Vehicle Emergency Kit Checklist

The complete vehicle emergency kit — what lives in every vehicle year-round, seasonal add-ons for winter and summer, step-by-step breakdown protocol, and the monthly maintenance that prevents emergencies.

VERSION v2026.04

PAGES 8

FORMAT Printable

01 🚗

ALWAYS IN THE VEHICLE

Year-round, every trip
02 ❄️

WINTER KIT

October through April
03 ☀️

SUMMER KIT

May through September
04 🛠️

IF YOU BREAK DOWN

Step by step
05 🔧

LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE

Check monthly, rotate seasonally

QUICK REFERENCE

The Rule of 3s

3 min

without air — airway is priority #1

3 hrs

without shelter in harsh weather

3 days

without water — this checklist covers it

3 weeks

without food — buys time to reach help

☐ Jumper cables + NOCO portable jump starter → Buy
☐ Tow strap (rated 10,000+ lb)
☐ Spare tire — aired up, not a doughnut if possible
☐ Jack + lug wrench (NOT the factory toy)
☐ Tire plug kit + air compressor 12V → Buy
☐ First aid kit (pre-built, sealed) → Buy
☐ Flashlight + headlamp + spare batteries
☐ Fire extinguisher (ABC, 2.5lb minimum) → Buy
☐ Road flares or LED emergency triangles → Buy
☐ Leatherman multi-tool + basic hand tools
☐ Duct tape + zip ties + tie-down straps
☐ $100+ in cash, small bills, glove box

☐ Wool blanket + mylar emergency blankets (4-pack)
☐ Snow shovel (compact, collapsible)
☐ Kitty litter or sand for tire traction if stuck
☐ Ice scraper + snow brush
☐ Tire chains (if your region requires them)
☐ De-icer fluid for door locks + windshield
☐ Hand warmers (12+ packets minimum) → Buy
☐ Warm clothes: hat, gloves, insulated jacket, warm socks
☐ Sleeping bag rated to your local winter low temperature
☐ Extra hot food (high-calorie bars, no cook needed)
☐ Full thermos with hot drink for long winter drives

☐ Extra water (1 gallon minimum, in addition to drinking)
☐ Electrolyte drink mix / packets → Buy
☐ Sun shade for windshield (reflective)
☐ Sunscreen + sun hat + sunglasses
☐ Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin)
☐ Cooling towel + small spray bottle (mist to cool)
☐ Pet water bowl + extra pet water
☐ Extra shirt (sweat-through changes)
☐ Oral rehydration salts for heat exhaustion

☐ Pull fully off the road. Do not trust the shoulder.
☐ Turn on hazards immediately
☐ Set up triangles or flares 50, 100, 150 feet behind you
☐ Stay in the vehicle with seatbelt on
☐ Call for help (911, roadside service, emergency contact)
☐ Share GPS coordinates if calling a friend (not just the road name)
☐ If passing driver stops: stay inside, window cracked, ask them to call for help
☐ Winter: run engine 10 min/hour for heat, crack window for CO ventilation
☐ Summer: seek shade if safe, hydrate, do NOT exert yourself
☐ Tie a bright cloth to the antenna so responders can find you
☐ Conserve phone battery: airplane mode until you need to call again

☐ Check tire pressure monthly (cold mornings when you check)
☐ Check oil level monthly, top off if needed
☐ Test brake lights + headlights weekly
☐ Rotate water and snacks every 6 months
☐ Test jumper cables + jump pack every 3 months
☐ Replace first aid kit expired items annually
☐ Service fire extinguisher annually
☐ Swap winter and summer kits twice a year
☐ Full roadside kit inventory audit once a year
☐ Top off washer fluid monthly (winter = freeze-point matters)
☐ Check coolant level and freeze point before winter
☐ Replace wiper blades 1-2x per year, or when they smear

This free checklist covers the essentials. The Complete Prep Bundle covers everything after — scenario playbooks, 12 skill tracks, a diagnostic quiz, printable templates, and lifetime Premium access.

$60 VALUE

$29

COMPLETE BUNDLE

📖 The FlintReady Field Manual (140+ pages)
📋 5 Printable Checklists
📓 4 Scenario Playbooks (Hurricane, Blackout, Water Cut, Vehicle)
🗂️ Family Plan + Pantry Rotation Templates
⭐ Premium Lifetime Access

Get the Bundle → $29

SCAN · flintready.com/bundle

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