What should your car’s safety kit contain?

Modern cars are more reliable than ever. But during a recent five-year period, 45 percent of drivers experienced at least one breakdown, according to a 2018 study by Siegfried and Jensen, a law firm specializing in automotive-related accidents and injuries.

Breakdowns have many causes—among them a flat tire, an empty gas tank, a dead battery, or a crash—and they usually happen unexpectedly. Older cars are more prone to breakdowns, but you can take steps to make a breakdown less likely regardless of your car’s age: inspect your tires regularly and keep them properly inflated; when you have the car serviced, have the battery tested if it’s more than 3 years old; and check your oil and coolant levels periodically.

Of course, if a breakdown occurs, AAA members can always summon Roadside Assistance by calling (800) AAA-HELP (222-4357) or by using the Auto Club app. But if you’re at all handy, keeping certain items in an emergency kit could help you get back on the road quickly; others could keep you comfortable and safe until a AAA truck arrives.

Essential items will vary depending on where you drive and, sometimes, on the season. If you’re going on an extended road trip or driving in unfamiliar territory, you might want to pack certain additional items, described at the end of this article.

Check out the jack and lug wrench that came with your car. If they seem flimsy and unstable, consider buying a better-quality setup (less than $50). Be sure to keep your spare tire inflated and, if you have an inflator kit, be aware of the sealant’s expiration date.

Keep the following in a covered, heavy-duty plastic storage container or toolbox:

• Three reflective triangles (less than $25) or flares (less than $10) to increase your car’s visibility to passing traffic; place them around the perimeter of the car.

• Jumper cables (less than $30) or a lithium-ion battery-powered jump starter (about $100) to revive a dead battery. Jumper cables can be tricky to use. Be sure to read the instructions and your car’s owner’s manual so that you don’t damage your car’s battery or electrical system or (more importantly) injure yourself.

• A first-aid kit with (at least) bandages, gauze, and antiseptic towelettes in case you scrape a knuckle, say, while changing a tire. You can buy these preassembled or put one together yourself.

• An LED flashlight (less than $20) in case your car breaks down at night. Pack some extra batteries, too.

• Basic tools such as pliers, flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers, scissors, a folding knife, and an adjustable wrench. Duct tape can also be useful.

• A gallon of antifreeze/coolant (less than $10) in case the cooling system springs a leak or overheats (more likely on an older car).

• A quart of oil (less than $7) in case you run low. Your car’s owner’s manual will indicate the proper viscosity. As with antifreeze, you’re more likely to need this with an older car.

• Disposable gloves to protect your hands and premoistened wipes to clean them after, say, changing a tire or checking the oil level.

• A couple of rags in case you spill antifreeze or need to remove a hot coolant-recovery tank cap.

• A blanket for warmth or to spread on the ground while changing a tire.

• If your car catches fire, grab your cell phone, get out quickly, and call 911. But a dry-powder fire extinguisher (less than $20) for classes B (flammable liquids) or C (electrical) fires could keep a small fire from becoming unmanageable. Store it under the driver’s seat for quick access; be sure to keep it charged.

It’s easy to be prepared

All of these items are available in auto-parts stores or online. AAA-branded first-aid kits and preassembled roadside emergency kits containing some of these items are sold on Amazon. Check your kit every six months and replace items as needed.

Veteran automotive journalist Peter Bohr has been writing about cars for more than four decades. Contributing editor John Lehrer is the author of the 2021 AAA Car Guide, available at branches or online at AAA.com.