Emergency Supplies for Car: Ultimate Guide [2024]

Here's a list of essentials you should keep in the car survival pack:

First Aid Supplies

Every emergency kit should have first aid items that treat mild and severe injuries. You'll never know what kind of injury might happen in a roadside emergency. It could be a bad cut while working on the car engine or fractures if the vehicle strikes something.

• Band-Aids
• Hand Sanitizer
• Cotton Balls
• Tweezers
• Sunscreen
• Bug Spray
• Splints
• Gauze Pads
• Anti-bacterial Wipes
• Non-latex Gloves
• Antiseptic Ointments

Car Maintenance & Repair Supplies

You would need automotive essentials like car maintenance and repair supplies. You don't need to be an amateur mechanic to know how to use the fundamental tools and supplies for car maintenance. Here's the list of car maintenance and repair supplies you need:

• Jumper Cables and Jump Starter Battery
• Spare Tire
• Backup Fluids & Equipment
• Screwdrivers
• Pliers
• Tire-pressure Gauge
• Duct Tape

Jumper cables and a jump starter battery will help you ensure you can get back on the road. You'll also need a spare tire, jack, lug wrench, and a piece of 4×4 wood to check the air pressure in the spare time and change tires on a gravel, sandy, or muddy road.

Roadside Tools

Unexpected events can leave anyone stranded on the road without any power tools or vehicle safety supplies. If the vehicle breaks down on the side of the road, it can put you and your safety at risk. Getting stranded in extremely hot and cold conditions can also be deadly. For this reason, it becomes important to have a roadside emergency kit handy that includes the essentials mentioned below:

• Reflective Cones
• Flares
• Reflective Vest
• Fire Extinguisher
• Reflective Triangles  
• Tow Straps

Emergency Water & Food

The emergency car supply kit should include a three-day food supply per person. Remember, a three-day survival supply of emergency food is a minimum survival recommendation. Store-bought food can not be safely stored in a car for several months. However, having preserved food in your vehicle is not enough.

You should also keep at least three days of emergency drinking water in the car emergency kit. Remember, the extreme temperatures mean the bottled water will stay safe for under six months. Your car survival kit should also have purification tablets to purify water for drinking anywhere.

If your pet is a frequent car companion, you should carry some pet supplies, including pet food, water, feeding and watering bowls, a leash, a chew toy, or other comfort items.

Emergency Power

Since you'll have electronics and gadgets such as a car fridge, smartphone, lights, laptops, etc., when traveling, you must consider packing an emergency power source. Jackery Solar Generators, for example, are portable and powerful charging solutions that can charge most essential items, such as smartphones, laptops, lights, car fridges, ice makers, etc. Hence, you never have to worry about finding an electrical outlet in a remote location. The power station's foldable handle and compact design ensure you can easily store it in the vehicle's rear compartment.

Emergency Lights

If you often travel during the night time, you'll need to have a source of light. A flashlight is also a necessity if you are going to work on the engine. Even if you're traveling in the daylight, the engine will have a lot of dark nooks and crannies that are difficult to see without illumination.

People usually know how important it is to have a flashlight in the car, but they often forget that they also need to replace the batteries every 6 months. Your emergency car survival kits should include emergency light sticks, flashlights, etc., that can illuminate the space at night.

Emergency Shelter Supplies

You need essential shelter supplies if you get stuck in the car or travel on foot in the cold. Some essential shelter supplies include emergency thermal blankets for warmth, a tube tent for emergency shelter, and proper clothes to protect you from the weather.

Nice-to-Have Supplies & Items for Winter

Car emergencies can happen to anyone, especially in the winter months. It's better to prepare for the worst-case scenario than not being prepared. Your winter car emergency kit should include basic survival supplies, car maintenance tools, clothing, and safety items. Here's the list of what to include in the winter car emergency kit:

• Matches
• Non-perishable Snacks
• Reflective Triangles
• Toolbox
• Water
• Blanket
• Shovel
• Jumper Cables
• Phone Charger
• Flashlight
• Car Litter
• Extra Winter Clothes
• Snow Boots
• Tire Chains
• Empty Gas Can
• Road Flare
• Snowbrush
• Traction Mats
• Hand Warmers

Jackery Solar Generators for Emergencies

Traveling in a car means you need a reliable charging solution that works wherever you move, even in remote locations without electricity. Solar generators are eco-friendly charging solutions that charge your essential appliances with free solar energy. Jackery is a leading solar brand that manufactures high-quality and efficient solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations.

