Car Emergency Kits

Many of us never think about keeping certain ‘emergency’ items in our car until it’s too late. But by just compiling a handful of items, many which may be laying around your house, keeping these items in your trunk or behind the seat, could help you or another drive at some point in your life.

What should you have in your emergency kit? The sky is the limit here. According to the FAA, not sure why they are concerned with cars, they suggest the following:

* Battery powered radio and extra batteries
* Flashlight and extra batteries
* Blanket
* Booster cables
* Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type)
* First aid kit and manual
* Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods, such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter.
* Maps
* Shovel
* Tire repair kit and pump
* Flares

Click and Clack, the famous auto gurus have similar suggestions. Here is their list along with some of their comments:

1. Heavy-Duty Jumper Cables

This is one area on which not to skimp. Why? Because a lot of jumper cables on the market today simply aren't up to snuff. In fact, in our humble opinion, most jumper cables stink. They're either too short, too thin or won't stay flexible in the cold — which is when you really need them.

When you're shopping for cables, we'd recommend that you buy ones that are at least 20 feet long, which gives you plenty of length with which to work. They should be at least four-gauge, and thicker if possible. And, finally, they should be made of copper, so there's less resistance.


2. Tire pressure is very important — it affects everything from handling to braking to gas mileage to tire wear. We recommend that you never use one of those cheap, pencil-type tire gauges. They're notoriously inaccurate. And don't trust the gauge on the air hose at Phil's Quikie Gas either. Gauges at gas stations are often completely out of whack as well.

Tip: Don't check tire pressure after you've been driving. The friction of the tires on the road creates heat and will give you the wrong reading. Check the tire pressure *before* you start driving. What is the "correct" tire pressure? It's different for all vehicles. Look in your owner's manual, which will usually refer you to a label on the doorpost.

3. Breaking down on the side of the road is bad enough without a bread truck plowing into you. We recommend you have a sturdy, heavy triangular folding reflector on hand.

Tip: The best ones have a base that's loaded with sand so it won't blow over when that semi comes barreling down the road.

4. Someday, somewhere, you'll be really glad you have a can of Fix-a-Flat in your car.

If you do get a flat, you'll want to use Fix-a-Flat as soon as possible, before all the air escapes from the tire. Otherwise, the tire may separate from the wheel, and then it won't work.


5. A safe container for carrying gas.

Tip: No matter how desperate you are, you should never, ever carry gas in milk jugs or anything else that's not designed for carrying fuel.

6. Vise-Grip Straight-Jaw Locking Pliers

Vise Grips are the emergency alternative to carrying around a full set of English and metric sockets. In our opinion, a pair of Vise Grips is the most versatile tool you can have in your car. Get the original ones, too--not cheap knockoffs from Outer Mongolia.

There are all sorts of uses for vise-grips, including removing stubborn nuts and bolts, and tightening battery connections. There are more creative uses for vise-grips, too. For example, if you have a leaking coolant hose, clamp the vise-grips onto the hose and temporarily stop the leak. If your alternator bracket breaks, you can hold it in place with vise-grips.

7. 20 feet of 18-gauge galvanized wire.

Tip: Mechanic's wire is great for reattaching loose mufflers and exhaust parts, wiring trunks shut — or securing anything else that's falling off.

8. Duct Tape

Duct tape is great for temporarily fixing hose leaks, fixing busted side mirrors and hiding rust holes before your annual inspection. Duct tape is very easy to tear in both directions. You can make a piece of duct tape fit just about anything.

9. Four-in-One Screwdriver

We especially like this tool because it's four screwdrivers in one--two straight blades and two sizes of Phillips ends, which sure beats carrying around a box of various sized screwdrivers. Look for one that's not a piece of junk, and feels sturdy and durable.

10. Flashlight/Lantern

Look for a flashlight that's durable and dual-purpose, which doubles as a lantern or beacon. An alternative that we like is the Mag-lite brand flashlight. They're indestructible, but pretty costly. And, like any flashlight, after months of sitting in the back of your car, the batteries are often corroded. For a neat alternative, see the generator light below.

Tip: Store the batteries outside the flashlight, in a Zip-loc, if you want to make sure the flashlight doesn't accidentally turn on and drain the batteries. And have extra batteries on hand — who knows how long you'll need that light when the time comes.

11. Mylar Space Blanket

Will our Mylar space blanket save you at 40 below in blizzard-force winds? Of course not! A good space blanket, however, will reflect back a lot of your heat--they're used by rescuers of all sorts. Having one in your car might just help keep you keep cozy when you're broken down next January in East Moosejaw.

Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable used cars in Austin and the surrounding area and is known as one of the used cars for sale in Austin. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.