Most of us spend a significant portion of our lives in our cars, commuting to work, running errands, or embarking on road trips. Given this reliance on our vehicles, it makes sense to equip them with the essential tools needed to handle unexpected situations. While home and workplace emergency preparedness are often discussed, and bug-out bags (BOBs) and everyday carry (EDC) items are popular topics, Vehicle Every Day Carry (VEDC) deserves equal attention. This article focuses on assembling the Best Everyday Carry Tools For The Car, ensuring you’re prepared for anything the road throws your way.
Our primary goal in most emergencies is to get home safely. Home is our base of operations, stocked with resources crucial for navigating challenging times. Therefore, the items listed below are specifically chosen to aid you in returning home, assuming the situation doesn’t necessitate immediate medical attention or home evacuation.
Here’s a comprehensive list of recommended everyday carry tools for your car, presented in no particular order, to maximize your preparedness on the road:
- Jumper Cables: A dead battery is a common car problem. Jumper cables are indispensable for jump-starting your vehicle or assisting others.
- Two Tow Straps: Vehicle extraction is crucial if your car gets stuck. Tow straps are vital for pulling your vehicle out of ditches or mud, or for assisting others in need.
- Small Bag of Easy Light Charcoal: More than just for barbecues, charcoal can serve as an excellent fire starter in emergency situations or for signaling for help by creating a smoke fire.
- 5 Road Flares: Road flares are essential for roadside safety. They act as highly visible emergency distress signals, warning oncoming traffic of your presence, and can also be used as fire starters.
- Come Along Winch: For more complex vehicle extractions, a come along winch provides mechanical advantage to pull your car free from tough spots where tow straps alone might not suffice.
- Bobby Stick/Club: A versatile tool that can be used for self-defense in threatening situations, or as a fire starter by using friction methods on dry wood.
- First Aid Kit: A well-stocked first aid kit is paramount for treating injuries, from minor cuts and scrapes to more serious wounds. Bandages and gauze can also be used as fire starters with proper tinder.
- 12 Volt Air Compressor: A portable air compressor allows you to reinflate a flat tire and get back on the road. It can also be used to power air horns for signaling or even inflatable mattresses for comfort during long waits.
- Extra Fuses: Electrical issues can disable your car. Having a set of extra fuses allows for quick repairs of blown fuses, getting your lights, radio, or other essential systems back online.
- Siphon Pump: In fuel emergencies, a siphon pump enables you to transfer gasoline from another vehicle or a gas can to your tank, extending your range and preventing you from being stranded.
- Hat: Protection from the sun and elements is crucial. A hat shields you from sunburn, rain, and cold, making outdoor tasks more bearable.
- 2 – 40 ft Sections of Old Climbing Rope: Strong rope is invaluable for vehicle extraction, creating improvised tow lines, assisting others in rappelling in emergencies, or securing items.
- 2 Carabineers, a Figure Eight, and Rope for a Swiss Seat: While specialized, these climbing tools can be used for emergency rappelling if you need to descend steep embankments or assist others in tricky terrain.
- Extra Batteries: Keep spare batteries for essential devices like GPS units, spotlights, and radios, ensuring they remain functional when you need them most.
- Bottle of Excedrin: Pain relief is important, and Excedrin can also provide a caffeine boost for alertness during stressful situations or long drives.
- Binoculars: Especially useful in rural areas, binoculars help you scout your surroundings, locate landmarks, or identify potential hazards or routes to civilization from a distance.
- Gloves: Protect your hands during vehicle repairs, handling debris, or in cold weather. Work gloves offer crucial protection and grip.
- Extra 550 Paracord: Paracord is incredibly versatile. It can be used for countless tasks, including gear repair, makeshift shelters, fire starting (inner strands as tinder), and securing equipment.
- Seat Belt Extractor/Cutter: In the event of an accident, a seat belt cutter can quickly free you or others from jammed or locked seatbelts, potentially saving lives.
- Cell Phone Charger: Staying connected is vital. A car cell phone charger ensures your phone is powered for communication and navigation.
- 120 Volt to 12 Volt Inverter: This allows you to power devices that use standard household electricity from your car’s 12V outlet, such as laptops or communication equipment.
- LED Spotlight: A powerful spotlight serves multiple purposes: signaling for distress, warning oncoming traffic at night, and providing bright illumination for vehicle repairs in the dark.
- Maglite or Similar Flashlight: A durable flashlight is essential for visibility during nighttime emergencies, vehicle repairs, and self-defense if needed.
- Tire Repair Kit: For puncture repairs, a tire repair kit allows you to plug small holes and reinflate your tire, often without needing to remove the wheel.
- Valve Stem Tool and Spare Valve Stem Cores: Valve stem issues can cause slow leaks or complete deflation. A valve stem tool and spare cores allow for quick fixes.
