What to always keep in your car emergency kit
A kit that fits in one box and covers everything from a night-time breakdown to being stuck in snow. What stays all year and what changes by season.
The car kit is the easiest one to assemble and the one most people put off. It fits in a plastic box, costs little and covers everything from an ordinary flat tyre to a night stuck in snow.
The base, all year round
| Category | What |
|---|---|
| Water and food | Bottles and bars or nuts |
| Light | Flashlight with spare batteries, or crank |
| Health | First aid kit, your own medication, gloves |
| Power | Lithium jump starter, charger and cable |
| Visibility | Triangles or beacon, reflective vest |
| Tools | Multi-tool, duct tape, window breaker |
| Warmth | Thermal blanket and a regular blanket |
| Documents | Copy of the insurance and a contact card |
What changes by season
Winter: a thick blanket or sleeping bag, hat and gloves, sand or cat litter for traction, a small shovel, an ice scraper and winter washer fluid. Add something brightly coloured so you can be seen in snow.
Summer: more water than you think you need, sun protection, and check tyre pressure more often because heat changes it.
The twice-yearly check
- Change the flashlight batteries and recharge the jump starter.
- Rotate the water and food.
- Check the expiry dates in the first aid kit.
- Swap the seasonal contents.
- Inspect the spare tyre and the tools to change it.
The detail people forget most
Keeping the tank above half during the risky months. With fuel you can run the engine intermittently for warmth, you can go further if you have to detour, and you do not depend on finding an open station during an outage.
- What to do if you are trapped in your car by snow or water Two opposite situations with opposite rules: in snow you wait inside, in water you get out immediately. How to handle each one.
- What to do if your car breaks down on the road Where to stop, whether to stay inside or get out, how to be seen, and why walking for help is usually the worst decision.
Gear that covers this
Products that match what the guide above recommends.
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Lithium jump starter
Starts the car without needing another vehicle, which is exactly what is missing when you stop at night or somewhere quiet.
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Roadside emergency kit
Covers the basics in one purchase: cables, triangle, gloves, flashlight and first aid. Then you add the seasonal items.
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Window breaker with belt cutter
For getting out if the doors jam or the belt will not release. It has to be within the driver's reach, not in the trunk.
Frequently asked questions
What is essential in a car emergency kit?
Water, a flashlight with batteries, a first aid kit, jumper cables or a jump starter, reflective triangles or a beacon, a blanket, a phone charger and food that will not spoil.
How often should the car kit be checked?
Twice a year, at the change of season. That is when batteries get checked, water and food get rotated, and the seasonal contents get swapped.
Can a battery pack start a car?
Yes, current lithium jump starters start most engines and do not depend on another vehicle. They need recharging every few months or they will be flat when you need them.
What do I add to the kit in winter?
A thick blanket or sleeping bag, warm clothing and gloves, sand or cat litter for traction, a small shovel, an ice scraper and something brightly coloured to be seen.