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.

• 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

• 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.