Few things are as frustrating as having your car bail on you. What’s even worse is becoming stranded when it does.
It’s a preventable problem, so we’re going to spare you a world of pain by introducing you to our favorite car emergency kits. We’ll also cover what they are, why they’re important, and what your emergency kit should contain.
The best car emergency kit can be a potential lifesaver and is a simple necessity for road users. They are the perfect example of how it’s better to be safe than sorry.
In this article, we’re happy to share with you everything that you need to know about these kits, from what they contain, to how to choose the right one for you, and ending with some recommended products.
Quick Links to Our Top Recommendations for Best Car Emergency Kit
- Lifeline AAA Premium Road, 42-Piece Emergency Kit
- A compact kit that isn’t quite comprehensive but contains all you’ll need for most roadside emergencies.
- Kolo Sports Premium Auto 156-Piece Multipurpose Emergency Pack
- One of the more affordable kits we tested and also among the most comprehensive.
- Roadside Emergency Assistance Kit – Packed 110 Premium Pieces & Rugged Bag
- Boasts the highest-quality components and has everything you need in a single emergency kit.
- First Secure 90-Piece Car Emergency Kit
- The ideal choice if you’re planning on heading into the great outdoors or on a long road trip.
- Aootek Upgraded first aid survival Kit
- A fantastic choice for campers, road trippers, or travelers.
- Thrive Roadside Assistance Auto Emergency + First Aid Kit – Rugged Tool Bag
- A little disorganized but otherwise a great kit for emergencies and survival situations.
- Top Gear Premium Roadside Assistance Kit (66-piece)
- The ideal starter kit for drivers who envision spending most of their time on well-traveled roads.
Note: Clicking the above links will take you to further information, current prices and customer reviews on Amazon.
Contents (Jump to Topic)
Best Car Emergency Kit – A Detailed Look at Our Top Recommendations
Below, we’ve reviewed seven of our top contenders for the award of Best Roadside Emergency Kit.
Lifeline 42-Piece Roadside Emergency Kit
Lifeline has made an excellent compact and quality roadside assistance product here. It’s the exclusive licensee of the AAA brand emergency gear sets, so you know that you can trust them. This has been quality controlled and approved for your safety, so it’s worth considering.
This emergency car kit contains simple tools that could help you out of trouble. It’s a near-perfect blend of caution, comfort, and convenience. Note that it is missing a few key components, like tools or long-life snacks.
What is included are superior quality items though, and a fair amount of each. It seems this one is more suited to minor incidents than major events or survival needs.
What You Get:
- 8-foot, 8-gauge jumper cables
- An aluminum flashlight with batteries
- 2-in-1 screwdriver
- Duct tape
- Shop cloth
- 5 cable ties
- 20 bandages
- 4 towelettes
- Reusable zipper-lock bag
- Poncho
- Carry case
What We Like
- Excellent for beginners.
- You can use it as a base that you can build onto or modify.
- It’s a good balance of quantity and quality.
What We Don’t Like
- It doesn’t contain a full first aid set.
- It’s missing some repair tools.
- There aren’t enough survival supplies for sustenance.
- It’s not ideal for serious emergencies.
Summary
This set is suitable for everyone but is aimed at novice drivers. It probably won’t suffice if you’re heading on a long trip, but it will serve you well as a commuter. It’s good for simple roadside troubles.
Check out the latest on this product here:
Kolo Sports 156-Piece Emergency Kit
Are you looking for something a little more in-depth than the Lifeline product we showed you above? This 156-piece Kolo emergency roadside kit should grab your attention. It’s suitable for a variety of potential situations, from dead batteries to minor injuries in accidents.
Kolo Sports has created a well-thought-out emergency kit for cars that contains the essentials and no more, no less. It’s easy to work your way around, and its components are simple to use. This makes it perfect for real emergencies. It’s got a lot of emphasis on safety too, which is always a great feature.
What You Get:
- Jumper cables
- Reflective safety vest
- Flashlight
- Light sticks
- Rain poncho
- Blanket
- Warning triangle
- Whistle
- Tow rope, cable ties, and bungee cords
- Tire repair tools
- Safety hammer, adjustable wrench, and tire pressure gauge
- Pocket knife
- Rubber gloves
- PVC tape
- First aid tape, bandages, an alcohol prep pad, safety pins, a butterfly closure strip, antiseptic towelettes, and gauze pads
- Soap wipes, an iodine prep pad, and a sting relief pad
What We Like:
- One of the most thorough emergency car kits out there.
- Good first aid kit.
- It’s got an excellent selection of tools for motor problems.
- A reflective jacket and warning triangle are included.
- It’s well-rounded, focusing on repairs, safety, and survival.
- It’s affordable.
What We Don’t Like:
- Some components may have to be upgraded or replaced.
