She has spent 20 years figuring out what belongs where in your vehicle and has helped to create features like the lockable bin under the rear seat of a Ford Super Duty pickup.
Here are her tips, plus a couple of my own.
Sejal Shreffler’s tips for organizing your car
Know your zones. Figure out what you need quick access to, especially anything you might need while the vehicle is moving. Parking passes, sunglasses, etc. They belong nearby, where you can reach them without moving yourself. Even the glove box is too far to reach and too hard to see in a moving vehicle. These items belong in the storage bin or trays of the center console, driver’s door and dash. If you’ve wondered why automakers are experimenting with so many new shifter designs, one of the reasons is to create more storage space in the center console, between the front seats. Everything else in the car goes farther from the driver in zones determined by when and how often you use them.
- Size matters. Put little objects in small cubbies, where they'll be easy to find and won't roll out of reach. A plastic tray can keep pens, etc., together in the glove box or center console.
Now, my list
I’m nowhere near as organized as Shreffler – ask anybody who’s seen my desk in the newsroom – but when you jump from one vehicle to another as often as I do, you either develop a few good habits or spend a lot of time looking for the USB cable you left in last week’s test vehicle.
Now, quick: Where’s your tire gauge?
You DON’T HAVE ONE? Oh, man, oh, woman. We gotta talk.
Common sense
- Seat belts aren't just for people. Use the passenger side belts to hold your briefcase, grocery bag, etc., in place. They're less likely to spill onto the floor and distract you in traffic.
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