Build your own car emergency kit

The AAA reports that three out of five drivers deal with some kind of roadside incident that leaves them stranded. Whether it’s as minor as a low car battery in the parking lot or as severe as a crash on a remote country road, having the right items in your vehicle could make the difference between a quick fix or a long, complicated experience.

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20 things to add to your car’s emergency kit

Save yourself some trouble with these items that can help if you find yourself without immediate help — or just need to patch things up to get back behind the wheel.

1. Cell phone and charger. When you’re in trouble, among your best tools is the ability to call for help. A fully charged phone is handy when you need look up directions, call a friend to pick you up, request a tow truck or even contact emergency services. And a charger can help you power up while driving or traveling.
2. Basic emergency car tools. Most auto-specific and big-box retailers sell car kits containing jumper cables, reflectors to set up around disabled cars, a flashlight, a tire-pressure gauge and more. Owning these tools can more easily get you from the side of the road and to a safer spot, where you can wait for help.
3. First-aid kit. You never know when a roadside adventure will go awry. A well-stocked kit can help you care for a child’s skinned elbow or blisters after a hike. Look for a car first aid kit that includes disinfectant, bandages, gauze pads, antibacterial ointment or salve and generic ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
4. Water and food. A car breakdown is tough enough — why add being hungry and miserable to the mix? Stocking nonperishable snacks like granola bars and bottled water in the car can be a big help if you’re stranded and unsure when help will arrive.
5. Flashlight. If you run into trouble at night, a flashlight’s a must-have. An especially useful tool is a flashlight with a strobe function, which can dramatically increase your visibility on the side of the road — good for your own safety and that of others on the road. It can even be helpful in the daytime. Engine compartments are often dim places to sort out a problem if you need to check on low oil or mysterious leaks.
6. Roadside flares. Reflectors and glow sticks are good. But nothing catches a passing driver’s attention like waving something akin to lit fireworks. Roadside flares are meant to be held while they burn, so you can safely light a flare and flag down another motorist or use one to mark your vehicle’s position in low-visibility weather, like snow or fog.
7. Emergency funds. A stashed-away $20 from your glove compartment can save the day if you run out of gas, need to pay an unexpected bridge toll or just need to grab some food in a cash-only convenience store. A towing service might even offer a slight discount if you pay on the spot.
8. Spare tire and jack. Many vehicles come with a spare tire, typically mounted underneath if it’s a truck or beneath the floor panel of the trunk if it’s a car. But not all cars come with a jack to lift the car or the right tool to remove the wheel’s lug nuts. If you’re driving a vehicle you bought used, see if your vehicle still has everything you need to change a tire on the go. Routinely check your spare tire to see if it’s properly inflated. A flat tire is already a pain, but if your spare is flat too, you might as well not have a spare at all when the time comes to use it.
9. Foam tire sealant. Even better than a traditional patch kit, a canister of foam sealant could mean the difference between a quick fix and manually changing your tire along a busy road. Canisters are relatively inexpensive, and if the tire leak is small, your tire will likely be fine until you can get it permanently fixed or replaced within a couple of days.
10. Rope, towing strap or chain. If the opportunity presents itself, you might be able to connect your car to a good Samaritan’s vehicle safely with a special towing strap designed for that exact purpose. With this tool, you might just save up to $100 in towing fees.

