Build a roadside kit you can reach in the dark
Set up a small grab pouch and a trunk kit for breakdowns, dead batteries, and long waits.
Picture a flat tire on the way home with groceries in the trunk and your phone at 12 percent. A well-stocked kit can still fail you if the light is buried under the groceries and the roadside-assistance number is locked behind an app. Arrange your kit around what you need to reach first.
Pack in order of use
Put a headlamp or flashlight, reflective vest, charging cable, and a paper card with roadside-assistance details in a small pouch you can reach from inside the vehicle. Keep it secured so it stays put during travel. Write the vehicle make and model on the card if several people share the car.
Use a separate secured trunk bin for the first-aid kit, work gloves, water, snacks, blanket, and tire or battery gear. Put reflective warning triangles near the top. Follow local roadside guidance and use warning devices only when you can do so without stepping into dangerous traffic. Call emergency services if you’re in immediate danger.
Match the tools to your vehicle
Look under the cargo floor before you shop. Some vehicles have a spare tire and jack, and others come with an inflator and sealant. Check your owner’s manual for the equipment and procedures specific to your vehicle. If you have locking wheel nuts, confirm the key is with the tire tools.
A jump starter is useful only if it’s suitable for the vehicle and charged. Check the maker’s storage temperature limits before keeping one in the car year-round. A pressure gauge that works with your tires is an easy item to check at home.
Do a five-minute driveway check
- Find the light, phone cable, and roadside-assistance number from the driver’s seat.
- Locate the spare or repair kit and its instructions with a normally loaded trunk.
- Confirm the flashlight works and the portable starter or charger has a charge.
- Add anything missing to the Automotive checklist. Count the actual units, such as two working charging cables or one reflective vest.