What should you keep in your roadside emergency kit?
Essential Equipment
* FIRST AID KIT
* JUMPER CABLES
* FLASHLIGHT
* BASIC TOOLS - TO AT LEAST INCLUDE A COUPLE OF SCREWDRIVERS, BOTH PHILLIPS AND FLAT-TIP, PLIERS, AND AN ADJUSTABLE WRENCH
Tire Repair & Maintenance
* 12-VOLT TIRE INFLATOR
* TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE
Helpful Tools & Components
* BOX CUTTER OR POCKET KNIFE
* DUCT TAPE
* RUBBER GRIP GLOVES
* WIPING RAGS
Useful Accessories
* POWER INVERTER
* ROAD FLARES
* PENETRATING OIL / LUBRICANT
Handy Extras
*FIX-A-FLAT
*FIRE EXTINGUISHER
*ROPE
*CABLE TIES
*12-VOLT SPOTLIGHT
*CHEMLIGHTS
Essential Equipment
First Aid Kits
Just in case an unfortunate injury occurs, whether related to driving or not, it's always a good idea to have a first aid kit in your vehicle and is the top priority item in my roadside emergency kit. In the unlucky misfortune that you or one of your passengers has a minor injury on the trip, chances are you'll be able to correct the situation with the use of a first aid kit. Also, the first aid kit can be a necessary item for when you are at your destination as well. Chances are you won't be too far away from your vehicle so the first aid kit should be relatively handy waiting in your vehicle if need be.
Jumper Cables
A solution to one of the most common roadside problems, jumper cables are another necessity to have in your roadside emergency kit. One of the most common issues encountered by drivers is a dead battery. Fortunately, this is also one of the most easily correctable and fastest to fix problems along the road a driver can have, provided you have the right equipment. This is an item all drivers should have in their vehicle. Whether it's for use in your own car or to help out another stranded motorist along the road, it's a great idea to keep this in your trunk. Jumper cables come in different lengths and in different gauges of wire, depending on the type of job you need it for. Look below to find the jumper cables that suit your needs best.
Flashlights
Flashlights are handy just about everywhere - an attic, a workshop, a crawl space, while cave delving, and yes, even in your own personal vehicle. In particular, there are at least a few purposes for the use of a flashlight in your vehicle. An obvious example is your car breaking down at night. Perhaps to shine a light into your engine to see if you can figure out a possible mechanical problem or to illuminate a wheel while replacing a tire. However, if the problem is above your skill level or too complex for your available equipment, you can even use the flashlight as a signal to wave at other drivers or emergency vehicles for help at night. This is another must-have for any roadside kit. Don't get stranded at night without one!
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| Get a flashlight that stands up on its own, ideal for changing tires or what have you. |
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| This is the flashlight I prefer, the durable and high-quality Maglite. I've used Maglites for years now because of their durable build, water-resistant casing, and the adjustable beam of light. |
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| Another option is a light that straps on your head and shines wherever you're looking, perfect for working on an engine. This type of headlight is becoming quite popular with my army buddies for its hand-free usage. |
Basic Tools
An obvious part of your roadside emergency kit should be some basic tools. For mine, I have two pliers; needle-nose and flat-nose, four screwdrivers; a pair of Phillips large and small tipped, and a pair of flat-tip large and small tipped, and an adjustable wrench. Tools such as these can come in extremely handy for tightening up cables on a battery, replacing a tail light bulb, or installing an extra 12-volt outlet, for example. Almost all automotive basic maintenance needs and minor fixes can be corrected with a few basic tools like these. With the ability to recognize what the problem is and just a little bit of know-how, you'll be back on the road in no time! What kind of tools do you have in your vehicle?
Tire Repair & Maintenance
12-volt Tire Inflators
This is something that's been a huge help for me, especially since I moved out of my house where I had my own garage to park in. I used to have an air compressor in my garage, but since I moved out because I joined the Army, I don't have such facilities anymore, so my portable 12-volt tire inflator is the perfect replacement for my old air compressor. Granted, it's not as powerful and doesn't pump air as fast as an actual air compressor, but it does the job. Especially in a pinch, a tire pump such as this comes in extremely handy, which is why I always have it in my car in my emergency roadside kit. The first two models below are very similar to the one I own and use, just more up-to-date versions. Mine works great and I have no complaints about it, so I'd recommend having one of these in your vehicle all the time as well.
Tire Pressure Gauges
Many of the 12-volt tire inflators feature a built-in pressure gauge on them, but it's always a good idea to have an independent one in your car to check tire pressure with ease and without the use of the pump attached. You should check the pressure in your tires about once a month on average to make sure the pressure is at the right level and to insure you don't have a leak. However, this varies by how old your tires are and the condition that they are in. By keeping your tires at the right level, the tires wear properly and evenly, while also optimizing gas mileage.