11. Small fire extinguisher. While a rarely carried tool, a fire extinguisher can safely put out electrical fires in the passenger compartment or when there’s smoke following an accident.
12. Duct tape. Duct tape is known by nearly every DIYer out there for its fixing properties. Fix a luggage or bike rack, stabilize a loose piece of trim, reinforce broken glass, patch a leaky window or cover jagged edges resulting from an accident until you can get your vehicle repaired.
13. Blanket or sleeping bag. Unless you live in a warmer climate, cold temperatures can be a factor if you’re ever stranded in the winter. A blanket can keep you cozy while you wait in a disabled car for help to arrive.
14. Empty fuel container. It might sound like keeping a full gas can in your vehicle is a good idea, but it could quickly become a fire hazard in an accident. With a resealable empty fuel jug, you open up the option of walking to the nearest gas station for enough gas to un-strand yourself.
15. Spare vehicle fluids. Sure, we could all be more diligent about checking fluid levels. But many of us never look under the hood unless something’s wrong. Keeping a spare quart of oil, a jug of coolant or radiator fluid and some windshield washing fluid in the trunk is an easy way to fix an issue if you run into trouble on a trip. Low oil or coolant can damage a car engine quickly, so watch out for those indicators on your dashboard. You could be fine between scheduled oil changes in a newer vehicle, but it’s a good idea to check engine fluid levels before driving more than a couple of hours straight.
16. Dry clothes. Especially for people who drive often in snowy weather, a dry pair of shoes can mean the world after digging in the snow or pushing a stuck vehicle back onto the road. If you typically drive in winter conditions, keep some warm boots in your car, as well as spare gloves, a warm hat and even an extra winter coat, if you have one. You never know when you’ll need it — or need to lend warmth to someone who’s underprepared.
17. Rain poncho. Driving in the rain is inevitable, even if you live in a year-round sunny place. To avoid getting soaked, even a cheap plastic poncho is better than nothing if you need to change a tire or walk more than a few feet on a rainy day.
18. Paper and pen. If you must leave your car stuck on the shoulder of the road while you go for help or fuel, leaving a note can let passing motorists or even the police know what happened and how long you expect to be away. You could also consider keeping some pre-filled insurance claims forms in your glove compartment.
19. Snow shovel. Sliding off the road in the winter can be a relatively minor thing that doesn’t require towing, but you’ll likely not be able to drive yourself out of the spot you’re stuck in. When this happens, a shovel can help you dig down past the snow so your car can get better traction on dirt or grass. Also worth mentioning: Cat litter or a small bag of sand in the trunk can be scattered under your tires to help with traction. With that shovel — and perhaps a friend who’s willing to help push — you could get yourself back on the road in no time.
20. Windshield ice scraper. Defrosting your windshield enough to drive on a frigid morning could take 20 minutes or more by keeping your car running only. Most people don’t have that kind of time, and remote starters run for 5 or 10 minutes to warm up before shutting off to conserve fuel. If you live where temperatures often dip below freezing at night, having an ice scraper is a must.

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Things a die-hard prepper might have in their car

You might think you’re hardcore for keeping a toolbox in the trunk. But there are probably a few things you haven’t thought of yet. Consider these options to best prepare for the absolute worst.

• Canned pet food. It’s not for Fido — rather, emergency rations. Search-and-rescue professionals keep unappetizing dog food on hand instead of your typical snack, ensuring they truly wait for extreme hunger only. Especially when you don’t know if or when help is coming.
• Water purification tablets or filters. Gathering water from a seemingly clean and flowing source and then boiling it before drinking is great, but that requires access to a river or spring plus some means of heating the water. If you should find yourself stuck without any drinking water, inexpensive purification tablets can deactivate harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites to make water safe to drink. Or consider pump- or suction-based water filters that use an iodine or chlorine process to clean water. Some small straw-style drinking filters are so effective, you can draw potable water up from a scummy pond without worry.
• Space blanket. They’re reusable, they’re cheap and they pack down to the size of a deck of cards. Keep one (or seven) of these in your car as an extra measure against a cold night in the back seat.
• Pocket mirror. Use a mirror during the day or even at night to reflect light at cars and get attention when you’re seriously stuck. After all, batteries only last so long, especially if you leave the headlights on. In a pinch, a CD can work for reflecting, and most people already have some of those in their car anyway.
• Trauma kit. Going beyond mere cuts and bruises, a trauma kit typically includes an EpiPen and a splint for stabilizing a broken bone. Police officers, paramedics and soldiers also carry kits with treated gauze, which speeds up the body’s natural clotting process to stop severe bleeding. That gauze isn’t cheap, but if you find yourself needing it, the $40 you spent on a little roll of fabric is probably the last of your concerns.
• GPS beacon. If your situation is so dire that you need to call for a search-and-rescue mission, GPS devices out there are designed to do just that at the push of a button. These devices typically cost from $100 to $150, but if you’re often in remote areas with rough terrain, it could be a worthwhile investment.

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What about small kits for a driver like me?

Not everyone is going to get use out of an ice scraper or a pair of snow boots. Depending on where you live and how much you drive, one or two of these smaller kit ideas might be a better choice. Or consider signing up for a survival gear subscription box to get a little bit of everything sent to you every month.