Summary
One of the best roadside emergency kits for buyers on a budget who want a full complement of tools and supplies. So long as you don’t mind the inferior quality of certain components or you’re willing to replace them, this product will do just fine.
To learn more about this set, check out this link:
Roadside Rescue Emergency Assistance Kit
If quality is what you’re after, we have a real winner here. With this product, you get 110 useful pieces suited for a multitude of scenarios. And even more, it’s designed to be modified or built upon.
The Roadside Rescue company focused on giving you a single emergency kit that offers everything you might need. This leaves very little lacking, and it’s one of the best sets available as far as we’re concerned.
What You Get:
- Heavy-duty jumper cables
- Tow strap and bungee cords and 20 cable ties
- 64-piece first aid kit
- Electrical tape
- Flashlight
- Magnesium fire starter
- Pair of work gloves
- 11-in-1 multi-tool
- Tire pressure gauge
- Poncho
- Windshield breaker and a seatbelt cutter
- Emergency whistle
- Warning triangle
What We Like:
- Comprehensive.
- It’s compact.
- You get tools that other kits often exclude.
- It’s got a good balance of repairs, survival, and safety.
- You can easily add your own components to it.
What We Don’t Like:
- A few users complain about the quality of the jumper cables
Summary
This product is ideal for almost everybody. It suits both new and seasoned drivers and will help you in most situations. It’s a handy to keep, and can be considered a standard.
See more details, click on this link:
First Secure Roadside Emergency Kit
Here’s a car emergency kit that’s been designed with travelers in mind. It’s an all-purpose, all-weather kit that will help you through (or get you out of) emergencies fast. One of the features also worth mentioning is its portability.
This set is aimed at people who might find themselves stranded. Even though that’s its main selling point, it’s not lacking at all in other areas.
It’s an excellent choice if you’re planning on visiting the great outdoors or foresee a long road trip ahead.
What You Get:
- Jumper cables
- Portable air compressor
- Tow rope, bungee cords and cable ties
- Tire repair kit (includes all the essentials)
- Warning triangle
- Pair of work gloves
- Headlamp with batteries
- Basic first aid kit
- Glass breaker
- Seatbelt cutter
What We Like
- It’s useful for road trips or those who explore the outdoors.
- It’s comprehensive.
- Extremely portable.
- Handy portable air compressor.
- It contains all the essentials for safety and maintenance.
- Separate first aid kit.
What We Don’t Like
- It’s missing some survival equipment and emergency supplies.
- You may have to add your own components to it.
- Headlamp is not the best quality.
Summary
If you’re unlikely to need survival tools, you can’t go wrong with this kit for roadside emergencies. The same applies if you know your way around car repairs, and won’t need assistance with the tools. Inexperienced drivers might find this one to be a bit too complicated.
Learn more about this kit by checking out the link:
Aootek Emergency Kit
This is one of the best emergency car kits for beginner drivers or those driving to remote locations. This isn’t designed specifically for roadside use and focuses more on survival than on car repairs.
Aootek takes pride in the fact they’ve upgraded this survival kit according to customer feedback. It’s got all of the essentials and extra items that were specifically requested by their loyal customer base.
You’ll get tools, first aid equipment, and survival gear. It’s designed for all situations and conditions. It’s also compact.
What You Get:
- First aid kit includes all essentials.
- Multi-tool
- Knife
- LED flashlight
- Tool card
- Firestarter
- Compass
- Wire saw
- Whistle
- Scissors
- Emergency blanket
- Fishing lines, weights, hooks, swivels, and floats
What We Like:
- Excellent for survival.
- Includes fishing tools, which is rare in other emergency car kits.
- A fantastic choice for campers, road trippers, or travelers.
What We Don’t Like:
- Though its survival features are impressive, it’s lacking in roadside tools.
- You will have to build on to or modify it.
Summary
If you travel a lot, are heading into the great outdoors, or will embark on a road trip, this is a great choice. It’s handy if you don’t know your way around repair tools, or are an inexperienced driver.
See the details here:
Thrive Roadside Assistance Auto Emergency Kit
At first glance, you might think that this kit is too cramped. There’s a lot of equipment included in a pretty small bag. But rest assured, this is a great set.
Everything included is of good quality—it’s a comprehensive kit that’s bound to help you when you need it to. Even the packaging is designed to resist being squashed in your trunk and built to last.
This product has gone above and beyond in preparation. If you’re serious about survival, definitely look into it. It’s got almost everything you could imagine.
What You Get:
- Rope
- Warning triangle
- Reflective safety vest
- Jumper cables
- Screwdrivers
- Multi-tool
- Flashlight
- Knife
- Ice scraper
- Bungee cord and zip cable ties
- Gloves with a gripping palm
- Electric tape
- “Help” banner
- Poncho
- Tire pressure gauge
- Whistle
- First aid kit
What We Like
- It’s not only comprehensive, but also creative.
