How to Make a Safety Kit for Your Car

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Picture this: You’re on a road trip to the mountains. You’re cruising up the highway with the windows rolled down, the music turned up and a bag of your favorite snacks at your side. Oh, and there’s an energy drink in your cup holder.

At some point you make a wrong turn and fall completely off the grid. As in, neither your cell phone nor GPS will pick up a signal. You’re lost somewhere between San Diego and Big Bear, and it’s getting dark. As you attempt to navigate back roads in search of civilization, you pop your tire on a rusty nail. Of course, you left your spare behind to make room for your camping gear. It looks like it’s going to be M&Ms and Red Bull for dinner. But what happens next?

It’s instances like this when a car safety kit comes in really handy. If you take the occasional road trip to visit family or often book a cabin to get away for the weekend, packing a survival kit of emergency supplies could mean the difference between getting back on the road soon, or being stuck in a dangerous situation.

Aside from carrying the necessary equipment to change a tire – a working jack, an inflated spare tire, a lug nut wrench or tire iron, and pipe for leverage – it’s also a good idea to keep a box or large plastic container in your trunk with the following items:

  • Roadside flares

  • A first-aid kit

  • Work gloves

  • A wool blanket

  • Two quarts of oil

  • Jumper cables

  • Antifreeze

  • Brake fluid

  • Extra fuses

  • A flashlight with fresh batteries

  • A Phillips head screwdriver

  • A flat head screwdriver

  • Vise grips

  • An adjustable wrench

  • A pair of pliers

  • A tire inflator

  • A tire pressure gauge

  • Some rags and a funnel

  • A roll of duct tape

  • A roll of paper towels

  • A roll of toilet paper

  • A spray bottle with washer fluid

  • An ice scraper

  • Your AAA or roadside emergency card

  • Triangle reflectors

  • A pocketknife

  • Bottled water

  • High-calorie energy bars

That seems like a lot, right? If your car is short on storage, you can still pack a basic version of this kit so you’re covered in case of an emergency. Things to include:

  • A small first-aid kit

  • Two roadside flares

  • A quart of oil

  • Extra fuses

  • A flashlight

  • A multipurpose toolkit

  • Wire cutters

  • A saw

  • A bottle opener

  • Screwdrivers

  • A tire inflator

  • A few rags

  • A pocket knife

  • Food and water

 

The best way to avoid an emergency? Prevent it in the first place.

A well-maintained vehicle has a lesser chance of malfunctioning or breaking down. At QWIK Auto Center, we offer a full range of preventative maintenance services to help your car run smoothly and keep you out of harm’s way. From oil changes, to engine tune-ups, to tire rotations and more, we’ve got you covered.

Come see us in Pacific Beach to get your vehicle inspected today. For your safety and convenience, we’ll even throw in a free break inspection with your appointment! We look forward to serving you.