Basic roadside safety kit

If you don’t plan on handling your own repairs during a breakdown, choosing instead to call for help, keeping extra tools and equipment in your vehicle might not appeal to you.

No matter how you plan to deal with your car breaking down, you’ll likely want these items on hand to keep you and your car safe:

• Cell phone and charger
• Roadside flares
• Reflector triangles
• Flashlight with strobe mode
• Food and water
• Blanket, sleeping bag, sweater or jacket

First aid kit

Especially useful if you have children, this little kit could help with anything from an upset stomach to a scraped knee or elbow. It could also come in handy if you’re in a minor accident that leaves you with any little cuts or scrapes that don’t need immediate medical attention.

• Bandages
• Gauze pads
• Disinfectant — bottle or prepackaged wipes
• Adhesive bandages
• Medical tape
• Contact lens solution or saline
• Surgical scissors — for cutting away clothing or trimming bandages
• Food and bottled water
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Dramamine
• CPR mask

Roadside repair kit

If you know your way around a tire change, you’ll want to keep the right tools on hand to tackle a flat tire or other minor repair by yourself. While changing a tire along the side of the road is never ideal, you might prefer that to being stranded and waiting for help.

• Spare tire — ensure it’s properly inflated and leak-free
• Car jack
• Lug wrench
• Flat board or piece of wood — big enough for stabilizing the jack on soft ground
• Rain poncho
• Jumper cables
• Work gloves
• Spare engine fluids — oil, coolant and windshield wash
• Flashlight
• Duct tape
• Compact tool kit — might contain pliers, a wrench set, a small saw, some steel wire and a screwdriver
• Roadside flare or reflective markers
• Multitool
• Rope or bungee cords

Winter driving kit

If you live north of the Mason-Dixon Line, put together these items to prepare for snowy conditions that someone living in San Diego or Phoenix would probably never consider.

• Snow shovel
• Warm boots
• Jumper cables — cold weather can sometimes drain car batteries in a matter of hours
• Spare gloves, socks, hat and jacket
• Cat litter or sand — will help with traction on slippery surfaces
• Ice scraper for windshield
• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Air-activated hand warmers — can be held or inserted into coat pockets for extra warmth
• Roadside flares, glow sticks or reflective markers
• Flashlight

Pet owner kit

If you drive often with your favorite furry friend, having the right things on hand could be a huge help if you end up stranded for a few hours.

• Water
• Pet food
• Food and water dishes
• Treats or special snacks
• Animal sedative or calming treat — typically contains things like tryptophan, chamomile and B vitamins
• Old towel or blanket
• Clean-up supplies — carpet cleaner, wet wipes and paper towels
• Pet-friendly insect repellent

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Maintaining your kit

Most of the items in these kits should last indefinitely, but you’ll need to change out or replace these items every so often.

• Flashlight. Every few months, check the batteries in your light to see if they’re fresh. Because batteries can leak chemicals over time, you may be better off storing the batteries outside the flashlight until you need to use it. The batteries should still be checked periodically to see if they’ve lost charge or begun to degrade.
• Spare tire. Your vehicle may come with a spare tire, and you’ll need to check it periodically to make sure it’s still inflated. A flat spare tire in a time of need is among the ultimate ironies.
• Food and bottled water. Bottled water is meant to last indefinitely. But if that water freezes or gets heated, chemicals can leech from the plastic into the water. And even the most well-sealed granola bars or cookies can go stale after long, so you might want to replace them with new snacks every couple of months.
• Medicine. If you keep a first-aid kit in your vehicle, take note of expiration dates for ibuprofen, acetaminophen or motion-sickness medicine. Taking a pill after its recommended discard date could result in side effects or ineffectiveness.
• Traction aids. Cat litter can clump together and become useless as a traction tool after it’s exposed to moisture — after all, that’s what it was made to do. Replace your stash if you think it’s gotten wet or if it’s heavily clumped inside the container.

Other than maintaining your car kit, give your car a once-over before taking off on a long trip to avoid relying too much on emergency items and tools. Checking your engine fluids, tire pressure and lights could save you a lot of trouble later. Prevention is the ideal solution to most of the issues you might face when stranded on the road.

Building your own custom kit

To put a car kit together that perfectly suits your needs, ask yourself some questions about when and where you drive, plus how ready you are to get your hands dirty.

