Emergency Car Repair Kit—Essential Items for Every Driver

Every driver should have a roadside emergency car repair kit in the trunk of their vehicle. Even if you don't take long drives or stay within a small area, you never know when trouble will strike. It doesn't take much money or effort to equip your car for a potential disaster. It's always better to err on the side of caution, so here are some ways you can prepare for the worst whether you're driving around the corner or taking your great American road trip.

If you primarily take short trips, you can get by with just a few essentials. One of the most important things to have is a first aid kit. Inside it should be bandages of several sizes, medical tape, tweezers, gloves, over the counter painkillers, and antiseptic wipes. While that is the bare minimum, if possible invest in a larger kit that also has a blanket, blunt scissors, a first aid handbook, and several safety pins. It's also smart to keep a kit in the glove box as well as the trunk, just in case you are unable to retrieve one. In addition to medical supplies, a flashlight with a spare set of batteries is a must for when you get stuck in the dark.

It's also crucial to be prepared to do some roadside car repair if needed. Check to make sure your vehicle is equipped with everything you need to change a tire, which would include a spare donut that is properly inflated, a jack and a wrench. Other handy tools are pliers, socket wrenches, screwdriver with multiple heads, spare fuses, and a jumper cable. Most of these will be able to get you out of a jam quickly, or allow any other drivers to give you a hand if you aren't mechanically inclined.

If you're going on a longer trip, you'll want to plan ahead and bring extra items with you. Flesh out your first aid kit and be sure to bring a gallon of fresh water (more if you will be travelling through the desert or long stretches of highway). Flares, safety vests, and a hazard triangle are also important for alerting other drivers if you get caught in the middle of the road. If getting stranded is a possibility, bring sufficient supplies to last for a few days such as some extra clothing including jackets and some non-perishable food items.

While not necessary, there are many other supplies that are useful. Most people carry a cell phone with them, and you may want to be sure you have a charger that can be plugged into the cigarette lighter. If your phone doesn't have a camera, or if it isn't very good, invest in a disposable 35mm film camera with a flash. In case you get into a collision, you will be able to snap the necessary shots for your insurance company. When winter hits, add some tire chains, extra blankets, an ice scraper, and a bag of kitty litter for traction if necessary.