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Car Emergency Kit

A car emergency kit should include more than a AAA card (although having emergency roadside assistance is a GREAT idea, and many auto insurance policies offer it for a nominal fee). What if you are out of cell phone range? A good emergency car kit can get you to civilization where you can get more extensive repairs done. Here is what is in my Car Emergency Kit, broken down by section.

Fluids

  • Windshield Washer fluid - one of those little items that does not seem all that important until you do not have it. In colder climates you can get wiper fluid with anti-freeze.

  • Couple of quarts of oil - it is a good idea to check all the fluid levels before you go, particularly the oil. If you have an older car, or a leak, some extra oil can mean the difference between getting to a gas station and spending the night on the road. Oil is cheap and does not take up much space, definitely a must have.

  • Gallon of Antifreeze - In an emergency you can put water in your radiator (well actually the safest place to add water or antifreeze is the overflow reservoir), but having antifreeze on hand allows you to save that water for drinking, in case you are stranded. it is best to keep the fluids for you and your car use separate.

  • Gas in a Jerry can - You may want to consider taking some extra fuel along the way. If you do, be sure to get a good quality approved container. A Jerry can mounted outside the vehicle can prevent you from dealing with the fumes. Understand that there is the risk of fire, and if you keep the container outside the vehicle, theft is also a possibility. Most folks do not carry gas, but it is an option.

Safety Equipment

  • Triangle - a reflective triangle is another must have item in your car emergency kit. Rather than run out of batteries or burn out like a road flare, a safety triangle is a passive device that reflects the headlights of oncoming traffic. You can put it back several yards, and ensure that oncoming drivers know there is a disabled vehicle ahead.

  • Six roadside flares - Bright flares will draw a driver's attention even on the darkest night. The problem is they burn out quickly, so be sure to carry enough to mark the hazard until you can get the vehicle safely out of the flow of traffic. Another good alternative is battery operated emergency beacons. Because they use batteries, they can last much longer than flares. The beacons can also be reused, and there is no fire danger. However it is important to be sure that you have fresh batteries in them, and it is also a good idea to have a few spare batteries in the car emergency kit.

  • Headlight and/or Flashlight and Extra Batteries - For years I just carried a large flashlight in the car. Until one dark evening when I needed to change a tire, and you guessed it, the batteries were dead. Ever since then I have carried extra batteries, and I check them. Most manufacturers are now putting "Use By" dates directly on the package, so a quick look once a year is all I need to make sure I have light when I need it. Along those same lines, when you are trying to muscle a tire off, having the ability to use two hands AND see what you are doing is invaluable. A good quality head light (for you, not the car) allows you to put the spotlight on what you are doing, and still be able to do it. Finally I have gotten in the habit of making sure I have a small flashlight on every key chain in the house. it is simple, they are tiny, and you would be surprised how much you use them- from just checking the mail, to hunting that keyhole in the dark parking garage. The Fenix E05 is an awesome and inexpensive light.

  • Seat Belt Cutter and Glass Breaker Rescue Tool - if the worst of all possible things happen and you are involved in a serious accident, having a seat belt cutter and glass breaker such as the life hammer can be priceless. Also, if you come upon a scene of an accident and help is too far away, you can use it to help others. Before a trip, it is a good idea to always check the Good Samaritan Laws, to know how and when to render aid. There is nothing worse than trying to help someone and landing in legal trouble.

  • Multi-tool - Back when I was a scout, a pocket knife was cutting edge technology. Now multi-tools take everything that the pocket knife had to offer, and add even more functionality to the palm of your hand. Right now I am partial to the Swiss Tool Spirit, but Leatherman makes some great tools as well. Just be sure to get a full size tool, to be able to use it on the car, some of those stuck items will snap a smaller or cheaper tool like it is made of plastic.

  • Emergency First Aid Kit - A good quality first aid kit, custom tailored to your needs and level of skill. It can be as simple as some band aids and alcohol wipes, all the way up to a trauma kit, similar to what EMTs carry.

Tires/Battery

  • Energizer Jumper/Inverter - There was a time when if you had an old tool box and a set of jumper cables in your car, you were all set. Of course this also implies you have another driver nearby who can offer up their battery for a jump. The Energizer 84020 12V All-In-One combines a jump-start with an air compressor and even a power inverter. So you can run 12v devices, plug in ac devices using the 200w inverter, jump start the car and fill the tires, all in one compact unit. No other car required!