Is inclement weather likely to be an issue?

If you live in a place like northern Michigan or Vermont, this is a yes. Winter weather can get serious fast when you’re out on the road. Even a bad summer storm can strand you, between poor driving conditions, downed tree limbs, road washouts and more. Consider items from the winter driving kit if you fit into this category, plus basic items for roadside safety.

How much night driving do you do?

If you commute home after dark most days, you’ll benefit from visibility aids if you find yourself stuck on the side of the road. This is where flashlights, road flares, reflective triangles or cones and other high-visibility markers come into play. And because many people let their cell phone batteries dwindle throughout the day, the possibility of being stranded in the evening will probably make you appreciate that car charger even more.

Do you drive with children or pets in the vehicle?

If you often have kids or pets in your car, keep extra food and water on hand along with that first-aid kit in case of any injuries you can handle yourself. It’s also a good idea to keep warm clothing or blankets stashed — children are more susceptible to extreme temperatures than adults.

Are you willing to tackle some issues on your own?

You might consider yourself handy, and maybe you’ve even done some minor maintenance work or changed your own tire. In that case, you’ll want all the tools you need to make the kinds of repairs you’re comfortable with. Other items worth considering could be work gloves, a warm jacket or rain poncho and a flashlight.

If you’re not the type to tackle a roadside repair yourself, your primary concerns will involve staying warm, dry and safe while you call for help or wait for a friend or roadside assistance to arrive. Having a blanket or warm jacket in the vehicle could be helpful, but the biggest help will probably be that cell phone and charger.

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Where to buy your car emergency kit

Amazon

Your one stop shop for prepper supplies

Amazon is a great place to start your search for a car emergency kit. You can find pre-made kits including bug out bags, emergency food supplies, first aid kits and wilderness survival kits. Or you can build your own kit individually and even set up automatic shipments for certain perishable or frequently replaced items.
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• Customer ratings help you choose the best products
• Free shipping with Amazon Prime
• Automatic shipments on some items with Subscribe and Save

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Walmart

Shop online or see what your local store has in stock

Walmart is known for offering a good value and cheaper items. Offering pre-made kits and individual items for your car emergency kit, Walmart is a great place to shop around for ideas whether you’re shopping online or in your local store. Use the related items lists to explore new ideas to customize your kit.

• Related items & huge selection to browse
• Free two day shipping on almost anything
• Free same day pick up available

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Target

Supplies for any kind of emergency kit

Target stores offer a wide selection of survival items without feeling overwhelming. You can shop for tons of pre-made kits in the basic from basic first aid to extreme survival. Unique guides to help you or your family learn survival skills include knot tying kits, wayfinding guides, firestarter kits and general outdoor skills sets. The AAA Emergency Roadside Kit is a nice starter kit in the lower price range to consider.

• Free shipping & returns on any order
• Pre-made kits for any scenario
• Advanced sets to learn survival skills

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Newegg

Not just electronics and computer parts

While Newegg is known for its wide selection of electronics, computers and office supplies, you’ll find plenty of products for preppers and survivalists. You can find the standard ready-made prepper kits, camping backpacks and food packs. You can also browse camping, fishing and outdoor sports sections to find great items for your kit, from tents and utility knives to flashlights and compasses. Newegg doesn’t have the sheer volume as big box stores, but it’s still a solid option to create your survival kit.

• Pre-made kits and unique tools & gadgets
• Free 2 or 3-day shipping with Newegg Premier
• Price match guaranteed on certain products

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Best Buy

Electronics and other gadgets to round out your car kit

Another specialist in electronics and appliances, Best Buy offers solid high-tech options for your emergency kit. Without many pre-made kit options, Best Buy might be the place to find hard-to-find items or finish off your kit with high end items. Compare flashlights, coolers, portable cook stove, reusable water bottles and other small gadgets and tools. A few unique items to consider for your kit include a dry box for electronics and handheld metal detector.

• Free shipping when you spend $35
• Store pickup in an hour
• Basic tools & electronic gadgets

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Bottom line

Depending on where you live and how much you drive, you could end up not needing everything on the ultimate car kit list. Many prepacked emergency kits can cover run-of-the-mill issues on the road. But while you might not end up needing a snow shovel or roadside flare for yourself anytime soon, they could let you help someone else in trouble.

