What do I need in an emergency car kit?
Whether you're driving a car, hauling a trailer, or operating a heavy truck, a well-prepared emergency kit can make a big difference when things go wrong. Here are some items that we strongly recommend for comprehensive safety, to help with both DOT compliance as well as convenience.
1. Reflective (DOT) Warning Triangles
- These are your first line of roadside protection to be noticed by others in all weather conditions. Our DOT line of kits include a set of 3 in a case, that you can view HERE.
- Place one about 10 feet behind your vehicle on the traffic side, and another 100 feet back in the center of the lane.
- Third triangle depends on the road type.
- 1-way or divided roadway: place the third 200 feet behind your car in the center of the lane.
- 2-way roadway: place the third triangle 100 feet in front of your car in your lane, facing oncoming traffic.
2. LED Flares / Safety Beacons
- LED flares use high-intensity, weatherproof LED flares with multiple modes, such as flash, steady, and variable patterns.
- Safer than chemical flares, and last much more than the chemical 20-minute flares.
- They can be placed on the ground, or elevated or put onto your car via magnets or a hook on the back.
- We offer kits with LED flares, such as this one HERE.
3. DOT C2 Reflective Tape
- This conspicuity tape is critical for trailers, towed by cars or trucks.
- Use red/white DOT C2 tape along the sides and rear of trailers.
- Carry a roll for emergency replacement in case of damage or wear, and ensure you have DOT compliant ones as cheaper ones can limit reflective ability or have inferior sticking quality.
4. Jumper Cables or Booster Cables
- Critical tools for jump starts, jumper cables can help you get back on the road quick!
- Choose heavy-gauge (4–6 gauge or thicker), 12–16 foot in length, but they vary based on vehicle type- the more heavy duty the vehicle, the thicker the gauge we recommend. We offer a kit with the 6 gauge jumper cables HERE.
- Insulated clamps, clear labeling, and good storage (coil or bag) are all helpful.
5. Fire Extinguisher (Auto-Rated)
- Use a Class B:C extinguisher suitable for gasoline and electrical fires at minimum, but ideally ones with class A rating such as the 1A10BC for interior materials such as cloth, as well as additional spray duration and coverage ability.
- Learn more about these in our blog post HERE.
6. First Aid Kit
- Cover basic medical needs: bandages, antiseptics, gauze, etc.
- We recommend an ANSI kit for more comprehensive coverage of various injuries- visit our DOT auto safety and NEMT product sections and you will see we include them in all of our DOT compliance kits.
7. Tire Sealant / “Fix-A-Flat”
- Tire sealant is a great way to make it to your destination if you have a puncture but the tire is still in safely usable shape.
- Rotate the puncture to the bottom, remove the tire valve cap, and attach the sealant and push it in to begin filling the inside of the tire. The tire should re-inflate a bit. Drive 2-4 miles to evenly coat inside, and then add more air back in. Be sure to have your tire professionally repaired or replaced within 3 days.
- Use only for temporary repair to get you to a shop, it's not a permanent solution.
8. Tire Pressure Gauge & Tread Depth Gauge
- Monitor tire health before trouble starts
- Use a heavy-duty pressure gauge (reads up to 150 psi+).
- Use a tread depth gauge (probe-style) to check remaining tread to know when to replace your tires.
9. Emergency Escape Tool (Window Hammer / Seatbelt Cutter)
- Essential for high-risk scenarios (submersion or rollover).
- Choose a dual-purpose tool with a hardened tip (for breaking windows) and a recessed cutter (for seatbelts).
- Keep it in easy reach - not buried under gear.
10. Spare Tire, Jack & Lug Wrench
- The basic tire-change trio- make sure your spare is inflated and your jack fits your vehicle (usually included in the same compartment as the spare tire).
11. Air Compressor / Tire Inflator
- A very useful tool, usually attached to the interior's 12V outlet, to help inflate any tires that may have lost air.
- Losses could come from a drastic change in air temperature, hitting items on the road, or refilling after using a tire sealant to help get to a garage.
12. High-Visibility Safety Vest
- Increases your visibility to passing traffic, especially at night or in bad weather.
- At a minimum we recommend a Class 2 vest (pictured below) or a Class 3 (with sleeves) and highly reflective tape strips. Both Orange and Yellow vests are popular and recommended most.
13. Heavy-Duty Gloves
- Protect your hands while handling tools, wires, or hot components. Some of our kits include hi-vis gloves paired with a safety vest, for comfort as well as low-vis environment safety (pictured above).
14. Flashlight + Spare Batteries
- A bright, reliable light is indispensable for night repairs. Rechargeable or hand-crank models are bonus options.
- If you have a model with batteries, regularly test and swap them as they can degrade overtime- both by losing power as well as possibly leaking.
15. Basic Tool Kit
- Include essentials like screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, and maybe some fuses or spare bulbs.
16. Tow Strap / Recovery Rope
- Strong nylon straps can help pull you (or others) out of tricky spots.
17. Rain Poncho & Blanket
- Stay warm and dry while waiting for help in bad weather, or if you are needing to fix your tire or getting yourself unstuck from mud or snow, while in inclement weather.
18. Bottled Water & Non-Perishable Snacks
- To sustain you if stranded for several hours.
- Emergency water packets can be kept inside of kits as well and have a long shelf life for absolute emergencies, but bringing extra bottled water and basic food on any road trip can absolutely change the situation- even if just helping improve your mood.
19. Paper Map & Emergency Contact List
- Map for if GPS fails.
- Contact List in case your phone dies and a passerby lets you use their phone but don't have your contacts.
Maintenance & Best Practices
- Inspect twice annually - check batteries, tire pressure, expiration dates, seals, etc.
- Have proper mounts storage, so the items don't move around loosely and risk damage.
- Organize by priority - items you’ll reach for first (triangles, flares, escape tool) should be easily accessible.
- Customize for climate/terrain e.g. ice scraper, traction mats, and shovel for cold areas.
- Practice using the tools — know how to set triangles, hook jumper cables correctly, use the escape tool, and how to apply sealant.
- With this guide, you should be well on your way to hit the road with confidence, that in case of an emergency you will be prepared to handle any potential roadside situation.
