Vehicle Emergency Preparedness: Your Car as a Lifeline

Your vehicle is more than just transportation, it's a mobile shelter, a storage unit, and potentially a lifeline during emergencies. Whether you're facing a natural disaster, a breakdown in harsh conditions, or need to evacuate quickly, a well-prepared vehicle can make all the difference.

Vehicle Maintenance: The Foundation

Before you pack anything, ensure your vehicle itself is reliable. A car full of gear is useless if it won't start or breaks down.

Tires: Your First Line of Defense

Quality matters: Don't skimp on tires. Your safety depends on them.

• Right tires for your region: All-season, winter, or summer tires based on your climate.

• Check tread depth regularly: Use the penny test (insert penny head-first—if you see all of Lincoln's head, replace tires)

• Proper inflation: Check tire pressure monthly when tires are cold. Underinflated tires reduce fuel economy, increase wear, and can fail. (Under-inflated tires can perform better off road, but consider challenges you may face re-inflating if you choose to do this)

• Spare tire condition: Your spare should be checked and inflated to the proper pressure. Don't wait until you need it to discover it's flat. (If your spare is stored underneath your vehicle, periodically check that it isn't dirty with tar and substance that could impact traction)

• Rotation: Rotate tires every 5,000–7,500 miles for even wear (can be less or more depending on manufacturer/type, follow their recommendations)

Tire pressure tips:

• Check when tires are cold (not driven for 3+ hours)

• Use the pressure listed on your driver's side door jamb sticker (not the tire sidewall)

• Keep a quality tire pressure gauge in your glove box

Fluid Levels: Keep It Running

Regular fluid checks prevent breakdowns and extend vehicle life:

• Engine oil: Check monthly. Change according to manufacturer recommendations (usually every 3,000–7,500 miles)

• Coolant: Check level monthly. Never check when engine is hot. Top off with the correct type (check your owner's manual)

• Brake fluid: Should be clear or light-yellow. Dark or dirty fluid needs serviced.

• Transmission fluid: Check with engine running (if automatic). Should be pink/red and not smell burnt

• Power steering fluid: Check monthly. Low fluid makes steering difficult

• Windshield washer fluid: Keep it full, especially in winter.

Pro tip: Keep spare fluids in your vehicle, at minimum, a quart of oil and a jug of coolant. Water can work in a pinch for coolant and wiper fluid in warmer climates but should be replaced with proper fluids as soon as possible.

The Spare Tire & Jack

Your spare tire system is useless if you can't use it:

• Know how to change your tires: If you've never done it before, practice in your driveway first, before you need to on the side of a highway

• Check that all tools are present: Jack, lug wrench, wheel chocks

• some vehicle's wheels have a locking lug nut on one or multiple wheels, if this is your vehicle, ensure you have the "key"

• Test the spare: Make sure it holds air and the jack works

• Consider a full-size spare: If space allows, a full-size spare is better than a donut

• Tire repair kit: Add a tire plug kit and portable air compressor for minor punctures

Emergency Cash: Hidden But Accessible

Keep emergency cash in your vehicle—but hide it well. During emergencies, ATMs may be down, credit card systems may fail, or you may need cash quickly.

Recommended amounts:

• Minimum: $50–100 (enough for gas and basic food)

• Better: $200–300 (adds a hotel room for one night)

• Best: $500+ (multiple nights, unexpected expenses)

Storage tips:

• Use a magnetic hide-a-key box (not for keys, but for cash)

• Use a waterproof container(a sealed sandwich bag works just fine)

• Small bills are better than large ones

• Check periodically to ensure it's still there and dry

Where to hide:

• Under floor mats (in a waterproof bag)

• In a console safe (if you have one)

• Behind removable panels (my favorite)

Important: Tell a trusted family member where you've hidden it. If something happens to you, they'll know where to find it. I also like to have this cash spread out in multiple locations. In the case of left or something else, you are less likely to be left high and dry

72-Hour Bag for Your Vehicle

Your vehicle should have its own emergency kit, separate from your home kit. This bag stays in your car year-round. Since your vehicle is a container itself, some vehicle centric items (jumper cables, spare fuses, etc.) can be placed around your vehicle, keeping your actual bag lighter.

Essentials

Water & Food:

• 1 gallon of water per person (to up the water supply in my truck, and keep my bag lighter, I keep fully filled plastic water bottles in all my door cup holders. This adds 135 oz of water to my supply inside my truck)

• Energy bars, trail mix, gummy worms, canned meat & beans, or MREs (rotate as needed)

• Manual can opener

Shelter & Warmth:

• Emergency blanket (space blanket or wool blanket)

• Spare clothing appropriate for your climate (and always remember socks, you can always benefit from more socks…)

• Emergency poncho or tarp (if you've read any of my other articles, you will find I love contractor trash bags for this function. They take up almost no space, have easy setup and takedown, and obviously perform the function of trash disposal or secondary bags for hauling storing goods and keeping them dry)

Tools & Safety:

• Multi-tool or pocketknife

• Jumper cables (heavy-duty, at least 12-gauge)

• Flashlight (recommend at least two) with extra batteries

• Road flares or LED warning triangles

• First aid kit/IFAK

• Fire extinguisher (rated for vehicle fires)

• Socket set (you can get small inexpensive ones at truck stops)

• Tow straps or chains (winches are very convenient, but not always realistic depending on your vehicle, and budget, but if you can afford, a great addition)

• Spare fuses for your vehicle

Self Defense:

Being out and about can put you in unsafe situations. Ensure you have the tools to defend yourself in a dangerous situation. Tailor these options to what makes sense for your scenario. For firearms, ensure you follow federal, state, and local laws.

