Owners manuals contain detailed information about the systems in your car and may offer guidance on what features on your vehicle may be useful in a roadside emergency. The important details in these informational booklets can help you narrow down problems in an emergency situation, and walk you through how to proceed in the event of a roadside breakdown.
Whether it's a flat tire, a dead battery, a problem under the hood, or something else, being prepared before you hit the road can make a small setback easier to handle and less frustrating. Roadside emergency kits are a way to be sure you’re ready for the unexpected and can help keep you safer and get you back on the road more quickly. Our detailed list of essential supplies can help you decide which items are best to keep in your car, truck, or SUV in case of an emergency. Read on to learn more about the importance of roadside emergency kits, which items should be included, and how they might come in handy in emergency situations on the road.
Why Do I Need a Roadside Emergency Kit?
When it comes to driving, safety and preparedness are two of the most important things to consider – not only for your well-being, but to make sure an issue with your vehicle doesn’t endanger other drivers on the road. Unfortunately, no one can predict what type of events will occur during a daily commute to work, on a long road trip, or during any other drive. Severe weather, vehicle breakdowns, medical emergencies, and car accidents are only a few unforeseen and unfortunate setbacks on a long list of roadside emergencies that could happen to anyone at nearly any time. Roadside emergency kits can be stocked with a wide range of essential supplies to aid you in whatever roadside emergency may cross your path. Whether you often embark on long road trips with lengthy drive times, take the same commute route to work every day, drive in areas with multiple emergency resources, or often drive in rural areas that may be far away from help or lack cell reception, a roadside emergency can occur anywhere and at any time. Knowing what to pack in your emergency roadside kit can provide you and your passengers with the safety essentials you need to be prepared for any roadside emergency.
What Should I Pack In My Roadside Emergency Kit?
While you can’t predict what will happen on the road, you can do your best to be prepared for a variety of potential situations by knowing which items could be useful in an emergency setting. For any roadside emergency you might encounter, there are a few essential items we recommend packing in your kit.
Owners Manual
Spare Tire
Most vehicles have a place on the body of the car specifically designed for storing a spare tire. Keeping a spare in your vehicle at all times can mean the difference between having to call a tow truck and driving to a tire shop for a repair or replacement. All passenger vehicles should come with a spare, however, there is no guarantee that a car or truck that you bought on the used market will still have the original spare intact. If your vehicle did not come with a spare tire, or if your spare tire needs to be replaced or repaired, obtaining a spare and being certain it’s ready for use is an important part of being safe and prepared on the road. Flat tires and tire damage are some of the most common roadside emergencies, and being prepared for a flat tire can keep you from being stranded on the side of the road.
Jacks and Tire Service Kits
There are a few specific tools you will need to change your tire. While these tools typically come with any new vehicle, they can be damaged or get lost if they’ve been used in the past. If your original jack and tire tools have been lost, or if you want to upgrade your emergency kit, O’Reilly Auto Parts carries jacks and jack tool kits that can be stored in your vehicle to keep you prepared for most roadside tire emergencies. If you’re not sure how to change a tire, refer to your owners or service manuals for specific instructions, or check out our How-To video to learn more about how to change a tire.
Jumper Cables and Jump Starters
Dead batteries are a very common cause of breakdowns for many drivers. Though your battery may not be the reason you end up on the side of the road, it can definitely leave you stranded after you’ve parked your vehicle. Keeping a set of dependable jumper cables in your roadside emergency kit can allow you to jump-start your car if your battery dies, or help other drivers you may encounter who might be in need of a jump start. But jumper cables are only effective if another vehicle with a working battery is available and close by. A jump starter features a built-in rechargeable battery and doesn't require a second vehicle to get your vehicle started if your battery is dead. Find the right jump starters and jumper cables to help get your vehicle started in an emergency at O’Reilly Auto Parts. If you’re not sure how to jump-start a car battery or need a refresher on the process, our collection of helpful How-To videos and articles can show you how to get your car back on the road. O’Reilly Auto Parts also offers free battery testing at all of our locations to help you determine the condition of your battery and prevent future inconveniences.
