Car Emergency Kit

The core items that cover the most likely roadside situations:

• Serviceable spare tire, jack, and lug wrench

• Warning triangle or reflective road flares

• High-visibility vest

• Flashlight with spare batteries or a rechargeable one

• First aid kit

• Jumper cables or a portable jump starter

• Phone charger (power bank or in-car adapter)

• Basic tools (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench)

For cold-weather journeys, expand the kit with:

• A warm blanket and spare warm clothing

• Ice scraper and snow brush

• A small folding shovel

• Traction mats or sand for getting unstuck

• Winter washer fluid in a small container

• High-energy snacks and water

• A candle and lighter for emergency heat if stranded in severe cold

In the trunk or cargo area, in a bag or container that keeps everything together and accessible. Place it so it won't slide around and so you can reach it quickly in the dark. Know where it is before you need it — searching for a flashlight while standing on a dark roadside is not ideal. Review the kit contents at least once a year to replace anything used, expired, or degraded.

Yes — the spare tire is the most important emergency item most vehicles carry. But it only helps if it's in usable condition when you need it. Check the spare's inflation pressure at least once a year. The correct pressure is printed on the spare's sidewall. Inspect it for cracking or damage. A spare that's been sitting uninflated or has aged beyond its usable life is a placeholder that won't help when it matters.

Both are useful supplements for tread punctures — not substitutes for a proper spare. A portable inflator can reinflate a tire that lost pressure slowly, and a plug kit can temporarily seal a small tread puncture to allow driving to a service center. Neither handles a blowout or sidewall damage, and a plug-only repair is not considered a permanent fix. Treat them as tools for buying time to reach a professional, not as complete solutions.

At least once a year — a good time is when you swap tires seasonally or before a long trip. Check that the flashlight works, jumper cables are undamaged, the first aid kit is stocked, and the spare tire is inflated correctly. Replace anything that has been used or that has deteriorated. The kit that was complete two years ago may have gaps that developed since.