Car emergency kit- what do you carry ?

[Lesmore]

We have a couple of vehicles. One my wife drives...to work and just around the city. It's a Pontiac Vibe, which as many know is a badge engineered Toyota Matrix. So don't carry anything...just have winter tires (Goodyear Nordics) on during our 5 1/2 months of severe winter.

The other car is a big Buick, 6 passenger sedan. I drive it....city and lot's of travel in the country....particularly down snow covered back roads. It's surprisingly good on snow and ice....tires are all season Michelins...that seem to work better than many other all season. I'm careful and I frequent country back roads in order to photograph wildlife...animals, birds...also old, abandoned vehicles.

My emergency kit for the Buick:

• folding military style shovel
• metal traction bridges ...made in Quebec...excellent
• blanket, sleeping bag
• candles, supply of Vaseline soaked cotton balls (kindling), couple of butane lighters, water proof matches
• heavy, insulated coveralls, heavy winter coat, Mountie style hat, thick winter socks, heavy mitts....not gloves, boots good to 74 below, winter face mask
• water supply, food supply, back road maps, portable CB radio, Cell phone, flash light

Do you carry an emergency kit in your vehicle and if so...what's in it ?

 

[redrako]

That's a serious kit.

Almost all of my driving these days is in Metro Boston, plus I have a "work at home" capability. However, when I did direct sales I would carry some food and water with me as well a heavy coat in the car during the winter plus a kit of charged batteries for my Blackberry.

Today, it's just a few tools, some road flares, a reflective vest and a AAA card. Now I have a stupid Iphone, which Apple won't allow me too swap out a battery.

 

[COHunter]

I have chains, shovel, jumper cables and a few other little things in the "kit" the jumper cables came in.
Always have the phone charger, and usually if I'm out and trekking somewhere I'm camping so I'll have that gear otherwise it's just local metro driving for me.

 

[soccerguy83]

I carry a decent first aid kit, mil surp army blanket, jumper cables, socket set with screwdrivers and pliers, knife, air pump, and prob some stuff I'm not thinking of. I want to make a get home bag for each vehicle as well.

 

[captaincaveman]

I too drive a 6 passenger Buick, RWD and converted to 5 speed. It's surprisingly decent in snow. I'm very practiced in snow too, I've always been the designated snow driver, and spent a few years plowing for the state. I also have studded winter tires. Supply on Craigslist is larger than demand for my size so they're very cheap. Wheels are cheap too, so it's not like I'm having four tires mounted on wheels twice a year. Miles I put on my winter tires are not put on non-winter tires. Once my winter tires are too worn for winter I pull the studs and they actually make great summer tires with their soft compound. There's no disadvantage, and plenty of advantage, for me to use studded winter tires.

Not much survival gear in my car, mostly tech, auto, tools, and clothing. There is a whole lot of stuff but it tucks nicely into nooks and crannies and I still have room for dozens of hooker bodies in my huge trunk.
- I installed a high-current two USB/two 12v port gizmo that I got at Walmart for $10 and I've got USB cables, so I can keep my phone alive no matter what.
- Plenty of clothes, a blanket, etc.
- A couple coroplast road spam signs that are nice to kneel on while changing a tire in snow/dirt.
- Of course I have jumper cables, though with a clutch pedal I can bump start.
- Spare wiper blades.
- Since my car is an antique with Flintstones technology I have some spare ignition parts and a fuel filter.
- A moderate collection of tools, enough to handle some basic diagnostic and repair stuff. Multimeter, ratchet set, screwdriver set, pliers, vise grips, distributor wrench, etc.
- Spare automotive fluids.
- I also have a pair of cable chains and a pair of more aggressive classic tire chains.
- Lots of bungee straps. I thought I had a ratchet belt too, but couldn't find it the other day.
- Tire plug kit, bottle of soapy water, spritzer, 12v tire pump.
- Napkins, paper towels, bath towel, wet naps, hand cleaner, etc.
- GOOD snow brush.
- Spray de-icer. Also spray window cleaner.
- Microfiber-on-a-stick window cleaning tool. Used dry, it removes haze from inside the windshield perfectly, reducing incoming headlight glare.
- Bunch of other stuff I don't remember.