Tire Pressure Gauge
It is very common for tire pressure to fluctuate as temperatures increase or decrease. Colder temperatures often cause a decrease in tire pressure, while warmer temperatures can increase tire pressure. It is important to monitor your tire pressure to make sure they are consistently adjusted based on your vehicle's required tire pressure levels, which can be found on the driver-side door’s information panel, or in your vehicle’s service or owners manual. By using a tire gauge, you can easily and accurately monitor the level of air pressure in each tire. To learn more about checking your tire pressure, or to discover a few more helpful tire pressure tips, take a look at our How-To resources.
Portable Tire Inflator
If you notice your tire pressure is a little low or rapidly decreasing due to recent tire damage, a portable tire inflator can prevent a potential breakdown and provide the ability to safely make it to the nearest repair shop. Tire inflators are portable, miniature air compressors that can either run off electricity provided by your vehicle’s battery or the lighter socket. These inflators can inflate your tire back to its appropriate pressure level. Portable tire inflators come in a variety of sizes and are built to easily fit in the trunk or back of your vehicle. Keeping a portable tire inflator in your roadside emergency kit can help repair flat tires and prevent complete vehicle breakdowns. Find the best portable tire inflator for your roadside emergency kit at O’Reilly Auto Parts.
Fuel Can
While you may be confident that you’ll never forget to fill up your tank before heading out on that long road trip, or always fill up before your gas light comes on, running out of gas unexpectedly can happen to anyone. Getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life can sometimes make filling up our gas tank before we hit empty a challenge, and being stranded on the side of the road in cold weather may mean having to run your car for a longer period of time than expected to keep warm until help arrives. In the event that you do run out of gas while on the road, carrying a refillable fuel can is a great way to be prepared for any fuel problems you might encounter. This is also a handy item to have in your car if you happen to see a fellow driver in need of some fuel. Carrying a fuel can allows you to locate the nearest gas station and fill up an empty tank if you end up out of fuel on the side of the road. O’Reilly Auto Parts carries a variety of fuel cans in different sizes that would be the perfect addition to your roadside emergency kit.
Flashlights, Batteries, and Reflectors
The only thing worse than breaking down on the side of the road is breaking down in the dark. If you break down or are in an accident at night, or in any low-light situation, always turn on your emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your presence on the road. While you should try to remain in your vehicle until help arrives, there are often circumstances that may require you to exit the safety of your vehicle. If you need to leave the vehicle at any time, always make sure to carry a flashlight, wear reflective clothing, or set out hazard indicators, and utilize any visibility gear you may have in your roadside emergency kit. Flashlights and spare batteries are a staple in almost every emergency kit.
Reflective vests are also a valuable item to pack in your kit. These vests can be seen and are more easily noticed by other drivers on the road, alerting them of your presence and of the situation at hand. Reflective indicators such as cones and signs are also great ways to alert other drivers of the roadside emergency in front of them, and to keep you and everyone else on the road safe after dark. Flares and flashers are also essential for signaling to others that you or another driver may be in need of assistance. Packing these essential items can keep you and other drivers safe, and can hopefully prevent any other emergencies from getting worse in the dark. Find all of the flashlights, batteries, and reflectors you need for your roadside emergency kit at O’Reilly Auto Parts.
Tool Kits and Multipurpose Utility Tools
If you or another driver are stuck on the side of the road and are in need of a simple roadside repair, having a basic tool kit and a multipurpose utility tool can come in handy. Basic vehicle tool kits will contain a variety of tools that can be used to complete many common repairs, such as screwdrivers, adjustable and locking pliers, socket and ratchet sets, wire cutters, and other hand tools that are easy to store and access in your vehicle if needed. Multipurpose utility tools are built with interchangeable blades or components and can be used to perform a variety of small tasks. These tools can come in handy in many emergency situations, especially small repairs and adjustments. Browse O’Reilly Auto Parts and find the best tool sets and multipurpose tools.
