Car Emergency First Aid Kits: 15 Essential Items You Should Have in Your Car

It seems more and more people are driving farther than they ever have before just to get to work. I know I was one of those people. I drove 80 miles round trip on my commute five days a week when I was working. I love to drive though. I practically lived in my car and it seemed I never had what I needed when I needed it. So, I sat down and thought about what I should keep in my car based on the things I had needed in the past. In hopes of preventing frustration for other people, I wanted to share this list. Mine was much longer than just 15 items, but I had to narrow it down or this article would be way to long to read. This list is everything I have in my emergency car kit.

1) Jumper Cables or Portable Jump Starter – this one may seem redundant. How many times have you been told you should keep jumper cables in your car? I’m guessing quite a bit like me. These not only are beneficial for you in case you need a jump, but also for other people who may be parked in your vicinity. Keep in mind, just because you have jumper cables doesn’t mean you have to use them to help someone else, although you should. The portable jump starter is a little pricey, but worth it. You don’t have to wait for someone to jump your car or for a tow truck to help you.

2) First Aid Kit – This is must have. Things like alcohol pads and gauze can come in handy for many reasons, not just injury related. For example, if you’re checking your oil and you don’t have anything else to wipe the dipstick you can use gauze. You can buy first aid kits at most pharmacies and they range in price from about $2.00 to over $30.00. Just make sure the kit has the basics: band-aids, gauze, alcohol pads and an antibacterial ointment in it. Also, keep a list of any medications you may take in the glove box, and have some extra meds in the first aid kit. If you have to take a medicine at certain times and can’t miss a does (or really shouldn’t) you’ll be glad you packed extra pills in case you have to wait for four or five hours. Just make sure they are in a bottle with the original pharmacy label especially if they are narcotic.

3) Fix-a-Flat – This stuff is amazing. I’ve only had to use it twice but it’s saved me over $200 in towing for just a flat tire. I know the majority of vehicles have a spare, but I haven’t gotten around to getting mine fixed yet, so I don’t. Instead, I keep a can of Fix-a-Flat in my car at all times and the minute I use it, I buy a new one. You won’t get all dirty using this either, just remember to make sure the rim is off the ground before you drive it and make sure you drive the car immediately. You need to drive for about four miles for the stuff to work its magic. You can actually drive on it for a long time after using it, but I’d recommend you get the tire fixed right away. I just use it to get the garage so I don’t have to get a tow.

4) Cell Phone Battery Charger – this can be the cigarette lighter kind, but you’re better off with one of the portable charging ones in case your car’s battery is dead. My phone’s battery dies quite quickly so the minute I start up my car I plug it in. You never know when you’re going to need it for an emergency and it’s best to have a fully charged battery in case you have to make several phone calls.

5) Tire Gauge – If you don’t know how to use one, learn. You need to be able to check the pressure in the tires especially if you use Fix-a-Flat. When I was driving all those miles, I checked my tires about once a month, when I should have checked them once a week. Keeping the right amount of air in the tires makes the car handle better and the tires last longer.

6) Extra Quart of Oil – This is especially important for older cars. My car has a slow oil leak that’s expensive to fix. I usually keep 2 quarts in my car and I check it frequently. One quart is sufficient in case your oil light comes on, but don’t drive it for weeks, get it in as quickly as possible. There’s a reason your idiot light came on.

7) Hand and Windex Wet Wipes – I use wet wipes all the time. Especially after using the pump at the gas station (come on, how many people have used that? Yuck) But they are also handy for quick clean ups. The Windex wet wipes are awesome, and they aren’t as messy as the squeegee at the gas station.

8) Pen and Paper – I know most of you have this in your briefcase or purse but in an emergency, you aren’t going to want to search for it. Keep the pen and paper in the center console or glove box so you know where it is.

9) Books or Other Distraction – No this is not for reading while driving. This is in case you are on the side of the road waiting for the tow truck and get as anxious as I do. Watched pot never boils, it will keep you from checking your watch constantly and make they time go by quicker. It’s also handy to have a distraction while you wait for your car at the garage. If you have children, you should keep a few small toys or books for them as well. Kids hate waiting.

10) Visa $25.00 Pre-Paid Card – This is for emergency use only especially if you’re like me and live paycheck to paycheck. You can use it for gas if you don’t have the money or other unforeseen necessities like a gas can if you run out of fuel.

11) Flashlight with Extra Batteries or Glow Sticks – If you live in a rural area as I do, these are indispensable. If you are stuck on a rural road in the dark with a flat, you won’t be able to see because streetlights are usually limited if they are there at all. Just make sure you have an extra, unopened package of batteries or get a hand crank one. A flashlight without batteries is just pure frustration. Glow sticks are a cheap alternative, but they don’t provide much light. You don’t have to worry about batteries though.

12) Swiss Army Knife or Other Multitool– I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used mine. You never know when you might need a screwdriver or a knife. The bottle opener can come in handy too!

13) Blanket and/or Sweater – If you’re stuck out in the cold with a dead battery, waiting on the tow truck can get uncomfortable. Thermal blankets are a good idea if you live in an area where it falls below zero.

14) Your Car’s Owners Manual – I know most people keep this in the glove box, but I forgot to put mine back one time and I needed it for tire sizes. This has invaluable information in it and unless you memorize the book, you’ll need it at some point for reference.

15) Feminine Products – Obviously this is for women. I keep a stash of tampons and a fresh pair of undies in a makeup bag in my glove box just in case.

There you have it, just a few things to make your stop on the side of the road a bit more comfortable. Interestingly, after I wrote this I was getting ready to take my car in to get a tire fixed and it wouldn’t start. Thankfully, it’s in my garage and I’m not stuck somewhere, but for some reason car problems just make me horribly anxious. I hope these items will help with the anxiety you may feel when your car breaks down.

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