Car emergency kit checklist
Ready.gov's car kit is jumper cables, flares or a reflective triangle, an ice scraper, a car phone charger, a blanket, a map and cat litter or sand. Add a first aid kit, a flashlight, water and food, and for winter the National Weather Service's longer list below. In an emergency, call 911.
Why the car gets its own kit
Ready.gov puts it plainly: "In case you are stranded, keep an emergency supply kit in your car." A breakdown, a closed road or a snowstorm can leave you waiting hours for help, far from your home supplies.
It also asks you to keep the gas tank full, in case of evacuation or power outages. A full tank keeps the fuel line from freezing too.
What the law requires abroad
Driving in Europe? These three are written into law.
| Country | Must be in the car | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | First aid kit to DIN 13164 (1998 or 2014 edition), one warning triangle and one hi-vis vest (EN ISO 20471). Over 3.5 t, a warning light too | StVZO §35h and §53a |
| Spain | A connected V-16 warning beacon. Since 1 January 2026 it replaces the triangles for cars registered in Spain | DGT |
| Romania | An approved first aid kit, two reflective triangles and a fire extinguisher | OUG 195/2002, art. 8 |
From the legal texts and the DGT page, checked 11 Nov 2026. Under the 1968 Vienna Convention, the DGT says, a car in international traffic follows the rules of the country where it is registered.
The everyday kit
This lives in the trunk all year.
| Item | Source |
|---|---|
| Jumper cables (battery booster cables) | Ready.gov, NWS |
| Flares or a reflective triangle | Ready.gov |
| Ice scraper | Ready.gov |
| Car phone charger | Ready.gov |
| Blanket | Ready.gov |
| Paper map. The NWS says not to depend on phones with limited battery life | Ready.gov, NWS |
| Cat litter or sand, for tire traction | Ready.gov |
| First aid kit | NWS |
| Flashlight with extra batteries | NWS |
| Water container and high-calorie non-perishable food | NWS |
Ready.gov, Car Safety, and the National Weather Service winter kit. The 72-hour checklist tracks your home kit next to it.
Add these for winter
The National Weather Service's Winter Storm Survival Kit adds:
- Blankets or sleeping bags, and extra clothing to keep dry.
- Mobile phone, charger and batteries.
- A shovel, a windshield scraper and brush, a tool kit and a tow rope.
- A knife.
- A small can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking water.
- A large empty can to use as an emergency toilet, with tissues, toilet paper and paper towels.
- A candle and matches, for light and, in an emergency, heat.
- A compass and road maps.
- A sack of sand or cat litter for traction.
If you get stuck in snow
The National Weather Service's first rule is to stay with the car.
01Stay in the vehicle
- If you leave, you can become disoriented quickly in wind-driven snow and cold.
- Move your arms, legs, fingers and toes now and then to keep blood moving.
Source: NWS
02Run the engine for heat, safely
- Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour.
- Open a window a little while it runs, for fresh air.
- Clear snow from the exhaust pipe first, so carbon monoxide can't build up inside.
Source: NWS
03Be visible to rescuers
- Turn on the dome light at night while the engine runs.
- Tie a bright cloth, red if you have one, to the antenna or door.
- Once the snow stops falling, raise the hood to show you need help.
Source: NWS
The mechanic's winter list
Ready.gov asks a mechanic to check these before an emergency:
- Antifreeze levels, the battery and ignition system, and the brakes.
- The exhaust system, and the fuel and air filters.
- The heater, defroster and thermostat.
- Lights and flashing hazard lights.
- Oil, windshield wipers and washer fluid level.
Questions people ask
What should be in a car emergency kit?
Jumper cables, flares or a reflective triangle, an ice scraper, a car phone charger, a blanket, a map and cat litter or sand, per Ready.gov. Add a first aid kit, a flashlight, water and food.
What should I add for winter?
The NWS adds blankets or sleeping bags, dry clothes, a shovel, a scraper and brush, a tow rope, a tool kit, matches and a can to melt snow.
How often should I run the engine if I'm stuck?
About 10 minutes each hour, with a window open a little and the exhaust pipe clear of snow.
What is required in a car in Germany?
A first aid kit to DIN 13164, a warning triangle and a hi-vis vest, under StVZO §35h and §53a.
Are warning triangles still allowed in Spain?
Not for cars registered in Spain since 1 January 2026. The DGT accepts only the connected V-16 beacon; foreign-registered cars may still use triangles.
Read next
Sources
- Ready.gov: Car Safety The car kit, mechanic checks, flood depths, power lines.
- National Weather Service: Before a winter storm Winter Storm Survival Kit.
- National Weather Service: During a winter storm If your car gets stuck.
- StVZO §35h, Erste-Hilfe-Material in Kraftfahrzeugen
- StVZO §53a, Warndreieck, Warnleuchte, Warnweste
- DGT: Dispositivos de preseñalización V16
- OUG 195/2002 privind circulația pe drumurile publice, art. 8