- Suitable for all skill levels.
- Can be used in all sorts of emergencies, from breakdowns to extreme weather.
What We Don’t Like
- Somewhat disorganized, which can be a disadvantage if you’re in a panic.
- You may need dividers to keep things in order.
Summary
This is great for drivers of all skill levels who want to prepare for a variety of situations. It makes a great winter emergency kit and is ideal for both commuters and travelers.
Learn more here:
Top Gear Roadside Assistance Kit
Finally, have a look at this simple and compact kit. It’s a well-thought-out and reasonably priced set that really gives you bang for your buck.
It might not be the most comprehensive kit on the market, so you can think about adding in other pieces. But it’s a trusted name and we can’t complain about the quality. This is one worth looking into if you have limited space, or are a novice driver.
What You Get:
- Flashlight
- Reflective vest and light sticks
- Jumper cables
- 34-piece first aid kit
- Multi-tool
- Gloves with grippers
- Poncho
- Cable ties and a bungee cord
- PVC tape
- Whistle
- Warning triangle
What We Like
- A great kit to have if you’re stranded.
- As appeal for younger drivers.
- Simple but useful.
- The Top Gear brand is well-loved and respected.
What We Don’t Like
- Short on first aid supplies.
- Repair and maintenance tools are lacking.
- Needs to be modified with additional pieces.
Summary
This makes a great gift from parents to young drivers. Fans of the brand will find value in it too, and it’s a cool accessory to have. It’s excellent for commuters who are unlikely to venture off-road. Seasoned drivers, however, may not have as much use for this one.
Check this link to get more info:
What Is a Car Emergency Kit?
These are also known as vehicle or roadside emergency kits. As the names imply, they’re meant to help you when unexpected trouble arrives. They’re compact packages that contain everything you might need quick access to that can help you in an emergency.
Keeping a car emergency kit in your vehicle is much the same as keeping a fire extinguisher or first aid pieces at home. You don’t know if you’ll ever have use for them, but you keep them just in case, right? So why would you risk dealing with dangerous issues in your car when you don’t have to?
Excuse our unpleasantness here, but this has to sink in: On average, there are 37,000 fatal car accidents per year in the USA alone. There are also about 2.35 million people who are left seriously injured in road accidents each year. It’s not our purpose to scare you, but these are facts of modern living, and you should be aware.
No matter how careful a driver you are, don’t take your safety for granted. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need immediate roadside assistance, a car emergency kit can be the difference between life and death. Literally.
What Should Your Car Emergency Kit Include?
There are some components that every good emergency car kit should have and are non-negotiable. Some extras, however, might not apply to you. For example, you might not need a snow shovel if you live somewhere where snowfall never happens.
Spare Wheel and Jack
Driving on a flat tire is one of the most common problems drivers have to face (make sure you always have a tire sealant stored in your vehicle!).
Even if you’ve maintained your tires by the book, accidents can still happen. Don’t neglect your spare tire and make sure it’s in roadworthy condition.
Your car should have come with a jack to help you change a flat tire. It’s usually found in the trunk or rear of your vehicle. If for some reason you don’t have a jack, you should get one that will support the weight of your vehicle.
Scissor-style jacks are the most compact, economical and suitable for keeping in a car boot, with many being given away as standard in new vehicles. However, if you don’t have one, you can choose one from our guide to the top car scissor jacks.
An Emergency Battery, Portable Jump Starter and/or Jumper Cables
We’ve all been there, stupidly forgetting to switch our lights off and accidentally draining all the juice from our car battery. This isn’t a big deal if you’re at home. However, out on the road, it can prove to be frustrating and tiresome. The solution? Keep a set of jumper cables with you in your vehicle. It’s best to have multipurpose jumper cables that are at least 20 feet long.
An emergency battery or portable jump starter is needed if you’re stranded somewhere by yourself and no one can help you jump-start your car. They’re expensive, sure, but a worthwhile investment if you’re heading out to the wilderness.
Tow Strap
Sometimes, try as you might, the only solution to your troubles is to have your car towed. It is a dangerously stupid idea to use anything but tow straps to do this.
Toolbox
You don’t have to carry a truckload of handy tools with you. Even a basic tool kit will do. It’s just to ensure that you have the correct gadgets and gizmos at hand if you ever need to do your own impromptu emergency repairs.
Your toolbox should contain:
- Screwdrivers, both Philips and flatheads (or a multitool, with both). Screw holders also come in handy.
- Wrenches — the most used tools in auto repairs. Take care here, though. Some wrenches are not measured to the American standard. There are also various types of wrench to choose from: socket wrenches, torque wrenches, adjustable wrenches, and combination wrenches.