Helpful Tools & Components
Box Cutters & Pocket Knives
These are a great idea to have in your roadside kit for several reasons. Whether you're cutting or stripping wires for some electrical maintenance, cutting open a new product out of its packaging (something I frequently use mine for), or any other general maintenance, repairing, cutting, or removal need, a pocket knife or box cutter is a very handy tool to have at the ready in your kit. Even if you don't keep the knife in your kit, it's a good idea to keep one in your glove box because of the frequent use and handiness of a pocket knife or box cutter.
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| This is the same model I leave in my emergency roadside kit. The blades can be easily taken out and replaced. The great thing about this particular box cutter style knife is that it's razor sharp with very affordable and easily replaced blades. |
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| A more premium and stylish version of the utility knife to the left. |
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| Extra razor blades for the utility knives to the left. |
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| This is the same model of multi-tool knife that I carry everywhere I go. This is a great pocket knife/multi-tool and comes in very handy! Also, if you have this in your roadside kit, it can even replace other tools such as the screwdrivers because this particular tool has them built-in as an accessory. |
Duct Tape
Depending on the duty of the job you're trying to get done and what the application is, duct tape can be a great item to have in your kit. Especially if you have a lemon, a junker, or any other vehicle that you're really not too concerned about, taking the "Red Green approach" as he states duct tape as being the "handyman's secret weapon" to fixing the problem may be one of the most quickest and easiest ways. There are different types and duties of duct tape, so make sure you pick the right one.
Rubber Grip Gloves
I first started using these kind of gloves when I worked at FedEx. Not only did they keep my hands slightly warmer in the winter months, but they also helped me grip packages much better than normal. They came in very handy for awkward or extra-heavy packages. These gloves are excellent for maintenance work. They'll keep your hands cleaner, warmer in the winter, give you increased grip, and help protect them from minor injuries. And because of the relatively thin yet durable material they're made out of, you won't be sacrificing much of the dexterity of movement with your fingers and hands. I highly recommend these gloves to be kept inside your vehicle for the many uses they're good for. They're absolutely perfect for your glove box! ;)
Wiping Rags
These are an obvious maintenance accessory and a very useful item. Whether you keep them inside your roadside kit or side pocket of your door for quick use, these can be lifesavers for wiping up spills from a beverage, wiping up engine fluids, or wiping your hands off after some maintenance work. I keep some wiping rags both inside my car in my door pocket for quick use for a beverage spill or similar accident, along with some more heavy-duty ones in my emergency kit. Look for the wiping rags that are most suitable for your needs below.
Useful Accessories
Power Inverters
A very useful 12-volt accessory, this can either be a luxury-type of item or used more for the emergency. Having a power inverter in your car basically turns your vehicle into a portable generator, allowing you to power and use many of the standard (or all kinds, depending on the duty of your power inverter) 120-volt household or automotive electrical items or accessories. This can be useful for powering a laptop or portable DVD player for personal use, or powering an emergency-type item such as a radio or even a regular air compressor.
Road Flares
These red emergency road flares are ideal for changing a tire or any other type of breakdown during the night. However, they're also bright enough to be used during the day for added safety. These come in the traditional burning-type flares or the new LED light style of road flare. Find the best one below to suit your needs best.
Penetrating Oil & Lubricant
Keep your moving automotive parts moving and unfreeze your stuck parts with penetrating oil or another type of lubricant, such as WD-40 or Liquid Wrench, are another ideal item to keep in your kit. Perfect for maintenance and keeping moving parts such as bolts, tools, and even door latches moving like new. Penetrating oil is also great for removing corrosion on certain engine parts and making them usable once again, if they have seized up or become stuck.
Handy Extras
Handy Extras
More items that can be handy that you can put inside your own roadside emergency kit such as a can of Fix-a-Flat, a fire extinguisher, some rope, cable ties, and even a 12-volt spotlight can be very handy during an emergency, regular maintenance, or other uses. While these products are a must-have, they can definitely be helpful at the right times.
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| This is a product that I would only use in a pinch... I've used Fix-a-Flat in the past and it can make your tire unbalanced, but in an emergency or with a tire puncture, this product can be a lifesaver. |
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| An obvious good idea emergency item to have in your vehicle. Whether you keep this in your kit or in a different, more accessible place in your vehicle, this can be both a car and/or lifesaver! |
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| In case a regular flashlight from your glove box or roadside kit isn't good or powerful enough, there's always the very bright and powerful alternative, the 12-volt spotlight. Comes in different lengths and in camouflage or black colors. |
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| Ideal for electrical work and wiring or other general repairs, cable ties are great to keep wires organized and hold certain items together. I use them regularly around the house, mainly for bundling wires and keeping them organized. |
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| In case a regular flashlight from your glove box or roadside kit isn't good or powerful enough, there's always the very bright and powerful alternative, the 12-volt spotlight. |
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| We use these regularly in the army, but they can also be a very useful item in a roadside emergency. In some cases, provided they're bright enough, these can be a longer-lasting, safer, and more affordable replacement to a road flare. |
After you've got all your items and products that you've chosen for your own roadside emergency kit, you'll need a box or container to put them in so the items just aren't rolling around loose in your vehicle. I've found that a small to medium-sized storage tote works best to store and organize the contents for such a kit.
