The Essential Guide to Your Summer Car Emergency Kit

When you’re on the go for your summer road trip this year, the last thing you want is to be caught off guard by a breakdown. Yet according to a survey conducted by FinanceBuzz, only about 58% of Americans keep a car emergency kit, and just 31% feel fully prepared.

That means nearly half of all drivers are hitting the road without a proper car safety kit on board.

Necessities for your car should include everything you need to keep yourself and your car safe. They can also serve a dual purpose of helping you fully enjoy the warm weather you’ve been waiting for all year!

No warm-weather itinerary is complete without a reasonable set of summer car essentials. We want to make sure you have everything you need to get the most out of your car this summer, so we made a car emergency kit list for you. Use this list to get your car packed up before you hit the road!

Your Car Safety Kit: Quick-Reference Checklist

Here's a quick overview of what a complete emergency car kit should include, organized by category:

Keep reading for a full breakdown of each item and why it belongs in your car safety kit.

First Aid Kit

A well-stocked first aid kit is the cornerstone of any car emergency kit. Think bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, adhesive tape, scissors, pain relievers, tweezers, and instant ice packs. Many stores offer cost-effective kits made specifically for stowing in a car, or you can build your own.

Either way, make sure it covers both minor injuries and more serious wounds. You never know what a roadside situation might call for.

Sun Protection

If it’s summer, you might have a few outdoor activities in your schedule! Make sure you’ve always got extra sunglasses, a spare wide-brimmed hat, and a bottle of sunscreen in your car safety kit for those days when going back inside to escape the sun just isn’t a very appealing option.

You might also be using this sun protection for times when you’re unexpectedly stuck out in the sun, such as times when you’re experiencing car issues during hot weather.

Rain Protection

Not all of your days out will be sunny. And, of course, when it rains, it pours…so there’s a chance that your car may break down while it’s raining.

Even though a summer rain may feel refreshing, it won’t be as rejuvenating if you’re out there getting soaked while just trying to change a tire. Keep any or all of the following items in your car emergency kit to keep you dry when it’s wet outside: raincoat, umbrella, poncho, towels, rags, etc.

Visibility Materials

Light conditions don't automatically improve when you're having a car problem. Every emergency car kit should include a flashlight with extra batteries so you can see what you're doing in the dark.

You'll also want reflective materials to alert passing traffic. Safety triangles, road flares, and a reflective vest are all solid choices.

Place them behind your vehicle and wear the vest so you're visible from a distance. Use them especially on highways or poorly lit roads.

Non-Perishable Food and Water

If hunger strikes while you’re stuck on the side of the road with a broken car, you may not always be able to go get food. You’ll want to have some snacks and some storage-safe water in your car emergency kit just in case it takes a long time for help to arrive. Where applicable, make sure you’ve got snacks that are kid-friendly and age-appropriate. If you have pets, keep them in mind, too!

Charging Cords

Calling for help requires a phone with enough battery to make the call, so a charging cord is a must in any emergency car kit. But don't stop there: a portable power bank is an equally important backup, especially if your car's battery is dead and can't power a USB port.

Keep both in your vehicle so you're covered no matter what. A charged phone also lets you track the ETA of your roadside assistance and stay in contact with family.

Jumper Cables

Sometimes the only thing your car needs is a little extra power. Traditional jumper cables work well when another vehicle is nearby, but a portable jump starter is an even smarter addition to your car safety kit, as it lets you revive a dead battery without needing another car at all.

Compact and easy to use, a portable jump starter also helps protect your vehicle's electronics compared to traditional cable methods. Keep one or both in your car emergency kit so you're never left stranded by a dead battery.

Basic Tool Kit

You don't need a full toolbox. Just the basics.

A good tool set includes screwdrivers, wrenches in a few sizes, pliers, zip ties, and a multi-tool (the Swiss Army knife of roadside repairs). A roll of duct tape is also worth adding to your car emergency kit: it can temporarily patch a hose, hold a bumper in place, or serve a dozen other unexpected purposes.

