticking on side of the vehicle or use handy hanger which sits neatly in the groove when not used." —Jacqueline Shadford
Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (also available in quantities of three and 12).
28. A two-pack of static clinging car window shades (without any adhesives or suction cups) to keep things shady for passengers (especially children in the backseat) when tinted windows aren't an option.
Amazon
Promising review: "These work great. I thought they might not stay on the windows, but that is not an issue. Contact adhesion is due to the soft plastic-type inner shade liner that also helps cut penetrating sunlight. I've actually forgotten about them being on the windows several times, ran the window down only to realize the shade was being 'swiped' into the door. Luckily I was able to catch it in time and run it back up. After pulling this mindless stunt several times, the shades are still 100% like new, working great." —Rich
Get it from Amazon for $11.49(available as a four-pack).
29. A Leatherman multi-tool, which is actually 14 tools in one (including a knife, pliers, screwdriver, wire cutter, wire stripper, scissors, package opener, bottle and can opener, a file, a ruler, and more). There's no need for an entire toolbox in the trunk when this guy can easily fit in the glove box.
Amazon
Promising review: "Great value and quality, I've already bought several as gifts and everyone loves them. I keep on in my car and in my camping gearbox. Anybody familiar with Leatherman knows they make good quality products. The only consideration is the tools on each Leatherman multitool. For the money, this is the best value of all the Leatherman Multis. Cheap enough so that if it gets lost or scratched up you won't cry too much. I like that the knife blade is on the outside so that you do not have to unfold the thing to deploy it. The fit and finish just shines quality. There are cheaper multis out there and I've tried them all, in the end, I keep coming back to Leatherman." —Avg. Joe
Get it from Amazon for $69.95.
30. A 16-count variety pack of Cliff energy bars, with flavors such as crunchy peanut butter, blueberry crisp, white chocolate macadamia nut, because you should always have a something to snack on in your car other than gum.
Amazon
31. A jar of cleaning gel for car detailing, because there are some parts of your ride that just never seem to get clean by conventional means. That means the only thing to fight dust and dirt with is, well, a handful of slime. They'll never see it coming from one of their own.
Amazon
Or check out these cleaning products with professional results, if you're still looking for something to bust the dust!
Get it from Amazon for $6.88+ (available in three colors).
32. A portable car vacuum cleaner with a 16-foot-long cable that plugs into the car's lighter port, so unless your ride is out of gas or the battery's dead, you've got no excuse for not cleaning every nook and cranny from the dashboard to the trunk.
Amazon
Promising review: "This thing is awesome! I own a 2018 Dodge Durango that sadly does not have leather seats. I own three dogs and it is just a nightmare pulling out my extension cord to vacuum my truck. I can now just plug this little guy into my 12-volt car outlet and I’m good to go! The power in this vacuum is as good as it’s going to get for a car vacuum so if you want extreme suction then buy a shop vac. Also, the attachments are fantastic." —Sally
Get it from Amazon for $31.99+(available in two colors and styles).
33. An adjustable and extendable cup-holder adapter to secure larger liquid containers so you don't have to keep your water bottle wedged between the seat and the gearshift for easy access to your refreshing beverage of choice.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: "Thrilled to finally have a way to keep my giant water bottle upright and not have it tossing around my car! This product is so thoughtfully designed. You can tell that someone put a lot of time and energy into making this product work for a myriad of car cup holder designs. It comes with multiple adapters to make it work in many cars." —Jessica M. Pelletier
Get it from Amazon for $16.95.
34. A universal smartphone holder (compatible with most recent models of the iPhone, Galaxy, and Nexus) that mounts in (many but not all) car vents. The 360-degree rotation allows you to position your phone exactly where you want it to be so you never have to fumble for your GPS.
Promising review: "My hands-free smartphone cradle has a good design for attaching to vent. It hasn’t ever come off and feels secure. The method for securing the phone is good too. Button on back releases the ratchet-like mechanism that tightens and loosens arms. Just squeezing arms together tightens the phone securely in the holder. I was concerned I’d lose airflow but the air just pushes out around it. I love using the phone's GPS instead of the vehicle's one and my new Beam Electronics holder allows me to do just that. Holds iPhoneX securely." —Teddy B
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
35. An AC outlet inverter with four USB converters to help keep your family plugged in and ~juiced up~ during those summer vacation road trips.
Promising review: "This device is perfect for anyone who wants to charge devices that do not use a USB. I do a lot of work on the road with photography and needed a way to charge my computer and camera battery while not losing valuable driving time and this was the perfect solution. The charging speed is comparable to a standard house outlet even with my computer, camera and phone plugged in! The cord is a great length so it can be movable around my front seat. However, it does get warm as do many things using that amount of electricity so I would recommend keeping it on the floor or cup holder. I love the on and off switch so if it does feel too warm I want to turn it off without unplugging anything." —Cheryl M.
Get it from Amazon for $26.39.
36. A car net barrier with storage for keeping your valuables firmly secured — and if you're traveling with a *large* furry friend, it'll help keep them in the backseat where they can't obscure your view as they ~attempt~ to sit in your lap.
Promising review: "My family goes on the road for numerous trips over the course of a year and last year we got a new puppy who LOVES the car. This past summer, we were about to go on a 16-hour drive and needed a solution so that he wouldn't decide to jump and startle whoever was driving. Enter this little gem. The net is a high-quality item for the price. The top-end opens so it's not just a barrier, but a typical cargo net so you get even more storage for your vehicle while adding a layer of safety." —Daigs
Get it from Amazon for $15.80 (clip the coupon on the product page to save 10%).
37. A durable and extendable snow brush with a squeegee and ice scraper so you don't have to factor in an extra 20+ minutes to clean off your car before you can hit the road in the morning.
Amazon
It also comes apart for storage or individual use if you prefer!
Promising review:"This snow brush is very sturdy. It’s very handy that it has a brush, squeegee, and scraper and extends to make snow removal easier. I would highly recommend this snow brush! Worth the money!" —Debra Olsen
Get it from Amazon for$33.96.
Now, these must-have, automotive items should prepare you for almost any scenario you encounter on the road, except for maybe one like this.
Miramax Films / Via giphy.com
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
