Car Kits

You never know when you might find yourself stranded in your car. Where you live greatly determines what you want to have in your emergency supply kit. For this reason, car kits are very specific to YOU and YOUR family. Chances are, if you ever break down, there will probably be many people passing by that will be more than happy to help you out with whatever you need, and emergency vehicles will probably be just minutes away. But, prepare for your situation. If you spend a lot of time driving rural country roads with sparse traffic during the winter months, then you are going to want to prepare a little differently than the person who spends the bulk of their time on busy interstates during the daylight hours. For this reason, car kits aren't a one-size-fits-all item. You need to consider which items pertain to you and your driving habits and supply your vehicle based on that. Quick example: I wouldn't ever leave without a tow strap, a tree strap, a snatch block (most won't even know what this is), an air compressor, a ham radio, and a satellite based communications device. Does this mean you need these items? Absolutely not. These reside in my Jeep and are there for off-road purposes. I spend a lot of time out on trails with no cell service and where the chances of me getting stuck or breaking an axle are very high. I actually look forward to getting stuck and being able to use this equipment on occasion. But most of you will never need any of this equipment. So with that, let's continue.

The below items may or may not pertain to you. To help you with ideas, I've come up with a list of items that may be very useful, depending on your situation. I have prioritized these items into 2 categories, based on what I believe is the order of importance. Again, consider each item and determine if it applies to you. Don't just buy something because I said so. Concentrate on the Priority 1 items first and then move on to the Priority 2 items. Add additional items as you feel necessary. And over time, work on getting a kit for each car you own.

Some of these items may or may not ever get used, but for the price, it's worth it for me to have them. I look at them the same way I look at insurance. I gladly pay for it, but I hope I never have to use it (especially when it comes to life insurance). But if you do ever need it, you'll be glad you had it. Most of these items are already laying around the house, or just a few dollars, which equates to totally cheap insurance. Invest in it now and move on. 

Priority 1 Items:

I keep these items in two separate places: 1) In the center console, glove compartment, or in the doors (easily accessible when driving), and 2) In the trunk, back of the vehicle, or bed of the truck.

Center console or glove compartment:

• Pocket knife- I use this all the time.

• Flashlight- Always have a flashlight in your vehicles. I store the batteries outside the flashlight for longer storage life. I prefer a flashlight with a magnet or hook, incase you need it to work under the hood. I love this one: Amazon Link as well as this one: Amazon Link. Headlamps are great as well, and I address these in the "Priority 2 Items" section below.

• Several bags of several sizes- Many uses. Larger trash bags work as a makeshift poncho, and smaller bags have tons of uses, including garbage bags for road trips and Gallon ziploc bags (sick sacks) for kids that get car sick. I just learned the value of these the other day. For me, these are now a must. I keep these somewhere VERY accessible, like if it takes me longer than 3 seconds to get to, they are not accessible enough. 

• Energy bars or high-energy snacks- Stores easy. We keep a "goodie bag" in our center console and our kids go for this often. So rotating is not really an issue for us, but if the kids aren't constantly going through this stash, rotate periodically.

• Energy drink mix- These come in powder form and store easy. I use Emergen-C and Zip-Fiz (Zip-Fiz for roadtrips to keep me awake).

• Water- In addition to the bulk continer mentioned above, I always keep individual water bottles in the cab of our vehicles in the doors. Most vehicles today have water bottle holders or space in the doors.

• Kleenex- Yet again, all the time.

• Pen and Paper- If you have to leave a message for someone. I actually use the pen and paper all the time for phone call notes or what not.

• A few bandaids- While the first aid kit is nearby, it's very convenient to have a few bandaids immediately accessible, especially if you have kids.

Trunk or back items:

• Jumper Cables or Jumper battery- Don’t rely on someone else having cables to give you a jump. I use mine more to give others a jump.

• Glow sticks- Have several on hand.

• Electrical Tape- Many uses.

• Tie down straps- At least a couple. These come more in handy for every day use, particularly if you drive a truck, but always good to have on hand. I love the ratchet type straps.

• Gloves- Always protect your hands. You never know when you’re going to be digging out or working on your vehicles.

• Blankets- I always keep a couple in each vehicle. My wife and kids use these all the time, summer, winter, doesn't matter. They are a must in my vehicles.

• Tire plug kit- Very simple to use and will fix most tire leaks. These may be temporary fixes, but they will get you to a place that can fix it. I've had to use them before. Note: If you choose to include these, make sure you know how to use them.

• First Aid Kit- A must. Do your own research and get at least something. I like the kits from www.mymedic.com. I have the "MyFAK" model in each of my vehicles, but "The Solo" would work as well. 

• Water- I always have a couple of gallons on hand. I've never had to use this during an emergency, but I’ve pulled them out many times when the kids were thirsty and we weren’t near water.

• Extra roll of toilet paper- Never know. Remove the cardboard roll, flatten, and store in a Ziploc bag.

• Diapers and wipes- A must if you have young children. I'm putting this in the "Trunk or Back" section, but the wipes would be served very well in the cab.

• Spare cash and change- As necessary. 

• Ice Scraper (depending on if you live in Snowville)- Always good to have a spare hand held ice scraper. I’ve used mine more than once when I took mine primary scraper out for the summer and got caught off guard with an early snow. And those spare gloves came in handy in this situation as well.

Priority 2 Items:

Include as you feel necessary.

• Seatbelt cutter/Glass breaker- I have one of these strapped to my visor. It's a must if you offroad, and now it's just a carry over that I still like to have. You never know. Amazon Link

• Tire Gauge- These are cheap. Throw one in.

• Foldable Shovel- Dig out of the snow.

• Portable Compressor- Maybe if you spend more time on less traveled roads.

• Tow rope- Maybe if you have a vehicle capable of towing such as a truck.

• Headlamp- Keeps your hands free. Again, I store the batteries outside the flashlight for longer storage life.

• Spare fuses- Blown fuses can leave you stranded. You can get a small container of spare fuses at any gas station. Maybe not as necessary for newer cars, but older cars blow fuses frequently.

• Zip ties- These just come in handy all the time. 

• Gorilla or Duct tape- Comes in handy.

• Utility knife- Sharper than a pocket knife.

• Small umbrella- Comes in handy more than you think.

• Water filter- Straw form. This is more of an extreme item that falls in the 'Just in Case' category, but they are so cheap and small, so why not? These may be more of a necessity for those that spend any time on less-traveled back or dirt roads. 

• Small Hand Towel- Clean your hands after changing that spare tire.

• Hand Sanitizer or baby wipes- A must if you have kids. Keep in cab.

• Bottle of Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Advil, or Dramamine- Keep with First Aid Kit or in Cab.

• Small hatchet or ax- Something I keep in my truck, but only because of how much time I spend on dirt roads at my cabin.