...ok not all of that is emergency kit.

Right now there's also a variety of tools and supplies for electrical and interior accessory mounting, I've been doing small interior/electrical projects on my lunchbreak.

 

[PugslyCat]

I'm not so worried about getting stuck somewhere because I have multiple cell phones and an auto club card for that. My winter driving is mostly in populated areas or along heavily traveled roads, so rescue or getting to some help should be fairly quick.

My main concern is that through the winter I still make frequent trips to my country house. I'd hate to get part way there and find roads closed due to weather. My kit has some survival and emergency stuff, but is really mostly aimed at making my stay in a shelter comfortable for a day or two.

I try to keep the same gear in both vehicles, but confess to having left most of it out of the van this winter. I've got to get it back in, but had cleared it out to do some hauling this fall.

I carry a car emergency box with jumper cables, coiled tow rope, kitty litter for traction, a pair of folding trianglular reflectors and a few tools.

In the past I have carried the self contained jump starters with the built in battery and light. I've always managed to forget to keep them charged or left them plugged into the wall socket and over charged them, thus destroying the battery. I'm hoping to do better this winter.

I want to add a fire extinguisher to the car kit and possibly a come along type winch.

My personal emergency bag is an army surplus ALICE pack with the following either in it or attached to it:
sleeping bag
sleeping mat
two man tent
hatchet
multi-tool
pocket knife
flashlight
chemical light sticks
pencil
pen
note paper
2 changes of socks and underwear. Old stuff I really don't want to wear.
Coleman mess kit, the cheap aluminum kind
Food and drink mixes for three days:

jerky
breakfast bars
cocoa
tea bags
powdered soup​

canteen with:

water purification tablets
metal cup
stove for cup
solid fuel cubes for stove​

Hygiene kit with:

baby wipes
tooth brush
tooth paste
bath soap
shampoo
washcloth
lip balm
hand lotion
stick deoderant
DE razor w/one blade installed.​

Fire starting kit with:

strike anywhere matches in waterproof container
lighter
flint & steel
magnifying glass
dryer lint for kindling​

First aid kit with:

Adhesive bandages large and small
gauze pads
tape
antibiotic cream
alcohol swabs
burn cream
cold pills
aspirin
antacid​

Most of the stuff in the back packs are what I was able to find around the house.

I want to add or change:

folding shovel
para cord and/or rope
tarp - preferably orange or yellow
whistle
compass
compact binoculars,spy glass, or even some cheap opera glasses
hand warmers
small towel for the hygiene kit
toilet paper for the hygiene kit
completely replace the food and drink kit
review the first aid kit​

 

[mdove47]

get at least jumper cables and teach her how to use them...if she as a dead battery or starter issues she is ok...and she can help someone else out. I grew up in sunny North Dakota...If you see someone stop...it might be you the next time and jumper cables are a necessity.

 

[tinashubby]

The Genuine OEM Hyundai Roadside Emergency Kit! Be prepared for any emergency! Whether your car's battery suddenly dies and leaves you stranded in the middle of no where, or if you get in an accident and come out with some cuts and scrapes, the Hyundai Roadside Emergency Kit is truly worth having. The Hyundai Roadside Emergency Kit comes with a bunch of protective items in the package. Everything is held together inside of the Hyundai Roadside Emergency Kit's sturdy nylon case.

This is perfect for any family. And why not protect your kids? New drivers need protection, too!

