Roadside Emergency Kit
A roadside emergency kit includes first aid supplies and basics like gloves, a blanket, and a poncho. Many kits also include jumper cables, screwdrivers, and other helpful tools.
Battery Jump Starter
A jump starter has its own battery pack with built-in cables, making it easy to start your car without help from another vehicle or driver.
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Pro Tip: Store your jump starter inside the car, not in the trunk. The trunk may be inaccessible if your car won’t start or the latch is frozen. |
Jumper Cables
Jumper cables, also known as booster cables, connect your dead battery to a running vehicle’s battery, transferring enough charge to start your engine. Unlike a jump starter, they don’t need to be recharged, but you’ll need access to another vehicle.
Ice Scraper
A combination ice scraper and snow brush handles both jobs with one tool: the brush end clears loose snow off your windshield and mirrors, while the scraper edge breaks through the layer of ice underneath.
Windshield De-Icer
De-icer spray uses a freezing-point depressant, often an alcohol-based formula, to loosen ice on contact, making it easier to remove than scraping through a solid layer. Some cans even include a small scraper built into the cap.
Ice Melt
If your tires are spinning on packed snow or ice without gaining traction, ice melt can help by lowering the freezing point of the ice beneath your tires, melting it and improving grip. Ice melt can also be used around your home to prevent freezing on sidewalks, driveways, and more.
Tire Chains
Tire chains attach to your tires and add extra traction for conditions that go beyond what all-season tires are built to handle, like deep snow or ice on steep grades. Check your tire size before buying, since chains are sized to fit specific tires.
Snow Shovel
A small snow shovel with an adjustable handle extends for reach and collapses or folds down for easy storage. It clears space around your tires for traction or gives you room to work if you’re stopped on the side of the road.
Tire Inflator
A tire inflator like Fix-a-Flat seals small tread punctures and reinflates your tire in seconds, without using a jack to raise your car or removing the wheel.
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Pro Tip: A tire inflator product is a temporary fix, not a substitute for a proper repair, and it won’t work on a sidewall puncture or a hole larger than about a quarter of an inch. |
Work Gloves
Insulated work gloves are a must-have when changing a tire, scraping your windshield, or walking for help in freezing temperatures. Most roadside emergency kits come with gloves, but you’ll want a pair that’s made for cold weather and dexterity.
The automotive repair work depicted in this series is performed under the direction of the manufacturer of the product featured. Prior to undertaking any of the demonstrated repairs on your vehicle, we suggest you consult with a certified mechanic or another professional who can adequately advise you of the proper repair or remedy required. O’Reilly Automotive Stores, Inc. and its affiliates (“O’Reilly”) disclaims any responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a viewer’s attempt to recreate the repairs shown in this series.