15 Must-Haves For Your Car Emergency Kit

As much as we hate to admit it, cars sometimes break down. The weather doesn’t always help either.  Assembling a basic car emergency kit can help ensure your safety in the event of a car break down. To avoid getting caught unprepared, here are fifteen must-haves to have in your car emergency kit!

Mobile phone pre-programmed with rescue apps, emergency contacts, and a car charger

While you’re on the road, make sure your phone is charged! Be sure to keep a charger in your car at all times. In addition to providing a critical communication line, a phone can be used to identify drivers and passengers should you be injured and notify your families.

Jumper cables.

It’s happened to everyone. You’re at your home, at work, or out running errands and your car won’t start. Jumper cables can (most of the time) help you to start your vehicle and get back on the road.

Windshield Washer Fluid

You might ask, “why do I need that? It’s already in my car!” Yes, hopefully it is! But, given the extended oil change intervals on newer cars, and how much of it we go through getting the yuck off our windshields in the winter, it’s a good idea to have some in reserve. A clean windshield is really important to safe driving, so make sure you always have the tools to keep it clean.

Blankets

Blankets are really great to have if your heater isn’t working very well or if your car breaks down and it’s cold outside. If you’re transporting heavy things, blankets can also be helpful to protect your seats. They’re multipurpose tools with more versatility than you may realize!

Extra Warm Clothes

Keep extra warm clothes like gloves, scarves, and hats in your car in case you break down during the winter. Utah winters get cold, so don’t find yourself unprepared!

Warning Devices

If your car ever breaks down at night, and you get stranded on the side of the road, warning devices like flares or triangles can be lifesavers. They are easy to see so that you can get help quickly.

Flashlight with Extra Batteries

Again, if you ever break down at night, a flashlight is a great thing to have. You’ll be able to check out your car to try and find the issue, and be able to actually see! Make sure to keep extra batteries in the car, too. Try not to rely only on your phone’s light, you’re going to need the juice to keep your phone on if you’re stranded somewhere!

Bag of Abrasive Material or Traction Mats

Abrasive Materials (sand, salt, kitty litter, etc.) or traction mats can help your vehicle get out of snow, mud, or other uneven surfaces. This is great to have during a Utah winter!

Basic Toolkits

Basic toolkits that have tools such as a screwdriver, pliers, and adjustable wrench, duct tape and zip-ties can be great if you need to change a tire or need to make minor or temporary fixes before you can get your car to a mechanic.

Snow Shovel

You probably already have a snow shovel at your house, but make sure you have a foldable one in your car, too. If you’re at work or school all day as it snows, you might need to dig yourself out.

Ice Scraper with Brush

We’re in Utah! It gets cold outside! Make sure that you keep an ice scraper with a brush inside your car so that you can keep your windshield ice and snow free.

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is one of the most important things you can have in your car at all times. You never know when you’re going to need it, so don’t find yourself without one.

Cloth or Roll of Paper Towels

Having a cloth rag or roll of paper towels around is great if you need to check fluid levels in your car (it can get messy!) or if you need to clean up a spill.

Drinking Water

This might seem like a no-brainer, but having clean drinking water is really important — especially if your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. You might not know how far you are from a gas station or convenience store, so having water is vital. Pro tip: 2-liter soda bottles are practically bulletproof when it comes to storing water. Clean them out thoroughly, fill to about ⅞ full and throw them in the trunk. They can freeze and thaw countless times and still stay water-tight!

Non-perishable snacks for both human and pet passengers

Along with having clean drinking water, stow some non-perishable snacks in your car, too. If you find yourself stranded, you’ll know that you have food. Even if you don’t break down, you might find yourself needing a snack while driving. Don’t forget about your pet either! If you have a pet that travels with you often, make sure to have a little food packed for them as well.

While having these items in your emergency car kit are great for when your car breaks down, it’s even better to avoid breakdowns all together! We’re currently offering a “Get Ready for Winter” car inspection for only $10. Make sure to stop on by and get your car checked, fixed, and up to date to avoid any winter breakdowns. Give us a call today at 801-756-2661 or stop on by at 337 W. Main St, American Fork, UT for world-class service without the hassle.