A good car emergency kit checklist covers three jobs: getting help, fixing small problems and staying safe while you wait. Keep a phone charger, jumper cables, flares or a reflective triangle, a flashlight, a first aid kit, water, snacks and a blanket. Add a shovel, ice scraper and sand in winter, and extra water in summer.
Ready.gov, the U.S. government's preparedness site, says that since you don't know where you will be when an emergency happens, you should prepare supplies for home, work and your car. The car kit is the one for being stranded: a dead battery, a flat tire, a snowbank or a long wait on a closed road. Below is a checklist built from Ready.gov and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), split into year-round basics and seasonal add-ons.
Get help and be seen
Cell phone and car charger
Flares, a reflective triangle or other warning markers
A white flag, which NHTSA lists alongside flares
Flashlight
Paper maps, in case you lose signal
Fix small problems
Jumper cables
Tire pressure gauge
Jack and a ground mat for changing a tire
Basic repair tools and duct tape, which NHTSA notes can temporarily patch a hose leak
Work gloves
Extra windshield washer fluid
Look after people
First aid kit (NHTSA's list includes a tourniquet)
Drinking water and nonperishable food
Any medicines you might need (see the heat note below)
Emergency blankets, towels and coats
A change of clothes
Paper towels for cleaning up
If you have a baby, an older relative or a pet who often rides with you, add what they would need for a few hours too, such as diapers, a spare pair of glasses or pet food.
NHTSA's winter list adds gear for snow and cold. Warm hats, gloves and boots are sensible extras too.
Snow shovel, broom and ice scraper
Sand or kitty litter for traction if you get stuck
Blankets for protection from the cold
Ready.gov suggests having a mechanic check your antifreeze, battery, brakes, exhaust, fuel and air filters, heater, lights, oil, thermostat and wipers before an emergency, and late fall is a good time. NHTSA notes that cold weather reduces battery power. Ready.gov also says to install good winter tires with enough tread, plus any chains or studs your area requires.
Keep the tank full. NHTSA says to keep your gas tank close to full whenever possible. Ready.gov adds that a full tank helps keep the fuel line from freezing and helps if you need to evacuate.
NHTSA's advice if you are stuck in snow:
Stay with your car and don't overexert yourself.
Make the car easy to see. Tie bright markers to the antenna or windows and keep the inside dome light on.
Make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow, and run the engine only now and then to stay warm.
Call for help as soon as you can, and tell the dispatcher where you are and how many people are with you.
In hot weather, focus on water and the car itself:
More water. Keep extra drinking water, plus water and paper towels for cleanup.
Belts and hoses. NHTSA says hot weather breaks down rubber belts and hoses, so look for bulges, blisters, cracks or cuts and replace worn ones.
Air conditioning. Have the A/C and cabin air filter checked before a long trip.
Tires. Inflate every tire, including the spare, to the pressure in your owner's manual or on the door sticker, not the number on the tire. Check them cold. NHTSA calls underinflation the leading cause of tire failure.
Fluids. Check coolant, brake, transmission or clutch, power steering and washer fluid.
Never leave a child alone in a car, even briefly or with the windows cracked. NHTSA explains that a child's body heats up much faster than an adult's. Lock your car and keep keys out of children's reach.
One bin. Keep everything in a sturdy bag or bin in the trunk, with the flashlight and first aid kit on top.
Seal food. Ready.gov says to store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
Mind medicines. NIA says to keep medicines out of heat and direct sunlight, at home and when traveling. A parked car gets hot, so carry daily medicines with you and ask your pharmacist about spares in the car.
Replace expired items. Ready.gov says to replace expired items as needed and rethink your kit every year as your family's needs change.
Check it each season. A simple habit: swap winter and summer add-ons when the weather turns, and check dates, batteries and water at the same time.
Check tires monthly. NHTSA says to check tires at least monthly and before long trips.
Look up recalls. NHTSA suggests checking your vehicle with its Recalls Look-up Tool before a trip.
Your car kit works best alongside a home kit and a plan. See our emergency kit checklist and family emergency plan checklist.
A phone charger, jumper cables, flares or a reflective triangle, a flashlight, a first aid kit, water, nonperishable food, any needed medicines, blankets and basic tools.
The basics plus a snow shovel, broom, ice scraper, sand or kitty litter for traction, extra blankets and warm clothes. Keep the gas tank close to full.
Replace expired items as needed and rethink the kit every year, as Ready.gov suggests. A quick check each season is an easy routine.
Yes. NHTSA includes drinking water in both its winter and summer kit lists. Swap it out during your seasonal check.
Family Ready: Emergency Plan is an iPhone and iPad app for building a household emergency plan, with an editable emergency kit checklist based on Ready.gov and Get Prepared guidance and optional sections for children, older adults, pets and rural homes. You can set review schedules of 3, 6 or 12 months with optional local reminders. Its free Emergency Card, which holds who to call first, allergies and medications, opens without internet, and the app is free with an optional Plus subscription.
Get Family Ready free on the App Store