Did you know that 69 million vehicles break down annually in the US? That’s approximately one in every three drivers on the road. This is why no matter how safe you drive and how well-maintained your car is, it’s important to be prepared for road emergencies.
Here are some things you should always have in your vehicle to prepare for any mishaps on the road.
Tire emergencies can leave you stuck on the side of the road or even ruin your trip altogether if you don’t have the right tools.
It’s a good idea to keep a tire pressure gauge, a spare tire tool kit, and a tire inflator in your vehicle at all times.
A tire pressure gauge is a small tool you can keep almost anywhere in your vehicle, making it one of the easiest safety essentials to store. This gauge will come in handy whenever you need to determine whether your tires are underinflated.
A standard gauge will push a small bar from the bottom where the tire pressure measurements are written, while a digital one will show it on the screen.
Tire inflators are similar to air compressors, with the main difference being the former is specialized for tire use. These inflators are useful when one of your tires is underinflated and no auto shops or gas stations are in sight.
Inflators are also easy to store since they’re small, so you don’t have to worry about carrying bulky tools in your trunk. There are generally two types, one you charge and leave in your trunk and one that operates off your car’s power outlet.
A blown tire can be difficult to deal with if you don’t have the proper tools and equipment. Luckily, spare tire tool kits make repairs like this easier, especially for new drivers.
A typical kit may include the following items:
Some kits may also include the following items:
Here are the other tools you should keep in your vehicle for other types of emergencies.
A flashlight is one of the most important tools you can carry around. Having one ensures you’re always prepared to check the engine bay, your tires, and under or around your vehicle while driving in the dark or during extreme rain or snow.
And while most smartphones have a built-in flashlight, it’s never a bad thing to have a traditional one as a backup. After all, you never know when your phone’s battery may die.
No matter how careful you are behind the wheel, it’s possible to get injured due to reckless drivers around you.
A first aid kit may also come in handy for treating minor injuries not related to driving. For example, you may cut yourself while preparing food at camp or your kid might get their knee scratched at the playground.
Thankfully, there are first aid kits you can store in the glove compartment. These kits have all the essentials for treating minor cuts and injuries. Most have bandages, cotton balls, and cleansing solutions for superficial wounds.
A dead car battery means your engine can’t start. As such, it’s best to store jumper cables to avoid this dilemma.
Jumper cables let you jump-start the car’s battery by getting energy from another source. These include another battery or a different vehicle.
To keep your cargo space organized, it’s a good idea to keep a toolbox in the trunk of your vehicle. It’s up to you to decide what to include inside the box. Most drivers recommend keeping screwdrivers, a socket wrench set, pliers, and gauges on hand.
Blind spot mirrors are small mirrors attached to side mirrors that increase the driver’s field of view. This helps eliminate any blind spot your vehicle may have since drivers can’t always see what’s next to them.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.