• Firearm

o Ensure you are comfortable using the firearm of choice

o Train, train, train with the firearm

o Consider the ballistics of your firearm & ammunition choice. If you are frequently in a metro or suburban scenario, you may want to choose a firearm/ammunition that is more friendly to your targets backdrop (.380 ACP, 9mm hollow points), and if you frequently are in the remote Wyoming mountain range, a larger concern may be something that can handle large game

• Large metal flashlight (you get to kill two birds with one stone with this choice)

• Bear mace, pepper spray, etc.

• Taser/stun gun

Communication & Navigation:

• Phone charger (compatible charging cable to plug into truck, portable power bank for when away from vehicle)

• Paper maps of your region (Google Maps allow you to download maps and view them offline)

• Whistle for signaling (I know you also have a horn in your car, but having other options never hurts)

• Window breaker/seatbelt cutter tool

Documents:

• Copies of insurance, registration, and driver's license

• Emergency contact list

• Important phone numbers (insurance, roadside assistance)

Seasonal Adjustments

Winter additions:

• Ice scraper and snow brush

• Sand or kitty litter (for traction)

• Warm blankets or sleeping bag

• Hand warmers

Summer additions:

• Extra water (up to 2 gallons per person)

• Sunscreen

• Hat and sunglasses

• Electrolyte packets

Maintenance Schedule for Vehicle Kit

Just like your vehicle, your emergency supplies need maintenance:

• Monthly: Check tire pressure, fluid levels, cash is still there

• Every 3 months: Check expiration dates on food and water

• Every 6 months: Rotate water supply, check batteries

• Annually: Review and update your kit, replace expired items

Emergency Scenarios

Breakdown in Remote Area

1. Pull over safely: Get as far off the road as possible

2. Make vehicle visible: Turn on hazard lights, set up warning triangles or flares

3. Stay with vehicle: Unless you're in immediate danger, stay put. Your vehicle provides shelter

4. Conserve resources: Use your supplies wisely.

• If you're thirsty, drink. Don't try to conserve water. When supply runs low, start planning to get more

• Ration your food. Eat and keep your energy up, but don't treat your food stores as an all-you-can-eat buffet. You can do that after

• If you still have a running vehicle, use this opportunity to charge your phone, power banks, and any other useful devices.

5. Signal for help: Use phone, flare, flashlight, or mirror for signaling

Evacuation Scenario

Your vehicle should be ready to go at a moment's notice:

• Keep gas tank at least half full (the "half-tank rule")

• Have evacuation routes mapped out (multiple options)

• If battery is approaching end of life, time to get a new one to ensure your vehicle will start

• Know where you're going (family member's house, designated meeting point)

• Keep important documents in your vehicle kit

• Have a plan for family members and pets if you have them

• Steer clear of dangerous areas on your journey if possible (flooded roadways, civil unrest hot spots, etc.)

Winter Emergency

If stranded in winter:

1. Don't leave your vehicle unless you can see help nearby

2. Run engine sparingly: Only 10 minutes per hour for heat, crack a window to prevent carbon monoxide buildup

3. Stay active: Move arms and legs to keep circulation

4. Conserve battery: Use phone only for emergencies

5. Make vehicle visible: Tie something bright to your antenna, periodically clear snow off your vehicle, etc.

What NOT to Keep in Your Vehicle

Some items can be dangerous or degrade in vehicle conditions:

• Perishable food (except shelf-stable items)

• Medications that require refrigeration or are temperature-sensitive

• Electronics that can't handle extreme temperatures

• Important originals (only keep copies)

Making It a Habit

Vehicle preparedness works best when it's automatic:

• Check fluids when you get gas: Make it a routine

• Keep gas tank above half: Especially in winter or before bad weather

• Monthly inspection: First Saturday of every month, do a quick check (tire pressure, fluids, spare, and all your supplies)

• Seasonal swap: Change out seasonal items (winter/summer gear)

Final Thoughts

Your vehicle can be a lifeline during emergencies, but only if it's properly maintained and stocked. Start with the basics, tires, fluids, and a spare, then build your emergency kit gradually. Remember: the best emergency kit is the one you have when you need it.

Regular maintenance and a well-stocked vehicle give you peace of mind and practical preparedness for whatever comes your way.