What Should I Have In My Emergency Car Kit?
You heard it all the time when you were a kid — “Better safe than sorry!” And although you ignored your mother and father’s advice more often than not, you have kids now and you speak the same words. This proverb holds especially true when you’re on the road. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you don’t have an emergency car kit in your vehicle, Tommy’s Hi Tech Auto Repair suggests you gather the following and keep it in the trunk.
Automotive Supplies
First, make certain you keep automotive supplies in your vehicle emergency kit in case of breakdown. You should have in your trunk a set of jumper cables, a quart of oil, coolant (at least one gallon), a tire pressure gauge, tire sealant and inflator (canned), an ice scraper, a spray bottle filled with windshield washer fluid, and, of course, a fully inflated spare tire, jack and tire iron. This equips you with do-it-yourself solutions to on-road emergencies with your vehicle.
People Supplies
Survival for your passengers and you might rely upon the people supplies you add to your car emergency kit. You never know when you might be stranded for a long time, so make certain you have plenty of emergency supplies for your entire family. Your emergency car kit should have in it:
A first-aid kit (a complete one with everything you might need)
Blankets (you can use space blankets to save space)
A flashlight with extra batteries
A tool kit with items such as an adjustable wrench, pliers, and a pocket knife
Paper towels or rags (although a roll of paper towels takes up less space)
Energy or granola bars (keep some in the glove compartment in case you can’t get to the trunk)
Bottled water (again, keep some inside the vehicle)
Pen and paper in the event you need to write a note
Think about what you would need if you were stranded in the middle of nowhere for days. What could you and your family survive on and use to help you survive, if necessary? Make of list of these things and then find space-saving solutions, such as the space blanket suggested above, to keep things lighter.
Warning Supplies
Finally, you should always keep flares and warning signs in your trunk. If you are afraid of flame flares, you can purchase LED ones. Triangle reflector signs allow you to draw attention behind and around your car to alert oncoming traffic. You want to ensure people can see your vehicle in the event it breaks down after dark, and flares and reflectors are the best way to do that.
Aside from recommending this emergency car kit, Tommy’s Hi Tech Auto Repair also works tirelessly to maintain and repair automobiles to ensure they remain safe and reliable while on the road. Our shop is located in Denton, TX, and you can reach us by phone at 940-387-0070.
