Everyone knows that anything can happen at any time, especially on the road.  Whether you’re with your family, your fishing buddies or taking a Sunday drive by yourself, you need to be prepared for anything that may come up.  With that fact in find, we’ve compiled a list of must have automobile EDC items to keep you ready for any situation.

Tire Blowout

• Spare Tire
• Car Jack
• Flashlight
• Wrench/Socket Wrench Kit

One of the most common things that can happen on the road is a tire blowout.  Whether it happens to you or you pass by someone else with this problem, you should have the above tools on-hand to get yourself back on the road as fast, and painlessly, as possible.  The spare tire in itself is pretty self-explanatory.  The car jack (this 2-ton Craftsman model should be sufficient) is necessary to lift the car high enough to take the tire off and replace it¹.  A good socket/wrench kit is needed to take off the nuts that hold the tire in place. An Ace Gear 30 piece socket/wrench kit should be sufficient for any vehicle.

Locked Outside Your Car

• Spare Key

An extremely common emergency with a rather simple solution. A spare car key, usually placed on the underside of the vehicle, will work just fine for when you accidentally forget that you left your keys are in your car.  Also, if you car is equipped with a keyless entry feature (usually a numeric keypad of some kind), be sure to know the combination so that you may gain access quickly.

Injury

• First Aid Kit

There is always a chance of injury when on the road, whether occurring while driving or while on a trip. It is important to have an up-to-date First Aid kit available, should the need arise. A standard American Red Cross kit or a AAA model would be more than efficient to tend to any wounds that may arise. Any major injuries should be tended to by a doctor at the nearest hospital.

Crashing Into A River

• Glass Cutter

While many think these situations only occur in movies and TV shows, crashing off of a bridge or falling into a river happens more frequently than one would expect it to. Due to the pressure the water creates on the vehicle, being able to apply force strong enough to break a window can be problematic at its minimum, fatal at worst. This is especially true if water has entered the vehicle. A glass cutter would save any life when used efficiently. Kolbat makes a quality glass cutter and comes highly recommended.

Running Out Of Gas/Oil

• Spare Gas Can
• Spare Oil Can

Sometimes when on road trips with friends and family, especially out in the middle of nowhere, you simply just run out of gas or oil. Whether gas stations just ended up being few and far in between, or you just forgot to take care of that oil change, you need to be ready for such an occasion. A spare gas can or spare oil can will remedy this issue without a hitch.

Miscellaneous For The Odd Situation

• Bottles of Water
• Spare Clothes
• Hygiene Equipment
• Bungee Cords
• Utility Knife
• Flashlight
• Flares

When all is said and done, there are situations that can arise that one simply just can’t account for. It is important to have certain things on hand to deal with these events. Such as bottles of water in case of a heat/dehydration emergency or spare clothes if yours get soiled or ruined. If stranded in an unknown area for a prolonged period of time, hygiene equipment will be necessary should you have to go to the bathroom or have other needs. Bungee cords are needed if something breaks and you need to strap something down. A utility knife can be used for defense, cutting something, or opening a can of beans if the need calls for it. Finally a sturdy flashlight, such as a Maglite model, is needed when things get dark and you need help to see. Flares will work when all else fails and you need to signal the nearest authorities and call for help.

Conclusion

With all the above equipment on hand, you should be more than ready to handle any emergency. Whether by yourself, with your drinking buddies, or with the family, you will be prepared for any situation. Everyone needs to be well prepared for anything, and no one will doubt that you have the situation under control.

Editor’s Notes:

1. While the third-party car jack is convenient and easy to use, most vehicles come with a OEM jack that is designed to work with that vehicle.  Limited financial funds may be better spent elsewhere if your vehicle already has a OEM jack.

Think we missed something?  Be sure to let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!

photo credit: aaron_anderer via photopin cc

Guest Poster: John Gower

Writer at NerdWallet

John Gower is a writer for NerdWallet, a site that helps you save money by “doing the homework for you.”