Ten Essentials

What's in Your Car's Glove Box?

Chances are, it isn't gloves.  According to the Car Experts at ForbesAutos.com, here are the top ten things that you'll find in the glove compartment of American cars:

  1. Proof of Insurance (94%)
  2. Registration (92%)
  3. Tissues or Napkins (71%)
  4. Maps (63%)
  5. Flashlight (53%)
  6. Sunglasses (47%)
  7. Vehicle Title (44%)
  8. First-Aid Kits (28%)
  9. Snacks (11%)
  10. Fast Food Condiments (8%)
The percent shows how many cars have that particular item in the glove box. Since you can have more than one thing in your glove compartment, they can add up to more than 100%.

Ten Most Useful Items for Your
Car's Glove Compartment, 1-5

Some of the items on my list are the same as the list of items popularly found in glove compartments, and some are different.  Why?  Let's look at each to find out.

  1. Documentation

Every state requires some documentation to be carried in the vehicle or by the driver.  Carry only what the law requires where you live.  Almost half of us carry our title in our glove box, but I wouldn't unless it's required.  Why?  Makes it too easy for a thief to sell your car.  I've chosen to combine registration & proof of insurance as one "item."  Keep them all together in a car document organizer and they can be handled like one item.

  1. Notebook & Pen

Combining registration with proof of insurance left room on my list for this handy little combination.  I use it primarily to record mileage and gas at fill-ups, but it comes in handy when my wife calls with a grocery list, to leave notes for other drivers or even to exchange personal info if there's been a fender bender.  Peens stored in gloveboxes tend not to work too well.  Either they get dried out or they freeze.  One pen that is reliable under extreme conditions, doesn't cost very much and doesn't take up much space is the Fisher Stowaway Space Pen.

  1. Tissues, Napkins or Wipes

I don't think we need to cover why this is on both lists.  Too many uses to be left behind.

  1. Cell Phone or Charger

Sure you've got a cell phone.  What if there's an emergency and the battery is dead?  Keep an emergency cell phone charger in your glovebox and you'll always be able to make a call when you need to.  What about the maps that 63% of you have in the glove box?  I put them in the map pockets on the seats - along with an atlas.

  1. Flashlight

Actually, I prefer using a headlamp for hands-free operation.  Great if you need both hands  in the dark.  My favorite is the Petzl E+Lite.  It weighs less than 1 ounce.  It has both white and red LED bulbs.  The batteries have a 10 year shelf life and you get 45 hours of use on one set of batteries.  Plus, it's waterproof, and everything fits in a neat little case.

Click here for More