The Jackery Solar Generators are powerful, portable charging solutions that can charge most car emergency appliances for long hours. They do not emit toxic fumes or noise, ensuring they are safe to use indoors or outdoors. You can place the solar power panels in direct sunlight to convert the solar energy into DC. The DC electricity is supplied to portable power stations, where the pure sine wave inverter converts DC to AC.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 is a remarkable high-capacity solar generator capable of running low- to high-power-consuming appliances for hours. The multiple output ports ensure you can run lights, coolers, car fridges, portable fans, etc. It weighs only 24.2 lbs, features a compact foldable handle, and can easily fit in the rear compartment for convenient storage.

Appliances Running Time

• Portable Refrigerator (500W) = 1.8H
• Heated Throw (250W) = 3.6H
• Lights (10W) = 90.9H
• Camera (9W) = 101.0H
• Portable Fan (50W) = 18.1H
• Smartphone (20W) = 45.4H

Customer Review

"I bought the Explorer 1000 v2 for a long road trip as an emergency tool. Well, it didn't take long to figure out if I could plug in a small fan and clip it to the back seat and keep the dogs in their crates cool in the cargo area." — Susan.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus Roam Kit

Those who travel often in their car, SUVs, or RVs need a reliable solar-powered generator to charge their appliances. The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus Roam Kit offers more power in a smaller size and supports 99% of emergency appliances. The Jackery SolarSaga 100 Prime Solar Panels can be installed on the vehicle's roof, so you always have power on the go. These solar panels are internationally certified for reliability and safe to use outdoors.

Appliances Running Time

• Air Compressor (1100W) = 58 minutes
• Portable Refrigerator (500W) = 2.1H
• Heated Throw (250W) = 4.2H
• Lights (10W) = 107.4H
• Camera (9W) = 119.3H
• Portable Fan (50W) = 21.4H

Customer Review

"We've had the unit for a while now and absolutely love how rugged it is. The solar panels work great, and the peace of mind of knowing we have a battery backup for all our devices and some appliances is awesome." — John Brogan.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

If you are planning long road trips or commuting to faraway places, you'll need a larger solar-powered generator that can charge 99% of emergency appliances. The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus can charge an air compressor to inflate and maintain tire pressure anywhere or a smartphone to connect with loved ones when you're stuck anywhere. It has pull rods, foldable handles, and an ergonomic design to move the generator anywhere you want.

Appliances Running Time

• Air Compressor (1100W) = 1.5H
• Portable Refrigerator (500W) = 3.4H
• Heated Throw (250W) = 6.9H
• Lights (10W) = 173.6H
• Camera (9W) = 192.9H
• Portable Fan (50W) = 34.7H

Customer Review

"I went off the grid with it, and we love it. We live in a camper and power up everything for at least 2 days without charging but losing everything, so I'm very happy that we got it. We have a small Jackery that we relied on, but now we have no problem with power." — Marcin Powichrowski.

How to Prepare Your Car for Emergency

Emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime — so it's best to be prepared. Whether you want to prepare for unexpected situations like hurricanes or floods, medical issues, or accidents, you can do a few things to stay ready.

Regular Checkup

Vehicles need regular checkups to maintain efficiency and have safer journeys on the road. For instance, you can make it a daily habit to inspect for physical damage before you get behind the wheel. In addition, you can test tire pressure and transmission fluid once every month.

While there are many basic things that you can do, some inspections should be left to the professionals. You should get the antifreeze levels, brakes, ignition systems, exhaust systems, fuel and air filters, lights and flashing hazards, thermostats, windshield wiper equipment, etc., checked by professionals once a year.

Never Forget Gas

When you're on your way back home after a long day, it can be tempting to bypass the gas station and put off getting gas until the next day. Instead, you should consider keeping the gas tank at least halfway full. When the tank is half, drivers can get going and fuel their tank later. Another thing you should consider carrying is cash. In times of disaster, cash might be the only currency accepted at gas stations.

Build an On-the-Go Emergency Supply Kit

It's impossible to know what might come in handy during a breakdown, so it's better to keep an emergency supply kit handy. A fully stocked emergency kit could be of great help when an unexpected situation arises, whether you are on a long road trip or just commuting to work.

Some things you should carry include a first aid kit, jumper cables, spare tire, tow cables, traction devices, flashlight, batteries, multi-tool, and a power source like a Jackery Solar Generator. These generators can easily fit into the rear compartment of the vehicle and can charge most of the outdoor appliances you would need.

Watch the Weather

When preparing a vehicle for unexpected situations, you should keep the seasons in mind. This is because the vehicle's heating or air conditioning unit might not work when there's a vehicle breakdown.

