Vehicle & Roadside Emergency Supplies

Vehicle problems, bad weather, and unexpected delays can happen even when a car is well maintained. Keeping a few basic supplies in the vehicle can make it easier to stay safe, communicate, and handle common roadside situations while waiting for help.

This page brings together practical supplies for roadside emergencies, battery and tire problems, visibility, communication, weather conditions, and basic vehicle preparedness.

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Roadside Emergency Kits

A roadside emergency kit can keep commonly needed supplies together and easy to find when something goes wrong.

Useful options may include:

Check what a ready-made kit actually contains. Some include useful basics while others may need to be supplemented with supplies appropriate for your vehicle and typical driving conditions.

Battery & Starting Supplies

A dead or weak battery is a common reason a vehicle may not start.

Useful options may include:

Portable jump starters should be kept charged according to the manufacturer’s instructions so they are ready when needed.

Tire & Inflation Supplies

Basic tire equipment can help identify low pressure and handle some common tire problems.

Useful options may include:

Know where your vehicle’s spare tire and tire-changing equipment are located, if equipped, and check them periodically.

Visibility & Roadside Safety

Making yourself and your vehicle easier to see can be especially important when stopped along a road or in poor visibility.

Useful options may include:

Whenever possible, move the vehicle to a safe location away from traffic before dealing with a roadside problem.

Weather & Comfort Supplies

A few seasonal supplies can make unexpected delays or poor weather easier to manage.

Useful options may include:

Adjust what you carry throughout the year based on the weather and driving conditions where you live.

Communication & Charging

Keeping a phone powered can be especially important when you need directions, roadside assistance, or emergency help.

Useful options may include:

Keep important roadside-assistance, insurance, and emergency contact information somewhere you can access even if your phone is unavailable.

Basic Vehicle Tools & Supplies

A small collection of practical tools can be useful for simple roadside needs and minor vehicle problems.

Useful options may include:

These supplies are intended for basic situations. Repairs that require specialized knowledge or involve unsafe roadside conditions are better left to appropriate roadside or repair services.

Before You Buy

Choose roadside supplies based on your vehicle, typical driving conditions, and the situations you are most likely to encounter.

Before choosing products, consider:

Vehicle compatibility: Make sure equipment works with your vehicle.
Weather: Adjust supplies for seasonal and regional conditions.
Storage: Keep emergency equipment secure and accessible.
Maintenance: Recharge batteries and inspect supplies periodically.
Ease of use: Carry equipment you understand and can use safely.

A smaller, well-maintained roadside kit is more useful than a trunk full of equipment you cannot find or use when you need it.