One often-overlooked item is a seatbelt cutter and window breaker tool. These come in handy in the event of an accident where a door won't open or a seatbelt jams.

Want to stay extra prepared? Learn more about basic car parts, so you know what you're working with when something goes wrong.

Fire Extinguisher

A small fire extinguisher is one of the most overlooked items in a car safety kit. Vehicle fires are rare, but when they happen, they escalate fast.

A compact, dry-chemical extinguisher rated for automotive use can prevent a minor engine fire from becoming a total loss and potentially save lives. Mount it somewhere accessible in your vehicle, not buried under other gear in the trunk.

Flat Tire Repair Materials

Another common car problem is, of course, a flat tire. Make sure that in your emergency car kit, you have the materials to get a new or spare tire on your car in the event that you blow a tire.

This may be more likely to happen as the weather gets warmer because, if your tires were already fully pumped up when it was cool outside, that oxygen in your tires may expand too much in the heat and pop your tire. Your car emergency kit should therefore include a spare tire, a scissor jack (or any car jack), a lug wrench/tire iron, wheel chocks, and a tire pressure gauge.

However, if you have a service that provides roadside assistance to you, such as a plan through CarShield, you won’t necessarily need to keep these on hand for yourself. Your roadside assistance professional may provide many of them for you. Just make sure you have a spare tire, no matter what.

Blankets

Blankets are a year-round necessity for your car (even when it’s hot)! In the summer, your car blanket could be used as a picnic blanket, a knee cushion while changing a tire, a source of shade, and more. Make the blanket your multi-purpose tool for your car emergency kit!

Things to Do

Even though it’s not a necessity, per se, having some small games or activities in your car emergency kit can put a more positive spin on a rough situation. It can also reduce the amount of time you spend on your phone, which will save your cell battery for more important matters.

Pack easily storable and no-battery-needed items such as cards, crossword puzzles, sudoku games, or whatever else you think will help you pass the time. For kids, you might keep books, busy boards, lap games, and more on hand. For your pets, bring a few standard toys to reduce your pet’s distress as much as possible.

DIY vs. Pre-Made Car Emergency Kits

When building your emergency car kit, you have two options: assemble it yourself or buy a pre-made set.

Pre-Made Car Emergency Kits

Pre-made kits are convenient and ready to use immediately. A standard emergency car kit typically starts around $70, while comprehensive 4-season or deluxe kits can run $250 or more.

They're available at automotive stores, big-box retailers, and online. The tradeoff is that pre-made kits may not include everything you need, and quality can vary.

DIY Car Safety Kits

DIY kits let you customize for your vehicle, your climate, and your specific needs. If you have medical requirements, young children, or pets, building your own allows you to account for all of that.

A DIY car emergency kit can also be more cost-effective if you already own some of the items.

What’s Right For You?

Whichever route you choose, store your car safety kit in a sturdy, waterproof bag or container that fits easily in your trunk or under a seat. Secure it so it doesn't shift while driving, and review the contents at least once a year. Replace expired food, water, and medications, and check that batteries and equipment are still functional.

Need to buy a gift for the driver in your life? A well-stocked car emergency kit makes a practical and thoughtful choice. Check out our last-minute gift ideas for drivers for more inspiration.

CarShield Can Help

When your car is stuck on the side of the road, we understand that it can be a stressful process to get your car back into working order! However, with a plan through CarShield, your protection automatically includes complimentary 24/7 roadside assistance and towing, so you’ll never have to worry about what to do next after a vehicle breakdown.

Under certain conditions, you’ll even get rental car options so that your summer plans don’t need to be ruined by car issues. Then, when it’s time to pay for your covered repairs, CarShield administrators will pay your certified mechanic directly so you have one less thing to worry about.

Include a protection plan from CarShield in your summer car emergency kit. Learn how we work to help you, so the next time something goes wrong on the road, you're already covered.