What a kit is for
An emergency kit does not need to turn your trunk into a workshop. Its job is to help you stay safe and visible, stay warm or cool, call for help, and handle a few simple problems while you wait. Most items are inexpensive and a lot of people already own them. The goal is a kit that is small enough that you will actually keep it in the car.
Visibility and safety
When a car stops beside traffic, being seen is the first priority.
- A high-visibility vest. Wearing one when you are outside the car on a road makes you easier to spot, particularly at dusk or in rain.
- A flashlight. A reliable one, ideally an LED model, with spare batteries stored separately or a crank design. A headlamp keeps your hands free for tasks like checking under the hood.
- Reflective triangles or flares. Where it is legal and safe to use them, they warn approaching drivers. LED beacons are an alternative that does not burn. Never walk into traffic to place them.
- A whistle. Light, cheap and useful if your phone has no signal and you need attention.
Communication and power
- A phone charging cable and a power bank. A phone with a dead battery is a common reason a minor problem becomes a long one. Keep the power bank charged by topping it up every few months.
- Written contact numbers. Your roadside assistance number, insurer and an emergency contact on a card in the glove box help if your phone fails.
- A paper map or road atlas for long trips. This is optional and mostly useful in areas with patchy coverage.
Dealing with simple problems
The most common roadside problems are a flat tire, a dead battery or running out of fuel.
- Jumper cables or a portable jump starter. If the battery is the issue, they can get you moving. Knowing the right order of connections matters, so read the instructions first; the article on how to jump start a battery covers the steps. A portable starter avoids the need for another car, but needs periodic recharging.
- A tire pressure gauge and a small inflator. A 12-volt inflator can top up a soft tire enough to reach safety. Understanding tire pressure helps you use it properly.
- A tire sealant kit or a proper spare, jack and wrench. Check what your car carries. Some cars have only a sealant kit instead of a spare, and a sealant is a temporary measure.
- A small set of basic tools. A starter toolkit might include a multi-tool, screwdrivers, pliers and some tape. You do not need a full mechanic’s set.
- Work gloves and a few rags or paper towels. Useful for greasy or hot parts.
- A small amount of extra engine oil and coolant, if you know how to top up safely and your car uses a conventional engine. Check the manual for the correct types, since the wrong fluid can cause damage.
Having these items helps only if you know how to use them, so practice once in your driveway rather than for the first time beside a road.
First aid
A compact first aid kit with adhesive bandages, sterile dressings, antiseptic wipes, medical tape, scissors and any personal medicines you rely on is worth carrying. Check for expiry dates twice a year. A first aid course, if you can take one, is more valuable than the contents of the box. For serious injuries, call emergency services instead of relying on a kit.
Comfort and weather items
Waiting can be long, and conditions matter.
- Water. Bottled water that you replace regularly. In hot weather, carry more.
- Non-perishable snacks. Energy bars or nuts, replaced before they expire. Note that heat in a parked car can spoil some foods.
- A blanket or emergency thermal blanket. Compact and useful in cold weather or if you are stranded overnight.
- Warm clothing, gloves and a hat in winter. Add boots if you regularly drive in snowy areas.
- A small shovel, an ice scraper and traction aid such as sand or cat litter in places with snow. Conditions described in winter driving tips make these worth packing.
- A rain poncho or umbrella.
- Sun protection in hot climates. A sunshade and sunscreen can make a long wait more bearable.
Documents and extras
Keep a copy of your insurance information and registration details in the glove box or in a secure phone folder, depending on local rules about what you must carry. A pen and notebook, or a card listing the steps for documenting an accident, can help if you are shaken after a collision.
A seat belt cutter and window breaker tool is sold as a single compact item. Keep it within reach of the driver, not buried in the trunk, if you decide to carry one. A fire extinguisher rated for vehicle use is required or recommended in some places. If you carry one, make sure it is secured and check its gauge periodically.
Where and how to store it
- Use a small bag or box that stays put. Loose items can become projectiles in a crash, so secure heavier things.
- Keep the items you may need quickly, such as the vest, flashlight and phone cable, within reach and not under luggage.
- Avoid leaving batteries, medicines and food in extreme heat or cold for long periods unless they are rated for it.
- Check the kit at the change of season. Replace water, snacks, batteries and anything out of date.
Adjusting for your situation
A city commuter and a rural traveler have different needs. Long trips, remote areas, young children, pets and extreme climates each justify additions such as extra water, a larger first aid supply or a tow strap. An electric car owner should know where the charging cable is stored and what the manual says about towing, and may want a portable charging option if the manufacturer offers one. Do not buy things you do not understand how to use, and do not overload the trunk.
Rules on what a car must carry vary by country and region, so check local requirements as well.