from memory, my little 1990 honda civic holds:

in the glove box:
-screw driver
-3" fixed blade knife
-flashlight + 2 sets batteries
-lighter
-kleenex + baby wipes
-sunglasses
-charger for cel phone
-bag of trail mix
-power bar
-bubble gum
-local map
-pre-paid phone card
-tire pressure gage
-keychain led
-compass
-charger for the kid's DS

ashtray + console:
-a ton of spare change
-couple of batteries
-bic
-lip balm
-rolaids
-tylenol

under the seats:
-seat belt cutter
-2Ls water
-extra hats + mitts + socks (wool)
-long wool scarf
-50 ft paracord
-chemical warmers
-baseball hats
-1/2 of toys r us

in the trunk:
-spare tire, cables
-jack, tire iron
-fix-a-flat
-flares
-work gloves
-shop towels
-tarp
-50 ft paracord
-collapsable shovel
-golf umberella
-sleeping bag
-sm tent + fly
-wool blanket
-kitty litter
-washer fluid + oil
-air compressor
-fire extinguisher
-H20 proof flaslight
-extra batties galore
-coffee can, candles, bic
-more water
-extra coats
-extra snowpants
-work gloves
-paper towel
-extra sunglasses
-fully loaded first aid kit
-sm lunch bag with instant drinks + thermos, mres + heaters, hard candy
-2 fully loaded hiking kits, ready for a few overnights in winter
-1 scout leader's pack with hot chocolate, thermosses, snacks, extra lanyards, extra flashlights, local maps, compass, radios, 1st aid + psk

Awesome list!

If I get stranded in your vicinity, could I please have some of the "half of toys-r-us?" I'll be warm and hydrated, but utterly bored to death.

Some places they actually do consider that, we got caught in a snowstorm around the PA/MD line a few years ago, steep grade on the highways there and a state police roadlock was setup and they would ask if you had 4x4 and/or chains and/or a shovel, etc before they would let you pass. We had all and my cousin's VFD tags on their vehilce made the inspection go quickly.

Everythng in mine is pre-packed to make leaving the vehicle behind if needed. Wrench and Tool tolls, FAK, GHB, etc all in their own bags so I can pick and choose what I need based on the situation. I make sure to not just put things in without them being in some sort of bag/pack that can be easily carried or transferred to another vehicle if needed.

Looks very through! I'm going to print it out and check it against my less than organized car.

LOL! For my fellow ETSer, at risk of seven-year old melt-down over a missing treasure, you got it Doug!

It drives my husband nuts, Murph, but it's my car and he has his own. Besides, he's grateful for it every time "something comes in handy."

Nice list and it covers a lot of contingencies. By comparison I am light on shelter/foodstuffs in my normal kit but I get pretty close to this when packing for travel (i.e. not commuting to work).

I didn't see the following which are part of my basic car kit (Maybe I missed them).

- Good, Heavy Duty Jumper cables
- Good tow rope / chains
- Spare Fuses for my car (right type/size)
- Brake Fluid and Transmission Fluid
- Zip Ties (how did we ever do with out these)
- Some basic automotive tools

My basic car tool kit may be a bit excessive (grandpa owned a garage/towing business) but here are some additional things that I carry.

- 12V Test ligt
- Fuse Tester
- Code reader for my car (actually any OBDII)
- about 6-8 screwdrivers (phillips/standard varying sizes)
- offset screwdriver
- Set of combo wrenches from 1/8 to 1" and Metric Equivalent
- adjustable wrenches (one big and one small)
- Standard and Needle Nose Vice Grips
- Standard and Needle Nose Pliers
- Forceps (straight and curved Kelley style)
- Standard and Metric Allen Wrenches
- Spark Detector
- spark plug gapper
- Tape (Duct, electrical, Muffler, tail light)
- Hammer
- 12V Halogen spot light
- Hydraulic Jack (hate those things that come with the car)


This is just for my regular around town driving, I add more for "traveling". The wife just shakes her head and makes me pack the car.

-Eric

Good list Eric!

We did a check today and found:
-a back-country road book (not always accurate but, topographic and WAY more accurate that a regular map (pocket behind the seat)
-a spare pair of glasses in a hard case (glove box)
-a wire fishing leader, J-hook and Gerry worm (review mirror)
-disposable plastic straws (glove box)
-gasline anti-freeze, transmission fluid and extra fuses (under seat)
-extra wipers (trunk)

Sometimes I wish I still had my mini-van!

I hope everyone in the northeast U.S. has their vehicles equipped for a winter emergency - such as being stranded in snow.

We had some excellent discussions on ETS last winter that merit being dusted off.

Best wishes to everyone in the path of this storm. Probably not going to be a big deal in my area and I'm not going venturing much beyond the Beltway this weekend but this is motivation enough for me to get my car preps winter-worthy.