Essential Vehicle Emergency Tools and Supplies

Driving around in a vehicle is one of the more vulnerable places where you’ll encounter danger or unexpected problems. Assemble an emergency kit to be prepared!

Let’s break this down to a few categories. Items ordered roughly by importance with some preference towards lower cost / higher value items first.

Most of the below list you can just stash in your car and forget about. Probably a third of the items I bring only on trips farther than an hour away.

Emergency Response

Foil Blankets

Window breaker / Seatbelt cutter

First Aid Kit
Should have band-aids, good tweezers, quick clot / tourniquets, gauze, Acetaminophen / ibuprofen, burn ointment, Iodide tablets for radiation, glucose paste for diabetics

Water

Fire Extinguisher

Flashlight

Granola / Protein bar

Lighter / Fire starter

Bonus: Spare socks and shoes

Vehicle Fix-it

Multitool

Duct Tape and Electrical Tape

Zip ties

Tools
Crescent wrench, Phillips and slotted screwdrivers, needle nose pliers, Vise grips
Sockets and driver (10mm at least!)

Jump Starter / Jumper Cables
The little jump start tools are amazing these days. They often have a flashlight built in and USB ports to double as a phone charger in a pinch. Probably best not to regularly leave in a car outside in winter.

Air Compressor / Inflator

Self / Others Defense

Pepper spray

Firearm and ammo

Helpful for Life’s Messes

Baby wipes

Paper towel

Rain Poncho

Pens / Pencils / Sharpie
Helpful if you ever need to jot down a note to leave on an abandoned car or record Insurance info

Plastic grocery bags

Battery Pack / USB Charging Cables
Mainly for phones but have the various common cables like lightning, USB-C, and Micro USB.

Vehicle Incapacitation / Impedance

Hand Saw
Like a Silky saw to cut through brush

Tow Strap
If your vehicle has the capability carrying a strap to yank a car out of the ditch is useful.

Ice Scraper / Brush

Local Maps / Atlas
Meaning a printed / foldable one.

Where to store?

Sometimes you can fit these items in:

• Glove box or center compartment
• Spare tire storage area
• A backpack or small bag you can move in and out if-needed