Here is a full list of essential items that come in your all new Hyundai Roadside Emergency Kit:

• Carrying bag
• Booster cables
• Cable ties
• Hose tape
• Phillips screw driver
• Flathead screw driver
• Shop towel
• All purpose poncho
• Gloves
• Emergency blanket
• Flash light
• Accident report form
• Bungee cord
• Lightstick
• Slip joint pliers
• Hazard triangle
• Bandages
• Antiseptic wipes

 

[Lakebound]

- First Aid Kit
- Tire Puncture repair kit
- B&D Quick Jump Battery Booster/Starter and 110 amp power source
- 2 Mountain House meals
- Simple tools
- US Wool Blanket, Military Issue
- Personal carry weapon
- Gray Matter between my ears

Frank

 

[Lesmore]

Seen some things that I never thought of...like the cable ties in the Hyundai kit. That is a very good idea. Also I forgot to mention I do carry a multi tool. A Leatherman.

 

[captaincaveman]

Yeah, I'm seeing a bunch of stuff I forgot from my list like cable ties, rags, hand cleaner, first aid kit, hazard triangle...also I have a street cone, missing a few inches from its top, that I found discarded on the side of the highway while searching for the wheelcover that ran away when my tire blew (my own fault, I knew it was low and drove on it anyway).

 

[Argonaut]

Most of our kit is formulated from going to kids early morning, late evening soccer games. Its a well known fact that soccer field complexes are 20 degrees colder and have winds 15mph stronger than anywhere else in the surrounding area. Water, granola bars, folding chairs, subzero sleeping bags and stocking hats. On long road trips to unfamiliar areas, a Walther PPS .40 is along for the ride.

 

[9 Iron]

Bottle of bourbon and Led Zeppelin Physical Grafitti cassette. Everything else will take care of itself.

 

[captaincaveman]

Bottle of bourbon and Led Zeppelin Physical Grafitti cassette. Everything else will take care of itself.

That sounds great. I ought to dump all that other crap I've got and go with this plan. I sure do enjoy bourbon and that album.

 

[Slash McCoy]

A .45 a tire compressor a plug kit a six pack and a can of vienna sausages.

 

[Lesmore]

A .45 a tire compressor a plug kit a six pack and a can of vienna sausages.

I think it would be easier to survive in the 'winter' warmth of deep south ...than it would be in the frozen north where I live. It's forecast to go to down to 30 below or so tonight. The wind chill will probably be around 40 below.

I could be wrong...but I doubt it.

Come to think of it, during the short summer's here...some of the emergency kit is stored till the winter.

Les

 

[Slash McCoy]

Then you need a BBW and I dont mean belgian blue Whetstone. Or a big fluffy blankie.

 

[captaincaveman]

Then you need a BBW and I dont mean belgian blue Whetstone. Or a big fluffy blankie.

...a chubby, and I don't mean a shaving brush.

 

[dfoulk]

You guys might want to add some road flares as well. Might keep you from getting hit by another vehicle in the dark.

 

[PugslyCat]

I've always thought of carrying road flares, but went with the reflectors instead. I figure it's best to keep the combustible stuff to a minimum in the event things get really bad, but that's just me. I do need to get flares or reflectors to go in the other car as I only have one set that I move back and forth.

This has been a good thread. It reminded me to go through my kit for the van last night. Sure enough, a couple of items were wishful thinking on my part. So off I went to the local Dollar Tree, Sportsman's Warehouse, and Northern Tool to fill in a few things:

Binoculars
Space blanket
Whistle with a built in compass,
Orange rain poncho (doubles as tarp or signal to searchers)
Several boxes of pills for assorted stress induced tummy troubles
Sanitary napkins were added to the first aid kit to help control bleeding from wounds
Instead of getting toilet paper I doubled up on baby wipes.​

I am headed to the local outdoor store/army surplus shop this afternoon to get the following:

Folding shovel
MRE's so I don't have torotate the food and drink mixes as often.
​

The local farm supply store normally has a good supply of:

Hand warmers
Road flares or reflectors for the second vehicle
Para cord and/or rope - Cheaper than the outdoor store
Duct tape
Wire - Good to have in the car kit if a part needs secured afer an accident
​

Lying around the house somewhere I'm sure I have a small towel and wire ties.