The weather is warm, vacation has started, you’re 50 miles from your destination—and chances are you’re not thinking about what could go wrong on the road ahead.
“While no one can plan for car trouble, in emergency situations it is helpful to have some preparations in place,” says Mindy West, GEICO director of Centralized Services. So stock your car with these basics and don’t forget to replace water and batteries as needed.
1. First-aid Kit & Accessories
Add a flashlight and whistle to your basic first-aid kit. Set a calendar reminder to change the flashlight batteries every few months.
2. Basic Tools
Always be sure to have at least three tools on hand: a screwdriver (to tighten up something that’s been loosened by vibration or age), a torque wrench (to correctly set nuts) and a utility knife (in case you ever need to cut yourself out of your seatbelt after an accident).
3. Gloves
Protecting your hands is a must, no matter what the temperature. Opt for sturdy mechanic gloves made of leather or a rubber and synthetic combination.
4. Tow Rope & Bungee Cords
These can be invaluable to help get you out of a jam. To use the tow rope, you’ll need to find another car that’s able to yank yours to safety. Bungees help you safely secure an item to your car’s roof.
5. Warning Triangles & Light Sticks
Make certain other motorists can see you, day or night. Bonus: Since they don’t need batteries, you don’t have to worry about upkeep.
6. Tire Pressure Gauge
Tire pressure—which ensures maximum handling, traction and durability—fluctuates with the temperature, so it’s important to keep a gauge handy. Tires may become over-inflated when the outside temperature is hot and under-inflated when it’s cold.
7. Phone Charger
As important as your phone itself. Add an adapter for the cigarette lighter if your car doesn’t have a USB port.
8. Jumper Cables
In case your car battery goes dead. And of course, you should know how to use them. (Psst… here’s how to jump-start your car.)
9. Water & Snacks
In case of an emergency, they’ll provide sustenance until help arrives.
10. Extra Clothes
For unexpected outdoor adventures, pack a rain jacket and at least one layer of clothing to keep you warm.
11. Kitty Litter
Stuck in the mud or snow? With a small bag in the trunk, you’ll be able to sprinkle some around your tires for traction.
With assistance from GEICO Emergency Roadside Service (ERS) available on your GEICO Mobile app, you’ll be back on the road in no time with a spare tire or a jump. Add ERS to your policy, starting at just $14 per year, per car.
By Lucy Maher
C. Figueroa says,
Very helpful. Thank you.
Rick says,
Keeping plastic water bottles in a HOT vehicle is not a safe practice to do. The heat releases toxins from the plastic into the water inside the bottle. Make sure to grab fresh bottles when starting out on your venture. …or adventure. ….Rick
Ray Weldon says,
You can also add a Flashlight in the event you break down at night, also an emergency signal of some sort (flares or reflectors)
Chas Swanson says,
Number 6 is bad advice. Kitty liter , when wet from the snow, is slicker than ice!! Keep a supply of sand and coarse snow melt compound in your trunk to throw under the tires if you get stuck.
gene murtha says,
Flash light and flares be prepared
HuMrLvR24 says,
LoVe the list of stuff to always have on hand in your car! Plan to share it. Thanks Geico! Did read an article I plan to call y’all about elsewhere but learning stuff all the time.
Joan M. Patton says,
Good tips.
Frances says,
Add flashlight, machine that inflates tire with low air & emergency reflectors
Gwendy says,
Hey – what about a flashlight, emergency flares, etc.???????
The Undertaker says,
It’s always good to carry Flashlights and Flairs as wells as Reflectors for safety, We can wait!
Rayvonne Reeder says,
Flashlight, extra shoes/clothes, blankets/pillow, and small tool set is a must as well to kept in a vehicle for emergencies, especially if one lives in areas where weather is subject to change without a moments notice or if something breaks on the vehicle that can be easily fixed until one can get to a repair shop.
Dennis Petoff says,
great advise
LindA Blassingme says,
l am a retired nurse. I am diabetic with High blood pressure. It is important for me to keep an extra blood pressure machine and glucose monitor plus extra meds available if needed, along with low carb high protein snack or shakes also.
Buffy says,
In Florida or other states where you drive near bodies of water, including ponds you should have something in the car called a “window punch”, and be able to easily find it in extreme conditions. It allows you to break a window out & usually the other end can be used to help cut the seatbelt if it’s jammed.
HuMrLvR24 says,
Good add!
lisa says,
wow very informative. did not know this. thank you… Seattle Washington
Cyndee says,
We live in Florida and we travel to different parts of the state often. We keep these items in our trunk for emergencies and for those spontaneous moments when we want to pull over and have a quick picnic to watch the sun go down. Everything fits in the backup pack with the built i stool seat. We also use this kit (minus the flares) for when we travel outside the state. If we head to a state with colder weather, we add a warm jacket and gloves and a blanket and pillows.
Here is what I have in my car at all times for both my husband and I.
Windbreaker jackets and spandex long sleeve cardigans for layering.
baseball caps
beach towel
Rain ponchos
flashlight
road flares
extra batteries
car phone charger
bottled water
nuts/snacks
emergency medical kit(bandaids, aspirin, tylenol, hand sanitizer, tweezers, scissors, nail cutter, hand wipes,) backpack with built in stool to sit on. emergency supply of medication.
extra walking shoes. and socks.
BUG SPRAY
plastic bags
duct tape
cloth grocery bag.
sandwich bags.and plastic grocery bags.
emergency spare cash.
hard copy phone book.
extra sunglasses and reading glasses
wine opener/bottle opener
travel cups
extra set of car keys
lunch box kookie. (filled with bottled water)
jumper cables.
C. Figueroa says,
Did you leave anything at home? Lol.