Of course, nobody wants their car to break down on the side of a busy highway, but the truth of the matter is that it will probably happen over the course of your driving career. When the inevitable happens, it will be a tremendous help to have an emergency roadside kit on hand to help you deal with the situation.
Emergency Kit Basics
Every emergency roadside kit is going to have some basic components to help handle the most common kinds of breakdowns. The most important item is a pair of jumper cables. Battery failure is the most common reason for vehicle breakdowns and can quickly turn your trip to the store into a huge inconvenience. On average, batteries are expected to last six years, but a host of factors, such as extreme heat, humidity, lack of proper maintenance, and everyday wear, can severely shorten that lifespan. Having a pair of jumper cables on hand can help you avoid unnecessary towing fees.
Another key item that should be part of every emergency roadside kit is a spare tire or tire repair kit. Getting a flat is the second most common reason for vehicle breakdowns, so being prepared with a quick fix is essential to getting back on the road in a timely manner. Keep in mind that there are limitations to what a tire repair kit can do, so if you’re planning a long trip or going to drive over rough roads, a spare tire might be the better choice.
In addition to jumper cables and a spare tire/tire repair kit, some other essential items to have in your emergency repair kit include a cellphone charger, flares, extra windshield wipers, flashlight, bottled water, pen and paper, and a little bit of spending cash.
Extreme Conditions
It is one thing to have your vehicle break down on a pleasant spring or summer afternoon and quite another to be stuck in the middle of a blizzard or under the suffocating heat of the desert. Extreme weather conditions require that you modify your emergency roadside kit so that you will be prepared for whatever Mother Nature might throw at you.
If you live in or are planning a trip through an arid, hot climate like the Southwest U.S., you should pack some extra water, sunscreen, a fire extinguisher, and a reflective sunshade with you in addition to your normal complement of emergency supplies. For extreme winter conditions, bring a shovel, gloves, an extra ice scraper, warm clothes, tire chains, and clumping cat litter to help get traction.
Roadside Assistance
Although it is not a physical part of your emergency roadside kit, having a roadside assistance service can be the most important tool in dealing with a breakdown. If your breakdown is due to an accident or major mechanical failure, then there really isn’t much you can do from the side of the road and paying out of pocket for a tow can be overly expensive. A roadside assistance service will help ease the pain of a major breakdown and give you some peace of mind.
Whether you are planning a road trip or local commute, make sure that you’re prepared by having an emergency roadside kit.
Image via Wikipedia Commons used under CC0 Public Domain
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