As anyone who has experienced a breakdown can probably tell you, it’s better to be prepared for whatever might come. Be prepared with your own car survival kit or compare car insurance with roadside coverage for any situation you and your emergency kit can’t handle.

Frequently asked questions about car go-kits

• That was a lot of info. What's my final shopping list?

  While you don’t have to get everything in this article, you can start with this checklist of 48 items to think about keeping in your emergency car kit.

  • Bandages
  • Basic emergency car tools
  • Blanket, towel or sleeping bag
  • Canned pet food
  • Car jack
  • Cat litter or sand
  • Cell phone and charger
  • Clean-up supplies for pets
  • Clothes like a sweater, jacket, gloves, boots, socks and hat
  • Compact tool kit
  • Contact lens solution or saline
  • Disinfectant
  • Dramamine
  • Duct tape
  • Emergency funds
  • Empty fuel container
  • Fire extinguisher, portable
  • First-aid kit
  • Flashlight
  • Flat board or piece of wood
  • Foam tire sealant
  • Food and bottled water
  • Food and water dishes for pets
  • Gauze pads

  • GPS beacon
  • Hand warmers
  • Ibuprofen or acetaminophen
  • Ice scraper
  • Insect repellent for pets
  • Jumper cables
  • Lug wrench
  • Medical tape
  • Medicine
  • Multitool
  • Paper and pen
  • Pet food
  • Pocket mirror
  • Roadside flares, glow sticks or reflective markers
  • Rope or bungee cords
  • Rope, bungee cords ot towing chain
  • Snow shovel
  • Spare tire and jack
  • Spare vehicle fluids
  • Surgical scissors
  • Traction aids
  • Trauma kit
  • Treats or special snacks
  • Water purification tablets or filters

• How do I locate my spare tire and check if it's inflated?

  You’ll find a diagram or description of where to find your spare tire in your owner’s manual for your vehicle. In most standard cars, SUVs and minivans, the spare tire is stashed under a panel in the trunk or cargo area. In pickup trucks, the spare is likely mounted underneath the truck bed. Some Jeeps or similar small SUVs mount a spare tire on the rear cargo hatch or the rear bumper, where it’s easy to access.

  To check if your spire tire is inflated, use a tire-pressure gauge — available at auto parts stores, mechanic shops and most gas stations — to find out if the pressure is at the recommended level. The recommended inflation pressure is usually printed on the outside of every tire. But if you’re in doubt or the print isn’t readable, look in your owner’s manual for an exact number. Keep in mind that most spare tires require a different inflation pressure than your typical tire, given how much smaller they are.

• When should I call for a tow truck?

  If your car is damaged, severely stuck or too disabled to safely drive, calling a tow truck is your safest bet.

  But they aren’t cheap, and you may have to wait an hour or two before a truck can get to your location. If someone you know owns a pickup truck or large SUV, see if they can help out with a chain or tow strap to pull out your vehicle.

  Because every vehicle is different, you might need to check the owner’s manual for your specific car before poking around in the engine compartment. But most fluids you should monitor are easy to see when you lift the hood of your car or truck. These fluids include engine oil, engine coolant and windshield fluid.

  Another fluid to keep an eye on is transmission fluid, but it might only be accessible by a mechanic who knows what they’re doing. If your transmission fluid or the mechanisms themselves need attention, you’ll likely see an indicator light on your dashboard before it affects your driving — and, in that case, it’s a good idea to get it checked out as soon as possible.

• How do I handle a breakdown at night or in low-visibility weather?

  This type of situation is when your emergency car kit could really come in handy. In an ideal situation, you’re on a road with a wide shoulder or a spot to pull away from the traffic lanes. Getting yourself and your car out of harm’s way is the first step. Then you’ll want to turn your car’s hazard lights on, and possibly the overhead lighting. Next, set up reflective markers between your car and the traffic lanes to make your situation more visible. Make use of a flashlight, a flare or reflective clothing, but stay inside your vehicle to keep safe if you’re stuck near a roadway.

  Step out to signal passing cars when it’s safe to do so, and never stand out in the middle of the road to flag down another motorist. Standing outside your car close to moving traffic, especially in the dark or in low-visibility weather, can be dangerous.