Most of us never think about having a road emergency kit – until we need one. When you actually need such a kit, it can mean the difference between life and death. We’ve all heard stories of people getting stuck in a blizzard in the middle of nowhere, but even in the event of a simple flat tire, having a road emergency kit in your car or truck can be a true lifesaver. Or at least significantly reduce your anxiety.
“No worries,” you say. “I have roadside assistance.” Well, sure, but what if you are somewhere with no cell phone service and can’t call CAA or your manufacturer’s 1-800 line? Keeping a road emergency kit in your trunk gives you an extra layer of protection when things go wrong. With such a kit, you can set out road flares and signs for help. If you have a flat tire and no spare, a can of sealant might get you down the road. If you find yourself stuck in your vehicle all night, at least you’ll have food, water and a warm blanket.
If your car breaks down, remember to:
If you are stranded by the side of the road without a phone or assistance, rely on your roadside emergency kit.
A quick search on Amazon or other website will give you with any number of excellent pre-made kits, but we thought you’d like to know what you really need in a road emergency kit and why. If you make your own, you’ll be sure of the quality of each item and add peace of mind to your next road adventure. Plus, all of the following will fit in a backpack.
These are at the top of the list because they are a “must have” when your car won’t start due to a dead car battery. Jumper cables, sometimes known as “booster cables,” also come in handy when someone else’s car won’t start. Be sure to get the correct gauge for your vehicle.
You can buy small lithium-ion batteries that will jump start your car without needing a good samaritan to happen by. If you add one of these to your kit, keep it charged and ready to go.
You can go “old school” and buy road flares, or get glow sticks or LED lights to alert other drivers that you are having trouble. Triangle reflectors and “need help” signs – set these out by the road to alert others that you have a problem.
Sometimes you need to top off your oil or your car develops a leaky seal during a road trip.
Anyone who has ever had a leaky radiator hose will tell you that a gallon of coolant can really save you. Let the engine cool down before you pop the radiator cap and add coolant!
These generally include bandages, gauze and a tourniquet to stop bleeding, saline to clean wounds, non-latex gloves, pain relievers and even antibiotics. Auto-specific kits also have a seat belt cutter and window glass breaker.
Some people throw a “space blanket” in their kit, but we prefer a proper warm blanket. After all, the emergency road kit goes in your trunk – so why not use a bigger and more effective blanket?
You wouldn’t believe how many people drive around without this essential and inexpensive torch to light up the night. While you’re at it, don’t forget extra batteries.
A small fire extinguisher can put out plastic, gasoline or electrical fires. They are rechargeable and contain monoammonium phosphate dry chemical.
We’re not talking about something fancy here. Just a Phillips-head and standard screwdriver, a pair of pliers, an adjustable wrench, and maybe a Swiss Army knife and a roll of electrical tape or duct tape will get you through all kinds of calamities.
Fix-a-flat will get you home or to a tire shop. A can of this stuff should be in every vehicle trunk.
Keep one of these in your glove compartment and don’t be afraid to use it. Your car’s tire pressures are extremely important. Keeping your tires properly inflated will get you better mileage too.
A simple plastic rain poncho can be very handy when you find yourself changing a flat tire in a gully-washing deluge.
In freezing conditions, chemical hand warmers offer portable heat in the palm of your hand and will keep your fingers warm for seven hours.
From cleaning off your dipstick to clearing your windshield of bugs, paper towels have one hundred and one uses around a car. An old household towel can also come in handy.
A small plastic spray bottle of Windex or another window cleaner will help keep the road ahead clear. Great for long trips.
This simple and inexpensive plastic tool is worth its weight in gold on cold mornings when there is ice covering your car windows. If you don’t believe us, try using a credit card to scrape ice.
Trail mix, energy bars and crackers will get you through a crisis when you are stuck somewhere.
Keep a bottle or two of water in your road emergency kit. Not only for drinking in an emergency, but for cleaning a wound should the need arise. You might also want to carry a small, 10-litre no-spill plastic gas can in the trunk. It will be very important if you find yourself out of gasoline.
Besides keeping your road emergency kit in the trunk of your car, another good idea is to create a Grab and Go Kit for natural emergencies such as a wild fire, earthquake or tornado. Keep a travel bag packed in your house in a place that is easy to get to. In the event of a disaster, you can grab that bag and run out the door if you have to. Make sure it contains the following:
Once you have assembled your emergency kit, go through it and become familiar with everything – especially the first aid kit. Make sure you know how everything works, from the fix-a-flat and road flares to your jumper cables. Check the kit every six months and replace expired items.
At Lithia, we hope you never need to use your road emergency kit, but you’ll be ready if you do.