- Roll of Black Electrical Tape: Electrical tape is essential for temporary repairs to your vehicle’s electrical system, insulating wires, and general improvisation.
- Roll of Duct Tape: Duct tape’s uses are legendary. From temporarily patching leaky hoses to securing broken parts, it’s an indispensable tool for countless improvisations.
- Fire Extinguisher: A car fire can be devastating. A fire extinguisher is crucial for quickly suppressing small vehicle fires before they escalate.
- Sun Tan Lotion: For extended outdoor exposure, especially in sunny or desert environments, sunscreen prevents sunburn. It can also be used as an accelerant for fire starting in a pinch.
- Insect Repellent: Protect yourself from insect bites, which can be annoying and transmit diseases, especially if you are forced to be outdoors for extended periods.
- Ice Scraper: Beyond winter use, an ice scraper can serve as an improvised digging tool or even a self-defense tool in emergencies.
- 2 Gallon Gas Can (with Gas): Carrying extra fuel can extend your range and prevent running out of gas in unexpected situations, especially in remote areas.
- One Gallon Premixed Water and Antifreeze (Note: Never use antifreeze containers for drinking water. Antifreeze is poisonous and should never be ingested.): Coolant is vital for preventing overheating. Premixed coolant is ready to use in emergencies. Crucially, never use a container that has held antifreeze for drinking water, and never drink antifreeze.
- Entrenching Tool (E-Tool): A folding shovel is invaluable for digging your vehicle out of snow, mud, or sand. It can also be used to clear debris or as a tool for various tasks.
- Tool Kit: A comprehensive tool kit is the heart of vehicle repair capabilities. Essential components include:
- Basic Socket Set (Phillips, flathead, metric, and standard 3/8 sockets and wrenches)
- ¼ inch Multi-bit Driver with various bits
- Hex Wrenches
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Adjustable Wrench
- Spark Plug Sockets
- Wire Cutters
- 3/8 drive Flex Universal Adapter
- 6 inch and 3 inch Extensions
- 3/8 Ratchet
- Small Hacksaw
- 2 Pair of Vise Grip Locking Pliers
- Standard and Metric Deep Well Sockets
- Leather Man or Multi-Tool
- Larger Adjustable Wrench
- Roll of Electrical Wire
- Roll of Utility Wire
- Standard Pair of Pliers
- 2 Pound Hammer
- Another Ratchet
- Durable Tool Bag to organize it all
For older vehicles, consider adding a few quarts of oil and transmission fluid, along with spare serpentine or V-belts specific to your vehicle model and any unique tools needed for belt replacement. During colder months, an extra sleeping bag or wool blanket is a wise addition for warmth if you get stranded. While newer, well-maintained vehicles are less likely to require spare fluids and belts with regular maintenance, preparedness is always key.
GET HOME BAG (GHB)
In situations where your vehicle becomes unusable – irreparable breakdowns, getting stuck, or impassable roads – a Get Home Bag (GHB) is essential. This is a lighter, more compact version of a 72-hour bug-out bag, designed to sustain you for approximately 24 hours, providing the necessary gear to reach home on foot, even over a long distance.
Here are the recommended contents for your car’s Get Home Bag:
- Small Backpack: To carry all your GHB items comfortably, a durable and comfortable backpack is crucial.
- Emergency Credit Card (with $3000+ Limit): Financial flexibility is key in emergencies. An emergency credit card provides funds for transportation, supplies, or accommodation if needed.
- Prepaid Calling Card (60+ Minutes): In areas with unreliable cell service, a prepaid calling card ensures you can communicate using payphones or landlines.
- $100 Cash: Cash is universally accepted and valuable for situations where electronic payments are not possible. It’s useful for paying for rides, purchasing food, water, or emergency supplies.
- Bright Colored Poncho: A poncho provides shelter from rain and wind, keeping you dry and warm. Its bright color also serves as a signaling device for attracting attention.
- Old Broke-in Tennis Shoes: Comfortable footwear is paramount for walking long distances. Tennis shoes are far more suitable than dress shoes, boots, or heels for foot travel.
- Thick Wool Socks: Extra wool socks are crucial for keeping your feet dry and preventing blisters, significantly improving comfort and mobility during long walks.
- Umbrella: An umbrella offers additional protection from rain and sun, making walking in inclement weather more bearable.
- 4 Bottles of Water: Hydration is essential. Carry at least four bottles of water to ensure you have drinking water for your journey home.
- Emergency Water Filter Straw: A water filter straw allows you to purify water from streams or other sources, replenishing your water supply if needed during a long walk.
- 4 Granola Bars: Non-perishable food like granola bars provides quick energy and sustenance during your trek home.
