What to Keep in Your Car for Emergencies

1. Check What Your Car Already Carries

Before you buy anything, open the trunk and see what came with the car. Many vehicles carry a spare or compact temporary spare, a jack and a lug wrench under the cargo floor. Some newer models skip the spare entirely and use a tire inflator kit with sealant instead, so it pays to know which one you have before you need it.

Pull the spare out once and look it over. Tires lose air just sitting there, and a flat spare is one of the most frustrating surprises on the road. Check its pressure against the sticker in your driver's door jamb, and make sure the jack and wrench are actually there. They have a way of going missing after a previous owner's tire change.

If your wheels use locking lug nuts, find the key and keep it with the jack. Without it, nobody can get that wheel off, roadside crew included. Spot anything missing, cracked or worn? Mention it at your next scheduled service visit and we'll take a look.

2. Jumper Cables or a Portable Jump Starter

Dead batteries are one of the most common roadside problems, especially on the first cold mornings of the year. A set of jumper cables is inexpensive insurance, but it only works if another driver is willing to pull up nose to nose with you. That's why plenty of drivers now carry a portable jump starter, a compact battery pack that can start your car on its own.

Cables vs. a jump starter

• Cables: no charging needed and they last for years, but you need a second vehicle.
• Jump starter: works alone in an empty lot and often doubles as a phone charger, but it has to be recharged every few months.

If you choose a jump starter, set a phone reminder to top it off, because a dead booster pack is just extra weight. Read the hookup instructions now, while you're calm in your driveway, rather than by flashlight in a parking lot. And if your car needs a jump more than once, have the battery and charging system tested. A jump gets you home; it doesn't fix the cause.

3. A Real First-Aid Kit, Plus Your Own Essentials

Most store-bought kits lean heavily on small bandages and not much else. Use one as a starting point, then build it into something you'd actually want after a fender bender or a scraped knee at the beach.

Worthwhile additions:

• Larger gauze pads, medical tape and an elastic wrap
• Pain reliever, antihistamine and antiseptic wipes
• Disposable gloves and a small pair of scissors
• Tweezers for splinters, or ticks after a hike

Next, think about your own family's needs. If someone uses an inhaler or takes daily medication, keep a written list of medications and doses in the kit. A spare pair of glasses is worth tucking in too.

Heat is the enemy here. Cabin temperatures climb fast in summer, which can break down medicine and dry out adhesives, so check expiration dates whenever you refresh your kit. Anything critical, like an EpiPen, is safer in your bag than in the glove box.

4. Water, Snacks and a Way to Charge Your Phone

A breakdown or a closed expressway can turn a quick trip into a long wait. Keep a few bottles of water and some non-perishable snacks like granola bars, nuts or crackers that can handle temperature swings. Skip chocolate, which turns into a mess by June.

Your phone is your lifeline for calling roadside help, sharing your location and checking traffic. Leave a charging cable that fits your phone in the car permanently, not the one you carry back and forth. A small power bank is a smart backup in case the car itself won't run.

If you have kids or pets

Add juice boxes, wipes, a diaper or two if you need them, and a collapsible bowl for the dog. A small game or coloring book can save everyone's patience during a long wait.

Rotate the water and food a few times a year. Plastic bottles that sat in a hot car all summer aren't something you'll want to drink, so swap them out as the seasons change.

5. Lights and Gear That Keep You Visible

Getting stuck at night on a dark stretch of road is when visibility matters most. A bright LED flashlight is a must, and a headlamp is even better because it leaves both hands free for a tire change. Pack spare batteries, or choose a rechargeable model you top off along with your other gear.

Think about other drivers seeing you, too. Hazard lights are step one, but reflective warning triangles set up behind your car give approaching traffic much earlier notice. Many people prefer them to road flares since they're reusable and there's no fire risk. A reflective vest takes up almost no space and makes you far easier to spot if you have to step outside.

A few small tools round this out:

• A multi-tool or basic screwdriver set
• Duct tape and zip ties for a loose bumper or dangling trim
• A seatbelt cutter and window breaker within reach of the driver's seat

You can find many of these through our parts department, and together they cost far less than a tow.

6. A Seasonal Kit Built for Long Island Weather

Living on the South Shore means nor'easters in winter, heat and pop-up thunderstorms in summer, and the occasional flooded road in between. Your kit should change with the calendar.

Winter

• Ice scraper and snow brush
• A compact folding shovel
• A bag of sand or cat litter for traction if you're stuck
• Warm blanket, hat, gloves and hand warmers
• Washer fluid made for freezing temperatures

Summer

• Extra water, more than you think you'll need
• Sunscreen, a hat and an inexpensive umbrella
• A towel for wet beach days or a soaked seat

Here's a safety point that's easy to forget: if you're stuck in snow and running the engine for heat, clear snow away from the tailpipe so exhaust can't build up inside. Crack a window slightly and run the engine in short stretches. In any season, never drive into standing water on a flooded road, since it's often deeper than it looks.

7. The Expert Tip: Organize It, Check It and Know It

What separates a kit that helps from one that just rides around is organization and upkeep. Put everything into a single bin or duffel with smaller pouches inside: first aid in one, tools in another, food and water in a third. Secure it so it isn't sliding around your cargo area, and you'll be able to grab what you need in seconds.

Add an emergency info card. Write down your roadside assistance number, insurance company, a couple of emergency contacts and any medical conditions. If your phone dies, you'll still have what you need, and so will anyone helping you.

Then pick two dates a year to go through it. Tying it to the clocks changing in spring and fall makes it easy to remember. Swap the water and snacks, recharge the jump starter, check the spare and trade winter gear for summer gear.

Finally, practice once. Change a tire in your driveway, set up a triangle and test the flashlight on a sunny Saturday, and the real thing becomes far less stressful. If you'd like a hand, reach out to our team and we'll gladly walk you through it.