After assembling your emergency kit, consider adding additional items such as water, non-perishable foods, and blankets. If it's cold outside, you should also carry a snow brush, extra washer fluid, and a small bag of cat litter or sand for better tire traction in slippery conditions.

Some other vehicle preparation tips include preparing at least 24 hours before traveling, writing a date on the food and water stored in the kit, and keeping food items in airtight containers.

Car Safety Tips

Whether you're traveling in summer or in winter, driving safely should be your top concern. In this section, we will cover winter and summer car safety tips in detail:

Summer Car Safety Tips

The summertime months are perfect for vacations and summer road trips. However, you need a little planning and some safety checks to ensure you don't have to deal with the consequences of the breakdown.

Check AC Performance: As the temperature rises, the AC works harder to keep the vehicle cool. You should check the AC performance and cabin filters before traveling. A lack of AC on hot summer days can affect the health of people who are sensitive to heat.

Plan Your Route: Always check the weather, traffic, and conditions. In addition, familiarize yourself with maps and directions before you go. If possible, you should let others know about the route and anticipated arrival time. 

Check the Tires: Fill each tire with the recommended inflation pressure, which is usually listed in the owner's manual. You should check the pressure when the tires are cold, which means you haven't driven for at least three hours. Remember to check for any other damage or conditions that need immediate attention.

Fluid Level: Whether you drive a conventional or hybrid vehicle, you should always check the oil level periodically. You should also check the fluid levels in the brake, power steering (hydraulic), windshield washer, and automatic transmission or clutch.

Winter Car Safety Tips

During winter, it's hard to control or stop the vehicle on a snow-covered surface. Here are some winter car safety tips you can consider:

Check Lights: Check the headlights, interior lights, turn signals, brake lights, and emergency flashers for uninterrupted traveling.

Cooling System: Always have enough coolant in the vehicle. You may also need to check the cooling systems for leaks, drain or replace the old coolant, and test the coolant.

Gas Up or Plug It In: Keep the gas tank close to full or plug the electric and hybrid-electric vehicles until they are fully charged.

Plan the Route: Check the local weather and traffic reports before heading out. If the roads aren't in good shape, carry the car emergency kit with all the essential items.

Car Emergency Supplies FAQs

What size of solar generator do I need for an emergency?

The right size of solar generator required for an emergency will depend on the total wattage of the appliances needed to be charged and the operating time of each appliance. Let's say you were driving, and the engine stopped working in the middle of the road. Now, you are using the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus to charge a smartphone (20W), lamp (50W), and portable air compressor (1100W) at the same time. The running time can be calculated using the formula:

Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh × 0.85 ÷ Operating Wattage of the Appliances = 2042.8Wh × 0.85 ÷ 1170W = 1.4H

Note: The multiplication with 0.85 indicates the power loss that happens when charging the appliances.

What basic emergency equipment should be in your car?

Some basic emergency equipment you should have in your car include a reflective traffic triangle, a flashlight, a tire gauge, jumper cables, a first aid kit, and a few extra tools.

What are the 10 items a driver should have available in case of an emergency?

The 10 items you should have in case of emergency include a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, jumper cables, reflective triangles, tow rope or strap, portable car charger, multi-purpose utility tool, duct tape, blanket, and flashlight.

What are the 4 things every emergency kit should have?

A basic emergency kit should at least include four essentials: food, water, a first aid kit, and a communication device.

What should be in a 72-hour emergency kit?

Here are the essential items you should include in a 72-hour emergency kit:

• Water (1 gallon of water per person per day)
• Food and utensils (1 to 3 day supply of non-perishable food)
• NOAA Weather Alert Radio (hand-cranked or battery-powered)
• Blankets, pillows, and sleeping bag
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Dust or filter masks (N95 mask)
• Moist towelettes
• Can opener for food
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape
• Medications
• First aid supplies
• Personal hygiene items
• Garage bags and plastic ties
• Paper supplies
• Camera
• Cash/ATM or credit card
• Emergency contact phone list
• Maps
• Medical history list

Final Thoughts

It's important to remain prepared for the roadside emergency with the emergency supplies for the car. You just need to purchase the essential supplies and pack them in a durable bag. It's much better to have a kit in the car than to find yourself in an emergency and not have the right tools at your disposal.

You should keep an emergency kit in the vehicle with a flashlight, fire extinguisher, jumper cables, and first aid kit. In addition, you'll need a reliable power source like Jackery Solar Generators to charge essential appliances such as smartphones, lights, laptops, etc. They are portable by nature and do not take up much space in the vehicle.