- Collapsible Baton: For self-defense, a collapsible baton offers a non-lethal option for protection in potentially dangerous situations. (Note: Check local laws regarding legality of carrying batons).
- Small Handgun, Ammo, and Holster: For personal protection in extreme circumstances. (Note: Ensure you comply with all local and state laws regarding firearm carry and licensing).
- Combat Field Bandage: A versatile medical tool for treating serious injuries, combat bandages can also be used as fire starters due to their sterile packaging and absorbent material.
- Triangle Bandage/Kravat: Multi-purpose medical item for slings, bandages, and immobilizing injuries. It can also be used as a pre-filter for water (not purification) or as a dust mask.
- Toilet Paper: Basic hygiene is important, even in emergencies. Toilet paper is a necessity for comfort and sanitation.
- Candle: A candle serves as a fire starter, a small light source, and can even be used for signaling. Shield it from wind by cutting the bottom off a water bottle and using it as a lantern.
- 6ft x 8ft Tarp: A tarp provides shelter from the elements, can be used as a ground cover for vehicle repairs, or as a signaling panel.
- Cigarette Lighter: A reliable fire starter, even if you don’t smoke.
- Magnesium Fire Starter/Fire Steel: A dependable fire starter that works even in damp conditions.
- Pitch Wood Club: Pitch wood is excellent tinder for fire starting. A club of pitch wood can also serve as a self-defense tool.
- Compass/Signal Mirror: For navigation and daytime signaling. A signal mirror can attract attention from long distances; a couple of flashes towards a driver can gain attention, but avoid prolonged flashing directly into eyes.
- LED Flashlight: Essential for nighttime travel and repairs, providing hands-free illumination with a headlamp or a durable handheld LED flashlight.
- Emergency Road Flare: Another distress signal and fire starter, road flares are highly visible day or night.
- Folding Saw: For collecting firewood for overnight fires, clearing debris from roads, or cutting branches for shelter building.
- Fixed Blade Knife: A robust fixed blade knife is a multi-tool for cutting, prying, and various survival tasks.
- Handheld CB Radio: For communication and signaling, especially in areas where CB radios are commonly used by truckers or emergency services.
- Handheld FRS/GMRS Radios: For short-range communication with family or group members if traveling in convoy or if others might be searching for you.
- Notepad and Pens/Pencil: For leaving messages, directions, or contact information if you need to abandon your vehicle or communicate with others.
- Road Map: Even with GPS, a physical road map is invaluable for navigating detours, understanding the overall road network, and planning alternative routes.
- Handheld GPS: Preload waypoints for your home, friends’ houses, or designated rally points for navigation without relying on cell service.
- Shemagh: A versatile cloth for head and face protection from sun, wind, and dust. It can also be used as a scarf for warmth, a water filter (pre-filter), or dampened for cooling.
- White Cotton Towel: A white towel is a universal distress signal when waved at passing vehicles. It’s also useful for cleaning up after vehicle repairs or for hygiene.
- Wool Stocking Cap: Essential for warmth in cold weather, a wool cap retains heat even when wet.
- 6 Hand/Foot Warmers: Chemical hand and foot warmers provide crucial warmth in cold conditions, preventing frostbite and improving comfort.
- Gloves (GHB): Separate from work gloves, these are for warmth and dexterity in colder climates.
All of these Get Home Bag items can fit into a small backpack, weighing approximately 22 lbs. Once you wear the tennis shoes and socks and consume some water, the carried weight reduces slightly. While not ultralight, this manageable weight provides substantial resources for diverse emergency scenarios.
While all items listed have multiple uses, the cash, prepaid calling card, and emergency credit card are often the most immediately helpful in real-world emergencies, providing crucial financial and communication options. For long walks, the extra socks and tennis shoes are invaluable for comfort and mobility, especially if you are typically dressed in formal work attire. High heels or dress shoes are far from ideal for extended walking.
It may seem like a lot of gear, but modern vehicles offer numerous storage compartments and hidden spaces where these items can be discreetly stored until needed.
As demonstrated, these everyday carry tools for your car can be effectively organized and stored without significantly impacting passenger space. The GHB might take up a small amount of floor space, but the enhanced preparedness it provides is well worth the minor inconvenience.
For even greater vehicle readiness, consider adding a portable battery booster/jump starter and a high-lift jack to your VEDC. Traction boards, constructed from grooved 2x10s with traction paint, can also be extremely helpful for vehicle extraction in challenging terrain.
Equipping your vehicle with these best everyday carry tools ensures you’re not just a driver, but a prepared and capable responder, ready to handle the unexpected and ensure your safe return home. What essential items do you keep in your vehicle that aren’t listed here? Share your ideas in the comments below!