  • Tire Repair - a canned tire repair solution, such as a Fix-A-Flat or Slime, may save you from having to change out to the spare. Provided the hole is small, the rotation of the tire will evenly spread the chemical an plug the hole, making a short trip to a gas station possible. Slime makes kits that also included an air compressor.

  • Tire Pressure Gauge - a tire gauge is not just useful when replace tire. Ensuring you have the proper tire pressure will actually give you better gas mileage, and prevent uneven tire wear, making your investment in tires last longer, and thus saving you money.

Parts

  • Extra fuses - The time to buy a variety of fuses is before you need them, not when you are off in the middle of nowhere. Some auto manufacturers will include a selection of spare fuses in the door of the fuse box. Look in your owner's manual and check, you may already have this item covered!

  • Fan Belts - In an emergency you can use pantyhose for a fan belt, but it is best to not have to do this. If you are going on that long trip and it has been years since you replaced your belts, you may want to just have a mechanic replace them and save you the trouble. Otherwise you can certainly buy a set of belts and replace them if there is an emergency. Personally I try to do all the maintenance I can at home, rather than on the road.

  • Radiator Hoses for the extra paranoid. Of course if you are that concerned about it, you may just want to have the belts/hoses changed a week or so prior to the trip. The reason to do it early is to make sure there are no leaks or failures prior to a big trip.

Tools

  • Tow Rope - A good quality tow rope can be used to pull your car, or a stranded motorist's car out of trouble. Be sure to use either a chain or strap rated for the tow, using a regular rope is dangerous, as it can snap violently. When you are hooking up the tow rope, be sure to attach to the frame of the tow vehicle. If you attach to the bumper or body, it may come lose while towing. Most owners manuals have the recommend tow point locations, and many vehicles have tow points built right into the frame.

  • Paracord - Originally used for rigging in parachutes, paracord can be used for a variety of tasks. It is strong and light, making it ideal for tying down loads or even cinching up a damaged fender on the way to the garage.

  • Tarp - A tarp is useful to cover a load during rain, and protect items from being wind beaten during a long trip. It also keeps out prying eyes (and fingers) during stops for food or gas. Finally, during an emergency it can be used for shade or ground cover.

  • Screwdrivers (Phillips and Flat) - Screwdrivers allow you to repair and replace items in the engine, I am amazed at how often something simple fixes the problem. You can sometimes fix a leaky radiator hose by simply tightening the clamp around the hose where it meets the radiator, which is of course impossible without a screwdriver...

  • Vise Grip Pliers - if you are dealing with a nut, the preferred tool is of course a wrench. However, if you do not have the right sized wrench and it is an emergency, vise grip pliers can get the job done. You can also create additional leverage by locking them on to another tool, such as a screwdriver, and break lose a stuck screw.

  • Adjustable wrench - If you choose not to carry a full auto mechanics wrench set in your tool box, be sure to put in a couple of adjustable wrenches in various sizes. They cannot handle as much torque as a conventional box end wrench, but will work for all but the most stubborn nuts and bolts.

  • Sockets - Sockets are definitely an optional item, but they can make a knuckle busting job like changing out a water pump much easier. The ability to ratchet back and forth without having to reset the wrench can save a lot of time, and bruises.

  • 4-Way Lug Wrench - If you have ever changed a tire with the factory wrench, or a regular socket, you will definitely appreciate a 4-way lug wrench. The dealerships and tire repair centers use air powered impact wrenches to crank down those lug nuts. Unless you have a tool with enough leverage, it can be almost impossible to get those lugs off. A 4-Way allows you to push on one side and pull on the other, and makes quick work of those stuck lug nuts. One flat tire is all it took to make a believer out of me.

  • Jack - The tire jack that comes with most cars today is tiny, and barely functional. I prefer to have something a bit more beefy, so if I have to change a tire on a slight incline I don't worry about the stability of the jack. Hydraulic jacks make quick work of heavy loads. Speaking of stability, you can also invest in a set of chalks to keep those tires from moving. Even a couple of bricks can help.

Miscellaneous

  • Rags - Nothing gets grease off your hands better than a rag and some dry hand cleaner. They are cheap and last forever, every kit should have them.

  • Roll of Paper Towels - I carry my paper towels in the back seat. I started when I was having a problem with the dashboard off gassing and causing a film on the inside of the windshield (it is called vinyl fog, apparently common on some cars), and I would use Windex and clean it off. Over time, I learned they are very handy, for everything from greasy little fingers from fast food to the emergency Kleenex. In an emergency they can be used as a makeshift bandage.

