1. Break out your summer shades
2. A hat
You don't need anything fancy for a hat just for keeping in your car. But it is important to make sure that you have an extra knit hat to keep your head and ears warm, just in case you forget the one you usually wear with your coat at home one morning. Keep a plain knit hat in your center console for chilly days. Tip: You can find one at Walmart and your local Dollar store for cheap.
3. A pair of warm gloves
These gloves don't have to be expensive and they don't have to be a fashion statement. Keep an extra pair of gloves (along with the hat) in your car to wear for when you've just soaked your gloves trying to brush the snow off of your car or if your steering wheel is freezing cold when you get into your car.
4. A blanket
A blanket is important to keep in your car for the cold winter months. This is because it is a necessity for keeping warm if your heat suddenly bites the dust mid-snowstorm, or if you have passengers who get cold easily. Tip: After Christmas, there are often great sales on Christmas-themed blankets and you can probably grab a nice one for under $15.
5. A snow brush
Having a snow brush in the car for winter storms seems like a no-brainer for those hardy New England drivers who have been on the road for a long time. However, if you just recently got your car or if your old snow brush is MIA, make sure that you've picked one up at your local hardware store (try Howe Lumber in East Brookfield, Mass). When your car is covered in snow, you'll be thankful that you don't have to try to clear your car off with your sleeve.
6. Car phone charger
In the midst of winter storms and frigid weather, be sure that your car's oil has been changed within the past days and be sure to notice anything out of the ordinary. Freezing weather is not ideal for having to pull into the break down lane and wait for a tow truck. Be prepared for a situation like this just in case, by keeping a car phone charger in your car that charges via the cigarette lighter and a USB cable. Grab one at Walmart with 3 UBB port capability for $11.
7. Jumper Cables
These are generally a good thing to have in your car all year long. For about $20 on Amazon.com Jumper cables will save the day if you or your best friend's car won't start on a cold night in the garage or on the parking deck. Without the cables, you may need to have your car towed to get it out of the parking lot and you certainly might be stuck somewhere if you're off campus. Always have some in your car to jump start your battery. Older cars tend to have more issues with this during winter.
8. Sweatshirt
Keep a warm sweatshirt in your car for winter storms. It can be useful if your coat gets soaked while you're trying to brush the snow off of your car. You will also be thankful to have an extra layer of warmth available if you have to wait in your car when it's not running correctly.
9. Small shovel
For the purpose of digging your car out of the snow in the winter after a long day of classes and snowfall, you should keep a sport utility shovel in your trunk. Many companies make these shovels out of aluminum and they usually disassemble for easy storage. Don't buy a full-sized shovel to keep in your trunk, it will be too bulky and you'll end up taking it out so it won't be in your trunk when you actually need it.
