As winter comes full steam here in about another month or so, preparing your car beyond the winterizing tune-up is key. You never know when a car will unexpectedly stall out and pit you along the side of the road while you wait for a tow or car service to fix the issue. Prepare for the unexpected is a statement we’ve all heard of before. The relevance of that statement holds true with making sure you’ve covered all your bases to ready yourself for the time your car acts up at the most inopportune time.
One area that most drivers don’t account for is having some sort of a car emergency kit stowed away in their trunk. While many items needed are simple things we don’t see as being that intuitive to the situation, when you factor in the weather, place your stranded at, and for how long it’ll take to get help or fix the issue, basic items like a mini-flashlight, bottles of water and a blanket can be superstars in your time of need.
That said, here’s a checklist on what to include in an emergency kit:
- Flashlight – Whether it’s a standard size or smaller flashlight, the one crucial source to be with you at all times is a flashlight. Both for navigating around where you may be stuck and to investigate under the hood to see what the issue may be. **An ample supply of batteries may be in order, as well**
- Blanket(s) – No where is this more evident than to fight off the cold weather of winter. Even if it’s waiting 10 minutes for a battery jolt or having to wait an hour or more for something greater, keeping a few warm blankets on hand can help keep you safe from the elements.
- Bottled Water – It’s good to have at least a dozen or so small bottles of water in the trunk, because you never know how many passengers could be riding along when the car stalls out.
- Non-Perishable Food – Same situation as the bottled water, in that it’s good to have a couple cans of food to keep you company and keep your body healthy and alert through the down time.
- Multipurpose Tools – From Swiss Army knifes to wrenches and screwdrivers and all the way down to a handy, collapsible shovel for digging your car out from a rut, keeping a number of tools around is a must.
- First-Aid Kit – Always, always, always have one inside your car at all times.
- Fire Extinguisher – Many stores carry smaller versions of a fire extinguisher.
- Road Flares – Having a couple sticks to alert other cars passing by is key. Both for notifying you may need assistance, as well as just alerting cars of your position for safety’s sake.
- Jumper Cables – Never assume another motorist will have a set with them if you need a simple jump. Have your own set on hand.
- Gloves – Have a thick, durable pair of gloves to help you safely navigate around underneath the hood, or when using a jack to replace a flat tire.
- Emergency Contact List – Even though they may be in your cell phone, if for whatever reason the cell phone battery dies, you need to have a hard copy of emergency contacts to get a hold of.
- Bag of Cat Litter – For when your car’s tires are stuck in the deep mud or packed snow, using a bed of cat litter in front of and behind the tires helps give better traction to get out from the rut.
- Car Fluid Containers – From windshield wiper fluids to radiator fluid and other coolants, keep a few additional backup fluids to cap off or refill the necessary issue.
These are the main items every driver should have with them as a car emergency kit. While there are secondary items you could mull over, the breadth of helping to solve your dilemma is above. Being better prepared for the unexpected stall, flat tire or other unpleasant scenario with your car is a must year-round. But of all the seasons, winter’s the most important to prep for. Stay safe on the roadways and have a solid emergency kit to provide more peace of mind while driving.
Author Bio: Avid blogger on all things concerning the automotive industry from car emergency kits to driving awareness advice on down to auto repair tips for winterizing your vehicle. He’s also consulted for an auto body repair shop near his hometown of KC, Jay Wolfe Body Shop, who’ve been providing collision repair services for area residents for years.