  • Roll of Duct Tape - There are few items as versatile as duct tape, it has been used from air conditioning ducts to emergency patches for boats. Originally developed for the military, it was quickly adapted to civilian use, and is even marketed under the Duck Tape brand, which explains why some folks incorrectly identify the generic type of tape as a bird rather than the application the tape was designed for. Heavy duty duct tape can patch a leaky radiator hose, or be used for first aid, such as holding bandages or making a sling. Pound for pound, duct tape is one of the best tools to have in your emergency car kit.

  • Ice Scraper - I have seen people use a credit card to scrape ice, and then later on the magnetic strip failed to work. It is best to buy the right tool for the job, particularly when you can have a good ice scraper for very little money. As a side note, never ever put warm water on a cold windshield to remove ice, chances are very good that the windshield will shatter. While the safety glass will not break into dangerous pieces, it will be hard to see out of, and require an expensive replacement. If you do want to use a de-icer, windshield wiper fluid with antifreeze is specifically designed for this application.

  • Pencil and Paper - You never know when you are going to need to write an address down. Or a license plate number. Carrying a pencil ensures you never run out of ink, and a box of 3 x 5 index cards can also double as an emergency fire starter.

  • Canvas Bag - A good quality heavy duty bag to keep all the parts of the kit in will keep them from sliding all over the trunk.

  • Chains and/or Kitty Litter - I get a lot of questions about the kitty litter, but first let's talk about chains. A set of tire chains allows you to drive in snowy, icy conditions. If you live in areas that get frequent snow cover, you have undoubtedly seen some roads that are closed except for vehicles with chains- so to make sure you can get to that lodge be sure to buy them before the season starts. Kitty Litter is more of an emergency item. If you get stuck, pouring kitty litter around the tire will allow it to gain additional traction and get you on your way, by "rocking" the car back and forth in the rut until you can drive out.

  • Small Shovel - a shovel will allow you to dig out a bit around a stuck tire. This allows you more movement to rock back and forth and get unstuck.

  • Extra Cell Phone Charger - Lots of people will remember their cell phone, but not everyone leaves with a fully charged cell phone every trip. Invariably, when you need it most, your phone battery will die. If you have a car charger, or a battery powered cell charger, this becomes a minor inconvenience, and not a major problem.

Food

  • Granola or Energy Bars - You do not need to have a full pantry in your trunk, but some simple, long lasting granola or energy bars can ensure that if you are stranded you keep your energy up.

  • Meals Ready to Eat - The military has spent years developing efficient and practical food storage, all the way back to the Civil War. Today's MREs are light, long lasting and much more flavorful than they used to be. They even heat themselves! A few MREs can go a long way toward taking care of you and your family's caloric requirements during an emergency. Camping Meals are a great alternative as well, they tend to lighter and fewer calories, but tastier. During Hurricane Katrina many people had MREs, but wanted to trade them for better tasting food.

  • 3 Gallons Water - Water is one of the most important items you can carry in your car. Figure one gallon per person per day in an emergency. You need it for drinking, but it is also useful for cooking and cleaning. If you have to it can go in the radiator, but during an emergency it is best to do that as a last resort. Adequate water is particularly important when traveling during the summer months, and desert locales. Don't forget pets, and have a water bowl for them.

Books

  • Service Manual - Having a guide for working on your vehicle before anything breaks can be very helpful. Guides such as Chiltons or Haynes are more generic than the dealer service manuals, but will show the location of all the parts and walk you through basic repair. It is also much easier to find a guide for a late model vehicle, so be sure to pick one up before your car is more than four or five years old.

  • Auto Repair for Dummies - is a great book for anyone who did not grow up with a wrench in their hand. Deanna manages to make the complex world of auto mechanics fun and easy. This is a great book for teens who are just starting to drive - with hints and advice on how to do things like change a tire if you are not a 300lb muscle man and changing your own oil. If you have even opened the hood an been intimidated by an engine, this is the book for you.

  • Maps/Atlas - as nice as GPS units are, the sometimes do not work. The battery can go out if you do not have a unit that uses a cigarette lighter. Or, as I found out just the other day, if it is particularly overcast one day, they will refuse to get a satellite lock. Regardless of the reason, you need a backup. On a cross country trip, a recent Atlas can be a lifesaver. Around the city, a recent map in the glove compartment takes up almost zero space, and can get your from point A to point B with a minimum amount of frustration.

So there you have it, pretty much everything I carry in my car emergency kit. If you have something you think I should include, go ahead and drop me a line at the contact link and I will be happy to add it. Happy motoring!