- Pliers, particularly a combination slip-joint pair for ease of use and adjustability.
- Gauges for oil, liquid, wires, compression and a tire pressure gauge.
- A flashlight, for if you need to work in the dark. Don’t forget spare batteries for it, especially if it’s an old-school one.
- Duct tape. Don’t underestimate its power.
If all else fails, invest in a multi-purpose utility tool. It’s not as reliable as a fully loaded toolbox, but it’s helpful if you have no other choice. In fact, you should keep one inside your toolbox anyway, just in case.
Also, consider adding some rags and utility gloves – roadside repairs can be messy.
Survival Components
Some car emergencies have nothing to do with the vehicle itself. Weather conditions, road closures, or unforeseen circumstances can leave you stranded. No matter the reason, if you do get stuck somewhere far from help you’ll have to take care of yourself.
The most important of these include:
- An excellent first aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Escape tool
- Seasonal tools (window ice scrapers and snow shovels, for example)
Extra Components
Here are some additional items for you to consider adding:
- Pepper spray, or other weapons
- Toilet paper, wipes, and tissues
- Feminine hygiene products
- Spare toothbrush, toothpaste or mouthwash
- Deodorant
- Hand sanitizer
- Money
- Reflective clothing
- Change of clothes or shoes
- Extra or spare medicine that you might need
- Backpack
- Traveler’s pillow
- Sleeping bag or compact tent
- Motor oil
- Tire inflator
- Radiator fluid
- Copies of your identity documents, license, and passport (in case the originals are lost, stolen, or destroyed)
- Matches or a lighter
- Sunscreen
- Flares or glow sticks
- Road atlas
- Entertainment in case the only threat is dying of boredom
- A trunk organizer – Just to keep everything you have in a neat and easily accessible manner.
What Makes a Good Car Emergency Kit?
Since these survival sets are to be used in case of emergency, you can’t pick the first one you see. There are some factors you’ll have to consider so that you choose the right one for you. Even if you are building your own emergency package, think about the following.
Convenience
The size and weight of your pack impacts its convenience. If you need to escape your car fast, will you be able to grab it on the run? If it’s compact or lightweight, does it contain all of the necessities?
Opt for one that is a middle ground between functional and easy to carry.
Components
Naturally, you want each item in your emergency set to be good quality. This is one area that you don’t want to compromise. If the components break, fail or don’t work when you need them, what’s the point in having them?
We’re not saying that you have to throw all of your hard-earned money at one of these sets. Just be certain that whatever you have purchased to include meets safety and quality standards.
Another factor in the components is whether or not they’re specialized. You won’t need the same emergency equipment in a snowstorm as you would if your car gets into a minor accident.
Think about what you might need your set for, and then make sure it includes all the essential safety accessories you don’t want to go without.
Quantity
A good car set doesn’t only have the necessities; it has enough of them. We can’t foresee the future, so maybe a single snack will be enough after all. We just feel that in this case, quantity and quality are of equal importance.
Your car emergency kit should have enough supplies to last everyone in an emergency. At the very least, you’ll want enough to sufficiently ration in a desperate situation.
Duration
How long will the food, water, and electronics in your supply set last? Pay attention to this when buying or building your own. If your supplies aren’t going to last you in a real emergency, you may want to reconsider them.
Good sets should contain foods that either don’t expire or won’t for a long time. Portable chargers, batteries, and radios should also last you a long time. Don’t settle for one-time-use electronics.
Protection
This may be another case of weather or climate-specific conditions. Will the items in your collection hold up in the rain, cold, heat or wind?
Especially with clothing and protective gear, waterproofing is essential. If other items, like electronics, are not waterproof, your supplies should come in a water-resistant container or bag.
Purpose
What’s your focus in an emergency supply kit? Do you want one that places more importance on survival than repairs? Are you looking for one that’s comforting rather than useful in a pickle?
The best survival packs will have an element of each. If you are more of a nurturer than a mechanic, rethink which tools will be useful to you. If you feel that comfort isn’t as important as getting through an ordeal, make sure your set is practical.
Ease of Use
As with the carrying convenience, the components that are included should be easy to use too. If you have to solve riddles and summon wizards before you can open your supplies, there is something very wrong with it.
Each component should be designed for effortless use in a fix. If you struggle to open packaging or use tools, choose another set. Remember that in an emergency situation, many people are incapable of thinking straight.
You need to be able to act as quickly as possible. If the components included make that difficult for you, it’s no good.
Conclusion
You’ve now had a look at some of the best car emergency kits, and why they are important. We hope that we’ve inspired you to stay safe and prepared, in case you find yourself in an emergency situation. We’d hate for anything to happen to you when a simple purchase could have helped.
We care about you, and we enjoy hearing what you have to say. If you have any questions or comments, let us know in the comments section below. We’ll respond to every single one.