Protective Gloves
No matter what repair you take on, it is important to wear protective gloves and other personal protective equipment to get the job done safely. Changing a tire or making a repair on the side of the road may not be ideal, but having the right tools to complete the task at hand can make it much simpler and safer. Gloves not only protect your hands but also increase your grip, allowing you to complete repairs more efficiently. Packing a pair of protective gloves in your roadside emergency kit is essential not only for completing repairs, but also for staying safe in many emergency situations. Shop O’Reilly Auto Parts to find both mechanics gloves and latex gloves to pack in your roadside emergency kit.
Fire Extinguisher
While we hope you will never need to use it, we do recommend keeping a fire extinguisher in your roadside emergency kit. Fire extinguishers can help control and extinguish a small fire, and potentially keep it from becoming an unmanageable disaster. When storing a fire extinguisher in your vehicle, it is important to keep the extinguisher strapped down and stored securely in your trunk or under your seat. Stay prepared by shopping at O'Reilly Auto Parts to find a fire extinguisher to keep in your vehicle.
First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is one of the most important items to keep in your vehicle at all times. First aid kits are among the best ways to be prepared for a wide range of different emergencies. From minor scraped knees and scratches, burns and irritated skin, to allergic reactions and minor injuries, well-stocked first aid kits carry a number of different resources to help you act quickly and properly in emergencies and accidents of all kinds. O’Reilly Auto Parts carries pre-stocked first aid kits in several sizes that are easy to store in your vehicle’s roadside emergency kit.
Maps
Having maps in your vehicle — yes, actual paper maps — is most important on road trips or when you’re driving in places that aren’t familiar. It’s true that most people have GPS on their phones, and increasingly even integrated into their vehicles, but traveling in areas where reception may be spotty can sometimes make a paper map a great option.
Non-Perishable Food and Water
Finally, if you’re going to be driving through any remote areas, keeping bottled water and a few non-perishable food items like energy bars somewhere in your vehicle is a good idea. It can make being stranded for even just a few hours more bearable, and having water on hand is a must when driving in some climates that are extremely hot and dry. This can help prevent dehydration while you determine the next steps or wait for a tow.
Seasonal Roadside Emergency Kit Supplies
In addition to keeping your year-round roadside emergency supplies properly stocked, it is also a good idea to add some seasonal emergency items to your kit as the weather changes from season to season. Some seasons, especially colder ones, can often make driving, road conditions, and visibility levels much more dangerous than usual. Having the supplies you need to stay safe in severe weather is a great way to be prepared for whatever weather you may encounter on the road. Below are some essential items to consider carrying in your seasonal roadside emergency kit. For more valuable information regarding winter-specific emergency preparedness tips and tricks, take a look at our helpful How To article about winter vehicle and emergency preparation.
Ice Scraper/Broom
While your windshield wipers work hard to keep your windshield clean, large amounts of snow and ice accumulation can call for the added support of ice scrapers or snow brooms. Keeping a scraper or broom in your vehicle during fall and winter is a great way to be prepared for whatever winter weather piles up on your windshield. O’Reilly Auto Parts offers a variety of adjustable, durable, and compact snow brooms and ice scrapers to help keep your windshield clean and your commute safe in winter weather. For more tips on safely removing ice from your vehicle, take a look at our helpful How-To article.
De-Icer
It’s very common for windshields to freeze over or doors to freeze shut when temperatures begin to drop drastically. Adding de-icer to your roadside emergency kit can help you remove ice quickly and easily by simply spraying the ice-melting formula onto the affected area. The ice on the windshield will slowly begin to melt, and after a quick swipe from your wipers or ice scraper, your windshield will be cleaner and clearer. It is recommended to keep a can of de-icer in your vehicle, and in a safe place in your garage or home, just in case your doors freeze shut and you need to use de-icer on your locks to get into your vehicle. Be prepared for cold weather by picking up the de-icer you need at O’Reilly Auto Parts.
