Lot of good suggestions there... Volvo folks sure do think ahead and plan for the worse ;-)

I'd say first that it depends on how far you are going.... I keep only the basic stuff for my regular commute type driving.. safety stuff, spare tire (check the air regularly) and known good jack, a random (and rotating as needed) assortment of screwdrivers, wrenches, tape, baling wire, jumper wires, fluids.

For long trips, I take a spare AMM, fuel pump, fuel pump relay... in older cars, I'll take a spare distributor. and a much larger assortment of tools.

I don't take a timing belt, but I will check it. If it's age is in question, I'll replace it before I leave, along with the water pump of course.

The one thing I wish I'd have thought of this past summer is a spare brush pack/voltage regulator. That shut me down, and it's a hard thing to find in the middle of nowhere, Wyoming. and it only takes a few minutes to replace.

A good flashlight or two is a must... A 4 'D' cell maglight is my weapon of choice. bright enough to see house numbers or street signs from a good distance, big enough to break out a window or beat off a bad guy or dog...

A mini-mag light is nice to have too for obvious reasons...

And spare batteries for both.

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-Matt I ♥ my ♂