No matter how far you’re going or how good you think your driving is, you never want to leave home without an emergency kit in your vehicle. As motorists, we need to expect the unexpected. And with so many potential problems that can arise out on the road, you need to be prepared for anything.
Some emergencies are minor, like a dead battery or a flat tire, while others are more serious, like motor vehicle accidents or severe weather that could leave you stranded. Ensuring you have a complete emergency kit stocked with all the essentials could literally be the difference between life and death.
The Most Important Items For A Car Emergency Kit
If you were to sit down at the kitchen table and start a list of all the items that you might possibly need in an emergency situation you might find yourself with an impossibly long list. Everyone’s emergency kit will be different depending on a few factors:
- The type of trips you go on.
- Your budget.
- How much free space you have in your car.
Once you’ve completed a list of all the items you’d like to have in your emergency kit (and what you think will reasonably be able to fit) you might be tempted to go out and buy everything all at once. That’s great if you can afford it. However, that might not be feasible for those of us that are on a tight budget. That’s why we’ve created this list of what we consider to be the absolute most essential items you should never leave home without. Many of them you might be able to find lying around the house.
Spare Tire, Jack, And Tire Iron

A flat tire is probably one of the most common roadside emergencies. The great news is that it isn’t really much of an emergency if you have all of the right tools and know-how.
A spare tire, a lug nut wrench, and a jack are most likely already included in your vehicle. Refer to your car’s operating manual and familiarize yourself with the procedures associated with changing the tire. You may even want to practice once or twice so that you can do it easily if you find yourself in a time of need. Make sure you inspect your spare tire annually or bi-annually to ensure that it is inflated properly.
One item that is not entirely necessary but pretty handy is a portable air compressor. If you end up getting a flat in a place where it’s not especially safe to change the tire, you can quickly use an air compressor to get enough air into your tire so that you can safely drive to another location.
Jumper Cables Or Portable Battery Charger

A dead battery is probably the second most common reason drivers end up getting stranded. That’s why we’ve made a battery charger or jumper cables second on our list of essential items to have in your car’s emergency kit.
Jumper cables are great if you tend to only drive in areas that are well populated. They are very compact, but they are of no use if there are no other vehicles around that can give you a jumpstart. If you tend to drive in areas that are sparsely populated, you may consider carrying a portable battery charger just in case your battery dies and there is nobody around to help.
Driver’s First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is something you should have access to at all times, not just when you’re driving. A first aid kit in your car can be indispensable when it comes to treating small cuts and bruises and even more serious injuries that might result from a motor vehicle collision. If you have small children be sure to include medication that is appropriate for them.
Road Flares Or Reflective Triangles

If you find yourself broken down on the side of the road, especially at night, it is essential to have emergency equipment that can warn other drivers of the upcoming hazard. Road flares and reflective triangles are designed specifically for this purpose. You may consider investing in battery-operated road flares which utilize LEDs for an option that is more environmentally friendly. A headlamp or handheld flashlight is also essential to keep on your person during a roadside emergency so that other drivers are able to see you easily. You may also choose to keep a reflective vest in your kit as well so that you will be easily visible to other drivers.
Cell Phone And Portable Charging Pack

If you find yourself in an emergency situation, you need a way to call for help! That’s why it is critical that you carry a mobile phone. It’s recommended that you also carry a portable battery and charging cable compatible with your phone, just in case you aren’t able to charge your phone from your car battery.
Spare Fluids And Basic Tools

If you find yourself with some basic car troubles and you are handy, you may be able to patch the problem enough to make it to the nearest repair shop. This is only true, however, if you have the right tools for the job. Here are a few basic items you may consider keeping in your roadside emergency kit:
- Spare fluids: Motor oil, coolant, and brake fluid.
- Spare parts: Extra belts and bulbs.
- Tools: Screwdrivers, pliers, and an adjustable wrench.
Food, Water, And Blankets
If you get stranded in a remote area, you’ll want to make sure you have a few things in your emergency kit to survive for a day or two until help arrives. That means you need the essentials:
- Water: Consider carrying water in small plastic jugs so they can defrost quickly if needed in wintertime.
- Food: A few non-perishable food items can last a long time in your emergency kit. Things like jerky, nuts, and peanut butter make great additions.
- Warmth: If you get stuck in your car overnight you’ll be glad to have some warm clothes or extra blankets to stay toasty until help arrives.
Winter Items

If you tend to drive in an area where there is a lot of snow and ice there are a few extra things you’ll want to include in your emergency kit:
- Tire chains
- Gloves
- Ice scraper
- Shovel
- Kitty litter (to help get traction if you get stuck on an icy spot)
Storing Your Vehicle Emergency Kit

Most people have room in their trunk to store their emergency kit. Get a sturdy storage box or a large duffel bag to keep all of your items in one place. If you are short on space, you may consider a set of organizers that attach to the back of the front seats to store certain items.
Make sure you do an audit of your emergency kit bi-annually. You’ll want to go over this checklist and make sure everything is working properly. You may need to replace certain items like food or batteries that have expired every so often.
The roadside emergency kit is something you probably won’t have to pull out that often, but when you do, boy, will you be glad that you have it! Remember, every individual’s or family’s emergency kit is going to look a little different according to their specific needs and traveling style. Refer to this article as a guide and add or remove items as you see fit. If you get stuck on the side of the road and need help moving your vehicle, call Jimmy’s Spokane Towing!