Snow Shovel
Snow shovels are another great addition to increase your safety and stay prepared on the road during fall and winter. When the snow begins to pile up, driving can become a challenge. Sometimes even getting out of your driveway can be tricky. Snow can accumulate quickly and pack your car in, leaving your vehicle stuck in place wherever you last parked it. A snow shovel can be used to dig your vehicle out and clear the area around it. If you don’t have a lot of extra space to store a shovel in your vehicle, visit your nearest O’Reilly Auto Parts to find a variety of easy-to-store, foldable and compact shovels. While you’re there, we recommend finding a heavy-duty snow shovel to store in your garage or home, which is perfect for cleaning off your driveway. You can also learn more about how to get your car unstuck from snow or ice with our helpful article.
Thermal Blanket
As temperatures drop, it is a good idea to start keeping a thermal blanket in your vehicle’s roadside emergency kit for the colder seasons. In the event that you are broken down or stuck on the side of the road without heat, staying warm is imperative to your safety. A thermal blanket, or an extra set of warm clothes, are both great ways to be prepared for these unfortunate events in colder weather.
Gloves
In the event that you are forced to make some unexpected repairs in colder weather, having a pair of heavy-duty winter work gloves can keep your fingers warm enough to complete your needed repair and get back on the road. O’Reilly Auto Parts carries a variety of winter work gloves that would be the perfect addition to your seasonal roadside emergency kit.
Hand Warmers
Staying warm in freezing or below-zero temperatures is a big part of your safety and comfort during fall and winter. If you ever find yourself stuck on the side of the road for any reason and the heater in your vehicle isn’t working, having hand warmers in your emergency kit can help keep you warm until help arrives or the issue is resolved. Find hand warmers to add to your seasonal roadside emergency kit at O’Reilly Auto Parts.
Tire Chains
If you live in an area with roads that are always covered and rarely cleared after snow or ice moves in, tire chains can be a great investment. Tire chains allow vehicles to gain traction, enabling you to stay on the road in even the harshest terrain or weather conditions. O’Reilly Auto Parts carries tire chains built for truck and SUV, passenger car, and ATV tires, as well as a variety of chain lengths and sizes. If your roads are typically cleared, but often a bit slick, we recommend investing in some ice melt to sprinkle on the road around your tires to begin melting the ice and increase your tires’ traction on the road.
Poncho/Umbrella
If you live in a very wet climate that experiences high amounts of precipitation, or if your area typically receives a lot of rain or storms in the spring and summer, adding a poncho and umbrella to your roadside emergency kit is a great way to stay dry if you have to complete any unexpected repairs while on the road.
Properly storing your roadside emergency kit is imperative to the efficiency and safety of carrying these items in your vehicle. Most items in your roadside kit can be stored in a large, durable duffle bag that can be zipped up if needed. Any items that will not fit in the bag should be kept in a place of easy access near the rest of the kit, such as the trunk or hatch of your vehicle. If you have a single cab truck that has a bed cover or a toolbox, secure your emergency kit in the bed and make sure it is properly covered. We recommend keeping your first aid kit on top of your emergency kit supplies, or nearer to you, such as under a passenger or back seat. All of the liquid and canned items in your kit need to be kept in a cool, secure place, such as strapped into the back of your trunk. Always make sure the lids for these items are secured to avoid any spills or accidental discharge.
Vehicle emergency kits make it easy to gather everything you need in case of an unexpected event, and can supply you with crucial items you may not always consider packing. If you want to build your own roadside emergency kit, but aren’t sure where to start, O’Reilly Auto Parts offers pre-made, basic roadside emergency kits with most of the essentials secured in a small, zippered duffle bag. These kits range in size and include products that are built for a variety of emergency applications. We also carry starter off-road emergency kits and a winter weather emergency kit for heavy-duty and all-terrain drivers.
No matter what you drive or where your journey takes you, O’Reilly Auto Parts is dedicated to providing you with the essential items you need to stay safe on the road. For more information or help finding any of the roadside emergency kit supplies you need, shop our selection online or visit your local store and get help from our Professional Parts People® finding the products you need to keep driving safely.