Emergency Car Kit
Emergency Car Kit: Roadside and Vehicle-Specific Supplies
An emergency car kit prepares you for roadside breakdowns, winter stranding, and being away from home when a disruption hits. This guide covers the vehicle-specific supplies that keep you safe and mobile.
Quick Answer
An emergency car kit is a set of supplies kept in your vehicle for roadside breakdowns and being stranded away from home. It includes jumper cables or a jump starter, a flashlight, water, a blanket, a first aid kit, basic tools, and seasonal items like an ice scraper or extra water for heat. Customize it for your climate and how far you drive from home.
Key Takeaways
- •A car kit covers both roadside breakdowns and being stranded away from home.
- •Jumper cables or a jump starter are the core of any car kit.
- •Add seasonal items: a blanket for winter, extra water for heat.
- •Keep a small go-bag in the car in case you must leave the vehicle.
Core Roadside Supplies
Every car kit should have these.
- •Jumper cables or a portable jump starter.
- •A flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries.
- •A basic first aid kit.
- •A tire pressure gauge and a way to inflate a tire.
- •Basic tools: a multi-tool, duct tape, and a wrench.
- •Reflective triangles or flares for visibility.
- •Water and shelf-stable snacks.
- •A blanket or emergency sleeping bag.
Seasonal Additions
Your car kit should change with the seasons. In winter, add an ice scraper, a warm blanket, a shovel, and kitty litter or sand for traction. In summer, add extra water, sun protection, and a hat. Heat and cold both become dangerous quickly in a stranded vehicle.
Swap seasonal items when the weather changes. A kit built for July will not help in a January blizzard, and vice versa.
Being Stranded Away From Home
A disruption can hit while you are at work or on the road. Keep a small go-bag in the car with a change of clothes, sturdy shoes, a flashlight, water, snacks, and copies of documents. This prepares you to walk home or shelter in the vehicle.
If you commute a long distance, plan your route home without relying on a phone. Keep a paper map of your area in the car.
Maintaining Your Car Kit
Check your car kit twice a year. Replace expired food and water, test the flashlight and jump starter, and swap seasonal items. Heat and cold inside a car degrade supplies faster than in a closet.
Keep the kit in the trunk or a dedicated container so it does not slide around. Make sure everyone who drives the car knows where it is and what is in it.
Car Kit by Season
| Season | Add these items |
|---|---|
| Winter | Ice scraper, warm blanket, shovel, sand or kitty litter, gloves |
| Summer | Extra water, sun hat, sunscreen, shade cloth |
| Year-round | Jumper cables, flashlight, first aid, tools, water, snacks |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important item in a car emergency kit?
A way to start a dead battery, either jumper cables or a portable jump starter. A dead battery is one of the most common roadside problems.
Should I keep a go-bag in my car?
Yes, a small one. If a disruption hits while you are away from home, a car go-bag with water, snacks, a flashlight, and sturdy shoes lets you walk home or shelter safely.
How often should I check my car emergency kit?
Twice a year, when you swap seasonal items. Heat and cold inside a car degrade food, water, and batteries faster than indoor storage.
Do I need a jump starter if I have jumper cables?
Jumper cables require a second vehicle. A portable jump starter works alone, which is useful in remote areas or at night. Many people carry both.