Key takeaways
- Two items make the biggest difference: reflective triangles and a working flashlight.
- A lithium jump pack has replaced jumper cables as the modern must-have.
- Water and a phone power bank matter more than most drivers realize.
- Rotate perishables (water, snacks, first-aid supplies) twice a year.
Visibility and warning
Three reflective triangles that can be placed 100/200/300 feet behind the vehicle. Skip road flares — they're a fire risk in dry Southern California brush conditions and triangles work just as well.
A high-lumen flashlight with fresh batteries, or a rechargeable model with a lithium battery. A headlamp is even better because it keeps both hands free.
A reflective safety vest. $10 on Amazon. Wear it any time you exit a broken-down vehicle at night — you will be dramatically more visible to passing drivers.
Power and communication
A lithium jump pack (10,000 mAh or larger, capable of jump starting most passenger cars). Modern packs are the size of a large paperback and cost $80–$150 — a small fraction of a single tow.
A phone power bank with USB-C and USB-A outputs. A dead phone during a breakdown is a serious safety issue.
The Go Ape dispatch number saved as a contact: 1-877-GOAPE-02. Save it before you need it.
Basic tools
A small multitool with pliers. A tire pressure gauge. A pair of work gloves. A roll of duct tape for improvised temporary fixes. Nothing exotic — the goal is a handful of items that solve 80% of common roadside problems.
Consumables and comfort
A gallon of water (drinking + emergency radiator top-up), rotated every six months. Non-perishable snacks like protein bars, rotated every year. A small first-aid kit. A mylar emergency blanket. In colder inland areas, keep a real blanket in winter.
Paperwork
Current insurance card and vehicle registration in the glove box. A photocopy of your driver's license kept separately from your wallet, in case your wallet is lost or stolen. A list of emergency contacts written on paper — phone contacts do you no good if your phone is dead.
Download the printable version
We publish this list as a printable PDF checklist in the Resource Center. Print one, tape it inside the glove box, and refresh the perishable items twice a year when you change your clocks.
Frequently asked
Common questions
Do I really need a jump pack if I have jumper cables?
Jump packs don't require a second vehicle, work in parking garages where no donor car can reach you, and are safer to use for drivers unfamiliar with cable order. They've largely replaced cables in modern kits.
Where should I store the kit in my car?
Under the driver's seat or in the front of the trunk — somewhere you can reach it quickly without unloading other items. A kit buried under groceries is a kit you won't use in an emergency.